Statue of Liberty New York

New York’s “Lady Liberty”

Colloquially known among true New Yorkers simply as “Lady Liberty,” the statue is arguably THE symbol of freedom, democracy, and the American Dream. America’s most famous landmark is the image of a woman draped in a robe and is said to represent Libertas, a Roman goddess. Its green color is due to the patina on the copper that covers the entire outer shell. Standing a full 93 meters tall and weighing 225 metric tons, she stands on Liberty Island in Upper New York Bay, located south of Ellis Island, the former immigration station. Together, the two islands are known as the Statue of Liberty National Monument; while there is generally no admission fee, since only the official ferry can dock there and the ferry ride costs money, a trip here is not entirely free of charge.

Tour

Ferry departure points are located both at Liberty State Park in New Jersey and at Battery Park in Manhattan. However, before boarding the ferry, you must purchase tickets. It’s highly recommended to buy them online in advance. This way, you can avoid long wait times at the ticket counters and ensure you have a ticket, since same-day tickets often sell out. In addition, an e-ticket even entitles you to priority boarding after you’ve passed through security. Before you can enter the monument, there’s another security check. Large bags, drinks, umbrellas, and strollers are not welcome on the islands. Generally, it’s possible to tour the inside of the Statue of Liberty. Since the devastating Hurricane Sandy in 2012—which caused the statue to remain closed until July 4, 2013, Independence Day in the U.S.—visitors can now once again enter the crown following extensive renovations. Be prepared, however, for the fact that it can be difficult to get tickets for an interior tour of the Statue of Liberty. But you can still enjoy the fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline and take pictures in front of “Lady Liberty.”

France’s Gift to the United States

It was Édouard René Lefebvre’s idea in 1876 to present the Statue of Liberty as a gift from France to the United States. The intention was to strengthen the friendship between the two nations, and France hoped to secure the United States’ favor in the future. Originally, it was intended to be a gift marking the 100th anniversary of American independence, but unfortunately, it arrived 10 years too late. Although the statue was shipped from France, the U.S. was responsible for constructing the pedestal.

Thus, in 1886—after being disassembled into 350 individual pieces for the voyage—the statue was finally ceremoniously dedicated and unveiled by the president. From that point on, the Statue of Liberty was the first thing all immigrants from Europe saw upon arriving in New York, which is why its symbolic status has not lost any of its significance to this day. The design is attributed to the sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, while Gustave Eiffel—who later designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris—constructed the iron framework.

Iconic Statue

It is striking that the statue, officially named “Liberty Enlightening the World,” carries many symbolic meanings. For example, the seven-pointed crown represents the seven seas, the book in her hand symbolizes the American Declaration of Independence, the raised arm holding the torch represents the Enlightenment, and the statue symbolizes the end of slavery by standing on chains. In 1903, Emma Lazarus’s poem “The New Colossus” was inscribed on the statue, welcoming all emigrants who crossed the Atlantic and continuing to welcome all immigrants to this day. Translated, it reads: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathefree, The wretched refuse of your teeming shores; Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

By public transportation:

The ferries that take you to the Statue of Liberty depart either from Battery Park in New York City or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

Battery Park is located in Downtown Manhattan, and you can get there via the Local, Local 1, or Express 4 and 5 subway lines.

Bus lines M1, M6, and M15 also go to the South Ferry stop.

The best way to reach Liberty State Park is via the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, which is accessible from PATH stations in New Jersey.

By car:

Although you can reach Battery Park by car by following the signs for South Ferry Battery Park through the city, parking is very limited there, so this option is not recommended.

The best way to reach Liberty State Park is to take the New Jersey Turnpike and then follow the signs for Liberty State Park at Exit 14-B.