The Statue of Liberty, officially 'Liberty Enlightening the World,' stands in New York Harbor on Liberty Island in New York City. A gift from the people of France, the copper-clad figure was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi with an internal framework by Gustave Eiffel and dedicated on October 28, 1886.
Why it is worth the trip
Approaching by water, the robed and crowned figure grows from a distant silhouette into a colossal sculpture against the skyline. Up close you can trace her symbols: the torch of enlightenment in her right hand, the tabula ansata inscribed with the Declaration of Independence date in Roman numerals, and the broken chain and shackle beneath her left foot commemorating the abolition of slavery. Standing in her shadow on Liberty Island, with the harbor stretching around you, the scale of Bartholdi's vision and the weight of the history feel immediate.
The best time to go
Go early in the day, since this is one of the city's most popular landmarks and crowds and lines build quickly. Summer brings the heaviest traffic, so spring and autumn tend to be more comfortable for walking the island grounds.
How long to allow
Allow at least half a day for the ferry, the island grounds, and the statue itself. If you add nearby Ellis Island, plan on most of a day.
Getting there
The statue is reached by ferry across New York Harbor to Liberty Island. For a view without landing, the Staten Island Ferry passes the statue from the water.
What to book ahead
Reserve Liberty Island tickets in advance, and if you want to enter the statue's crown, book months ahead since numbers are limited. Multi-attraction passes covering the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island can include admission and skip-the-line privileges.
Nearby
Ellis Island, which preserves the history of millions who arrived in America by sea, is a natural pairing. Back on the mainland, the Financial District holds the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the Brooklyn Bridge.