Over the past 7 years I have taken a boat around the Statue of Liberty more times than I can count. Why pay to go to the island when you can jump on the Staten Island Ferry for free and get great photo ops? Well, I found out the reason the cough up the dough to go to the island was for the opportunity to climb to the top of the crown and take in the view as only Lady Liberty sees it.

Following September 11th, the island and statue were closed down immediately and remained closed for most of the rest of the year. The island opened back up, but it was 12 years later before the Statue would welcome the public. On July 4, 2013, you could begin purchasing tickets for the crown. Buying our tickets that day, the earliest time we would be able to go was in October 2013. And we did!

It was a beautiful October day when we rode the boat over to Liberty Island. Once inside the pedestal you go through the museum of the statue which holds the original torch. As you make your way upstairs, you eventually find yourself inside of her feet, looking through a glass ceiling to the metal beams and supports that keep her standing tall. We gave our tickets to the security guard and started up the stairs, double-helix set of steps no wider than my body, which a short ceiling. As you climb up the steps, you can see the contours of the metal, just as they look from the outside. Then you get to a height and can make out the inside of her nose, eyes, and mouth. As you reach the top, you step into her head, the lines of her hair visible from below. Looking out the windows in her crown is an unimaginable view.

This was such an awesome experience, it’s one of the activities we plan to do again with our family when they are in town for our wedding.

Live For Fun, Spread Joy, Explore NYC Landmarks!