A universal symbol of political freedom and democracy, the Statue of Liberty is located in New York Harbor. Lady Liberty's imposing (305 ft/93 m) height and her symbolic welcome are seen by all who sail past her. Visitors can admire the view from the observation deck (at the statue's toe level), look up inside the statue from below a glass ceiling, and visit a museum chronicling the monument's history and construction. France donated the Statue of Liberty as a gesture of international friendship to commemorate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence.
The interior of the statue has been closed since the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. Liberty Island is open for tours; be aware that extensive security measures are in place on the Statue of Liberty ferry and again on the island.
Liberty Island is only accessible by the Statue of Liberty ferry, which departs from Battery Park about every 45 minutes. Daily 9:30 am-5 pm (with extended hours in peak seasons). The last ferry to the island departs Manhattan at 3:30 pm. Tours of the Statue of Liberty are free, but you will need advance reservations (made when you reserve your ferry ticket). The ferry costs US$12 adults, US$10 seniors and US$5 children ages 4-12. (You can get to Battery Park by subway line N or R to Whitehall Street; 4 or 5 to Bowling Green; 1 to South Ferry.) Phone 212-269-5755 for the current ferry schedule. Toll-free 877-523-9849 for ferry tickets and tour reservations. http://www.nps.gov/stli.
