Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, New York City

Favorite thing: When in New York City, especially for your first time, it's an excellent and entertaining history lesson, to head out to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. But the Statue of Liberty itself is still closed to the general public these days. You can roam around the island there if you like, but really, without being able to go inside the statue, you can save oodles of time and still get close enough for some good photo ops, if you stay on the boat during its 10minute stop enroute to Ellis Island.

Favorite thing: Visit the city and meet the wonderful people. I went many years ago and NYC did not have the greatest reputation for friendly people..........BUT MANY YEARS AGO...in my experience....THE PEOPLE were great!

Update: This was my old posting from and I recently went to NYC June 1, 2003.

Fondest memory: When I went there, the Statue of Liberty was getting a face lift, so we could not go.

Favorite thing: La estatua de la libertad! sin palabras.

Fue un regalo publico frances al estadounidense y se ha convertido en el simbolo de la ciudad de Nueva York.

En el poema de Emma Lazarus grabado en su base, lady Liberty dice` Dadme a los hastiados, a los pobres, a las muchedumbres que ansian respirar la libertad`.

La estatua es mucho mas impresionante cuando se está de frente a los pies de la misma, además, desde ahí se tiene una vista impresionante del perfil de Manhattan.

Favorite thing:
Next to the flag, it's America's most famous symbol for freedom - an icon for the immigrant.

If you want to climb the 354 steps inside the Statue be early as there are sometimes incredible qeues.

Whithout words!
We take the ferry from Battery Park and take your ticket from the Clinton Castle.

The statue is much more impressive when you are standing at its feet, and you get a great view of the Manhattan skyline from the island.

As we did not have many time we did not get to the top.

Favorite thing: Located in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is one of the most universal symbols of political freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886 and was designated a National Monument on October 15, 1924. The Statue was extensively restored in time for her spectacular centennial on July 4, 1986.

For "open hours" and "how to get there" see the Ellis Island tip.

Favorite thing: Ellis Island is a symbol of America's immigrant heritage. More than 70% of immigrants landed in New York, the country's largest port. First and second class passengers were processed on board ship, but third or steerage class were ferried to Ellis Island when they underwent medical and legal examinations in the Main Building. The museum contains three floors of self guided exhibits and audio/visual displays detailing the history of immigration processing station between 1892 and 1954. You can tour the Great Hall where immigrant legal and medical inspections took place. Be sure to view the artifacts on display: baggage, immigrant clothing and costumes, passports, steamer and railroad tickets, ship passenger manifests, etc. Generally, you should allow 3 hours to tour the museum.

Location:
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are located in the New York Harbor
How to Get Here:
To visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum, you must take the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry from either Battery Park in lower Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey (New Jersey Turnpike Exit 14B)
Directions:
From Manhattan:
By Subway: N/R train to Whitehall Station or 4/5 train to Bowling Green Station. Walk through Battery Park to Castle Clinton, where you purchase boat tickets.
By Bus: M1 (West Side Service)
By Bus: M6 & M15 (East Side Service)
Hours of Operation:
Every day of the year except December 25 from 9:30am until 5:00pm (with extended hours in the summer).
Costs:
Round Trip ferry tickets cost $10.00 for adults, $4.00 for children age 4-12 years old, and $8.00 for senior citizens age 62 and over. There is no admission fee for Liberty and Ellis Island.

Favorite thing: Between 1886 and 1895, over 2 million immigrants were welcomed to New York by the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of new life with new liberty. She was a gift to us from the French in 1886 in recognition of our 100th birthday. Lady Liberty was designed by Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower fame. If you're up to it, you can climb the 167 stairs to the top of her pedestal, or if you don't mind close quarters ride the elevator. For the brave and strong, there are 12 more stories to climb up through her crown where the view is fantastic.

Favorite thing: As you may have surmised from the photos, my favorite stop was the Statue of Liberty. You've seen her a million times on tv but nothing prepares you for the real thing. She has a 'vibe' or something that you don't get from the pictures. When you read the 'New Colossus' it really brings it home too. I would completely recommend that everyone see the Lady. If you go off-season it will help with the crowds too. We were there at the end of January and the beginning of February. The weather was fine if you dressed properly. I dressed too warm and ended up having to buy clothes so I wouldn't melt.

Favorite thing: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Empire State Building. FOA Schwartz. Macy's. Times Square. Broadway. Midtown Manhattan. Brooklyn. Harlem.

Fondest memory: Grayline Tours ROCK in this town! They're the best way to see the whole city for less than $100 US. You can jump on and jump off whenever you like for 2 days. The buses pass regularly so you can see what you want when you want.

Favorite thing: Tuesday, August 28th. A trip to the Statue of Liberty might be corny to some people, but I have never been a tourist before and I think its highly worth it. Go early in the morning to avoid the long waiting lines. We also stopped at Ellis Island and believe me, the museum is worth the time.