Statue of Liberty, New York

I think being an immigrant seeing the statue of liberty gave me a special meaning, how so?, well, this was the first sight the early immigrants from Europe would see as the reached American shoreline. So this statue kinda stands there to invite all immigrants. This invitation is more prevalent and more obvious here in small island where the state stands. Even though I did not see this as my first sight as I came to the US, I can just imagine the awesome view and size of the statue as the immigrants came to America. Ellis island where the Immigration Station where a lots of ancestors can find their fore fathers name and their signatures as they embarked is truly touching. Don't miss this attraction, be their early carry your drink with you, if possible use a wide angle lens to take capture the NY skyline from there.

If you are visiting NYC plan on spending 5-6 hours to take the combined Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tours. You can probably do it in 3-4 hours if you just want to see it and skip the guided tour in the Statue and skip the theater shows at Ellis Island. If you know the exact date of your visit, buy the Circle Line ferry passes online or over the phone, and reserve your Statue pass. This is a timed pass, you select between 8:30-10:30, 10:45-1:45, 2:00-?. The Statue passes are free but you must reserve them 2 days prior to your visit. Once your tickets are purchased, and your Statue passes are reserved, go to the "will-call" window at the Fort at Battery Park. Do not wait in the long ticket lines to get your tickets, these are the people who didn't purchase their tickets ahead of time. Everything was very well organized. I don't recommend taking very small children into the Statue since you have to wait in a long security check. Keep in mind you can visit the Statue and walk around the grounds at the base without having to go through the final security check which about 45 minutes (Monday June 25 2007) and it didn't seem to be very crowded. I'm sure the wait gets longer on weekends or busier days. You will still be able to take the ferry over, go the gift shop, food court etc. and get a fantastic up close view of the Statue without spending that extra hour in line and to walk around the top of the Statue's base, which is VERY narrow. It is probably about 4 feet wide. The ferry comes about every 30 minutes. Next stop is Ellis Island. This can take you 10 minutes or 3 hours. It depends on how much you want to get out of it. They offer many different rooms in the museum, a live play, and a 30 minute movie (I purchased it on dvd at the gift shop so I didn't have to spend the time there). All in all, the combined tour was excellent. Keep in mind there are tremendous amounts of things to do in NYC and you cannot possibly see everything in one or two days. Plan on spending 1/2 day for this combined tour. You will be tired after waiting in the lines so plan on spending an easy 2nd half of the day.

went in 2006 going back in may 2007 loved it would recommmend this to everyone ,just the view of the city and to the boat ride was amazing even though we went in dec, the cold weather didn't take away the beauty of the lady and also going to ellis island was a great experience.

My 7 y.o. son and I waited in line for two hours in the freezing cold in Battery Park then had to go through security screening, taking off our belts, shoes,etc. We got to Liberty island- the same view from the free Staten island ferry. You need reservations to tour the Statue ( I had them) but you can now only go to the top of the Pedestal NOT inside the statue AND you have to go through ANOTHER SECURITY SCREENING!!!! By the time we were done we had wasted 3 1/2 hours for a few pics and were exhausted. Since 9/11 NYC is not as fun.

I liked it alot because of the peace and example of beaty it is! I can't wait to go back! fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun!

Its the Statue of Liberty. What else can you say. The ferries rotate through every 45 minutes. Thats about as long as you need to stay. Take some pictures, see its massiveness and then go to Ellis island. 45 minutes vs. 90 minutes there. Take the quickie.

i liked it because of well... almost everything except the 1860 i had to climb them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!it would be cood to visit in the summer/fall almost everybody would enjoy it!!!!!!

First, I recommend you tour the Lady in warmer weather. I went in early December and thought I was going to die from the bitter cold. I would recommend purchasing your tickets online for the Circle Line Ferry time pass tour with the monument pass. Be prepared to spend the better portion of your day on this trip. The wait time can be exhausting. Security is another time eater, but is a necessary evil in our post 9/11 world. I didn't mind the security measures since they're in place for good reasons. I will say the process does not seem so easy if you are traveling with children, the elderly, or a person with a handicap as it is time consuming and can be exhausting. The statue herself is nothing short of magnificant. Bottom line, any perceived inconvenience can be checked if you stop and think about the hardships that your relatives experienced during their emigration to the US. There are no room for complaints because this is the experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend this tour.

its gigantic design and how it was built and how it was landscaped.to appreciate more of its gigantic design and historical value you should visit not in winter season.all nationalities of the world should visit the statue because it symbolizes the genuine and real meaning of freedom and democracy.LONG LIVE AMERICA AND LONG THE GREAT MASSES OF THE WORLD!!!

On a beautiful and unusually warm January day in 2006, my boyfriend and I took a trip up to the satue's observation deck. The clear, sunny skies that day offered a breathtaking and unrestricted veiw of the majestic Manhattan skyline. There beneath the towering and protective watch of Lady Liberty, my boyfriend asked for my hand in marriage.It was the most poignant moment in my life. After I accepted his proposal, we embraced in front of the beautiful Manhattan backdrop. I reflected upon the fact that my brave relatives we're met by Ms. Liberty when they entered this strange new land. I felt great pride in honoring them by returning to that symbol of freedom. I knew that their spirits could rest in the knowlegde that their struggles were appreciated in ways they probably had never even inmagined. My boyfriend too gave thanks. He grew up in Hungary during the Soviet occupation. When he dreamed of visiting America he knew his journey would not be complete until he saw The Statue Of Liberty. Time may pass. The world may change in ways that frighten and confuse us. Protective and steadfast she will always stand... as a simple of hope and freedom. Not just for America, but for people all over the world who have hope for a more peaceful tomorrow.