Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

Rising 305 feet from the base of its pedestal to the tip of Lady Liberty's torch, the Statue of Liberty has stood in New York Harbor since 1886 as the world's most recognizable symbol of freedom. Reaching the monument requires a ferry from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey, with the crossing itself offering memorable views of the Lower Manhattan skyline. On Liberty Island, visitors can explore the museum at the statue's base, walk out to the upper pedestal level for a close view of the copper exterior, or — with advance booking — climb the 354 steps inside to the crown, whose small windows frame the harbor below. The copper surface, green with patina since the early 20th century, weighs 31 tons; its seven crown spikes represent the seven seas and seven continents. Ellis Island, a five-minute ferry ride away, houses the National Museum of Immigration in the restored Great Hall, where the high tiled ceilings and original registry benches recall the millions who were processed here between 1892 and 1954. Interactive exhibits trace individual immigrant stories through photographs, oral histories, and personal possessions. The Wall of Honor on the exterior lists 700,000 names of immigrants. A combined visit to both islands requires four to five hours. The most striking views of the statue are from the ferry and from the island's south tip, with the Manhattan skyline framing the background.