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How To Visit the Statue Of Liberty

How To Visit the Statue Of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is an iconic monument located in Liberty Island on the Hudson River in New York City, just 2.6 kilometers south of Manhattan.

In addition to being an important monument, it became a symbol of the United States after being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. The statue, which represents freedom, is the first thing European immigrants saw when they arrived in the United States after crossing the Atlantic Ocean. 

Statue of Liberty: background and history

The Statue of Liberty was inaugurated in October 1886. It was a gift from France to the United States in commemoration of the country’s 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. (This explains why the monument looks to the east: because that’s where France is).

The statue is a work of French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, although the internal structure was designed by engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel - the architect of the Eiffel Tower. The inauguration took place on October 28, 1886, in the presence of American President Cleveland and, on October 15, 1924, the Statue of Liberty was declared a national monument of the United States.

Statue of Liberty: some curiosities

  • Although it is commonly known as the Statue of Liberty, its real name is Liberty Illuminating the World.
  • The seven rays of the crown represent the seven oceans and the seven continents of the world. 
  • For a long period of time, it was used as a lighthouse and ships would look out for the statue to guide themselves back home after a long journey across the ocean.
  • The original color of the statue isn’t green, but copper. The reason it looks green today is because of the copper’s oxidation.

How tall is the Statue of Liberty? It measures 46 meters high (93 meters high if we count the base).

Visiting the Statue of Liberty 

Going up to the viewpoint of the Statue of Liberty is a very beautiful experience. This spot was reopened to the public in 2009, after being closed as a consequence of the attacks that happened on September 11th. If you wish to visit the viewpoint and see all of Manhattan from above, you can buy tickets here.

A cheaper option would be to hop onto the Long Island ferry, which is public and free. You’ll have a closer view of the Statue of Liberty and enjoy wonderful views of the city.

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