The Statue of Liberty

If your going to New York, don't miss the Statue of Liberty, it's a easy trip and a Good Price.

The Statue of Liberty

There wasn't any way I was going to miss the Statue of Liberty. To this day, whenever my kids see the Statue of Liberty on Television they always say "I have been there!" of course it's the same with all the sites we visit, but the Statue of Liberty is different. This symbol of freedom and hope is still alive today.

I talked to my kids about the Statue of Liberty, most of what I told them they had already learned in school, but those were facts about the statue, where it came from, who gave it to us, what year we received this gift. More important (in my opinion) is the symbol of freedom and the many immigrants that passed the statue hoping for a new life in America. The Ellis Island stories are countless tributes to courage and hope and have helped make America the great nation that is is Today.

I took this picture after arriving at Liberty Park, the best photos can be taken from your boat on the way to Liberty Park.

The cost of visiting the Statue of Liberty was not bad, I gathered the following fee information from the official Statue of Liberty website, this is the Summer of 2007.

FEES:

Entrance Fees - None
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry Fees

Fees
$11.50 - Ages 13+ - Day
$9.50- Seniors 62 and over - Day
$4.50- Children 4-12. - Day

Details
There is no entrance fee to enter the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. National Park Passes only apply to entrance fees. Ferry fees: $11.50 - ages 13+. $9.50 - Senior Citizens (62 and over. $4.50 - Children 4 - 12.

So as you can see the Fee really applies to the Ferry Ride, not to visit the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. Be prepared for a crowd at Battery Park (Where you sign up for the Ferry Ride), when we were there in the summer it was all handled very efficiently, I stood in line to get tickets for about 15 minutes, then, I waited for a ferry for about 45 Minutes. Before leaving on the ferry you have to go through a security check point.

LARGE* packages, backpacks, suitcases, carry-on luggage and other large parcels will not be permitted on the ferry systems or at Liberty and Ellis Islands. *(Anything that cannot fit into a standard plastic milk crate). So obviously don't bring any weapons, or anything large, they don't have lockers to store your stuff, so just bring your Cameras and Money!

The Ferry on the way to the Statue of Liberty

After your security check, you will be hoarded aboard a ferry, it's pretty tight on board so I hope your not claustrophobic! Just kidding, it's not that bad. Have your camera ready on the ferry, your best chance for a picture will come when your onboard, once you get on Liberty Island it's tough to get a good photo because the Statue of Liberty is too high so your perspective will be very low.

Statue of Liberty from the Ferry

As you can see the Statue is quite large, have the Camera ready on the Ferry.

Statue of Liberty Ferry Crowd

This is the scene when you arrive at Liberty Park these folks are trying to get off the Island.

It was a beautiful day when we went to Liberty Park, it was crowded but the weather was cool and there was plenty of space in the park to sit, relax, and look at the Statue. In addition, you could also look back at New York City or New Jersey across the water. When we were at the Statue of Liberty you couldn't go into the Statue, I heard that they do allow the first group each day to go inside but I don't know that for a fact. If your interested contact the Official Statue of Liberty group before you visit.

If your interested in reading about our visit to The Empire State Building CLICK HERE.