Take the Stairs
The Statue of Liberty is a must see when visiting New York
The Statue of Liberty recently underwent $30 million in renovations to make the monument more accessible. If you’re in the mood to break a sweat, what used to be only 354 stairs from base to crown is now 393 stairs. Yes, that's almost 40 extra stairs to climb, but they are now much safer and less steep. In addition to this renovation, the Statue of Liberty is now wheelchair accessible up to the observation deck!
Your hard work will be rewarded with stunning views of New York City seen from the crown of the Statue of Liberty! Only 240 people are permitted to ascend the staircase a day so reservations are a must, and they’re definitely worth it. Not only will you fill your camera with amazing photos of NYC taken from high inside the statue, you can brag to all of your friends that you climbed to the top of the Statue of Liberty! Nearly 3.5 million people visit the Statue of Liberty every year!
Tour the Museum
If heights and climbing stairs aren’t your idea of a dream NYC vacation, no need to worry. Get a taste of history at the Statue of Liberty Museum where you can check out photographs, historical objects, videos, and even see a full-scale replica of Lady Liberty’s foot and face!
Explore Liberty Island
Another great way to learn more about the history of the Statue of Liberty is on an informative tour led by National Park Service Rangers or on a self-guided audio tour available in English, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish. If you’re more of a do-it-yourself traveler, you can stroll across the lush 12-acre island and enjoy a picnic lunch in the grass on a warm New York summer day. Food is available for sale on Liberty Island for those sightseers who would prefer to cool off with an ice cream cone or chow down on a juicy hot dog from one of the island’s vendors.
Statue of Liberty Quote
Many people often wonder what the quote reads on the Statue of Liberty. The quote - actually a sonnet - is best known for the line "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." The Statue of Liberty quote meaning is far from cryptic: it's a welcome to those weary travelers who have journeyed thousands of miles to make a home in the Land of the Free.
So who is the Statue of Liberty quote author? It's none other than Emma Lazarus. Lazarus wrote the sonnet "New Colossus" for a fundraiser auction to raise money for the Statue of Liberty's pedestal. While the fundraiser was a success, Lazarus was soon forgotten, and it wasn't until a close friend campaigned to have Lazarus's poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty that the poet once again found recognition. The Statue of Liberty quote inscription is now stored in the Statue of Liberty Museum.
