Steadfast. Strong. Beautiful. Loving. Our Lady Liberty has stood in the New York Harbor for nearly 140 years. She has been a welcoming angel to immigrants fighting their way to our shores, escaping tyranny in search of a better opportunities. She embodies an ideal our country strives to live up to, and nudges us on a path towards righteousness when our claims of freedom aren't backed by our actions. Born out of friendship, she peers out over the Atlantic, reminding us of what is pure in this world. Staring up at her colossal tarnished-copper frame, one can't help but feel a sense of pride, wonder, and a quiet calming of peace. She is magnificent. In 2017, before we moved back to the United States from Germany, we did a big unit study on American symbols. The kids were young, but many of the things we learned about the Statue of Liberty stuck with them and, even though NYC was not high on our list of places to visit, we always thought that climbing Lady Liberty would be a great adventure. She did not disappoint. Liberty Enlightening the World: Fun Facts
Visiting the StatueGoing to the Statue of Liberty isn't something you do on a whim; it takes plenty of advanced planning. Tickets to the island sell out quickly during high tourist times and reservations to the pedestal and crown sell out months in advance. Visitors will need to visit the National Parks Service website for up-to-date information and for the link to Statue City Cruises, which is the only cruise line to take visitors to the island, as opposed to just around. You can purchase tickets to the pedestal or the crown (both add on features) when you book your cruise time. Tickets were very reasonably priced, costing just $75 for our family of four, which included boat tickets to Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and back to the mainland, plus entrance to the crown and pedestal, and the museums on both islands. We promise: that's hands down the absolute best value for your dollar that you'll get in New York City! Aside from purchasing tickets in advance, you'll also want to read all the fine print on the website. Security to the island is much like airport security and there is a long list of unapproved items. To visit the crown, you'll be even more restricted. (I wasn't even allowed to bring my small fanny pack.) Lockers are available on the island for a $.25 deposit (if you have a quarter). In general, reading all the information ahead of time allows you to enjoy the visit without frustrations or any unexpected loss of personal items. One thing is for sure: she is mesmerizing and the true definition of "awesome," truly evoking a sense of "wow" as you stare up at her. For decades she welcomed families to this country, calming their fears after long journeys. In her resolute face, they saw hope, promise; freedom. It's easy to feel that anticipation and overwhelming sense of gratitude just being in her presence. Entrance to the pedestal is not handicap accessible, however, there is a service elevator in the pedestal, which allows you to skip 176 steps to the viewing platform. If you're in good physical condition, though, don't miss the opportunity to go to the crown. You will go through additional security to make your way up 162 steps on the gleaming, narrow, spiral staircase leading right up into her noggin! In the days following, I thought I must be withering away to nothing in my "old age" because my legs hurt so bad, but when Banana complained that her legs hurt too, I was reassured that those steps really do take a toll on a person! So definitely be prepared! If you know us, you're well aware that New York City isn't quite our speed. We spent another day going to see the 9-11 Memorial (very emotional), found the Ghostbuster's Headquarters, strolled around Times Square and Rockefeller Center, ate pizza at two of the top pizza shops in Manhattan, played at FAO Schwarz, and (surprise!) tracked down the LEGO store on Fifth Avenue (which was AWESOME!) NYC was exactly what we expected it to be (except it cost quite a bit more!), but going to the Statue of Liberty was definitely a highlight. If you ever find yourself in New York and have the stamina to get to the crown, you won't regret it.
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