The crown of the Statue of Liberty returned to the public on Tuesday for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced its closure in 2020.
Visitors can once again ascend an inner staircase to witness Lady Liberty in all her grandeur.
From the top of the pedestal-feet of the statue, 162 tiny steps lead to an observation area at the statue’s crown, the monument’s highest point. From the base of the pedestal, there are 377 stairs.
As there are no elevators, visitors must be patient and cautious during the ascent.
The beautiful statue, which was donated by France to the United States in 1886 and is devoted to freedom and liberty, stands just over 305 feet from the ground to the tip of the flame, which is similar to the height of a 22-story skyscraper.
The reopening was announced on the Instagram page of the NYCgo tourism company, which shows photographs of Lady Liberty.
Jerry Willis, a representative for the National Park Service, the Statue of Liberty National Monument, and Ellis Island, told DailyMail.com, “Today was a soft opening with restricted ticket availability through the end of October.”
Willis stated that an official crown reopening will occur on October 28, the 136th anniversary of the statue’s consecration in 1886.
Prior to the epidemic, around 4.5 million people visited the Statue of Liberty annually, according to the spokeswoman.
The reopening of the crown is great news for tourists and New Yorkers, who have had limited access because to the COVID-19 outbreak.
In March 2020, both Liberty Island and Ellis Island were shuttered, with the latter having been the nation’s busiest immigrant inspection post for 62 years. After their partial reopening in July 2020, the museums on both islands reopened in August 2020.
The pedestal and viewing deck of the statue will reopen on July 1, 2021, according to a spokeswoman.
Once again, visitors will be able to ascend the statue’s top through a 162-step inner staircase to an observation deck and witness Lady Liberty in all her beauty.
The reopening of the crown is thrilling news for tourists and New Yorkers. Approximately 4.5 million people visited the Statue of Liberty annually prior to the pandemic, according to a spokesman.
A stunning photograph of Lady Liberty against the purple and pink skies.
Before boarding the ship, passengers undergo airport-style security check. Visitors must also undergo a further screening before entering the monument. CNN reported that the waters surrounding Liberty and Ellis Islands are a restricted water zone.
Tickets range in price from $24.30 for a single adult ticket (adults 13 and older) to $12.30 for children (4-12) and $18.30 for seniors (62 and older).
Ticketholders receive round-trip ferry service to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, as well as access to the pedestal’s crown and Fort Wood portion.
In addition, entrance to the 26,000-square-foot Statue of Liberty Museum, which provides a history of the national monument and displays the original torch.
The Statue of Liberty is accessible via ferry from New York and New Jersey.
The spokesman stated that Statue City Cruises is the ‘sole’ approved ticket vendor and ferry service provider for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
These travelers are cautioned from utilizing alternative ferry services that claim to travel to the destination.
Guests from New York can board the ferry from Battery Park City’s Castle Clinton National Monument. Those departing from New Jersey can catch the ferry from Jersey City’s Liberty Park, located at 1 Audrey Drive.
Those wishing to visit the statue are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance, as seats are quickly filling up.
The representative informed DailyMail.com that tickets are normally limited to 50 guests each hour and that visiting hours vary by season, so at this time of year there are around 250 tickets available per day.
To reserve your Statue of Liberty tour, visit the City Experiences website or call 877-523-9849.
On May 25, 2022, during Fleet Week in New York Harbor, US Sailors and Marines stand on the flight deck of the USS Bataan as the ship approaches the Statue of Liberty.
The French link with Lady Liberty
Edouard de Laboulaye, a Frenchman, first proposed the concept of a monument to freedom and liberty for the United States in 1865.
It was agreed that the Americans would construct the pedestal, while the French would construct the statue and oversee its installation in the United States.
The Statue was finished in France in July 1884 and arrived in New York Harbor on the French frigate ‘Isere’ in June 1885. During transport, the Statue was disassembled into 350 pieces and placed into 214 containers.
In four months, the Statue was reconstructed on the pedestal. On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland presided over the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty in front of tens of thousands of onlookers.
In 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated. It stands slightly over 305 feet tall
The Statue is 305 feet and one inch from the ground to the flame’s tip. It is equivalent to a 22-story structure in height. It was the highest skyscraper in New York in 1886.
Visitors can ascend an inner stairway to a viewing platform within the statue’s crown.
Since the “Black Tom” explosion of July 30, 1916, which was one of the nation’s largest acts of sabotage prior to the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, the torch has been extinguished.
The torch represents illumination. The flame of the Statue of Liberty illuminates the path to freedom, leading us to Liberty.
Even the statue’s actual name, “Liberty Illuminating the World,” is her most significant emblem.
The Statue’s current replacement torch, which was added in 1986, is a 24K gold-plated copper flame.
It reflects the sun’s rays during the day and is illuminated by 16 floodlights at night. The original torch was taken in 1984 and is now on display at the new Liberty Island museum.