I Visited The Statue Of Liberty, The Symbol Of American Dream

 One of the most recognized landmarks in the world, the Statue of Liberty serves as a universal symbol of freedom, liberty, and democracy.

A gift from the people of France to celebrate the 100th year of American independence in 1886, the Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York City. The copper statue that stands 93 meters from ground level to torch, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel.

While I have lived in New York City for almost 10 years, I have only seen this majestic statue from a distance and never sat foot on the Liberty Island. I decided to finally visit this monument.

There are many cruises and boats that tour around the Statue of Liberty, but Statue City Cruises (StatueCityCruises.com) is the only authorized vendor to provide tickets and transportation to Liberty and Ellis Islands. According to the Statue of Liberty official website, no other ferry company can give you access to the Islands, monuments, and museums. You can see from the map that the ferry departs either from Battery Park in Manhattan or New Jersey, and makes a loop to Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and back to Battery Park.

Statue City Cruises offers 4 different ticketing options, from the Crown Reserve and Pedestal Reserve to General Admission and Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour. All options include round trip ferry service, access to both islands and museums, and audio tour.

The ferry runs every 20-25 minutes. You get a breathtaking view of the Statue of Liberty from the deck and feel mesmerized by its stately, grand presence. Both the museums on Liberty Island and Ellis Island (the nation’s chief gateway for immigrants during the years 1892 to 1954) offer valuable knowledge and information on American history. I would highly recommend taking a trip to these landmarks -- especially if you are a New Yorker like me who haven't had a chance to visit!