Since 1886, the Statue of Liberty has held her torch high in New York Harbor as the quintessential symbol of American liberty, and no trip to NYC (perhaps no trip the United States), is complete without a visit to the Mother of Exiles at Liberty Island. The statue’s massive pedestal houses an observation deck as well as exhibits detailing the fascinating history of the 305-foot copper statue designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and gifted to the U.S. from France to celebrate the friendship of the two nations.
Check out the original torch and read the bronze plaque with Emma Lazarus’s poem “A New Colossus” (you know, the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to be free). The National Park Service offers daily tours of Liberty Island as well as neighboring Ellis Island, which served as the first stop for more than 12 million immigrants between 1852 and 1954. While admission to both parks is technically free, visitors must buy ferry tickets to get there. Be sure to book online well in advance, as day-of tickets tend to sell out quickly—especially in the summer months.
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