America's symbol of freedom
Few things represent America, 'Land of the Free', more that the Statue of Liberty. It's one of the best-known statues in the world and an icon of American popular culture, appearing in countless films, TV shows, photographs, paintings and more.
The history of the Statue of Liberty
The statue was a gift to America from France in 1886, commemorating the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. It was a very generous gift, costing over $10 million in today's money.
Modelled on the sculptor's mother
Designed by French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, New York's Statue of Liberty is said to be modeled on his mother. The figure represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom. She holds a tablet in her left hand showing the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and in her right hand a torch, symbolizing enlightenment.
Other interesting facts about the Statue of Liberty:
- The Statue of Liberty, plus pedestal, reaches an impressive 305 feet (92 meters).
- There are 354 internal steps to the Statue of Liberty's crown
- Chains and a broken shackle lie at the Statue's feet, which symbolize Lady Liberty as a woman free from oppression and servitude.
- The seven spikes of the crown symbolize the Seven Seas across which liberty should be spread
- 300 different types of hammer were used to create the copper structure
- The light green color of Lady Liberty (called a patina) is the result of natural weathering of the copper.
Tickets to Liberty Island
With our New York bus tours you'll catch sight of the Statue from Manhattan's Battery Park. But why not catch a ferry and be awestruck by Lady Liberty, up close and personal? The Liberty Ferry stops off at both Ellis Island and Liberty Island, and includes entry to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
*Please note that these ticket packages do not include internal access to the Statue of Liberty monument.
