Please refer to your voucher for final information regarding meeting points, pick-up locations, and pick-up time
Meeting point description: Meet your guide at the front entrance of Pier A Harbor House, 22 Battery Place (to the right of the Statue of Liberty ferry and Castle Clinton). Please arrive 15 minutes before the beginning of the tour(Pier A Harbor House 22 Battery Pl, New York, NY 10004, USA)
Please be aware that there is a security check to enter the ferry
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the United States, commemorating the alliance between France and the U.S. during the American Revolution. Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, with its internal structure engineered by Gustave Eiffel, it was intended to celebrate democracy and the abolition of slavery. The statue arrived in 1885 and was dedicated in 1886, symbolizing enduring friendship.
The Statue of Liberty primarily symbolizes freedom, democracy, and a welcoming beacon for immigrants arriving in the United States. It embodies hope, opportunity, and the pursuit of a better life. Its torch signifies enlightenment, guiding the path to liberty, while the tablet bears the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
The Statue of Liberty was constructed in France, then disassembled into 350 pieces and packed into 214 crates for its transatlantic journey. It arrived in New York Harbor aboard the French frigate Isère in 1885. The reassembly on Liberty Island took several months, meticulously placing the copper skin sections around an intricate iron framework designed by Gustave Eiffel.
The Statue of Liberty depicts Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, holding a torch aloft in her right hand and a tablet inscribed with the date July 4, 1776, in her left. She wears a crown with seven rays, symbolizing the seven continents and seven seas. At her feet lies a broken shackle and chain, representing freedom from oppression and tyranny. The statue stands approximately 305 feet (93 meters) tall from the ground to the torch tip.
To reach the ferry departure points for the Statue of Liberty, visitors can use several public transportation methods. For Battery Park in Lower Manhattan (New York departure), take the 4 or 5 subway lines to Bowling Green station, or the R/W lines to Whitehall Street. From Liberty State Park in Jersey City (New Jersey departure), NJ Transit trains go to Liberty State Park station, followed by a walk or shuttle to the ferry terminal.
A typical visit to the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island, including the ferry ride to and from Manhattan or New Jersey, usually takes around 3 to 5 hours. This allows ample time to explore the grounds of Liberty Island, visit the Statue of Liberty Museum, and enjoy the views of the Manhattan skyline. If you plan to enter the pedestal or crown, additional time will be needed to fully experience the attraction.
Yes, beyond freedom and democracy, the Statue of Liberty also embodies the enduring friendship between France and the United States. Its prominent placement as a welcoming figure for arriving immigrants has made it a powerful symbol of hope, new beginnings, and the American Dream for millions who sought a new life in the country. It represents the promise of a land of opportunity.
The Statue of Liberty was conceived and designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. The renowned French civil engineer Gustave Eiffel, famous for the Eiffel Tower, was responsible for designing the intricate internal structural framework that supports the massive copper skin. These two brilliant minds collaboratively brought this monumental work of art and engineering to life.