Tips for Visiting the Statue of Liberty

Are you planning a family trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island, or maybe you're going alone? The very first thing to consider is if you can stand on line for long periods of time. Will your kids drive you crazy? If so, make sure they have snacks and some distractions-like an ipod,gameboy, book or hand toy. While you may want to teach your kids to be patient and learn to wait for things, you might also ruin your trip if everyone is miserable waiting on line. When you get to the boat dock, you will wait in line for a security check. Then you will wait in line to board the boat. Then when you get to the statue you wait for another security check, after which you will hopefully not have to wait to enter the statue unless there are huge crowds. When I went to Statue of Liberty, we waited at least 45 minutes for each line, possibly a lot more-I wasn't keeping track. Despite the waiting the trip is something everyone should experience.

A word about security. Try not to take any big bags, and don't wear anything metal that you can't take off easily. I saw men who were told to take off their belts, so you know they are strict. All your bags will be x rayed and possibly sifted through. Cell phones are not to be used in the security check points so hold your calls for later.

To buy tickets for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island go to the website www.statuecruises.com and purchase them in advance. If you want to go into the crown you need to buy the tickets at least 2-3 months in advance, currently they seem to be sold out until January. For access to the pedestal you can usually buy tickets a day in advance but to go early in the day you should try to purchase tickets several days or a week in advance.

Boats to the Statue and Ellis Island leave form Battery Park City and form Liberty State Park in NJ. Leaving from NJ will be faster as well as returning there. WAY more people go from Manhattan so if you live in NJ go from Liberty State Park. We went from Manhattan because we wanted to spend the day there afterward otherwise I would definitely have left from NJ. Boats from Battery Park are packed so don't expect to sit unless your in front of the line. There seats along the sides of the lower deck and seats outside above deck. People will stand right in front of you when you sit above, blocking your view, so you will want to stand if you want the view.

The pedestal of the Statue of Liberty extends quite high, so once you're there you will have spectacular views around. There is an elevator but it was not in use when we were there and I suspect that it is often not in use so be prepared to climb the steps. There are lots of steps in the pedestal which get narrower as you go up so if you are claustrophobic keep that in mind. Also, the steps are steep, if you have asthma or any walking problems be careful. WATCH you kids, do not let little ones wander up or down these steps. There are two stairways, up and down which makes things easier, but do to the narrowness only one person fits on a step at a time. From the middle of the stairways you can look up into the statue and see the inner construction. When you get to the top of the pedestal you can see up further. Of course the trip down is a lot easier, once you exit the Statue area you cannot re-enter.

There are lots of tables and area to eat so bring food or buy it at the store there. Go to the gift shops with all the expected items which are of course mostly made in China. The grounds around the Statue of Liberty are really nice and you can spend time there too, enjoying the view and relaxing.

From the Statue of Liberty Island catch the boat to Ellis Island. There's no security check there so you won't wait in line. This museum is very interesting and your kids will learn a lot about our country and it's immigrants. Toddlers may get bored but they will have room to walk around freely a in the large open rooms. There's nothing else to do at Ellis Island other than the museum and area directly close by. Other parts of the Island are closed to the public. The boat leaves from the Island and goes back to Battery Park City or Battery State Park in NJ.

With a little planning the trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will be one to remember. There's nothing comparable, it's a thoroughly unique experience.