The Traveller's Magazine
If you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple in hopes of climbing to the top of the iconic Statue of Liberty, think again. The world-famous landmark is about to close its door for an entire year so that much-needed restoration work can take place.
Has it always been your dream to go up to the top of the Statue of Liberty? Then you may want to put off booking your flights to New York, at least for a year, since the statue will close at the end of October (the 29th to be exact) and will not re-open for an entire year. A £16 million renovation is due to take place on the interior of that statue in order to make it safer for visitors.
The renovations will only be done on the interior of the statue so visitors can still take the ferry across and visit Liberty Island, with perfect views of the statue from the outside. On any given Saturday in the summer, around 18,000 people head to the island to visit the Statue of Liberty and enjoy the parklands surrounding it.
The National Parks Service, which controls visitor numbers, says that around 3.5 million visit the national monument every year. Only 240 people a day are allowed up to the crown, which won’t be possible again until October 2012. Groups must be limited to 10 at a time because of safety concerns, something which the National Parks hopes to remedy with some crucial renovations.
As one of the most recognizable monuments in the world, Lady Liberty needs to take a break if she hopes to remain accessible to the millions in the future! For one last glance, head to the Statue on October 28th, 2011. It’s the last day it will be open as well as the 125th anniversary of its dedication. The statue itself was designed by Frederic Bartholdi and was a gift to the United States from France.
Have you ever been to the crown? What do you love about New York City?
