NYC: Liberty Island and Inside Liberty's Crown
(Timestamps below)
During our visit to NYC in September 2019, we dedicated a day to visiting Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
I had been to NYC long ago—even stepping out onto the top of one of the now gone towers…how I wish I had documented that day—but missed the opportunity to visit the Statue of Liberty. This time, not only was I going to visit her, I was going to climb up to her crown, and chronicle it all! Looking out at the Manhattan skyline from the small windows of her crown was a surreal and humbling moment, where the past and present existed as one, being saturated in so much history and heritage. Amid the hustle and bustle of the yonder streets and waterways, I’ll always remember the peace and stillness from within Liberty’s crown. Thank you for joining me, as I chronicle these moments.
At the time of uploading this video, tickets to visit the crown are not available, however, I’m sure as things subside, access will open again. If you’d like to plan to visit the crown—and I cannot stress this enough—reserve your tickets MONTHS in advance! (Especially once access is renewed.) As noted in the video (at 1:46) Crown Tickets were not available for purchase, in person, at Castle Clinton; you will find a link below that will provide instructions on how to purchase them online. If you want to visit the Pedestal, I recommend purchasing them well in advance, too, especially with the crown currently off-limits.
🛑 Be advised, if you’re able to plan a visit to the crown, you will be required to deposit all bags, purses, parcels, satchels, etc. into a provided locker, on the outside of the platform. You will need quarters to access the units; a key on a wristband is released to you after depositing the quarters. You are only allowed to carry a bottle of water and/or a camera. There are no exceptions. Also note, if you visit the crown during the hottest part of the summer, there is no air conditioning within the Statue, so dress accordingly and be prepared to be hot. This is not an experience recommended for those who suffer from claustrophobia, joint issues, heart and respiratory issues, etc.; please read the National Park’s website (below) about warnings. I recommend an early time-slot. Please note, too, there are NO restrooms during any part of your climb/descent to the crown. As noted, people of tall/large stature will have difficulty negotiating the spiral staircase.
Timestamps:
0:51 Castle Clinton
1:50 The Ferry
3:16 The Liberty Bike
5:10 Liberty Island’s Northeast Side – Memorial Grove & Manhattan Skyline
8:38 In We Go!
9:34 Ascent to the Crown
10:45 We Made It!
12:30 Descent from the Crown
17:42 Out onto the Pedestal
20:05 Out onto the Platform
22:12 Museum of the Statue of Liberty (within the Pedestal)
26:20 Statue of Liberty Museum (new installation on the island)
28:10 Conclusion
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Information resources and further information:
👉Castle Clinton: https://www.nps.gov/cacl/index.htm
👉Liberty Island, Statue of Liberty: https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm and https://www.statueofliberty.org/visit/
👉About climbing to the crown: https://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisi...
👉Reserve tickets: https://www.cityexperiences.com/new-y...
👉Info about shopping, dining menus, and special events on Liberty Island: https://thestatueofliberty.com/
👉Restrictions: https://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisi...
👉About the lockers on the island: https://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisi...
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All music used in video is from YouTube’s library:
“See You On The Otherside,” by The 126ers
"Wish You'd Come True,” by The 126ers
“Hovering Thoughts,” by Spence
“American Frontiers,” by Aaron Kenny
“Procession,” by Geographer
“Hero's Ascent,” by Chris Haugen
“Burden Laid Down,” by The Westerlies
“John F. Kennedy Inaugural Speech, January 20, 1961,” EDITED/CLIPPED for video purposes
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All images and footage are original pieces by me.