Statue of Liberty National Monument

Copper gone green, torch held over the harbor since 1886. Up close she is bigger and stranger than any postcard: the folds of the robe, the broken chain at her feet, the sheer engineering of Eiffel's iron skeleton underneath.

What to know

• The only way onto Liberty Island is the official Statue City Cruises ferry from The Battery (Manhattan) or Liberty State Park (New Jersey). Every other "Statue cruise" just sails past.
• Pedestal and crown access sell out weeks ahead, crown tickets especially. Grounds-only tickets are easier.
• The Statue of Liberty Museum on the island holds the original 1886 torch.
• Expect airport-style security at the ferry. Take an early boat to avoid the worst of the lines.
• Most visitors combine the island with Ellis Island on the same ferry ticket. Budget most of a day for both.