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Touring the Statue of Liberty Pedestal and other Shenanigans

Last updated Apr 6, 2021 | Published on Oct 19, 2019

I’ve always wanted to see the Statue of Liberty. Somehow, I’ve never got around to it before. When my husband Daniel and I visited New York on our way to a weekend in Barcelona, we spontaneously decided to remedy that oversight. I felt a little self-conscious about doing something so overtly *touristy* but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. So I did a little online research and bought tickets for a Statue of Liberty Pedestal tour.

Taking the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty

The next morning, Daniel and I headed down to Battery Park in Manhattan and joined the other hoards of tourists waiting for the ferry to Liberty Island.

Lady Liberty looms large as we approach Liberty Island.

After going through a security check, we boarded a ferry to Liberty Island. The Statue of Liberty is only a 15-minute ferry ride from Manhattan and before no time Lady Liberty loomed large on the horizon.

Liberty Island with the Manhattan skyline in the background.

Statue of Liberty Pedestal Tour

Despite booking at the last minute, we managed to secure tickets with access to the top of the Statue of Liberty pedestal. I would have preferred tickets that allowed us to climb the Statue of Liberty crown, but apparently these require booking rather far in advance. The last time I was in New York no one was allowed inside the statue at all due to heightened security measures after 9/11, so counted myself lucky.

I’m at the Statue of Liberty! Woop Woop!

I opted to climb the 215 stairs from the lobby to the top of the pedestal and walked outside to the 360 degree deck. We lucked out on the weather and the views were absolutely spectacular.

Climbing the 215 steps to the top of the pedestal.

The steps from the pedestal to the crown. I want to go to there. Someday…

The New Jersey and New York skylines with Ellis Island in the foreground, as seen from the top of the pedestal.

The view of the Statue of Liberty from the top of the pedestal.

We were short on time today so we skipped the museum and visit to Ellis Island (also included in the ticket price). We’ll have to come back some day when we have time to explore more fully.

This statue at Battery Park is called “The Immigrants” and is dedicated to immigrants of all nationalities.

Other New York City Shenanigans

In the afternoon, I headed to Brooklyn for a hair appointment. I never meant to have blonde hair. I used to have lovely rainbow-hued locks but had to bleach my hair first. Then the rainbow dye washed out, leaving the bleached color behind. Meh. So I decided to go back to a red hue. I’m hoping it will grow out gracefully so I don’t have to mess with it again any time soon.

New hair!

Beetlejuice the Musical! That makes two Broadway shows in two nights.

The real reason why Daniel and I were in New York, however, was to visit his daughter Katjia. We spent the evening at a Broadway show with Katjia and her boyfriend Matthew. Afterwards, we headed back to Brooklyn for drinks with with our friends Amy and Mike. I first met Amy in 1996 when we both worked at the Alaska General Processers salmon cannery in Ketchikan, Alaska. We ended up working together for three summers in Alaska and have been friends ever since.

Mike and Amy. These two are THE BEST!

Reunited at last!!

I also squeezed in a quick visit with my friend Heather before we left town. Heather and I also met at the cannery in Ketchikan all those years ago. It’s so good to see old friends ☺️.

Heather and me.

Where are we now?

We’re at the Statue of Liberty! Woop Woop!

  • Location: New York City!
  • Dates Visited: October 6-10, 2019

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Hi, I'm Unicorn!

I am an avid hiker, traveler, and adventurer who is on the mission to explore hiking trails around the world.  I’m also obsessed with National Parks, long-distance trails and other outdoorsy things.

I hope to share this knowledge with you and inspire you to explore new hiking trails too!

2 Comments

  1. Brian Lotze

    Wow, amazing to see faces from the cannery all those years ago. Looks like you guys are having a great time.

    Reply
    • Unicorn

      Thanks Brian! Yeah it was awesome to see Amy and Heather ☺️

      Reply

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