Liberty Island, which has been closed due to damage suffered during Hurricane Sandy, is scheduled to reopen on July 4, in time for Independence Day celebrations, according to the National Park Service. Ellis Island suffered more severe damage during the storm, requiring more extensive repairs, and still doesn't have an estimated date to reopen.
Visitors planning to go should make advance reservations to gain access to the crown. Tickets will be for a specific date and time, and visitors will be picked up at the ferry departure point in Battery Park in lower Manhattan. Visitors will also be required to go through a screening process prior to boarding the ferry.
The distance from the main lobby of the Statue of Liberty to the crown is 339 steps. An elevator goes to the statue's pedestal, requiring visitors to walk the remaining 146 steps.
The park service estimates the weekend of July 4 to be busy. The statue has been closed since October 29, when Hurricane Sandy hit the New York area, flooding Liberty Island. The statue is on higher ground and wasn't damaged in the storm.
Tickets can be purchased either online or by phone. The official source for crown reservations is Statue Cruises. They also provide the transportation to the island. Reservations are not available at the office.
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum remains closed with the rest of Ellis Island. Water levels on the island rose up to eight feet, which destroyed boilers and electrical systems.
The National Park Service has provided guidelines all visitors must follow:
A maximum of four tickets is allowed per reservation.
Only one reservation per person is allowed during any six-month period.
Children visiting the statue must be at least four feet tall to visit the crown. Smaller children are permitted to go up to the pedestal. An adult must accompany all children at all times.
Tickets are non-transferrable.
Visitors must show photo ID.
Only your ferry ticket, a camera and necessary medication are allowed. Other items must be stored in a locker.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
