Cruising to the Statue of Liberty

Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 created a bit of havoc with our plans, after many years of being closed to the public the viewing platform in the crown had reopened which we were hoping to go up but visits to the iconic land sight had been stopped so the only option was to either get the free ferry round trip to Staten Island or do a cruise to the statue.  (Highly recommend getting a New York City Pass - gives you entry to a number of museums and art galleries including this cruise).   

The statue is so iconic not only for its presence in our popular culture but for its symbolism of independence and freedom.  It was a gift from France to the US in celebration of the 1876 US Centennial of Independence.  French sculptor Bartholdi designed and built it from a skin of copper assembled in Paris and then dismantled and shipped to New York in 214 crates.  It was situated on Liberty Island on a granite star shaped pedestal which houses the museum. The torch is gold leaf and is a symbol of enlightenment (the original is in the museum), the broken shackles at Liberty's feet symbolise freedom from oppression and servitude.  France obviously had some issues still with England!

Ellis Island served as New Yorks Immigration Station from 1892 to 1954 and is now a museum.

Lackawanna Clock Tower - Hoboken Rail and Ferry Terminal New Jersey

Freedom tower being constructed to the left

Brooklyn Bridge

Empire and Chrysler Buildings

The Enterprise Shuttle at the closed Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum - the enclosure blew off in the hurricane so we were still able to see it on the floating air force carrier based on the Hudson.