The statue's copper skin is only 3/32 of an inch thick, about the thickness of two pennies.
The seven rays on the statue's crown represent the seven continents and the seven seas of the world.
High winds of 50 mph can cause the statue to sway up to 3 inches, while the torch can sway up to 5 inches.
The statue was originally intended for the Suez Canal in Egypt as a colossal lighthouse titled 'Egypt Carrying the Light to Asia'.
The statue's original color was copper brown; it turned its current green patina due to oxidation over three decades.
The tablet held by Libertas measures 23 feet, 7 inches tall and 13 feet, 7 inches wide.
The interior iron framework was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same engineer behind the Eiffel Tower.
During the centennial restoration in 1986, the original torch was replaced and is now displayed in the museum.
The statue’s face was modeled after Bartholdi’s mother, Charlotte.
There are 354 steps from the pedestal to the crown, equivalent to a 22-story building.
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, the copper statue was a gift from the people of France to the United States. It stands 305 feet tall from the ground to the tip of the torch. The statue depicts Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, holding a torch and a tablet inscribed with the date of the American Declaration of Independence. Visitors access the island via ferry services departing from Battery Park in New York or Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The interior of the pedestal contains a museum documenting the statue's history and construction. Guests can choose between grounds-only access, pedestal access, or crown access, each requiring specific advance reservations. The statue was designated a National Monument in 1924 and is managed by the National Park Service.
The upper level of the ferry deck during the approach to the island provides the best unobstructed view.
Reserve pedestal or crown tickets months in advance as they sell out rapidly.
Allow significant time for security screening before boarding the ferry.
Dress in layers, as the pedestal and crown areas can be windy and much cooler than the mainland.
Do not attempt to purchase tickets from unauthorized third-party street vendors at the ferry terminals.
Open daily except for December 25th; ferry operations may be suspended during severe weather.
No food or drink allowed inside the statue; visitors must pass through airport-style security screenings.
