The Liberty Island ferry is a wonderful way to travel and see the sites. On the trip out the view it provides is the New York City skyline of Manhattan island hotels and office skyscrapers. It is the iconic dramatic cityscape you see on posters and countless TV shows and films.

Liberty Island is a very pleasant place to be during the summer. The sense of openness you get is a stark contrast to the claustrophobic skyscraper filled streets of the business centre of New York. A pleasant breeze normally blows from the sea over the island to help cool you down. There is a cafe with seating outside so you can watch the ships pass whilst you refresh yourselves with a cool drink.

The Statue of Liberty is green because of weathering. Her exterior is made of copper which reacts with the air and rain. The process is called Oxidation. The Statue of Liberty was built by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, It took 9 years to build but only took four months to erect in New York in 1884.

The statue was to be a symbol of welcome for all immigrants coming to America, as well as a symbol of freedom. The seven rays of the Statue of Liberty's crown symbolically represent the seven continents and seven seas of the globe. She was meant as a gift from the people of France to commemorate America's 100th birthday in 1876.

The French had sent aid during the American Revolution to help the Americans fight the British. There are 354 steps up a spiral staircase to the top. The view is magnificent. Climbing to the flame in Liberty's right hand was discontinued some years ago.

Travel books