Please, has anyone there in New York heard anything about when the Statue of Liberty may open? I think it's terrible that our symbol of American Freedom is closed to us! Will the Empire State Building be open every weekend or just certain ones? I can't wait to go to New York again, but my husband keeps saying "cancel the trip if we can't bring our daughter to see the Statue of Liberty" That was about 90 percent of our reason for going to New York! I know it's a Government issue but has anyone there heard anything? I can't find any info about it anywhere. Thank you!

Just got off the with Circle Line. The Statue is still closed and there is a brief recorded message that states it is closed while "security and operational details" are discussed. NO message as to when it will be open to the public. This is the same message that I heard when I called about a week ago. You can get a good view of the Statue from the Staten Isand Ferry which is operating. The ferry is free.

First line of previous message should read " Just got of the phone with Circle Line"

The Empire State Building is scheduled to be opened every weekend, but scheduled is the operative word. Things may change on the fly based on any given day's security issues.

My friend works across the street from Empire state and they have had at least 100 bomb threats since the attacks so I am not sure what the new hours of operation will be and if you are brave enough to risk evacutation. I would think that would be scary for a child.

There are soooooo many more things to see besides the statue of liberty. There is the natural history mueseum+ planetarium (my favorite) FAO Swartz,Broadway shows, and so many other things that would be more intresting to a child.

I can appreciate the need to expose them to a historical landmark but I have climbed the steps with relatives visiting several times and I would prefer to just wave at it from the ferry. I dont think the fact that 1 area is off limits to call off your whole trip
Just my thoughts
JK

I don't know the answer to this one myself, but: isn't the Staten Island Ferry running?

If it is, or when it is, you would not be totally deprived of an opportunity to appreciate this wonderful symbol, as she is so well seen from the water. I do understand of course if you have your heart set on a real visit to the interior of the Statue.

I am afraid that if I were in charge, however, I would not be in a hurry open this monument, I am afraid that most tragically it has to be regarded as a target, just because of the treasure that it is (and represents, our free society).

Yes, the Staten Island Ferry is runnng and you get a compellng view of the Statue of Liberty from the boat.

You also get a compelling view of the changed skyline. My daughter commutes via the ferry every day. She had switched to an express bus for a while, but she finds this route more inspiring now on a daily basis. (Although a job change means she's soon going to need to move from Staten Island to get a better commute to the Columbia U area.)

I think New York Fan is a troll.
Maybe Fan should read the papers or watch TV and see why it is closed.
But if Fan is for real, you don't have to be at the foot of or inside of the Statue to appreciate it.

I've never posted on ehre beofre but have been lurking for a few weeks. Just wanted to say that I'm visiting NY from the UK, flying out next week. I can't wait to see the Statue of Liberty as it is so beautiful. It's amazing how powerful a national symbol it is for all in the USA. I've been told before that it is best seen from the Staten Island ferry so it is one of the 1st things on our itinerary.

Excuse typos in my last post, my fingers were moving too fast!

Louise: The Statue can be seen from the Staten Island ferry but it is not necessarily the best view. The ferry is running and the ride is free. The best way to get to the ferry is by subway. The train to take is the #4 or #5 to the Bowling Green station. If you indicte where you will be staying travel directions can be provided. The best way to see the Statue is by taking the Circle Line to the island. Currently it is not open to the public but it may be when you visit. A 2 hour Circle Line tour boat will take you by the Statue. The tour boat gets closer to the Statue than the Staten Island ferry. This tour boat goes down the Hudson River, past the WTC site, sails by the Statue and then heads up the EAst River under the three bridges connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn before turning arouond and heading back. Circle Line also offers a three hour tour around Manhattan.

Thanks for the information. We've been considering doing the 3 hour Circle Line cruise, taking in the whole island. I think you just tipped the balance for us and we'll add it to our 'to do' list. We are staying at the Swissotel Drake at Park Ave and 56th.

If you decide to do Staten Island ferry walk to 59th and Lexington Ave (Lexington is one block east of Park Ave). Take a #4 or #5 express DOWNTOWN and get off at Bowling Green station. Less than a five minute walk to the ferry.
For Circle Line - a taxi would probably be the best way to go. Cost would be around $7. Walk to 55th to get taxi. 55th is westbound street and that is the direction you want to go. You could get a bus that will take you right to the Circle Line pier. Walk to 49th Street and take the M50 bus. If you decide on a bus have $1.50 in change for fare for each person. You could purchase a Metro card and use that to enter subways and buses.

Troll, uh? Boy are you rude. I hope you don't live in New york. Hate to ask you a question on the streets of New York. Where I live in South Florida, there has not been ONE mention of the Statue of Liberty being closed in the papers OR on the news! I actually mentioned your snotty remarks to a group of people and they said they didn't even know the Statue of Liberty was closed to the public, so go stuff your comments you know where.