We are travelling to NYC in early August. I have heard how long the lines can be for the Statue of Liberty. My question is....is it really worth the wait to walk to the top??? We will have our 6 year old with us. She is a good traveller. If we go, we are planning on going early in the morning to avoid the crowds as much as possible. How long should we expect to spend there (half day,full day?) Are weekends or weekdays less crowded or does the day not make any difference? I would appreciate any input.

At the moment, the question is moot because the statue interior is not open for climbing, presumably for security reasons.

http://www.nps.gov/stli/reopening/page4.html

I went to Liberty Island - once - on a chilly November weekend a few years ago. The line for the ferry was 1 hour long (at about 9 AM). We arrived at the island and were informed that the line to get in the statue was 3 hours long. So we left on the next ferry.

Everyone I know who's been to the top of the Statue says it's not worth it, it's crowded and claustrophobic. And you have to walk lots of stairs. I have no desire to ever do this, and I've lived here 1/2 my life. It's better to just see it from a boat or from land. IMO, the Staten Island Ferry is the best way to see the statue and the NY Harbor...it's FREE!

Having done this way too many times with way to many visitors,
I'm echoing the above. Espcially with a 6 year old, I would not even consider climbing to the top, even if it is reopened to the public.
In August, the lines are long all day long--unless you get on the absolute first ferry of the morning, it gets too crowded. And of course, it will be unbearably hot.
If you ever come back in the fall or winter, when your daughter is maybe 9 or 10, go for it, but for now, enjoy the [free] Staten Island ferry ride which will cool you off on a hot day

I would never recommend climbing the statue. What surprised me was how tight and narrow it is inside--almost claustrophobic. Hot as !@#$ too. And the view from up there -- ehhh. It isn't a bad thing to take the boat to the Statue's island, but bag the climb.

Or you could just take the ferry to Staton Island, get some good pictures of the statue of liberty and then see a great view of NYC (and Jersey) from the Empire State Building

You can go to Ells Island, the museum there is worth seeing & you go right by the Statue of Liberty.

xxx is correct, you cannot currently go to the top. However, I've been to the top and other than saying I did it, I would not strongly recommend the climb. I was fortunate in that I went out on the first ferry and was actually the very first person to the top (on that day). The view is poor and the climb is steep but I'm still glad to say that I did it.

I would suggest that you consider the Circle Line cruise at sunset for an incredible view of the statue and, when she is older, take your daughter to Ellis Island. I remember climbing the statue (too many!) years ago and the view was impressive, but maybe even more so from sea level. Ellis Island is truly remarkable, once she's old enough to understand the significance. Standing for hours in long hot August lines will only make her remember the trip with dismay!

In addition to what was said above, the view is only of downtown Brooklyn (not the most splendid sight). Also, in the summertime if it is hot, they will limit the number of people that go up at one time and sometimes have closed it to let it cool off. So even if the sign says "1 hour to climb" actuality is that it could be 2-3 hours standing in the hot sun just waiting to get inside the statue.

Presently,you cannot "go up" to the top of the SOL anyway. For magnificent views, take a Circle Line cruise (including magnificent views of all of Manhattan as well), or just ride the Statten Island ferry over and back.