New York’s Statue of Liberty Crown Re-opens July 4 2009

Visitors to New York will once again have a chance to get inside America’s head and climb up into Lady Liberty’s Crown.  The observation area in the Crown is scheduled for a very special re-opening on the Fourth of July this year – as America celebrates its Independence Day holiday. 

The Crown has been closed for security reasons since the 9/11 attack.  The base and lower observation deck remains open to visitors, but with tighter security procedures in place. 

Ellis Island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and operated by the National Park Service.  Almost half of the population of America can trace their roots through Ellis Island from the millions of immigrants who arrived in the New World by steamship.  The immigration centre on Ellis Island closed for business in 1954 and was re-opened as a museum in 1990.

The method of allocating tickets to visit the Crown has not yet been determined, but it may be decided by a lottery.  Visit the National Park Service website for more information about the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  

If you plan to visit the United States under the Visa/Waiver Program, don’t forget the new visa rules: online registration at least 72 hours prior to travel is mandatory under ESTA. 

Visit our Travel Guide for the United States and follow the link for the FCO Know Before You Go campaign for the latest travel advice and updates.  

Don’t take a chance and risk travelling without Travel Insurance.