Climbing the Statue of Liberty: A Visitor’s Guide to the Iconic Experience

[@mtnjak]

It's great to see this. I've never been to NYC but my great grandfather Salim came thru Ellis Island just one month after the Titanic disaster. He came over on its sister ship the RMS Olympic from Damascus, Syria. He was one family out of many during the peak immigration years.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

You had a gorgeous day! I was definitely worried about you going up and down those stairs. Going up never ceases to amaze me.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Haha it wasn’t as hot as you had prepared me for so no complaints!

[@lornahardin4563]

This was great to see as my father at age 4, came over with his family to Ellis Island in 1906 from Czechoslovakia. I am 82 and researching his history, it is very exciting to see the Island.

[@leonardodalongisland]

All of my grandparents came over (Sicily, Russia, "Jordan") around the same time.

[@airstreamer]

This is on my bucket list. Good tip about bringing change to put your stuff in a locker. This. Is. So. Awesome. It is like climbing a lighthouse. 😊 So glad you showed us this adventure so we know what to expect when we go! 😊😍- Michelle

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

Omg - uh yeah, claustrophobia would set in big time on those stairs. Thanks for doing this & “taking one for the claustrophobic team”! Awesome video as always!

[@_Dana_B]

Wow! I didn't know you could climb to the crown. Definitely a must do.The twins are getting so big! Thanks for sharing this amazing experience, Josh!

[@ThroughMyLens]

No problem! Ya they are so big now!

[@BrendaHaltom-cs6ck]

Great to see it Josh and Amy! ❤️😀🇺🇸⭐️

[@rhondaz356]

This was FANtastic. It's something I have always wanted to do. Thank you, for sharing this with us, and presenting so much of the background. A+, as always... 🗽💥

[@michellerichardson4200]

I’ve actually been there five times and have yet to climb the statue. We lived in NJ and I tended to be a tour guide for our out of town friends and family and it was never convenient for us to climb up! Thanks for this, excited to finally see the inside!

[@randellmoreland2933]

Thank you for so many great videos. Randell

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you like them!

[@juliemathew7240]

Brilliant video! Thank you very much. Enjoyable and informative.

[@karenscannell5713]

Hi Josh ! Glad you and your family had a great time in NY this summer . My husband and I visited the Statue of Liberty a couple years ago, for an anniversary, unfortunately we didn’t know at the time you needed reservations, glad someone suggested that for you . And you and you had a great time . We enjoyed our trip . It was nice walking the grounds there and at Ellison Island ! We live in NJ . So maybe at another time we will get reservations for the Statue of Liberty . Live and learn!

[@maryellenbeale2188]

Climbed to the crown in 1980. Spectacular!!!

[@eluard9238]

God bless America 💙❤️🗽

[@aacallison1535]

Been there and done that. Great vacation in 1973 I❤NYC

[@cindywestlake6278]

NYC is HIGH on our list! Just came back from Utah today and took your advice on a lot of that trip! Thank you, Josh!

[@miriammitchell9677]

Hello There! Awesome and thanks for sharing. Always look forward to my Sundays with California through my lens and through my lens!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for including my videos in your weekend activities!

[@timothyosborn1697]

The spiral staircase is known as a "Double Helix". I loved seeing the inside of the statue and enjoyed seeing the face from the inside. Great stuff!

[@amynelson9362]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane! I climbed up to the crown as a kid and remembered it more clearly than I thought. It's one of those experiences that sticks with you and is worth doing. But those stairs are no joke! My mom's legs started to give out on her on the way down, but with my dad's help, she made it. She really didn't have a choice - there is no other way down. You definitely need a certain level of physical fitness to make it up there and back down again, and you definitely can't be claustrophobic.

[@andreajohnson1796]

So awesome, Thanks for sharing

[@JasmineDaisy111]

That is a magnificent piece of artwork.

[@erinjohnson8117]

I am planning the ultimate NYC trip for fall ‘25: my absolute dream vacation, so I’m so looking forward to all your NYC videos. Thank you!!

[@lorimb4753]

Thank you for doing that! When I was there many years ago she was closed for refurbishment. And seeing those stairs.....a little to close for me! Loved the video, thank you!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Ya we were so excited to be able to do it

[@kenwbrenner]

Very nice, thanks for sharing. My maternal grandmother and her older sister told me they went to New York City, sometime around 1919. They went up the Statue of Liberty and was able to go up the ladder to the torch. 🙂

[@emmawebb6955]

👋❤️🤍💙🇺🇸 WOW‼️‼️Thanks for making this one of many amazing videos on your travel Channel 💯👍 Beautiful scenery footage. GOD BLESS AMERICA 🙏 Beautiful family time is always a blessing 🤍

[@wanderlust62]

One of best memories. When I exited the guard asked me how it was (we'd been speaking while I waited for my time) As I raised my hands, "That was awesome," bring my hands down "I'm never doing that again!" The climb is tight, there were a lot of people and one wise guy announced how many steps left to go at each round. Sunny looked like I did afterwards, wiped out! 🤣 Loved Ellis Island. That was 13 years ago, so glad you and Amy experienced it, too!

[@DriveScapes-x9v]

We have been putting off our New York trip for years! Needs to be planned soon! So much to see!

[@ThroughMyLens]

It was amazing. I still think about how much I want to go back after spending the summer there

[@DriveScapes-x9v]

@@ThroughMyLens I bet! Plus, there is a ton of great content that can be created!

[@davidnewhouse9403]

Alright now pops has to do that!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Haha he def wouldn’t 😂

[@keidykim6793]

No way!!

[@_Dana_B]

@@davidnewhouse9403 I feel Pops may be a little too tall! Lol 😆

[@popshiking]

@@ThroughMyLens hahaha you got that right!!

[@davidnewhouse9403]

@@popshiking Pops you have to do it!

[@DyanK614]

What a cool adventure! I am not a fan of heights and that staircase looked terrifying- I am glad I got to see it all because I do not think I could go up there! Thx for the great vlog!

[@ThroughMyLens]

No problem! Thanks for watching it!

[@LeaKraf]

How fun, I was in NYC in mid June as well, contemplating on going up there! On my list for the next time, for sure!😁

[@tomduley6357]

I went last summer and didn't plan far enough in advance so we weren't able to do the crown tour. We did the pedestal tour and I feel like it was worth it for the views. We did the tour on our way into NYC so we took the boat from the NJ side and it didn't seem as crowded as what you showed in your video so that might be a better option. There is a nice 911 memorial on the NJ side with beautiful views of Manhattan as well. I enjoyed your video of the crown so I could see what I missed. 🙂 Maybe next time!

[@marshaharwood8883]

I wouldn’t mind doing it again! When I went we were able to get into the torch!!

[@LindaSolis-b9s]

Nice video! I climbed those stairs when I was 13 with my cousins from NYC. We went again to NYC with my son when the statue was still closed post 9/11, so we only got to see her from the bottom. I loved the stairs when I was a teenager, but would probably feel they are too rickety and steep now!

[@EdCook-f4q]

Nice video. I climbed those steps perhaps 60 years ago. Missed being able to up into the arm by a year as I recall. That statue is also considered a lighthouse. The steps to the crown were closed for quite a while. Not sure why? refurbishment was part of it. My Son and I visited maybe 20 years ago and could only go up to the base. If you go (and you should), my advice is to go any time other than summer. It was Hot, humid and stifling. inside. One person fainted and several other came close.

[@mattdarkes2393]

There is a mini portion of it here in Pennsylvania. One is in a pond and the other I think in the middle of a river. My ancestors came to Ellis Island from Italy.

[@popshiking]

What a cool experience!

[@L.Ron.Hoyabembe]

Holy moly that line gives me anxiety. Looks like it was definitely worth it for the experience though. Good video 👍

[@DC-wt8bw]

Thanks for posting!

[@CEEVM]

Super interesting !

[@cheryla9951]

Great video! Brings back memories! FYI I was there in around 1965 and made the trek up to the crown. The torch was closed to visitors at that time and it had been closed for along time. So 70 years later the torch is closed to visitors. i don't think they plan to ever reopen it!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Oh wow. I thought it was closed more recently. Thanks for letting me know!

[@cheryla9951]

@@ThroughMyLens I really appreciated your video because I always wondered if everything within the Statue looked the same and if the Torch ever opened. I really wanted to see the view from there! As yet, I haven't seen any photos to show what it looks like.

[@crossoverdreamer7016]

I hope to go to New York City someday. I've been interested in it from programs such Reading Rainbow and Cash Cab.

[@keithatkins9783]

I saw your video on the blue ridge parkway and you were talking about the rhoad of dremions there's a state park in Pennsylvania called Caledonia state park it's along us rt 30 between Chambersburg pa and getteysburg pa and Caledonia state park is known for those flowers and plants

[@adamlyman8293]

Thank you so much for showing this. No waayyy I could do that climb. 😬

[@ThroughMyLens]

No problem 😊

[@clairekerr4415]

This looks amazing and a little terrifying 😂- another thing to add to our New York to do list 😊

[@ThroughMyLens]

New York is so amazing! I have a lot more videos on the city coming soon

[@clairekerr4415]

@@ThroughMyLens I haven’t been in over 20 years but hoping to fix that soon 😄 the weather in the west coast keeps calling me back when it’s time to book our holiday flights slightly warmer than Ireland 😂

[@violetbf3773]

It looks like a fun experience. I don’t know if I would do it because it looks way too tight in those stairs. But we’ll see. Great video, Josh 🙌🏽

[@ThroughMyLens]

Haha yea it was a little tight but it was worth it!

[@harleyatc956]

You can easily catch the ferry from New Jersey to visit the Statue and Ellis Island and avoid the NY crowds.

[@ursinidaho]

That was cool!

[@markyuen2312]

Did this back in the early '70's. My legs ended up getting cramped while coming back down the stairs.

[@maryfettig3378]

Glad you guys did that climb because i never will😂😂

[@ThroughMyLens]

Haha fair enough, thanks for watching!

[@sallyhodges2259]

Hi, visiting with my family next month. Do I need tickets for the ferry and also pedestal and also crown or is their one ticket?

[@mixeddrinks8100]

speaking of tight stairs, I have seen some people go back down backwards, bit weird, but works like climbing just backwards if you using the handrails it works, use both hand to steady yourself both on the rail and on the steps, or center column. Also depending on what season, much easier to do with gloves imo.

[@ThroughMyLens]

That would have probably been a bettter way to do it! It was tough forwards haha

[@2011woodlands]

Was there a museum in the fort base of the statue ? in 1980 there was.

[@motofunk1]

Highly recommend the hard hat tour of the hospital side of Ellis Island.

[@slighwentwalking2025]

That's cool bro 😎 so many millions of people have seen it but have never been to the top😲...I'm 1 of them.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@motofunk1]

62 Years of Ellis Island, 12 Million immigrants. Now consider the last 4 years.

[@robertmcdonnold3038]

What comparison are you trying to make. Immigrants were still coming in from the southern border and Canada and the west coast.

[@jadasakura]

Thank God you left Pops home for this one

[@popshiking]

Yes indeed!

[@crazylarry1959]

HELLO JOSH I WENT IN 11TH GRADE IN 1976 IM NOW 64 MY GRANDPARENTS ARE ON THE WALL WHEN YOU ARE A REAL NEW YORKER TOURISTS TEND TO SEE MORE OF THE STATE THAN THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE.I AGREE EVERYBODY HAS TO DO IT ONCE SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL LADY THANK YOU FRANCE AND THANK YOU JOSH FOR A WONDERFUL VIDEO LARRY FROM VALLEY STREAM.NY

[@skinsfan6917]

Going Saturday, I have online crown tickets. Do I still need to go in a ticket line for a physical ticket?

[@EdCook-f4q]

Added note that has nothing to do with the subject matter of this edition. Your two little ones are simply adorable. Got their moms eyes which are beautiful. Sorry Josh, women get all the attention! Love your family.

[@leonardodalongisland]

Thanks to an internship/ job with the official photographer of the restoration of the SOL; I am one of only two non (construction) workers to have ever climbed out on one of the horizontal cross members that make up the support system of the statue, and the only person to have ever been photographed sitting "behind Her eyes" then to be photographed nude in the (crown) SOL.

[@Aztec73]

🗽 🇺🇲 ❤️

[@MichaelRei99]

Fun fact, the Statue of Liberty is actually in New Jersey!!

[@annieis300]

💙💙💙💙💙

[@Bvcggdert]

👏👏❤

[@emmalaine3585]

I went in 2010 and they wouldn’t let us take the elevator up to the pedestal, we had to walk stairs up to the pedestal and then walk the spiral staircase, but my friend didn’t even go up the spiral staircase and I could only make it halfway up the spiral staircase because my legs were killing me. Maybe one day I’ll go back and try again.

[@MrTatouA]

Quick question, is there a height limit?

[@betsyc5123]

How tall are you Josh?

[@ThroughMyLens]

6’3”

[@richardgadberry8398]

"We’d like to dedicate this next number to a very special woman. She’s a hundred years old, and she weighs over two hundred... tons."

[@BucksMom218]

Awesome and unsolicited trivia? Lady Liberty is actually in NJ ❤

[@ThroughMyLens]

Really?? I didn’t know

[@craigcheng9619]

@@ThroughMyLens No, it is part of New York, even though Liberty Island is physically closer to New Jersey. There was a lawsuit filed on that dispute, but the court ruled in favor of New York.

[@woodlandburl6648]

Hi. I thought that it was nice of you to take your wife Amie with you this time.

[@cindywestlake6278]

@woodlandburl6648 did you not see his last video??? She's was in NYC with him at the Statue of Liberty. Stop judging and MYOB

[@petermgruhn]

When Dad and I did it we were just like "Hey, let's go do that. Okay, yeah." So we did. No muss no fuss no crowds. I don't remember how we got from Empire to the water front. Taxi, I guess. Anyway, must have been off season. 2:21 - "That is a spiral staircase to the top." That is two spiral staircases, one up and one down. Note also, all that structure stuff holding up the stairs and skin was by Gustav Eiffel, famous for his Garabit Viaduct (it's a bridge). Oh, weird. You had much longer and open time in the crown. Dad and I kinda shuffled through single file with the rest of the crowd that I just said we didn't have. Hey, the fans remind me, did they still have the sign saying how horribly you were baking? "When it's 70° outside, it's 304° inside. Please shed your skin at the threshold." Nice job on the interior exposure. If you are in Paris, you can go 48°51'00.18" N 2°16'46.97" E and see a copy.

[@cassie6583]

Your twins are so beautiful. I didnt even know you were married.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Yep, married for over 10 years. They just turned 4

[@cassie6583]

@@ThroughMyLens And I thought you were the one. lol congratulations

[@lonely_trans_girl]

😂 your daughters "two thumbs up" review is a lil suspect ❤️