Car Rental New York City and the Statue of Liberty

There is no other monument quite like the Statue of Liberty. Located in the center of New York Harbor, Lady Liberty has long stood as an icon of American freedom and integrity. Given to the United States as a gift of friendship, the Statue of Liberty is now one of the most recognized monuments on the planet, providing visitors with hope and inspiration! From it’s location on Liberty Island, the Statue of Liberty can be seen from various locations inside your New York City car rental, including the New York City Harbor, Battery Park and the Brooklyn Bridge. The Statue of Liberty is a definite must-see for anyone planning a New York City car rental vacation, so go ahead and book your Liberty Island ferry tickets today!

A Brief History of the Statute of Liberty

The Lady of Liberty’s story begins way back in 1865, at a dinner party hosted by an established French scholar named Edouard Rene Lefebvre de Laboulaye. During the night Laboulaye, who had been reflecting on the American Revolution and the country’s democratic government, suggested creating a monumental gift in honor of the American Centennial which was fast approaching. This gift was to commemorate both nations’ long standing pact of friendship, along with the idea of liberty and independence. Years later, an accomplished sculptor by the name of Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, who was in attendance at that fateful dinner, decided to act upon Laboulaye’s suggestion, creating what would soon become one of the world’s most beloved symbols of freedom and possibility!

About Liberty Island and Available Tours

Although the Statue of Liberty is visible from various spots along the New York Harbor, Prestige Car Rental strongly encourages you to park your New York City car rental and actually visit the island. The Statue of Liberty National Monument is open everyday of the year (except for December 25th), providing visitors with a once in a lifetime experience! Ferry tickets to the island can be purchased online at www.circlelinedowntown.com/ or at www.statuereservations.com. Once on the island New York City car rental visitors can take part in two exciting tours of the Statue.

The Promenade Tour – this tour includes a detailed session inside the monuments lobby, including an interesting information session in front of Lady Liberty’s original torch. Visitors will then enjoy a 20-30 minute presentation inside the Statue of Liberty Exhibition, before continuing outside onto the monuments lower promenade. A brief talk will also take place under the Fort Wood, providing visitors with breathtaking views of the Statue itself.
The Observatory Tour – this tour, which includes a portion of the Promenade Tour, also allows visitors to go up inside the Lady Liberty Statue! This tour allows visitors to actually see the interior framework of the Statue of Liberty, while also offering up some awe-inspiring views of the surrounding harbor. A Liberty Island park ranger will help guide you through this exciting tour, which includes a stop at the Statue’s observation deck and a new glass ceiling portal.
*It is important to note that neither of these tours will provide access to the Statues crown or to the torch. Both of these locations are closed to visitors.

Interesting Facts about the Statue of Liberty

The structural engineer in charge of the Lady Liberty design was none other than Gustave Eiffel – the same man who designed the Eiffel Tour in Paris!
On July 4, 1889 a bronze replica of the Statue of Liberty was presented to the people of Paris, thanking them for their generous gift of friendship. This replica, which is just ¼ the size of the original Lady Liberty, now stands proudly on the Ile of Cygnes in the Seine River, just 1.5 kilometers south of the Eiffel Tower.
The Statue of Liberty project was almost abandoned in 1884 when funds for the purchase and completion of Liberty Island ran out. Joseph Pulitzer, who had recently purchased the New York World newspaper came to the rescue, rallying funds from every man, woman and child reader of his publication.