This symbol of freedom and token of the American dream watches over the city of New York and is one of the most visited attractions anywhere in the world. Since 9/11, visitors are unable to climb to the top of the figure but can still walk around her perimeter. The most impressive view, however, is from the ferry as you sail across the harbour. She stands resplendent and unlike so many landmarks is still as impressive as you imagine her to be. If you don’t want to pay for the boat, which also allows you to get off at Ellis Island, you can take the Staten Island ferry, which is free.

The statue of liberty. An absolute classic piece of New York and an absolute must see for tourists. Once you get to the island it is all about taking pictures, of the skyline, of others in your group, and of the fine lady of freedom herself. Once you’ve taken pictures to your hearts content, it is actually time to enter the statue

The first thing I would recommend is don’t overlook the museum; it contains a really well put together exhibit on the creation and history of the statue. After walking around the museum (I’d allow 30 minutes, but then again I am a museum geek), you then proceed up a few stairs to the base of the statue. Here you get to look inside the statue but don’t expect to go any further. In a post 9/11 world, going up to the crown has been deemed unsafe. That’s not to say that the view isn’t amazing. Spend some time up here taking photos too. And bear in mind that once you leave an area you will not be allowed to re-enter it. After you exit the statue there isn’t a whole lot else to do, other than take a trip to the gift shop and hop back on the ferry.

It’s a given that as a tourist/traveler you will visit this statue, just give in to temptation. It’s worth it.

The Statue of Liberty is a great tourist destination for lots of reasons. First, of course, is the statue itself, which really is a very impressive sight: it's massive and really rather beautiful, and the views of downtown from Liberty Island are lovely. Second is the fun of getting to the island: you have to take a ferry from Battery Park, which is always entertaining, though it can be extremely cold in winter. Third is the people-watching: real New Yorkers never go to places like the Statue of Liberty, unless they're escorting out-of-town guests, and as a result, the line for the ferry is even more delightfully international than most of New York.

Entrance to Liberty Island is free, but in order to get there, you must take a Circle Line ferry. Tickets cost $11.50 for adults, $4.50 for kids, and $9.50 for seniors. Ferry tickets can sell out, so it's a good idea to buy ahead, especially if you want to go inside the base of the statue--for that you'll need a separate free ticket that admits you on a guided tour. These are time-stamped so that you have reservations for a single tour. The time-stamped tour tickets sell out well before the ferry tickets do, so if entering the statue is important to you, plan ahead.

If you don't enter the statue, there isn't very much to do on the island except walk in a wide circle around the statue, admiring it and the views of Manhattan and New Jersey. But it's a very pleasant thing to do.

The ferry leaving Liberty Island takes you to Ellis Island, which is a much more interesting (if less picturesque) spot: the former immigration center that processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the early 20th century is now a museum documenting immigration to America. Most of the exhibits consist of photographs of immigrants, although there are also some cases full of objects people imported with them (embroidered dresses, silverware, books, etc.) and later donated to the museum. I found the photographic exhibits surprisingly moving: they're well selected, and the information provided along with the photographs is thorough and varied. The museum manages to do a good job of showing just what immigrants were up against in their home countries (the Irish potato famine, massive unemployment in Italy), and then what challenges they faced in America (anti-immigrant sentiment, the difficulties of assimilation).

If you're interested in doing genealogical research on Ellis Island, there's a library, although you should contact them in advance for permission.

There's food available everywhere on this trip: while you stand in line for the ferry, you'll be surrounded by pretzel carts, and there's a concession on the ferry, a fast-food restaurant on Liberty Island, and a cafe at Ellis Island.

The Statue wasn't as tall as I thought it was going to be, but it was still amazing. When my choir went, it wasn't open to go inside the statue, but we still got to sing around the tall flag post they had on the island.

We bought our tickets to the Statue of Liberty at Castle Clinton. $12 tickets get you passage only on the Circle Line ferry. For $18 you get an audio tour. Our son's ticket cost $5.

You need a reservation to visit the 10th floor of the Statue of Liberty, but not to wander around the island. The return-ferry ticket also includes a visit to Ellis Island.

We queued 5 minutes to buy the tickets, but a further 1.5 hours to go through security. Wrap up warm - it is freezing down there.

On-board the ferry sit up-top. Despite the icy wind, you get wonderful views of Liberty and the skyline.

The Statue of Liberty - official name Liberty Encircling the World, was designed by Bartholdi and Eiffel and presented as a gift from France to the USA to commemorate America's 100th birthday. Dedicated on October 28, 1886, it is 305 ft tall and very green - it's covered with a copper skin.

Liberty's crown has 7 rays, symbolising the 7 seas and 7 continents. The tablet she holds is inscribed with July 4, 1776. Her nose is 4ft long and her mouth is 3ft wide. Bartholdi used his mother's face as inspiration. The Statue is the universal symbol of democracy and still the epitome of the American dream.

Walk all around the island. As well as a close-up of the statue you get lovely views of Manhattan and the water. Avoid the restaurant - fast-food and very crowded. Wait until you get to Ellis Island and visit the coffee-shop/restaurant there - so much nicer.

Ellis Island was once the first glimpse of the New World for countless immigrants. It was the processing station for around 12 million immigrants between 1892-1954. 40% of Americans today have an ancestor who entered the country through the island.

It is a moving memorial and interpretive centre where Americans can research their ancestors' arrival, entering through a replica of the baggage and registry room. We found it fascinating.

Back in Manhattan, when we got off the ferry we walked up to Wall Street. This is the New York from the black and white movies - narrow streets, big skyscrapers, suited businesspeople.

We walked down Wall Street - so narrow. It was named after a wall which the Dutch built to fend off Indian attacks and has been the centre of commerce in the New World for 2 centuries.

We also walked past Ground Zero. The 16 acre site of the World Trade Center is now a construction site, as the World Trade Center Memorial is now being built. It is a poignant and sad place, but the really moving memorial to those who died is at Battery Park.

The orb there used to stand on top of a granite fountain between the World Trade Center Towers. The plaque says "in honour of those who were lost, the sphere stands as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country."