Statue of Liberty's crown reopens to public Tuesday
NEW YORK -- The Statue of Liberty fully reopened to visitors Tuesday after more than two years of limited access.
As CBS2's John Dias explains, for the first time since the pandemic began, people can now return to Lady Liberty's crown.
"I was actually screaming. We were home alone and I said 'We got the crown!'" said visitor Allison Madara of Indiana.
That excitement of booking tickets to the illustrious crown of the Statue of Liberty led to a trip up the spiral staircase Tuesday morning for Madara and her family - all the way up the 354 steps to the headpiece of New York's beloved Lady Liberty.
"So exciting to see something that is so iconic, and to take them, because they've never been to visit it," Madara said.
The family is one of the very first people to travel to the crown since the pandemic shut it down in 2020.
Some coworkers on business from Indonesia also were able to snag some limited tickets.
"Happy! Excited," said Harry Hemalsyah.
While there is a 25-window view of New York harbor, the crown is a small space, and hasn't been very COVID-friendly. But with restrictions easing and COVID cases down, officials felt it was finally a safe time to reopen the classic tourist attraction. Tickets, however, went fast. Only a limited number of tickets are sprinkled on the website for each day.
Other tourists were only able to get general admission. That means the base of the statue only.
"So I guess we will have to come back then," said Ana Sianes of Spain.
It's on her New York bucket list.
"It's something you have to do. It's a must," she said.
A Michigan couple wants to return for another trip as well. Amelia Coddington told Dias that she wants no part of the long journey up, and will watch her husband from the ground as the beauty of the statue beams down.
"Not me. I'm afraid of heights," she said.
The seven spikes around the crown represent the seven seas and the seven continents of the world.
With tickets to the crown booked for the next couple of weeks, it looks like the next best time to reserve your spot will be this November.
CLICK HERE for more information and how to book tickets.
