Statue of Liberty: Have you climbed to the top? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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We will be visiting NYC this summer and will be visiting Lady Liberty. There are multiple options...
(1)- visit the island; stand at her pedestal.
(2)- go inside, take elevator up the pedestal to her feet.
(3)- go inside to the crown- climbing steps.
One thing I need clarity on is how many steps we will need to climb. It says there are 377 steps all the way to the crown.
But it also says there is an elevator to the pedestal and then 145 steps from there to the crown.
Can we take the elevator to the pedestal and then climb the remaining 145 steps??
If we can take the elevator to the pedestal, I think I can handle the 145 steps.... but given I'm not in shape, I'm hesitant to sign up for 377 steps....
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I have not climbed to the crown, but one of my best friends has . . . or at least tried. The last steps to the crown are on a very small, narrow, spiral staircase, and my friend and her daughter, who are in great physical shape and not afraid of heights, got claustrophobic, and even climbing on their hands and knees, couldn't make it to the top. So, if you are the least bit afraid of heights, I would not attempt climbing to the crown.
You also say you are not in shape . . . I would not attempt it.
"Once inside the Statue of Liberty, you can explore the museum in the pedestal and then begin the climb to the crown. The climb itself is strenuous -- 354 steps, equivalent to 20 stories -- and only recommended for people in good physical health. Inside the statue stairwell is quite cramped, as the steps are only 19 inches wide and very steep. The head clearance is only 6 feet, 2 inches, and it tends to get very hot in the statue; on summer days, it can be as much as 20 degrees hotter inside than outside. If you suffer from heart or respiratory issues, vertigo, claustrophobia, fear of heights or have any mobility issues, the National Park Service recommends that you avoid climbing to the crown."
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poohmaine
Last edited by poohmaine; 03-11-2014 at 10:13 PM..
I have not climbed to the crown, but one of my best friends has . . . or at least tried. The last steps to the crown are on a very small, narrow, spiral staircase, and my friend and her daughter, who are in great physical shape and not afraid of heights, got claustrophobic, and even climbing on their hands and knees, couldn't make it to the top. So, if you are the least bit afraid of heights, I would not attempt climbing to the crown.
You also say you are not in shape . . . I would not attempt it.
You are bringing back memories to me now of when I did it - I'd almost completely forgotten about it. In fairness, it was in January 1996, yes that winter, so it was exceptionally cold outside, so in a way it was perfect weather to climb it. I was in good health back then and now I think about it, I found it hard going - and yes at the top it is very small. I was lucky, as when I visited, there were very few people in there. I wouldn't like to do it at a busy time of year or a hot time of the year. I certainly wouldn't do it now either, as there's no way I'm fit enough to attempt it.
I have not climbed to the crown, but one of my best friends has . . . or at least tried. The last steps to the crown are on a very small, narrow, spiral staircase, and my friend and her daughter, who are in great physical shape and not afraid of heights, got claustrophobic, and even climbing on their hands and knees, couldn't make it to the top. So, if you are the least bit afraid of heights, I would not attempt climbing to the crown.
You also say you are not in shape . . . I would not attempt it.
"Once inside the Statue of Liberty, you can explore the museum in the pedestal and then begin the climb to the crown. The climb itself is strenuous -- 354 steps, equivalent to 20 stories -- and only recommended for people in good physical health. Inside the statue stairwell is quite cramped, as the steps are only 19 inches wide and very steep. The head clearance is only 6 feet, 2 inches, and it tends to get very hot in the statue; on summer days, it can be as much as 20 degrees hotter inside than outside. If you suffer from heart or respiratory issues, vertigo, claustrophobia, fear of heights or have any mobility issues, the National Park Service recommends that you avoid climbing to the crown."
What did your friend do?? Turn around and go back down?? Do you go back down the exact same steps you went up?? I'm zero afraid of heights.... but like I've mentioned, I'm not in great shape.... I can walk long distance, but running is another story and steps are much more difficult than just walking.... I've done around 200 steps before doing cave tours in recent years with no problem... but it sounds like these may be more steep and more of them...
My family did this in Nov. 2013. DH (51) & I (46), DD (18), her Boyfriend (19) & DS (12). I can tell you the stairs are small. There is one staircase going up & one for coming down. The Rangers hold people back so it doesn't get too crowded either climbing the stairs or in the crown area. DH & DS took off w/o me & they had no problems making it quickly to the top. My DH has had knee surgery in the past & he did ok, but he's in very good physical shape. MY DD took one look at the stairs & said "no way am I climbing those!". She encouraged her BF to go, but he stayed with her. I went slowly up by myself. I'm in ok physical shape. There are little areas where you can step out of the way of other folks climbing & rest for as long as you need to. I made it to the top & enjoyed looking out of the crown, but didn't feel the need to stay long. The climb down was easy, except for the smallness of the stairs. But I will say that my legs were shaking the rest of the day! It actually felt like the ground was moving when I was standing still later that afternoon! I have pictures of the stairs, so if I can get some help from 1 of my kids, I'll post them for you. I've never posted a picture here before!
Thanks for the review Tina!! I really feel like I *could* climb those steps.... However, hearing about your legs shaking all day after is something I hadn't thought about and something I could feature happening to me.... And we still have a lot more touring to do in NYC after the statue.... so, hmmmm....
One more question to all of you who climbed to the top.... was it worth it? Is it a MUST? or would just going to her feet leave you satisfied?
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I've never done this climb (can't!) but if you google the views you can get an idea. Very, very nice depending on the weather, but the main thing people want to see is the view of the city from off-shore and you can really get that from outside on the island and from the ferry. I think the main thing about climbing to the top is just to have done it.
Thanks for the review Tina!! I really feel like I *could* climb those steps.... However, hearing about your legs shaking all day after is something I hadn't thought about and something I could feature happening to me.... And we still have a lot more touring to do in NYC after the statue.... so, hmmmm....
One more question to all of you who climbed to the top.... was it worth it? Is it a MUST? or would just going to her feet leave you satisfied?
Hmmm... I have to be honest, I don't remember much of the view from when I did the climb. What I remember is exactly what Laurie said is the feeling of knowing you've done it.
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Oh wow, I had no idea we'd be doing that - very cool!
Yeah when we get back at the end we go past the Eiffel Tower, under the next bridge where the SOL is and turn and come back. She is rather small though and hard to get good pictures though
Sorry, I don't think I can post a photo of the stairs. My pics are on Shutterfly & after doing some reading here, I don't think I can post from Shutterfly.
I agree with others who have posted, it's cool to be able to say "Oh yeah, I went up to the crown", but I don't think it's a "must do" .
In the end I decided I DID want to go ahead with the CROWN tickets.... However, I hemmed and hawed on it so long- they were sold out. So, I officially have purchased tickets for just the pedestal.... I'm not too bummed, as I'm telling myself it was just meant to be- the steps may have rendered me useless the rest of the day....
I know we will have a great time still even though we will only go as far up as the pedestal....
What did your friend do?? Turn around and go back down?? Do you go back down the exact same steps you went up?? I'm zero afraid of heights.... but like I've mentioned, I'm not in great shape.... I can walk long distance, but running is another story and steps are much more difficult than just walking.... I've done around 200 steps before doing cave tours in recent years with no problem... but it sounds like these may be more steep and more of them...
She crawled backwards, one step at a time, on her hands and knees. She was crying the whole time!
My wife and I climbed to the crown a week ago. You CAN take an elevator. That being said, we both climbed every single step (and we are in no means in shape). Were we tired? Uh, yeah. But I think being able to say we made the climb is worth it. The steps to the pedestal are standard, to the crown are circular. There ARE a couple of resting spots too. A tip for coming down: climb down like you're on a ladder...saves you banging your head.
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In fairness, it was in January 1996, yes that winter, so it was exceptionally cold outside, so in a way it was perfect weather to climb it. I was in good health back then and now I think about it, I found it hard going - and yes at the top it is very small. I was lucky, as when I visited, there were very few people in there. I wouldn't like to do it at a busy time of year or a hot time of the year. 
I certainly wouldn't do it now either, as there's no way I'm fit enough to attempt it.
. So, I officially have purchased tickets for just the pedestal.... I'm not too bummed, as I'm telling myself it was just meant to be- the steps may have rendered me useless the rest of the day.... 
ace
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