Standing 93 meters tall on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of immigrants and visitors to America’s shores since her dedication in 1886. A gift of friendship from France, this colossal neoclassical sculpture of the Roman goddess Libertas was designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi with its revolutionary iron framework engineered by Gustave Eiffel. The statue’s pedestal houses an excellent museum tracing the monument’s construction and symbolic history, while climbing the 215 steps inside the pedestal rewards visitors with stunning harbor views. The truly committed can ascend 377 steps through the narrow double-helix staircase to the crown, where small windows offer an intimate perspective over the harbor, the Manhattan skyline, and the torch held high above. On nearby Ellis Island, the Immigration Museum tells the deeply personal stories of the 12 million immigrants who passed through its halls between 1892 and 1954.

Pro tip: Reserve crown access tickets the moment they become available (typically 4-5 months in advance) as they sell out almost immediately — pedestal tickets are easier to get but should still be booked at least 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season.