Tickets to the Statue of Liberty's crown are available to reserve on statuecruises.com, with booking currently open for the period between October 28 and December 31, 2012, Thursdays through Sundays. Spaces tend to go fast, so reserve yours now—especially since there's no extra charge for ascending the 393 stairs. More dates in 2013 will be released later.
RECOMMENDED: New York attractions: Statue of Liberty
The crown closed in October 2011 for the final of four stages of renovations, which included improving the stairs and fire-safety provisions in the pedestal, as well as the temperature control inside the statue. Access was halted after the attacks of September 11, 2001, and reinstated on July 4, 2009.
We highly recommend delaying a trip to this top New York attraction until you can secure tickets to the crown. The climb up the double-helix staircase affords a view of the literal nuts and bolts, beams and tie-down straps that prevent the iconic symbol of liberty and freedom from swaying in high winds. And then there's the sweeping views of lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and the harbor from one of 25 windows in the crown itself.
You might also like
A photo tour of the Statue of Liberty
TONY's coverage of the reopening of the crown in 2009
Watch The Daily Show's John Oliver discuss feeling overwhelmed the first time he saw Lady Liberty