Inside the Crown of the Statue of Liberty

An incredibly tight spiral staircase, a 20 story climb, and a surreal perspective from inside one of the world's most recognizable landmarks - this is the experience of ascending through the girders and copper framework to reach the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York City. 

There are a few things worth pointing out. 

The Statue of Liberty is smaller than you think. No more than 10 people can fit in the crown at any one time, hence the need for timed entries that (in most cases) require booking months in advance. There is also no elevator to the crown so be prepared for a climb. And finally, despite the lookout there's actually not much of a view considering the statue faces away from the skyline.

All that said, it's an unreal experience to see the landmark this way. To see the framework of the statue up close, to see the island below, to realize where you actually are for a moment. As part of a series of distinctly New York travel shoots I was doing, this one ranks pretty highly.

Looking up into the framework of the Statue of Liberty.