On July 4 2009, the observation platform in the crown of the Statue of Liberty will once again reopen for visitors.  It has been closed to the public since November 11 2001 when the entire statue was closed for security reasons.  In 2004, Liberty Island and the base of the statue was reopened for visitation with enhanced security screening, but the observation platform in the crown remained closed.

After July 4, small groups of tourists will be escorted up the 168 steps within the Statue of Liberty to the tiny observation platform in the crown. Considering the large numbers of people that visit the statue every day, I don't believe it will be easy to attain this priveleged viewpoint.  If you would like to see New York city from the crown, I suggest you go the statue very early in the morning and immediately get in the queue for the climb.