I visited here with my Father about a year before 9/11. The Statue of Liberty is certainly impresive, and I keep meaning to visit the prototype in Paris.

However Liberty Island seemed to be in danger of sinking under the wieght of the tourists upon it so we didn't get off and went onto Ellis Island.

The Statue is of course iconic because it was famously the first thing migrants saw on arrival in the USA, they then went on Ellis Island to be processed - Today Ellis is an emotive museum of imigration, and perhaps given the role it played in American and indeed world's history this site should be extended to become 'Liberty & Ellis Islands.'

Tip though if your short of cash, don't take the boat to Liberty Island but go on the Staten Island ferry which is free, and gives good views of both Manhatten and the Statue.