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After purchasing your ticket on the New Jersey side, a ferry takes you to Ellis Island, then to Liberty Island.  Ferry times are posted so you don't have to rush and can take your time at each place.  The statue of liberty was completed in 1886 and was restore in time for the centennial in 1986.  You can climb to the top of the pedestal (178 steps) as I did.  A museum is on the base of the pedestal and contains the old copper and colored glass flame and torch.  Originally the statue was a lighthouse as the torch was lit each night by electricity making it the first lighthouse in the country lit by electricity.  Eventually it deteriated  and was replace by a gold painted flame on the torch during the restoration. The statue is 151 ft to the top of the flame.  The pedestal is 154 ft for a total of 305 ft ground to flame.  You can climb to the crown (another 152 steps- totally 330 steps) if you have a pass.  The waiting list is over 6 months long because only a few people are allowed on the stairs at a time.  Before you get on the ferry you have to go through a security check like at the airport.  Then at the statue to get into the pedestal you have to go through another security check and any bags have to be put into a locker. On the ferry back you get a good look at the new tower in Manhattan that was built to replace the World Trade Center towers.  The top of it was in the low clouds that day.