Why Some New Yorkers Never Visit the Statue of Liberty

 “Get Out There” is a column for itchy footed humans written by Paste contributor Blake Snow. Although different now, travel is better than ever. Today we “visit” the Statue of Liberty. 

On a recent trip to Amsterdam, I overheard a New Yorker say something I’ve never heard before. “I’ve lived in the city all my life and have never visited the Statue of Liberty,” she confessed to a flummoxed local who had inquired about the American icon. “I should really see it someday.” By the looks of it, the woman was in her golden years—probably a retiree.

I didn’t get a chance to follow up with her before she left the scene, but her admission got me thinking. How many other New Yorkers have never visited the Statue of Liberty, one of the most popular and highest-rated attractions in the entire country?

Although unscientific, I took an informal poll of a dozen city-dwellers who have either lived in the city all their lives or have lived there for many years. To my surprise, not a single one had visited the statue. Obviously many of the city’s 8.5 million residents have. But I expected more positive answers from the people I interviewed.

“I took the Staten Island ferry many times, which runs right by the statue, but I never visited the actual island,” admits my brother-in-law, Adam Miele, a commercial musician who now lives in Atlanta. He’s not the only one. 

Helena Fistel, a producer for Thrillist, was born and raised in New York. “The only time I didn’t live here was during four years of college and a brief study abroad program,” she says. Having traveled the world, surely she’s visited the statue—right? 

Nope. “I’ve always been interested in visiting it,” she assures me. “I can quite literally see her from my backyard.” What’s the hold up, then? “Maybe it’s knowing that I live here and can go whenever I please… but never do. I suppose I feel more pressure to see everything everywhere else first.”