Closed off to the public since 9/11/01 because of fears of another terrorist attack in New York City, the crown of the Statue of Liberty will finally reopen. With all patriotic symbolism, bands, political speeches, flags and fireworks, the official reopening ceremony will be held July 4.

Despite the fact that several weeks ago, a clueless Washington bureaucrat sent Air Force One soaring too close over the statue and scared the hell out of New Yorkers, all of Miss Liberty is now considered perfectly safe for visitors. First, after a boat ride from Manhattan, they take the elevator from the statue’s base, then climb the 168 steps to the observation platform.

The area has room for just 30 people at a time, and when the crowds are large, guards move everyone along so that each gets only a few moments in the crown. There they can stare 15 miles out of the 25 windows at the harbor, Ellis Island and a calmer New York City.