@Kimmie I LOVE that dress.
Advice for the Statute of Liberty -- it is many, many, many steep steps and there is no opportunity to pause at the top (crown). It is literally about five people across the area and the line moves constantly. The tickets need to be pre-purchased along with a Liberty Island ferry ticket. I strongly recommend taking the first ferry out in the morning, as people will linger and the area can become quite crowded.
If you chose to go up the Empire State Building (esp. in the summer months) pay the extra money for the "fast pass" -- therwise you can wait for hours and hours and hours...
MinnieMel (who is married to a native New Yorker)