By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
LIBERTY ISLAND — Sarah Palin continued her whirlwind tour of New York City Wednesday with a visit to the State of Liberty.
The former Alaska governor and rumored presidential candidate, who visited Lady Liberty on her tour of American landmarks, proclaimed the statue "overwhelming" and "beautiful," the Associated Press reported.
Palin wrote on her blog that she was particularly moved to see the crowds of foreign visitors who are drawn to the Statue of Liberty, "not merely for its aesthetic beauty but also as a symbol for freedom and liberty."
"Lady Liberty is the symbol of unity and friendship we have with other freedom-loving nations," Palin continued. "It's also a 'warning' of sorts, as France encouraged us to keep democracy alive as the recipient of this gift... basically telling us not to blow it. Thank you for this reminder, France!"
Palin reportedly also said the statue should make Americans think about their unity and their connections to other countries.
Palin arrived on Ellis Island by car early Wednesday morning with her parents and daughter Piper, and the family took an 8:45 a.m. boat over to Liberty Island, said Jane Ahern, spokeswoman for the National Park Service.
"It was a well-kept secret almost up to the last minute," Ahern said. "They wanted to do a private visit."
Palin went into the statue's base and visited the museum there but did not ascend to the crown, Ahern said. Palin greeted some of the island's visitors and spoke briefly to reporters.
When a visiting band struck up the national anthem as part of an unrelated performance, Palin stopped and put her hand over her heart, Ahern said.
The Palin family left Liberty Island on the 10:30 a.m. boat and returned to Ellis Island, where their cars were waiting, Ahern said.
"We'll highlight the beauty of legal immigrants' work ethic and love of freedom while visiting Ellis Island & Statute [sic] of Liberty today," Palin tweeted Wednesday morning, explaining the reason for her visit.
Palin launched her "One Nation Tour" May 29 in Washington, DC, and has since made more than half a dozen stops, including Philadelphia and Gettysburg, fueling the buzz that she is planning to run for president.
Palin arrived in New York Tuesday and ate pizza near Times Square with Donald Trump, who recently quashed speculation that he was planning his own presidential run.
Palin's next stop is the Freedom Trail in Boston, the Associated Press reported.
