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Ellis Island, New York City

4.4
#3 of 118 in Historic Sites in New York City
History Museum · Hidden Gem · Landmark
Hear the tales of the 12 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island when it served as the nation's busiest immigration inspection station, from 1892 to 1954. The immigration museum, housed in the station's main building, reveals details about the immigrants who came to the island and the staff who worked there. You can view informative displays, a short film, photos, art, and personal artifacts. Outside the museum, read the wall of honor for a partial list of the immigrants processed here. Before boarding a ferry to the island, be prepared for a thorough security check; sharp objects and large bags are forbidden. Purchase ferry tickets in advance to avoid waiting in long lines. A visit to Ellis Island represents just the start of the adventure when you use our New York City trip itinerary planning app to plot your vacation.
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Tours to Ellis Island

FROM $44 BOOK WITH VIATOR OPEN: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All Options
4.8
Duration: 3 to 5 hours
Tours from $44 »
FROM $89 BOOK WITH VIATOR New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
4.8
Duration: 6 hours
Tours from $89 »
FROM $59 BOOK WITH VIATOR Statue of Liberty Ticket, 9/11 Memorial and Wall Street Tour
4.7
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $59 »
FROM $44 BOOK WITH VIATOR Circle Line: Complete Manhattan Island Cruise
4.5
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $44 »
FROM $136 BOOK WITH VIATOR New York CityPASS
4.4
Duration: 9 days
Tours from $136 »
FROM $65 BOOK WITH VIATOR Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour
4.8
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $65 »
FROM $45 BOOK WITH VIATOR Choose Your Access Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Small-Group Tour
4.8
Duration: 4 hours
Tours from $45 »
FROM $150 BOOK WITH VIATOR Choose Your Access Private Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour
4.9
Duration: 4 hours
Tours from $150 »
FROM $155 BOOK WITH VIATOR Taste of NYC Helicopter Tour
4.3
Duration: 12 to 15 minutes
Tours from $155 »
FROM $80 BOOK WITH VIATOR NOW OPEN: Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and 9/11 Memorial Pools Guided Tour
3.8
Duration: 5 hours
Tours from $80 »
FROM $84 BOOK WITH VIATOR Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
4.7
Duration: 4 hours
Tours from $84 »
FROM $20 BOOK WITH VIATOR Statue of Liberty 60-Minute Sightseeing Cruise
3.2
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from $20 »

Ellis Island reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
7,220 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By trayjr09
    Had got tickets to go to the statue of liberty and you got to go to ellis Island to that was a good experience ellis Island is the building where the imagination had to go to get checked out before...  more »
  • By blairkk25
    I visited Ellis Island in August 2021. I bought my ferry ticket online the night before. I took Exit 14C on the New Jersey Turnpike and arrived at the parking lot at about 7:20 am. Parking costs...  more »
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Google
  • By Linda Hepworth
    You could spend all day here. Fantastic museum and a ‘must see’.
  • By Arthur Murden
    I know the history of Ellis Island And saw the Island when I took a boat back from a visit to the statue of liberty. the first thing you see as the boat pulls along side of Ellis Island is a really lovely looking old building
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