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Ellis Island
Travel by ferry to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Imagine the joy and hopes that earlier immigrants felt as they finished much longer and rougher sea voyages to finally arrive in America. Over 12 million people entered the country through this structure’s golden doors. About half of today’s more than 300 million U.S. citizens descended from these brave immigrants.
Immigration services operated here between 1892 and 1954, with newly arrived visitors spending hours in an inspection process determining if they would be allowed to stay in their land of hope or would be among the 2 percent denied entry. View exhibits showing interpreters, nurses, doctors, inspectors and clerical staff whose daily actions determined the fates of hopeful visitors. Photos and stories relate the dreams of those visitors.
Note Ellis Island’s unusual rectangular shape. A smaller natural island was expanded by landfill to provide a functional base to build the original immigration and service buildings and expanded farther over time. See the history of these major projects in the exhibits on the places of importance on the island. The Main Immigration Building, now filled with three floors of exhibits, opened in 1900.
Immigration services ended here in 1954 and the buildings sat idle until the site became part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. By 1990, the National Park Service opened the renovated Main Building to visitors. Search arrival records in the American Family Immigration History Center.
The only way to reach Ellis Island is by ferries leaving from Battery Park at Manhattan’s southern tip or Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Purchase ferry tickets from the authorized National Park Service operator for a specific time and be sure you are in line well before departure time.
The site is open daily except Christmas Day. Join a ranger-led walking tour of the building or purchase a hard-hat tour to see the immigration hospital. Plan to spend several hours at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and enjoy a second stop to see the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, which is included in the same ferry fee.
Popular Activities at Ellis Island
There are loads of ways to experience this attraction. We've put together some things you can do at Ellis Island:
- September 11 Memorial Admission Plus Statue of Liberty Tour
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour with Pedestal Access
- Early Access Statue of Liberty with Pedestal & Ellis Island
- Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island & 9/11 Museum Guided Tour
- Early Access 9/11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island
- Statue of Liberty Tour with Exclusive Pedestal Entry
Examine our New York things to do page to discover even more activities in the area.
Guide to Exploring around Ellis Island
Best Lodging Options Near Ellis Island
Per night/room
Sep. 2 - Sep. 3
World Center Hotel
144 Washington St, New York, NYLocated in Financial District, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Wall Street, One World Trade Center, and National September 11 Memorial. New York Stock Exchange and Federal Reserve Bank of New York are also within 10 minutes. Rector St. Station (Greenwich St.) and Rector St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.
Global Luxury Suites at Exchange
33 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJLocated in Downtown Jersey City, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of Colgate Clock and Liberty State Park. Newport Mall and Newport Center Mall are also within 1 mi (2 km). Jersey City Exchange Place Station is 7 minutes by foot and Jersey City Marin Boulevard Station is 9 minutes.
Dharma Home Suites JC at Downtown
33 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJLocated in Downtown Jersey City, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of Colgate Clock and Liberty State Park. One World Trade Center and Newport Mall are also within 2 mi (3 km). Jersey City Exchange Place Station is 6 minutes by foot and Jersey City Harborside Financial Center Station is 10 minutes.
Hudson Street Apartments at Liberty Towers
33-35 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJLocated in Downtown Jersey City, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of Colgate Clock and Liberty State Park. One World Trade Center and Newport Mall are also within 2 mi (3 km). Jersey City Exchange Place Station is 5 minutes by foot and Jersey City Harborside Financial Center Station is 9 minutes.
Club Quarters Hotel, Wall Street
52 William St, New York, NYLocated in Financial District, this hotel is steps from Wall Street and Federal Reserve Bank of New York. New York Stock Exchange and National September 11 Memorial are also within 10 minutes. Wall St. Station is only a 2-minute walk and Broad St. Station is 3 minutes.
Per night/room
Sep. 11 - Sep. 12
Collective Governors Island
Craig Road North, New York, NYSituated in the historical district, this campground is within 9 mi (15 km) of Empire State Building, Times Square, and Broadway. Central Park and Statue of Liberty are also within 12 mi (20 km).
Per night/room
Sep. 2 - Sep. 3
The Wagner Hotel
2 West Street, New York, NYLocated in Battery Park City, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Battery Park, New York Stock Exchange, and Wall Street. One World Trade Center and Federal Reserve Bank of New York are also within 15 minutes. Bowling Green Station is only a 5-minute walk and Whitehall St. Station is 6 minutes.
Per night/room
Aug. 25 - Aug. 26
Courtyard New York Downtown Manhattan/World Trade Center
133 Greenwich Street, New York, NYLocated in Financial District, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Wall Street and National September 11 Memorial. Federal Reserve Bank of New York and New York Stock Exchange are also within 10 minutes. Rector St. Station (Greenwich St.) and Rector St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.
Plan your trip to Ellis Island
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