Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum

Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum offers great views and green space along with a look back into the experiences of early immigrants.

Almost half of Americans are descended from the 12 million migrants that passed through first Federal immigration assessment station on Ellis Island hoping to achieve the "American Dream". To preserve this fundamental piece of shared history, Ellis Island was gazetted as part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument in 1965. After undergoing a major restoration, the processing halls where immigrants underwent legal and medical examinations were transformed into the Ellis Island Immigration Museum by the National Park Service to educate visitors about this national gateway.

Ellis Island is situated in New York Harbour and is only accessible by ferry, departing from Battery Park. Arrive early to avoid the lines; waiting times can exceed an hour during peak periods. Concessions are available on the island, but a more cost effective and appetizing option is to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on the ample green space on Ellis Island. It is possible to book a ferry tour that visits both Liberty Island and Ellis Island in one day, but it is an ambitious undertaking.

The museum offers a variety of ranger guided tours, interactive performances, self-guided audio tours and a short film, which all give a good introduction to the immigrant experience on Ellis Island. Shutterbugs will enjoy the "Silent Voices" photographic exhibition chronicling the years Ellis Island was abandoned in the mid 20th century. The Ellis Island Junior Ranger program distributes a free children's activity booklet available from the information booth.

From March to October, free monthly genealogy workshops are offered on Ellis Island. Archives are housed in the American Family Immigration Center and you can research your ancestry on their website or in the centre's research room. Genealogy enthusiasts will want to pack a pencil and paper to take rubbings of their family names listed on the Wall of Honor.

Cost: Free admission with a New York Pass otherwise admission fees apply. See website for current admission rates.

Hours: Open daily from 9:30am - 5:00pm; Extended hours in summer; Closed Christmas Day

Website: Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Address: Statue Cruise Ticket Office is located inside the Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park

Nearby attractions: Statue of Liberty

Getting There on Transit
Subway Train / Bus	Subway Station	Walking Time
1	South Ferry	4 minutes
N or R	Bowling Green	5 minutes
Take the 1 train to South Ferry, turn left into Battery Park (4 minutes) or take the N or R train to Whitehall Street, head north toward Pearl Street, turn left on Bridge Street, follow path into park (5 minutes) or take the 4 or 5 train to Bowling Green, head south on Broadway, turn right on Battery Place, turn left on Greenwich Street and continue into park (5 minutes). >