Ellis Island - NYC
Ellis Island is a part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. It is located on 27 1/2 acres of land, off the southern tip of Manhattan Island in New York City. Ellis Island is one of the nation’s most popular historic sites, visited by millions of people from around the world every year. Between 1892 and 1924, 25 million immigrants passed through New York Harbor’s gateway to freedom. Of all the people who came to Ellis Island, 90% were cleared through and 98% stayed in America. Today, one American in three claims to have an ancestor who passed through Ellis Island.
Tickets to Liberty Island and Ellis Island
There are four ticket options to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island:
- Reserve Ticket (includes ferry access to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, plus the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Ticket does NOT include Pedestal access).
- Reserve Ticket with Pedestal Access
- Reserve Ticket with Crown Ticket (tours sell out weeks in advance)
- Hard Hat Tour of Ellis Island
Ferry Boat to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
All visitors must purchase a ticket for ferry transportation. Tickets include access to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Ferry boats depart daily from New York City’s Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan. Lines can be long, especially during peak tourist season. So the earlier you arrive, the better. Visitors must pass through security screening before boarding the ferry. Allow at least 1-1/2 hours to stand in line before boarding the ferry.
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Plan on spending a couple of hours at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Take a self-guided tour and see life-size photos of early-20th-century immigrants and historical artifacts. The museum is educational and there’s a lot to see. It makes a fun family-day outing. Free admission.
The American Immigrant Wall of Honor
The American Immigrant Wall of Honor overlooks the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline. It’s the largest Wall of names in the world, displaying over 700,000 names of individuals who risked everything to come to America. Look for your family’s name on the Wall of Honor, or search databases (by name or ship) to find specific individuals and trace your roots. Did you know that you can have your family name inscribed for posterity at Ellis Island, regardless of when they came to America or through which port they entered?
More Info
Open daily except for Christmas Day. Extended hours during Summer months. Visit Ellis Island’s website for more info on tickets, hours, and guided tours.