Frequently Asked Questions

Is Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island open year-round?
We are open every day between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5 PM. The last ferry departing from New York City and from Liberty State Park in New Jersey is at 3:30 PM. We are closed on the holidays of Thanksgiving Day and on Christmas Day; December 25th. Hours are extended during the summer season, and shortened during the winter season. Schedule changes are possible during extreme weather conditions.

How can I prepare my students for our visit?
Visit our website for lesson plans, self-guided activities and other education resources to support your visit to the Museum. The resources will help immerse your students in the Ellis Island immigrant experience. Moreover, the Educator Guides for Grades 4-6 and Grades 7 to 8 will help teachers structure a full education experience when the school group has arrived on-site.

What should I know before I arrive?
Visits to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island require the purchase of a ferry ticket (the National Park Service does not charge an entrance fee). School groups are required to make a reservation with Statue City Cruises prior to their trip.

Students will have to go through airport-style screening before getting on the ferries. Lines for the ferries often take 30 minutes or longer. All visitors must pass through security screening. Please review the list of prohibited items before arrival.

While on Liberty Island and Ellis Island, be prepared to divide your class into groups of no larger than 10 students and 1 chaperone. Chaperones will be required to be with their students the entirety of the visit.

Ellis Island features three levels of exhibits. The heart of the immigrant experience can be found in the Registry Room (or Great Hall) on the 2nd Floor. School groups are welcome to pick up an audio tour when entering the building (to the immediate right of the main entrance). Ellis Island’s award-winning film Island of Hope, Island of Tears is also shown every 30 minutes starting at 10:00 am. While no reservations are required, we suggest that you arrive about ten minutes prior to the show time. Each theater has a capacity of 140 guests.

At Liberty Island, visitors can also pick up a complimentary audio tour with their visit. The traditional tours are about an hour long, while family tours last about 50 minutes.

What dining options are there on the islands?
Dining areas can be found on both Liberty Island and Ellis Island. The menus feature burgers, sandwiches, salads and snacks available to purchase. Meals with a drink cost around $12.00 to $15.00. Students are more than welcome to bring their own lunches to enjoy on both islands.

My question isn't answered here. How can I find out more?
Please call us at 646-356-2180 or email e-mail us


What does a typical day at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island look like?
Educators can have a very fulfilling experience on both islands in less than three hours. Below are sample schedules based on availability.

Activity Duration Real Time
Security screening 30 minutes 9:55am-10:25am
Boat ride to Statue of Liberty 15 minutes 10:25am- 10:40am
Self-guided activities 30 minutes 10:40am- 11:10am
Pedestal screening/museum/
pedestal visit with audio tour
60 minutes 11:10am-12:10pm
Bag lunch 30 minutes 12:10pm-12:40pm
Gift shop/bathroom break (Optional) 15 minutes 12:40pm-12:55pm
Boat ride to NY 35 minutes 12:55pm-1:30pm

Sample Schedule for New Jersey Boats (Statue of Liberty Only)
Activity Duration Real Time
Security screening 30 minutes 9:55am-10:25am
Boat ride to Statue of Liberty 35 minutes 10:25am-11:00am
Self-guided activities 30 minutes 11:00am-11:30am
Pedestal screening/museum/ pedestal visit with audio tour 60 minutes 11:30am-12:30pm
Bag lunch 30 minutes 12:30pm-1:00pm
Gift shop /bathroom break (Optional) 15 minutes 1:00-1:15pm
Boat ride to NJ 15 minutes 1:15pm-1:30pm

Sample Schedule for New York Boats (Ellis Island Only)
Activity Duration Real Time
Security screening 30 minutes 9:55am-10:25am
Boat ride to Ellis Island 45 minutes 10:25am-11:10am
Orientation/queuing for film/bathroom break 20 minutes 11:10am -11:30am
Film: Island of Hope, Island of Tears 35 minutes 11:30am-12:05pm
Bag lunch 30 minutes 12:05pm-12:35pm
Self-guided activities 40 minutes 12:35pm- 1:15pm
Gallery walk (independently exploring the Ellis Island exhibits) 15 minutes 1:15pm-1:30pm
Gift shop/bathroom break (Optional) 15 minutes 1:30pm-1:45pm
Boat ride to NY 15 minutes 1:45pm-2:00pm

Sample Schedule for New Jersey Boats (Ellis Island Only)
Activity Duration Real Time
Security screening 30 minutes 9:55am-10:25am
Boat ride to Ellis Island 15 minutes 10:25am-10:40am
Self-guided activities 40 minutes 10:40am-11:20am
Bathroom break 10 minutes 11:20am-11:30am
Film: Island of Hope, Island of Tears 35 minutes 11:30am-12:05pm
Bag lunch 30 minutes 12:05pm-12:35pm
Gift shop/bathroom break (Optional) 15 minutes 12:35pm-12:50pm
Boat ride to NJ 45 minutes 12:50pm-1:35pm

Sample Schedule for New York Boats (Visiting Both Islands)
Activity Duration Real Time
Security screening 30 minutes 9:55am-10:25am
Boat ride to Statue of Liberty 15 minutes 10:25am- 10:40am
Self-guided activities 30 minutes 10:40am- 11:10am
Pedestal screening/museum/
pedestal visit with audio tour
60 minutes 11:10am-12:10pm
Bag lunch 30 minutes 12:10pm-12:40pm
Gift shop /bathroom break (Optional) 15 minutes 12:40pm-12:55pm
Boat ride to Ellis Island 15 minutes 12:55pm-1:10pm
Orientation/queuing for film/bathroom break 20 minutes 1:10pm -1:30pm
Film: Island of Hope, Island of Tears 35 minutes 1:30pm-2:05pm
Self-guided activities 40 minutes 2:05pm- 2:45pm
Gallery walk (independently exploring the Ellis Island exhibits) 15 minutes 2:45pm-3:00pm
Gift shop/bathroom break (Optional) 15 minutes 3:00pm-3:15pm
Boat ride to NY 15 minutes 3:15pm-3:30pm

Sample Schedule for New Jersey Boats (Visiting Both Islands)
Activity Duration Real Time
Security screening 30 minutes 9:55am-10:25am
Boat ride to Ellis Island 15 minutes 10:25am- 10:40am
Self-guided activities 40 minutes 10:40am- 11:20am
Orientation/queuing for film/bathroom break 10 minutes 11:20am -11:30am
Film: Island of Hope, Island of Tears 35 minutes 11:30am-12:05pm
Bag lunch 30 minutes 12:05pm-12:35pm
Gallery walk (independently exploring the Ellis Island exhibits) 15 minutes 12:35pm-12:50pm
Gift Shop/ Bathroom Break (Optional) 15 minutes 12:50pm-1:05pm
Boat ride to Statue of Liberty 15 minutes 1:05pm-1:20pm
Pedestal screening/museum/
pedestal visit with audio tour
60 minutes 1:20pm-2:20pm
Self-guided activities 40 minutes 2:20pm- 3:00pm
Gift shop/bathroom break (Optional) 15 minutes 3:00pm-3:15pm
Boat ride to NJ 15 minutes 3:15pm-3:30pm

Last updated: November 3, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Receiving Office
1 Ellis Island

Jersey City, NJ 07305

Phone:

212 363-3200

Contact Us