Guided Tours

Learn about Ellis' history on a ranger-lead tour.

NPS photo

FREE Ranger-Guided Tours: Both National Park Service Rangers and dedicated Volunteers-in-Park lead walking tours throughout the museum. Tours are approximately 40 minutes in length, and chronicle island history during the busiest years of immigration of 1892 and 1924.

Expect to learn about the experiences that immigrants would have encountered during the 7-10 day voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, to the inspection process that would have taken place both in the baggage room and inside the Great Hall. The immigrant experience at Ellis Island took place between 1892-1924, and through the both the baggage room and the Great Hall and chronicle island history and explain what many immigrants experienced at the facility during its busiest years of operation. Tours depart from the information desk on the hour. The numbers of tours offered vary based upon daily staffing levels. Tickets are not required for walking tours.

 

Part of a special exhibition by the artist JR it can be seen as part of the hard-hat tour offered by Save Ellis Island, Inc., a partner of Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island.

NPS photo

SPECIAL - Hard Hat Tours of the Hospital Complex: Guided 90-minute tours will take you to select areas of the 750-bed Ellis Island Hospital Complex.

Visit the Laundry Building, with much of its original equipment still in place, where more than 3,000 pieces of laundry were washed and sanitized daily, infectious and contagious disease wards, kitchen, staff housing, autopsy room, and more. As part of the tour opening, an art exhibit, "Unframed –Ellis Island," by renowned artist JR will be on display throughout the hospital complex. The exhibit features life-size historic photographs of Ellis Island immigrants installed on 22 interior walls. JR is known throughout the world for his "Pervasive Art" exhibitions which are designed to raise questions.

Reservations can be made through Statue City Cruises or by calling 1-877-LADYTIX (1-877-523-9849). When on Ellis Island, visit the Save Ellis Island Information Desk and ask about tour ticket availability. The hard hat tour is for ages 13 and older.

This program was developed and is administered by Save Ellis Island, Inc., a partner of Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Some proceeds from the tour will go to the restoration and preservation of the unrestored historic south-side buildings.

Read the News Release.