Things To Do

Visit the information desk at Ellis Island.

NPS Photo

Information Desk

Park rangers or volunteers can provide information about New York immigration history. Information about tracing your family history is available. Schedules for ranger-guided tours, the film, and ferries are posted for viewing. A Passport to Your National Parks® cancellation stamp is also available.

Learn more about the restoration and maintenance of the historic Ellis Island immigrant hospital at the adjacent Save Ellis Island information desk.

 

Come and learn about Ellis Island and immigration history on a ranger tour.

NPS Photo

Park Ranger Guided Tours

Join a National Park Service ranger or dedicated Volunteers-In-Park on a walking tour of the museum. Tours chronicle island history and explain what many immigrants experienced at the facility during its busiest years of operation. The number of tours offered varies based upon daily staffing levels. Please check at the information desk for tour times. Tickets are not required for walking tours and are usually 35 minutes long.

 

A special performance taking place in the Registry Room at Ellis Island.

NPS Photo

Visit the Museum

The museum has three floors of exhibits documenting immigrants' experiences at Ellis Island, as well as the general history of immigration to the United States.

The First Floor contains the Baggage Room, Journeys: The Peopling of America 1550-1890, Journeys: New Eras of Immigration 1945- Present, and the American Family Immigration History Center. In addition, audio guides, the information desk, gift shop, theater, bookstore, and the Ellis Island Café are available. Behind the museum, visitors have access to both the Wall of Honor and to Fort Gibson.

The Second Floor has the Registry Room (Great Hall), the Hearing Room, Theater 2, and two exhibit galleries: Through America's Gate and Peak Immigration Years: 1880-1924.

The Third Floor contains the Bob Hope Memorial Library, Dormitory Room, and the exhibits: Ellis Island Chronicles, Treasures From Home, Silent Voices, and Restoring a Landmark.

Visit Special Exhibits to learn what is happening in our Temporary Exhibit Galleries.

 

While visiting Ellis Island, you can take the self-guided audio tour.

NPS Photo

Self-Guided Audio Tour

This self-guided tour helps visitors learn about Ellis Island while exploring the museum. An audio tour is available for both Ellis Island and Liberty Island and is included in the price of the ferry ticket.

• Audio tours are available in the following languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Mandarin, Russian, Arabic, Korean, Hindi, Portugese, and Japanese.
• Family friendly audio tours designed for children ages 6-10 are available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Mandarin, Russian, Arabic, Korean, Hindi, Portugese, and Japanese.
• A descriptive audio tour is available for visitors who are blind or with low-vision.
• American Sign Language (ASL) tours are also available.

 

The Statue of Liberty from the top of the pedestal.

NPS Photo

Liberty Enlightening the World

"Liberty Enlightening the World" was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States, and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was designated as a National Monument in 1924. Employees of the National Park Service have been caring for the colossal copper statue since 1933.

All tickets holders have access to the grounds of Liberty Island. However, interior access to the statue's pedestal and crown requires a reservation. Make your reservation today! To visit both islands in one day, the National Park Service recommends an early ferry departure.