Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry Transfers
Description
Experience the best of Liberty and Ellis Island in half a day. Start at Battery Park, taking in stunning views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty while your expert guide shares the significance of these iconic landmarks. Board the ferry to Liberty Island and enjoy breathtaking sights as your guide explains the history and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. Explore the statue up close, capture memorable photos, and soak in the atmosphere. Then, sail to Ellis Island, where your guide will bring the immigrant experience to life at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Discover the powerful stories of those who shaped America. Conclude with a scenic ferry ride back to Battery Park, leaving with a deep appreciation for these historic sites—all in just half a day.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your tour starts in Battery Park, located at the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City. It is a historic 25-acre public park with stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Established in the 17th century, it was originally a defensive artillery battery. Today, it's a vibrant space with gardens, monuments, and ferry terminals where your ferry will depart for your tour. Popular landmarks include Castle Clinton, an old fort turned museum, and the Seaglass Carousel. It's a gateway to the harbor and a serene escape in the bustling city.
Your first stop of the day after your ferry ride is on Liberty Island, a small island in New York Harbor, home to the iconic Statue of Liberty. It covers about 14 acres and is part of the National Park Service. Originally called Bedloe's Island, it was renamed in 1956 to honor the statue. The island offers close-up views of the statue, symbolizing freedom and democracy. The island also features a museum detailing the statue's history and significance.
The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom and democracy, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and gifted by France in 1886. It commemorates the Franco-American alliance and celebrates liberty. The 305-foot statue depicts Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, holding a torch and a tablet inscribed with the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it remains a powerful emblem of hope and freedom. You can access the Statue of Liberty Museum, which opened in 2019. The museum explores the statue's creation, history, and symbolism through interactive exhibits and artifacts, including the original torch. You can learn about the engineering challenges faced during its construction and the statue's cultural impact worldwide.
After some free time to enjoy the Statue of Liberty and taking a couple of selfie, it's time to head to your next stop: Ellis Island. Located in New York Harbor near the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island served as the primary immigration station for the United States from 1892 to 1954. Over 12 million immigrants passed through its doors, making it a symbol of America's rich immigrant heritage. Today, Ellis Island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and houses the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. The museum showcases the stories of the millions who journeyed to America, offering exhibits on their challenges, cultures, and contributions to American society. You will be able to explore the restored Great Hall, where immigrants were processed, and trace your own ancestry through the island's extensive archives.
The National Museum of Immigration, located on Ellis Island, chronicles the experiences of the millions who passed through its doors from 1892 to 1954. The museum is housed in the restored Main Building, where immigrants were once processed. It features exhibits on the immigration journey, including personal stories, artifacts, and photographs that highlight the challenges and hopes of those seeking a new life in America. The museum also explores broader themes of migration, cultural exchange, and the ongoing story of American immigration. Visitors can research their ancestry through the American Family Immigration History Center, which offers access to ship manifests and immigration records. Your guide will tell you all the tales there is to know about the incredible history of Ellis Island. You will then be able to explore at your own pace and decide when you want to take the ferry back to Manhattan.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(32)
This is not a tour. It’s simply hiring someone to accompany you to a ferry. Basic information is provided about Ellis island and the Statue of Liberty. Both of which are free. Save your money and just buy a ferry ticket.
it was like solving a puzzle looking for our guide and we felt like we’re gonna be left behind, but we found him! Nice to hear the stories behind the statue and the ellis island! Ron was fun and gave us enough time to take pictures from those places!
It is a fun and educational tour. Definitely worth the money. Our guide was very knowledgeable and able to answer all of our questions. She also gave great recommendations on food and other New York experiences.
We had the absolute BEST time with Sam as our guide! The day was beautiful and the weather cooperated 100%! Sam was interested (in us) and interesting (to us)! His knowledge of the city and the history of the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island was excellent. He seemed to know exactly the details we would find fascinating and inspiring. We were luck enough to be the only ones on the tour so it felt like we were just hanging out and seeing the sights ... but with a good friend!!!
Rob was a great tour guide and very knowledgeable. He thoroughly knew what he was talking about and really got our 13 year old involved which was great! Ellis Island was very disappointing. It’s undergoing construction, so the inside is not what it used to be. Also, you now how to pay to search for your relatives who came through. Company issue: due to train issues, Rob was a little late, but it would have been nice for the company to communicate this. We were waiting and thought we were in the wrong place. I had call and found out this information.
The guide talked about it with easy-to-understand questions, which was profound. If we had walked alone, I think we would have ended up taking a picture without knowing deeply.
It was a fun, participatory tour, with a mix of questions and guides!
Even with the rain and cold, we had a fantastic time. Jeff was an AWESOME guide. Very informative, funny and really knew his stuff. He did a great job and kept the whole group interested and engaged. They really do cram you on to the boats, but once you're there, it spreads out and is much better.
We had so much fun visiting Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty! It was only five of us on the tour and our guide Rob guided us without hesitation through the crowds of the ferry transfers. He was a great storyteller and really did a great job explaining to us the real purpose that drove people to create the Statue of Liberty. I still think about his words sometimes, they really resonated. He also took pictures of us from unusual, fun angles in front of the Statue. And then we went on to Ellis Island, where he made it very personable by basing the narration upon his own Italian ancestors' history and the research he did, which was totally fascinating. It was very windy and freezing that day but we made great memories and learned a lot. Thank you, Rob!
We were just 3 of us. The guide ended up making this so political and woke. There is no reason. I don’t want a political rant when I’m on a tour and on vacation. Also we were in such close quarters that other people heard and were offended and wanted to start arguing with him. Not a good look.
Dear Andrew_D, We sincerely apologize for your experience, as this is certainly not the level of service we aim to provide. Our tours are meant to be enjoyable and professional, and we're sorry that the guide’s conduct made you feel uncomfortable. We take this feedback seriously and will be following up with the guide immediately to ensure this does not happen again. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Best Regards.
