Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

Can't recommend it enough, especially during this period of anti-immigrant rhetoric. Preteen and teenage kids should learn this history first hand. Excellent audio tour story with interviews explaining this very important American institution. So happy they restored and continue to restore it. The same ferry also takes you to Liberty Island and into NYC. So very worth it for the price.

A Powerful and Moving Experience Visiting the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration was an unforgettable and deeply meaningful experience. The museum does an incredible job of honoring the journeys, struggles, and dreams of millions of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island in search of a better life. The exhibits are well-curated, informative, and emotionally powerful — from the restored Great Hall to the personal artifacts, photographs, and audio stories that bring history to life. Walking through the same space where so many people arrived with hope and courage is truly humbling. The museum is well-organized, easy to navigate, and offers a great balance of historical facts and personal stories. The staff were helpful and knowledgeable, and the location itself offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. A must-visit for anyone interested in American history or looking to connect with their own heritage. It’s a place that reminds us of the incredible human spirit and the diverse roots of the nation.

A deeply moving and beautifully curated experience! The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration offers a powerful glimpse into the journeys of millions who came seeking a better life. The exhibits are detailed, emotional, and thoughtfully organized, bringing history to life through real stories, artifacts, and interactive displays. Walking through the historic halls feels like stepping back in time. The staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing this important part of American history. The museum is impeccably maintained, and the audio tours add rich context. A must visit for anyone who values heritage, perseverance, and the American spirit.

I found this museum so interesting. It was such an eye opener to see how everyone was processed and to hear the experiences from the people entering the island via recordings. The free audio tour was fascinating and really informative. Would highly recommend spending a few hours here - don’t rush it as a pit stop to the Statue of Liberty!

Great museum of our history. It takes about an 45 minutes to get through security and another hour to get to Ellis Island on the ferry. You can easily spend 3-4 hours in the museum. Star in the second floor and make sure you watch the movie first.

This mueseum is just WOW! you can spend as much as 2 hours just going through each room and reading everything. Learning the stories of the first immigrants to America is priceless. I recommend getting the ferry tickets that include Ellis island and statue of Liberty tickets as well.

The Ellis Island National Museum offers a powerful and moving experience. It beautifully preserves immigrant history with detailed exhibits and personal stories. The restored halls evoke deep emotion, connecting visitors to America's past. A must-visit for anyone interested in heritage, culture, and the journey that shaped millions of American lives.

While this is arguably the most iconic tourist destination in NYC, it is not all its cracked up to be. The statue is impressive and all... The thousands of people you will visit the statue with make it very busy with long waits standing. Visit in cool weather or suffer in the heat. The basic price is expensive enough, but to go higher into the deck or the crown is prohibitebly expensive for foreigners like myself.

After attending the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration Parked At Home Talk on Thursday March 9, 2023, there is so much to be said. It was a pleasure to listen to Lauren share her experiences working at the museum. It is evident that she is passionate about what she does, as well as very educated about all the museum has to offer. She knew much about history as well as how the museum has evolved over time. She definitely made us want to visit and see the museum for ourselves. Throughout the talk, Lauren provided a history of Ellis Island, which was the first immigration building that opened to the public in 1892. She went on to explain what each building was used for. We learned that the Great Hall was where immigrants were either processed, admitted, or detained. The original hall actually burnt down in 1897, and rebuilt in 1900. If a person was attempting to be admitted, they underwent the inspection process. The inspection process consisted of ensuring the immigrants' papers were in order, and that they were also in good health to prevent the transmission of infections or diseases. If papers were not in order, or health was poor they were either sent for further examination or denied admission. It was fascinating to hear about the experiences these people had to go through in order to possibly become U.S. citizens. Lauren added to her presentation by going the extra mile, and including real photos of the buildings, immigrants arriving, being processed and departing Ellis Island. She also was able to show us real documents with real immigrant names on them which was very cool to see. We feel as though this personalized the talk even further. Immigrants came to Ellis island in hopes to gain freedom, liberty and opportunity, and over 26 million immigrants were fortunate enough to enter. If admitted, people either went to New York City or out west. Those unable to enter were unfortunately detained. This talk allowed us to see behind the scenes of what it was like for those who were able to enter the United States, as well as those who were not. The Statue of Liberty was also discussed throughout this talk. We were shown pictures of the statue in all of its glory as well. It was nice to listen to yet another person who is so passionate about important historical artifacts, and what they do everyday. One of our main takeaways was that the statue of liberty was a gift to the United States from France. The statue became known for its representation of freedom, liberty, and opportunity. It is actually made to depict Libertas, who is the Roman goddess of freedom. Lauren even showed us pictures that she personally took while visiting from all different locations! We really enjoyed learning more about these two important pieces of history, as we never fully learned the historical background in such great detail before. I would definitely recommend and attend another one of these chats! Thank you again Lauren and others for all your time, hardwork and dedication. Your passion is refreshing and rare to come by! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN3BC_4wXow