Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

One of the most fascinating and historically significant locations in the US is the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. This museum, which is only a short ferry journey from both New York and New Jersey, masterfully captures and tells the poignant tale of the millions of immigrants who traveled through Ellis Island in quest of a better life in America. You can sense the weight of history all around you as soon as you enter. With its lofty ceilings and reverberating voices, the renovated Great Hall takes guests back to the early 1900s, when eager families waited in line for admission and inspection. With images, personal items, ship manifests, and interactive displays that make the experience both educational and emotive, the exhibitions are remarkably well-organized. The "American Immigrant Wall of Honor," which honors the bravery and aspirations of families who came via Ellis Island, is one of the most striking features. Another highlight is the Family History Center, where guests can use comprehensive immigration records to trace their own genealogy. This is a very intimate and poignant experience. The museum's employees are amiable, informed, and committed to conserving this important period of American history. Visitors from all around the world can take advantage of the multilingual audio tours. The ferry voyage itself is an unforgettable aspect of the trip since it provides breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and the cityscape of New York City. All things considered, the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration is more than just a museum; it serves as a poignant reminder of America's immigrant heritage. Anyone who appreciates humanity, history, and the unwavering spirit of optimism should go there.

• No separate museum ticket needed: You don’t need to buy a special entry ticket just for the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration — your round‑trip ferry ticket to Ellis Island already includes access to the museum’s exhibits. • Rich, historic exhibits: Housed in the restored Main Building of the former immigration station, the museum tells the story of America’s immigrants with photographs, artifacts, interactive displays and the restored Registry Room where millions once passed through. • Excellent learning & photo spots: Inside you’ll find iconic spaces like the Baggage Room, Registry Room (Great Hall) and the American Family Immigration History Center — plus the American Immigrant Wall of Honor outdoors with views of the New York skyline. • Flexible timing: Because museum entry is included with the ferry, you can explore at your own pace — before or after visiting Liberty Island. Most visitors spend 1–2 hours here. • Low additional cost: After the ferry ticket, there’s no extra charge for the museum or the self‑guided audio tour (available in 12 languages), making this both meaningful and affordable. --- ⚠️ What to keep in mind • Ferry required first: You must take the authenticated Statue City Cruises ferry from Battery Park (Manhattan) or Liberty State Park (New Jersey) to reach the island — this is the only way to access the museum. • Crowds & wait times: Security screening and ferry lines can be lengthy during peak seasons; arrive early for smoother access. • Historic but large: Exhibits are spread over multiple floors and cover centuries of immigration history — plan time accordingly. • Research center may require extra time: The Family History Center and record search can be fascinating but time‑intensive if you dig deep

After visiting Liberty Island, the ferry continues to Ellis Island, once the main entry point for over 12 million immigrants arriving in America. It’s a place filled with history and emotion — though parts of it were under renovation during our visit, which made the experience a bit less impactful. The main building is stunning, both inside and out, and the exhibitions offer a mix of immigration history, personal stories, and interactive displays. The Wall of Honor, where families can pay to have names engraved on plaques overlooking Manhattan, is a powerful tribute. We also tried the Family Research Station, where you can search for relatives in the historical immigration records. It costs $10 for 30 minutes, and while it uses the same database available online, you do get access to ship manifests and original records on-site. While not as visually impressive as Liberty Island, Ellis Island adds valuable context and depth to the immigration story — and together, the two make for a memorable day trip.

I visited Ms. Liberty and after a couple of hours of walking around and getting exhausted, I headed to the return cruise back to NY battery park. The cruise took me first to Ellis island but I was too tired to spend so much time there, I walked for a short time and glance through photos and exhibits in the museum, and it was gorgeous. However, I was so hungry and just wanted to get home, shower, eat and sleep. Please get there early to have a full experience of everything and don’t be tired like me and miss sweet moment. Overall, it was so much fun and I loved it.

This island was the official customs and immigration for immigrants 300 years ago, serving as a gate for welcoming. Now it hosts some historic items and holds events. A great place to stop on the way to status of liberty. You can always catch the next ferry back to NY or NJ

Ellis Island was an historical sites that has been on our list to see for a while. We only had about and hour to visit and we were just able to scratch the surface. You could spend multiple hours in here exploring the exhibits. The place is a great reminder that the foundation of America is immigration.

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.

Standing in front of the Statue of Liberty feels surreal. She’s not just a monument — she’s a true symbol of freedom, hope, and new beginnings. Hard to believe she’s been watching over New York since 1886! The view from Liberty Island is breathtaking — skyline, ocean, and that powerful feeling that everything is possible. 💙

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