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Liberty Island & Ellis Island Tour by Babylon Tours NYC - New York City

Liberty Island & Ellis Island Tour by Babylon Tours NYC

New Yorkeasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

3 hours

Fitness Level

Participants should be in moderate physical health able to walk and stand for extended periods and climb stairs.

Overview

Step into a pivotal chapter of American history with Babylon Tours’ semi-private 3-hour tour of Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Discover the stories behind the iconic Statue of Liberty and the immigrant journeys that passed through Ellis Island’s Great Hall.

New York, New York

Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island - Semi-Private Guided Tour

3 hrs | 9 am Daily | A New York Must-See!

Museum

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Adventure Photos

Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island - Semi-Private Guided Tour photo 1

About This Adventure

Embark on a captivating 3-hour small-group tour of Liberty Island and Ellis Island, guided by an expert. Experience the iconic Statue of Liberty, explore the historic Ellis Island Immigration Museum, and pay tribute at the American Immigrant Wall of Honor, gaining profound insights into the immigrant journey that shaped America.

Book way in advance - we sell out


Duration

  • 3 hours

Meeting Point

  • Meet at the Bronze statue ‘the immigrants’ (Luis Sanguino) in battery park, just southeast of castle Clinton

About

  • Follow in the footsteps of over 12 million foreigners seeking roads paved with gold in the New World on this tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Explore these New York landmarks on a 3 hour private guided tour, following your guide on a walk through time when America embraced immigration more than ever.
  • This tour is in English.

Includes

  • Semi-Private Guided Tour
  • "Semi-Private" Means Group Size Is Never More Than 8 Guests Maximum
  • Professional Local Guide
  • Tour Includes All Entrance Fees  
  • Duration 3 Hours

Excludes

  • Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi)
  • Tour price does NOT include gratuities (optional)
  • Tour is NOT available for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair

Full Tour Description

Follow in the footsteps of over 12 million foreigners seeking roads paved with gold in the New World on this tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Explore these New York landmarks on a 3 hour semi-private guided tour, joining up to 8 people for a walk through time when America embraced immigration more than ever.

The tour begins at Battery Park, one of the oldest parts of Manhattan. Here you’ll find the country’s first immigration center, Castle Garden Immigration Station, which operated until Ellis Island opened. Take a ferry to visit Liberty Island where the Statue of Liberty keeps an eye on incoming ships. You’ll learn all about Fort Wood, which now acts as the base for the statue, offered to the US by France in 1886. You’ll hear all about its creator, Bartholdi, as well as contributions by famed architect Gustave Eiffel, of Tower fame. Another ferry will whisky you across the water to Ellis Island. Here, millions of European newcomers wandered the very luggage rooms and registry rooms that you will enter, learning about the medical examines and surprising conditions faced by immigrants. Feel the fear at the separation stairs or the elation at the kissing post where families’ lives changed forever. You’ll end at the Wall of Honor, where you can search for your family’s name among the some 700,000 names commemorating those who entered the United States here. This tour is the ideal way to remember, and celebrate, the immigrants that contributed so much to America’s success.

Adventure Tips

Arrive Early

Plan to meet at the Bronze statue ‘The Immigrants’ in Battery Park at least 10 minutes before departure to allow smooth check-in.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Expect walking on uneven surfaces and stairs on both islands; sturdy, comfortable footwear is a must.

Bring Photo ID

A government-issued photo ID or passport (or a clear copy) is required for security screening and entry.

Check Weather Beforehand

Tours run rain or shine, so dress appropriately and bring layers or rain gear as needed.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Herring gulls frequently soar above New York Harbor around both islands.
  • Occasional harbor seals can sometimes be spotted from ferry rides, especially in cooler months.

History

Ellis Island served as the busiest immigrant inspection station in the United States from 1892 to 1954, processing more than 12 million arrivals.

Conservation

Efforts to preserve the islands protect their historical significance while minimizing environmental impact on sensitive harbor ecosystems.

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Adventure Hotspots in New York City

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Essential

Essential for navigating uneven paths and stairs on Liberty and Ellis Islands.

Photo ID or Passport

Essential

Required for security screening before boarding ferries and entering the museums.

Weather-Appropriate Clothing

Essential

Layered clothing helps adapt to cool spring breezes and changing conditions.

spring specific

Sunscreen and Hat

Protect your skin during sunny, open ferry rides and island walks.

summer specific