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Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: Immigrant Stories Tour
4.8
12.9k Ratings
New York
Discover the captivating stories of immigrants on a Statue of Liberty tour with ExperienceFirst. Explore Ellis Island and learn about the history of these iconic landmarks.
Discover the captivating stories of immigrants on a Statue of Liberty tour with ExperienceFirst. Explore Ellis Island and learn about the history of these iconic landmarks.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Castle Clinton National Monument - This sandstone fort is our meeting point, but it’s also a national monument.
- Statue of Liberty - Tour Liberty Island with your guide. See the statue up-close and visit the Statue of Liberty Museum. This is also a great opportunity for photos of the NYC skyline.
- Statue of Liberty Museum - If you choose…
- Castle Clinton National Monument - This sandstone fort is our meeting point, but it’s also a national monument.
- Statue of Liberty - Tour Liberty Island with your guide. See the statue up-close and visit the Statue of Liberty Museum. This is also a great opportunity for photos of the NYC skyline.
- Statue of Liberty Museum - If you choose our Comprehensive 4 Hour tour, you will have time visit the museum on your own (guides not permitted inside the museum) before continuing your tour to Ellis Island.
If you choose our Express Tour, the tour ends at Liberty Island so you can stay as little or as long as you like in the museum.
Our guides are not permitted to enter the museum so this part will be self-guided.
- Ellis Island - Choose our 4 Hour Comprehensive tour and take a tour of Ellis Island as your guide points out sights like the American Immigrant Wall of Honor.
Not included with Express Tour.
- Ellis Island Immigration Museum - Choose our Comprehensive 4 Hour tour and discover the stories of the millions of immigrants who came through here from 1892-1954. Explore this museum at your own pace with your included audio guide before returning to Battery Park at your leisure. Guides are not permitted into the museum so this part is self-guided but our guides will give you facts and tips before you enter to get the most out of your visit.
What's Included
- History of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from an expert New Yorker
- Guided tour of Ellis Island including the American Immigrant Wall of Honor
- Guided tour of Liberty Island
- Roundtrip reserve-line ferry tickets with stunning views of the NYC skyline
- Visit the Statue of Liberty Museum - self-guided
- Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, audio guide included
- History of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from an expert New Yorker
- Guided tour of Ellis Island including the American Immigrant Wall of Honor
- Guided tour of Liberty Island
- Roundtrip reserve-line ferry tickets with stunning views of the NYC skyline
- Visit the Statue of Liberty Museum - self-guided
- Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, audio guide included
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Lockers for large items on Liberty Island (available for $0.25)
- Crown and Pedestal (base) access at the Statue of Liberty, entry not included
- Statue of Liberty Museum & Ellis Island National Museum are not guided as tour guides not permitted
- Gratuities
- Lockers for large items on Liberty Island (available for $0.25)
- Crown and Pedestal (base) access at the Statue of Liberty, entry not included
- Statue of Liberty Museum & Ellis Island National Museum are not guided as tour guides not permitted
Additional Information
Hear the stories of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island and learn about the creation and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty.
On this guided tour, your expert New Yorker will get your reserve-line ferry tickets and ride with you to Liberty Island and afterward, if you select our Comprehensive Tour, to Ellis Island for a tour of the landmarks…
Hear the stories of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island and learn about the creation and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty.
On this guided tour, your expert New Yorker will get your reserve-line ferry tickets and ride with you to Liberty Island and afterward, if you select our Comprehensive Tour, to Ellis Island for a tour of the landmarks around the island, such as the wall of honour. Once the tour ends, the exploration doesn’t stop there as you can continue inside the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration to explore its multiple floors at your own pace. An audio guide is included to help. You’ll also have time to visit the Statue of Liberty Museum as your guide prepares you for what you’ll see inside.
Our Liberty Express option offers a 2 hour guided tour across the water, and on Liberty Island, where you’ll learn all about the Statue of Liberty and our expert guide will also give you facts and tips if you wanted to visit the museum on your own after the tour.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. The tour departs promptly and if late, you will NOT be able to catch up and will miss the tour. There are no refunds for missing the tour.
- Please note the earliest time tour will have the least wait. Later tours will encounter longer wait times.
- Your ferry ticket includes access to both islands, although for afternoon tours, there may not be enough time to visit Ellis Island.
- Food available for purchase on the ferry, at the Statue of Liberty, and on Ellis Island
- Operates in all weather conditions. Please dress appropriately.
- Security screening will take place prior to entering the ferry. Visitors to the park are required to undergo airport-style security screening.
- Photographs are permitted, but tripods and monopods are prohibited.
- Children 3 and under free with paid adult ticket.
- Guides are wearing orange hats AND/OR blue shirts or jackets.
- Pedestal and crown access are not included in your tour. Guided tours are not allowed in the pedestal or crown at the Statue of Liberty
Location
Castle Clinton National Monument
Meet your guide on the steps outside of Castle Clinton's North Entrance. Castle Clinton is inside Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan.
Your guide will have your entry tickets. Just show up and tell the guide your name. They will be wearing an orange hat and/or a blue jacket/shirt.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(12862 Ratings)
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Lisa
Aug 30, 2025
A must see - Taking the boat from Battery Park was a breeze. You begin at the Statue of Liberty and can then over to Ellis Island. You can spend as much time as you want at either place as the boats run continuously. I would recommend getting the headset as it is included in your ticket if you use City Tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B6323ubcharlenep
Aug 30, 2025
My recommendation is to take this tour for sure. - Wonderful tour guide and experience of both Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Ken is the best! He provided many historical and topical items of interest to all on the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X9850hnbeths
May 31, 2025
Worth every penny!! - This was an amazing tour. Our guide, Anthony, was what made it that way! So much information was given that I didn’t even know about Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G2339ufmarcelap
May 30, 2025
11/10 Recommend taking this tour WITH Anthony - Anthony was AMAZING, such a great experience listening to all the history from a true New Yorker. Such great energy and a good amount of laughs. Would take ANY tour with him as our guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Allison
May 20, 2025
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - Tour guide Jim was fantastic. He brought color and life to the landmarks. Jim is excited to share knowledge and history about his home area with all. Plus he’s very kind.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura
May 15, 2025
Armpit Jack has got the knack for the lady, Liberty - Great history knowledge, funny, personable and relatable to all in group! Jack was a yeoman! We saw it all, and nobody ditched.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D4250gkwilliaml
Apr 28, 2025
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour - It’s a must do on your next trip when in NY!!! Our tour guide ANTHONY was the bomb!!!! You must request ANTHONY, he makes the tour!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E600anmichaelk
Jul 29, 2025
Overall a pleasant experience although I expected a tour guide on Ellis Island - My lower rating was based on the ferry. Our guide did a decent job at Statue of Liberty. Tour guide only does the Statue you are on your own at Ellis Island. We stood jammed shoulder to shoulder in the hot sun for about 20 minutes to board the first ferry from the Battery to the Statue. Stood in hot sun jammed shoulder to shoulder for 45 minutes to board ferry to Ellis Island. What we did not notice is the Ferry to the Battery skips Ellis Island for two trips at the end of the day. Since we had been told the Ferry runs every 20 minutes we stood again for an hour in the hot sun jammed shoulder to shoulder. Plan ahead and take a hat and be patient. But if you have never seen the Statue of Liberty I would strongly recommend this tour. Recommend doing the tour in the morning we did it at 1:30.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shrumoh
May 28, 2025
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - The tour is more than what we were expecting. The tour starts from Clinton monument which is right inside the battery park. Please reach 10 mins in advance as the starting meeting is little difficult to find. They start the tour with Statue of Liberty with great details and awesome stories. Our guide Joe was very knowledgable and funny guy.
The tour offically ends at Ellis island but they provide you tickets for return ferry so you can stay there at your own time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bj_s
Jul 23, 2025
I would recommend, but only with the information I noted above. - Be at the "meeting place" early enough & wait. Ours was the Castle Clinton. I didn't read the "be there 15 minutes early". We got there barely in time, but we didn't see anyone gathering, so we assumed they were already down by the ferry _ a long walk from Castle Clinton. We thought we missed it. So we went back & found the group, now gathered & waiting for us! If there was a "Big Sign" that read VIATOR it would have helped. The ferry was NOT air conditioned, which was uncomfortable. Once at the Island, it was so hot, the guide talked too long, we didn't get enough time to walk around before the ferry & group had to leave! Suggestion: it would've helped greatly if guide couldn't just given us a choice, 1) listen to his history lesson (which was very interesting, but I was miserable & needed a/c) or 2) give us a handout on the history instead so we could get right to air conditioned area.
Review provided by Viator
