Ellis Island

If you are contemplating to visit famous Statue of Liberty on the Liberty Island, you should definitely include the nearby Ellis Island to your trip schedule. For over 60 years, Ellis Island was one of the most important places, serving as a gateway for over 12 million immigrants to the US.

Ellis Island Immigrant hospital, located in the south part, is closed to public but the National Museum of Immigration, located on the north part of the island, is a...

If you are contemplating to visit famous Statue of Liberty on the Liberty Island, you should definitely include the nearby Ellis Island to your trip schedule. For over 60 years, Ellis Island was one of the most important places, serving as a gateway for over 12 million immigrants to the US.

Ellis Island Immigrant hospital, located in the south part, is closed to public but the National Museum of Immigration, located on the north part of the island, is a place you should for sure visit, although it is not designed for babies and toddlers. Divided into three floors you will pass through different exhibits showing the island’s development and immigration waves chronologically. Ground floor will show you peopling of America between 1550 – 1890 and 1945 – present, baggage exhibit and the children’s part of the museum. Second floor is mostly filled with the Great Hall, serving as a Registery Room between 1900-1924, immigration peak between 1880 - 1924 and many other exhibits. Third floor will show you the dormitory, island’s chronicles, treasures from home or silent voices exhibits. The children’s part of museum is located on the ground floor, turning left after entering the building. The museum is fully buggy friendly with elevators located left behind the reception at the entrance hall, and baby changing rooms located at ladies rooms on every floor.

Board the ferry at Battery Park (second stop after Liberty Island) or in New Jersey (first stop) and make sure that you arrive to the port with some spare time for the security check. Ferries are perfectly accessible with stroller, though there are no changing desks in the restroom. While waiting during peak season (Apr-Sep) for the ferry at Liberty or Ellis Island, make sure to have some spare water with you, as the waiting time can easily be over 60 minutes.

Statue Cruises is the only official ticket provider operating ferries to both islands (Liberty and Ellis) though there are many companies offering tickets. Some of them include guided tour, some of them only ferry and entrance tickets but at the end, please avoid buying tickets from street vendors. Ferry fees are 18.5$ for an adult, children under 4 are for free. The island is opened every day except 25th December, during winter time from 9:30am, during summer from 8:30am.

Find more at: https://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/visiting-ellis-island