Ellis Island and the National Museum of Immigration

More than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954 with the hope of finding a better life. I wonder how many tourists now flock through the National Museum of Immigration at Ellis Island to learn about the history. I was one of them during a trip to New York City.

It’s definitely worth a visit while touring the Big Apple. There are countless stories to hear. Some highlight the hope of change. Others make you cringe at the challenges of the times.

Read what you can expect to find at Ellis Island and the National Museum of Immigration.

The Boat Ride to Ellis Island

You can ride the ferry to Ellis Island from two different starting points: Castle Clinton National Monument in southern Manhattan OR the Railroad Terminal in New Jersey’s Liberty State Park.

A ticket to Ellis Island also includes a stop at Liberty Island where you can check out the Statue of Liberty. The ferry ride isn’t very long, but if you want to include this on your visit to New York City, get there first thing. Lines get long and ferry boats start to fill up as the day goes on.

You can book your ferry tickets one of three ways:

• Online with State Cruises
• Over the phone by calling 1-877-LADY-TIX (1-877-523-9849) or 201-604-2800
• In-person at one of the ticket booths

First Floor of the National Museum of Immigration

When you disembark from the ferry, you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the National Museum of Immigration. Don’t forget to pick up the device for the self-guided audio tour. There’s no additional cost for it.

The first floor has several exhibits to explore and learn about early immigration to the United States.

The Baggage Room is where an immigrants journey would begin. They would check their baggage in when they arrived. I’m sure lost bags were a problem then, like it is today with airline travel. You’ll find some information about immigration in general, and some vintage bags similar to those used in the late 1800s to mid 1900s.

The Journeys exhibit is divided into two eras: The Peopling of America and 1945 to Present. Be sure to start on the right end. I went through it backwards and it was more like the Unpeopling of America. 😉

You can join a free Ranger-led tour of the museum. They last about 40 minutes and are excellent for understanding more about the history of Ellis Island.

Visit the Second Floor of the Museum on Ellis Island

The second floor of the museum is a little more iconic. It’s where you find the magnificent Registry Room – the spot where 5,000 immigrants per day were either allowed or denied access to the United States.

At one end of the room, you’ll find some of the check-in desks and paperwork used by custom officials. It’s a great spot for a photo.

Around the Register Room you’ll find smaller rooms used in the registration process. Many of the rooms explain the tests and questions that were asked to the immigrants.

The Hearing Room is where potential immigrants would be questioned in an attempt to ensure they weren’t among the incurably ill, the impoverished, the disabled, criminals or barred based on the immigration laws of the United States.

Don’t be shy about picking up a phone receiver when you see one to listen to personal accounts from Ellis Island.

Explore the Third Floor of the Museum of Immigration

The third floor is where you’ll find the dormitories of Ellis Island. It’s where immigrants who had to be detained would stay awaiting a hearing before being allowed into the country – or sent home.

You’ll also find treasures donated to the museum from families who walked the actual halls of Ellis Island as they immigrated to the United States.

After checking out the dorms, treasures and other exhibits, you can learn about the years where Ellis Island sat ghostly quiet. The buildings were shut down in 1954 and it wasn’t until 1980 when restoration began. You can learn what it took to bring Ellis Island to where it is today so it can serve as a national historical site.

The Details

Cost: $18.50 for adults (13+). $9 for kids ages 4-12. 4 and under are free. Seniors (62+) are $14. Tickets include access to the grounds on both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and the ferry ride to and from the islands. The New York CityPASS may save you money on your visit and includes the ferry ride and access to Ellis Island.

Hours: Ellis Island is accessible via ferry every day of the year, except Christmas Day (Dec. 25). The ferry runs from 9:30 to 5:15, but may vary based on weather limitations. Depending on the season, the ferry may depart as early as 8:30 a.m.

How Long: Plan on 1-2 hours at Ellis Island and the National Museum of Immigration. But if you’re planning to include a stop at the Statue of Liberty, plan on 3-4 hours for your combined visit.

Website:https://www.nps.gov/elis/index.htm

Phone: (212) 363-3200

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