Skip to content
My Trips Plan a trip

Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument

Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument

Plan a Ellis Island trip

About Ellis Island

Millions of Americans and people around the world have ancestors who came through Ellis Island. The Main Immigration Building was the epicenter of one of the greatest migrations in modern history. Today, Ellis Island is a memorial to all who pursued the American dream and have made this nation their adopted home.

From the National Park Service.

States
New Jersey and New York
Designation
Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
Entrance fee
None listed
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Ellis Island.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Park Hours

Mon
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Tue
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Wed
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Thu
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Fri
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Sat
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Sun
9:00AM - 4:45PM

Access to Liberty and Ellis Islands is by Statue City Cruises ferry only. For ferry departure times and ticketing information, visit http://www.statuecitycruises.com or call 1-877-LADY-TIX. The last entrance into the statue is at 3:30 PM.

Weather and when to go

It is typically colder and more windy in New York Harbor than elsewhere in New York City. Winters are cold and damp. Spring and Fall can range from chilly to warm. Summers are warm to hot and humid.

Getting there

Ellis Island is located in New York Harbor and can only be reached by ferry. Ferries are operated by Statue City Cruises and depart from The Battery in New York City or from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York, NY 10004
Official site
nps.gov/elis

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Ellis Island

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Ellis Island

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

  • The Baggage Room

    Museum Exhibits · about 1 hour

    The Information Desk inside the Baggage Room gives you valuable information to plan your trip.

  • Tour the Hospital Complex

    Museum Exhibits · about 1.5 hours · Reservation required

    Visit the Hospital and Contagious Disease Ward on Ellis Island.

  • Spend a Day on the Island

    Museum Exhibits · about 45 min · Reservation required

    Spend a Day on Ellis Island

  • Research Family Immigration History

    Museum Exhibits · about 15 min · Reservation required

    Ship manifests, including 51 million arrival records, can be searched at the American Family Immigration History Center.

  • Self-guided Audio Tour

    Museum Exhibits · about 50 min

    Ellis Island self-guided audio tour.

What to pack for Ellis Island

Gear & Essentials

Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:

The basics

Worth having in the car whatever the park.

For this trip

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

More park sites in New Jersey

All 11 in New Jersey All National Monuments