Let me start with recommending you visit as early as possible. My husband and I took the 9am ferry from Liberty State Park, New Jersey to Ellis Island. I say this because we spent a very long time visiting the museum and when we’re leaving the museum to continue to our next stop, the Statue of Liberty, there were crowds of people coming to the museum. I think silence is incredibly powerful when your walking through the steps of the immigrant experience. But maybe that’s just me… I consider The Journey: New Eras of Immigration” exhibits one of the most profoundly emotional experiences. It focuses on immigration from 1954 to present times. It offers self-reflection of what is considered one of the greatest privileges- living in America. We also took the time to search the passenger database which includes names but also other collected information as well. It was very interesting, you should check it out. The store within the museum is filled with more reading and fun. We bought quite a few books and Gertrud’s Teddy Bear. Both my husband and I were moved by our visit to Ellis Island, we agree it is the highlight of our trip to New Jersey/New York.

Fascinating place to learn about the journey so many immigrants took to get to a place that was foreign to them but offered a brighter future in their minds. Museum does a great job explaining why they made the journey, what the experienced when arriving and history about them. You can also do research on your family history if you want to spend the time for a small fee. Overall definitely worth the stop.

Great history, you might find some relatives in the archives here. You can also look up and buy your family crest and look up your last name origins.

This museum is amazing. You can feel the history as soon as you step off the boat. It’s impossible for me not to think about the millions of immigrants that themselves stepped off boats to enter this building the same as us. It was an impressive feeling to share that history with so many people from history.

The museum provides complete information about how immigrants came to America in the past. The exhibition is good and makes it easy to understand this history

Lovely place, well preserved in the main bit which was all I managed to fit in on my lightening tour. Had some food at the fairly average cafe. It was solid food. Helped make you think of the cafe for the old immigrants. The reception hall is amazing and worth the visit alone. Must have been incredible to walk through and be welcomed to this great country through this amazing space. The views of Manhattan and Liberty are also cool. And the ferry is fun if a little crowded at peak times.

This museum is absolutely spectacular. I am not usually a fan of museums, and I'm not usually interested in historical museums. However this one is incredibly touching, and it shows the lows and the highs of history in the world and in the United States. In particular, on the main floor, I really enjoyed the narrated passages that were collected and brought to life by voice actors. On the second floor, it's less interactive however still just as interesting, with old photographs and more. Finally the modern wing has information about what immigration and citizenship look like today in the United States (although to be honest, I think there could be a much more in this modern wing than that is presented, there's always more to do in this space.) I spent easily two or three times as long on Ellis Island vs Liberty Island. I have too many pictures to even count, so I'll just pick a few. If you have 5 hours during your trip, and you can get here early enough, I highly recommend it. (November 2023)

Wow... so much to see, listen and absorb. If you are truly interested in American history and want to know all about the early immigrants then you need at least 4 hours here at Ellis island to go through the exhibits and audio messages. It's spread over three floors. So please plan your trip accordingly. If you just want to glance through then you can complete the whole thing in an hour. Enjoyed the Fresh lemonade at the cafeteria and the ice cream was great too

This was a great experience. The museum here is large, and explains in honest and interesting detail the significance of this fascinating island and its significance to the United States and its history. This is an absolute must-do for a trip to New York and I’d recommend it to anyone.

To really enjoy this visit, be prepared to read a lot. The immigrant experiences portrayed through the museum exhibits are very engaging, and the best part of the trip. It really makes you appreciate not only your own ancestors, but all those who have come seeking a better life. Make sure to get up to the second floor. The architecture is amazing.

The ferry is what cost money to go see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We left from the NJ side and it was like $25 per adult but it was well worth the money!!! We loved exploring this museum and there was so much history here. We got to Ellis Island very late in the day and it was almost empty because we took the very last ferry back from Ellis island to New Jersey. The line to go back to Ny from Ellis island was a VERY long line.

Very well organized. Make sure you get an audio guide as soon as you get off the ship. This will guide you through the whole island and has so much information. If you have the money the hard hat tour is worth every penny. You get to go on the abandoned part of the island and see the history first hand.

Definitely a must do when visiting NYC. This place is iconic. The amount of people that have came through here when immigrating to America is substantial. The museum here is fantastic. Much more informative than I thought it would be. I wasn't expecting them to have so much information on many of the immigrants on display here. The architecture is very nice as well and the lineups in mid July to get back on the boat weren't too bad. The grounds are beautiful, washrooms are clean. Highly recommend. 5/5. Follow me for more reviews, photos and great tips.

Very interesting museum, there is a lot to uncover so if you're thinking about doing Liberty island after Ellis Island, forget about it. I spent too much time reading and walking through the 4 floors or so this museum has. A lot of rooms and material to see from the history of immigration in America, to the creation of Ellis Island Immigration Center, to how to become an American citizen, there is plentiful of stuff to do. And there is even a cafe for lunch (not very cheap) ! I recommend that you start your visit looking at the vast area in the center of the building, a historical place where people were waiting in line. But then you should get to the top floors if you want to see old items and historical stuff rather than just the history panels. I got to read those and barely had time to see the other floors which I think are way more interesting to see.

It was an Interesting place. I wish I had done more research and planned my itinerary better. We only spent about an hour, but I think we could spend much longer. An hour was not enough (we didn't get an audio tour as we thought it might take longer). There are a lot to see, read, and learn about. If you don't have too much time (like less than an hour), I would skip it so that you won't be rushed for other schedules, but if you have more than an hour, take your time and do the audio tour!

This is the second stop on the ferry from NYC — first stop being the Statue of Liberty. We ended up spending 6 hours total visiting both islands, so if you don’t have enough time, I would recommend only visiting the Statue of Liberty and the museum there. If you have ancestors who came through Ellis Island, I would highly recommend visiting. The museum here was informative and interactive, it was a great experience overall.

Loved it. Went to Liberty Island first, then took the ferry from there to Ellis Island. It's very cold in the ferry during winter (outside) so be sure to dress appropriately. The place is fantastic, so much history and stories of hope and loss, very well organized. There's a café if you get hungry, they have muffins and sandwiches, and a gift shop with lots of souvenirs. *I bought my ticket online as part of the Librety Statue and Ellis Island museum package. All ferries are included.

Truly fascinating glimpse into a time when America welcomed mass immigration. If you get the chance, take the hard hat tour of the unrestored hospital. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly, and you get to see a part of the island that is not otherwise accessible. It is haunting and fascinating. Highly recommended.

Most people come for the Statue of Liberty, but this is stop you really need to see. Everyone should visit this museum at least once. Walking through all the exhibits you can read about how just about every ethnic group that came here had similar experiences. Chinese, Irish, etc. If you pay attention to politics, you can probably think of at least 2 groups of people that will probably end up having their experiences added to this museum someday. We like to say study history to learn from it, but it seems to be repeating itself.

This museum is very nicely set up with good displays. It is inside one of the original Ellis island processing buildings and they have restored most of it. It is all included with the price of a ferry ticket to the Statue of Liberty. I learned a lot from this museum. There are two gift shops inside and a cafe as well. If you are visiting NYC and especially if you had ancestors come through Ellis island, this is such a good place to visit.

Was there to visit the past history of my family coming to America. My grandparents from Italy. Was there for 3 hours. Visited all 3 floors saw all the place had to offer. It's was taking a step back into the early 1900s. The history of immagration was fantastic. A lot to read and absorb. The displays are old world. A nice step back into time.👍👍

Excellent piece of history. Kept as original as possible. Makes for an amazing walk the information you will find on here it's mesmerizing ..come with a lot of free time so you can visit every gallery, every room, and read every piece of information, priceless.. it will take 4 to 5 hours to fully enjoy and complete.

A fantastic experience if you are visiting New York. Definitely worth the price of the ticket, particularly if you are using CityPass. Do arrive well before your ferry time to allow for movement through the airport-style security. We managed to get on the first ferry of the day at 9:30am and noticed that the next ferry was significantly more crowded than ours, so I would recommend setting out early.

The ferry to liberty island will stop here, don't skip this historic site so as you plan your visit leave some time to spend here. As you enter the museum you can pick up a free audio tour guide that makes the visit come to life. Even kids will enjoy navigating the spaces and the special kid oriented audio guide. Sounds and voices of people who were processed on the island bring the visit to life. There is a little cafeteria on site with a selection of snacks hot cooked foods and drinks. You can also search historic immigration records ($). Part of the museum is actually dedicated to current concepts of USA immigration and citizenship process. Restroom on site. The ferry from here will take you back to Battery park. You will also get some more views of the city and lady liberty.

Awe-inspiring, must-see destination. Reminds one of the stories of the immigrants who truly built our great nation!💟💌💙 As with all National Park destinations (Rocky Mountain National Park, The St. Louis Arch, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the Washington Monument, ETC.!) you must now get a ticket (only $1.00@ extraction.gov.) to reserve an entrance time. The intent is to control crowd density. Be aware that these may be sold out for weeks; plan ahead!

Worth a visit! Visiting Ellis Island is an opportunity to connect with America's immigrant past, gain insight into family histories, and appreciate its historical and cultural significance. We arrived right when the ranger tour started. Despite being a full Saturday afternoon, only 5 ppl joined the tour. Because our group was so small we were able to ask a lot of questions. I thought I knew a lot about the island but quickly realized that was not the case. I strongly encourage anyone visiting Lady Liberty to make the extra stop. There's a movie that runs every 30 minutes if you aren't physically up to walking around. It provides a comprehensive history with story reels and interesting facts about the island. If you can walk, I suggest you go through the "immigrant experience" self guided tour. On a clear day, Ellis Island offers beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan, and the surrounding waters. The ferry ride is enjoyable with lots of levels and a snack shop on board.

This museum is very nicely set up with good displays. It is inside one of the original Ellis island processing buildings and they have restored most of it. if you want to have a nice day learning about history this is the place to go. the ferry ride from NYC .

This museum is really well done and we were so happy we took time to visit! Between the ferry rides, the statue and Ellis Island we spent about 6 hours but it could have been quite a bit more, as we got tired towards the end. The great hall has been returned to its original glory and is absolutely beautiful.

This is a must see if you ever have the chance. The interactive tour was really good. It was a very emotional experience to walk in the footsteps of ancestors and loved ones. To see what they saw. To think about my grandparents walking these same stairways scared, excited. What an experience.

Working on a tug boat out of New York there were many, many amazing sights in New York harbor and Ellis Island. Here’s a few sights. If you have never visited New York, you should. It’s breath taking and amazing.

This is a great place to visit, especially if your own people came through there. It's a real pity that modern technology is not employed to bring the personal stories of the immigrants who passed through to life. There is a brief attempt to do it on the audio guide and it was a highlight of my visit. A Sicilian woman spoke of arrival with her mother and two sisters. Her father was waiting having "gone ahead" some time earlier. He squatted down with his arms open and they ran to him. He told them they would never be apart again. There must be millions of stories but we only heard that one. There is such potential for a much improved tour. Please hire me to make it brilliant. Smaller, less significant museums in Ireland use holograms and video to great effect. That said, the place is fascinating and the spirit of hope in the hearts of arrivals still pervades the bricks and mortar. The building is much more elaborate and ornate than I imagined. Don't miss this when you are in New York.

Many times visit Liberty Island, but never had time to visit Ellis Island. imho this is supposed to be the first stop before Liberty cause everyone must know how USA did the immigration process before they enter the country and it was quite interesting to have some moment here.

Must go. You can spend hours inside the.museum. good food. Souvenir shops.. Can have a.picnic. bring a blanket to lay on and some food/drinks. Bring a jacket.. inside of the.museum is a bit chilly to preserve the.exhibits

Ellis Island is a cool place to visit. This is a historical place, so you will really learn a lot about it. I just wish we had enough time to go around the whole building. I recommend going there early so you have plenty of time to read and take pictures and enjoy being there.

Great place to learn about the Land Of Opportunities!! To truly understand what price people have paid to come here and appreciate what America has to offer. Proud to be an entrepreneur and paying it forward!!

loved the riches and vast amount of information available at Ellis Island. The history, preservation of artifacts, documents and pictures makes it a valuable experience. If you really wish to make the most of it, plan for at least 3 hrs. Staff was helpful. Cafeteria and gift shop on site!

The Ellis Island National Museum offers a captivating journey through the history of immigration in the United States. With interactive exhibits and poignant displays, visitors can trace the experiences of millions who sought opportunity and refuge on American shores. From arrival processes to personal stories, the museum provides a profound insight into the diverse tapestry of America's immigrant heritage. A must-visit for those seeking to understand the roots of American identity.

We visited here after Liberty Island. It's a nice stop before home time, but our legs were tired. We made it a quick visit, but you could spend all day here learning about the history. I certainly will be buying some books to do some more reading up. The ferries are frequent back to New York and New Jersey, so no issues there.

Interesting walk through the American immigrant experience-- including the earliest immigrants. Take away? America has always had an uneasy relationship with newcomers -- and humans are always on the move. Good for children & adults from upper elementary on up. Decent food fairly priced in the diner & lovely outdoor seating area.

A pretty interesting museum about history of human migration. The building and its surroundings are astonishingly beautiful. Very aesthetically pleasing. However, the content in the museum is mostly lecture based. Basically all you get to see is paragraphs after paragraphs, and a few images. Not a bad choice to visit here after going to liberty island.

NPS - Ellis Island Museum ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sylvia 4-star = amazing Stepping into the Ellis Island Museum is a step into history. This is a very emotionally engaging place to visit. The pictures are not always joyous and neither are the tales. Be prepared with an open mind and open heart. Kids also may get bored of all the walking as there are lots of words and explanations. There are some interactive places where kids can pull back windows to learn facts. Our favorite was the music wall and to see how much American music has been influenced by the songs and instruments of other countries. Look out the windows. The museum provides curious views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Take a moment to enjoy the scenery and reflect on the historical significance of the place. Take your time. There is a lot of historical information.

A humbling experience where you learn the historical struggles and aspirations of immigrants trying to find a new home in America. Very strongly recommend visiting and spending the 2-3 hours it takes to go through the exhibits and learn about the history of immigration from the early 1600s, irrespective of whether you are an immigrant or not. It is free to visit with your Statue of Liberty ticket. There is also a center inside where you can look up how your ancestors reached New York when they immigrated. Learning how immigrants were screened, accessed for literacy and disease, what they had to go through and how hard it was for them when they arrived especially in the early 1900 makes you feel grateful for how things are now. They also have a nice gift shop and audio phone to look and listen.

I found it intriguing, tho my sister found it different from her visit before, as it had been all but destroyed from Hurricane Sandy. I had such a great day, absolutely the best museum. We had planned a few hours and we spent the day. This is a do not miss opportunity.

Good to learn US immigration history

Very educational and fascinating. After visiting the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, we caught the ferry to nearby Ellis Island. Run by the U.S. National Park Service, there are many helpful park rangers & employees. The large building, which used to serve as intake for newly arrived immigrants, has been converted into a clean museum. Lots of photographs, exhibits, and helpful descriptions which depict the very difficult (and sometimes arbitrary) immigration process at Ellis Island.

Lovely place, well preserved in the main bit which was all I managed to fit in on my lightening tour. Had some food at the fairly average cafe. It was solid food. Helped make you think of the cafe for the old immigrants. The reception hall is amazing and worth the visit alone. Must have been incredible to walk through and be welcomed to this great country through this amazing space. The views of Manhattan and Liberty are also cool. And the ferry is fun if a little crowded at peak times.

OMG….brings so many flutters to each part of the body…..🥲 It will make even the biggest of men reaching for the hanker-chief….such is the sublime poignancy included in these experiences…..🙏🏻 I didn’t find my Papa…..sad face 😩😭

Beautiful building lovingly restored. So much to see and understand. Recommend the film show. Could spend a very long time here especially if you have family history to look up.

Was an emotional, educational, fulfilling journey. Didn't have enough time to view everything, as we didn't get there till 4ish and the last ferry leaves at 630... if just barely looked and moved fast probably could have, but was taking time and reading and taking it all in... will definitely be back to finish! Didn't take as many photos as I had wanted as phone died.

We went for the hard hat tour with my teenage boy. Was pricy but the tour was excellent. The guide Sara told a great story on immigrant history. Due to the damage from hurricane Sandy some parts of the building weren't accessible.

This was so peaceful yet melancholy. By far the most surprising monument I've visited. Highly recommended.

Went with a tour group called experience and we owen thompson who was amazing and told us so much info.. found my family who went thru Ellis island

Fascinating yet low key museum. Very moving. Powerful exhibits in a wonderful renovation of the palace for the world's poor, where food, healthcare and shelter were once available. Must-see for all Americans.

Inspiring and must-see destination referring to a long history. Educational and interesting place.

Definitely a great historical place to visit. Learned alot from this trip and would recommend at least a one time visit.

A great chronicle of the immigrant experience in the US. This includes not only Ellis Island immigrants, but also more recent day immigrants, and their experiences. It was very emotional to visit this place as an immigrant myself. Highly recommend to visit, regardless of whether you are an immigrant or not, to empathize with what immigrants go through, and what they bring to this country.

My mom, daughter and I visited Ellis Island as part of a combination tour to Liberty Island. We really did not know what to expect. By the time the tour was over, we all 3 had decided that Ellis Island was our favorite stop of the tour. We didn't realize just how much there was to see and do there! We learned a lot about that piece of history, plus information on more current immigration. There were so many displays and things to read/ listen to/ see that we spent several hours there wandering around.

One of the best attractions NYC has to offer. I spent about 2 hours there after going to Liberty Island. The free audio guide was very informative. You book via Statue City Cruises where boat ride to Liberty and Ellis islands are included.

Make sure that you save about at least 1 to 2 hours to spend the proper time at Ellis Island.

Very interesting place to visit while in NY, returns you back in history when US was colonized by Europeans. Audio guide is a must have, grate narrator will guide you trough the process of migrants coming to the US soil.

This would've been better if it wouldn't be so cold the day I went. But overall was beautiful. I will recommend to get the City Pass for all the museum.

This was a spectacular visit. This museum is full of history and tells a great story of the immigrants and their ordeals . I visited the luggage room and the registry room . Its worth mentioning that the museum has all declarations and documentation of the black, Asian and other immigrants and also as at when I visited there was no show going on at the theatres in this museum . If you're visiting this museum ensure you stop at liberty island first as the next stop will be Ellis Island.

I love visiting museums coz its like your traveling back to the past. Ellis Island National Museum, was once America's national gateway for the immigrants.

Included in your ticket you can visit this museum on the way back to New York. I think its worth it as the museum has a lot of cool things and you can learn a lot. The museum is big so despite there being many at the statue the museum is decently empty. The only thing is it gets quite repetitive, with the samenor similar information multiple times. Still worth a visit though.

This is a great museum that reminds us of a place that many of ancestors came thru to come live in America and start their vision of the American Dream. Beautiful building, beautiful stories shared. Well worth the time on the Statue of Liberty Tour.

Loved it here so much! I am so glad we came. Definitely worth the price of the ticket. I wish we had come earlier because we spent about 4 hours before they closed and still only got to explore about half! So informational and engaging.

Ellis Island is a federally owned island in New York Harbor, situated within the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York, that was the busiest immigrant inspection and processing station in the United States. From 1892 to 1954, nearly 12 million immigrants arriving at the Port of New York and New Jersey were processed there under federal law.[6] Today, it is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and is accessible to the public only by ferry. The north side of the island is the site of the main building, now a national museum of immigration. The south side of the island, including the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital, is open to the public only through guided tours.

The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration was an interesting stop during our trip to New York. The museum provided a comprehensive insight into the immigrant experience, with displays of personal stories, artifacts, and interactive exhibits. While some areas felt a bit crowded, the information offered a meaningful glimpse into the challenges and hopes of those who passed through Ellis Island. The restored Great Hall was impressive and gave a sense of the processing these immigrants went through. However, the audio guide could have been more engaging. Overall, the museum offered an educational perspective on American history and the immigrant journey.