Ellis Island Immigrant Building image

Ellis Island Immigrant Building

Museum

👍👍 A powerful experience. I recommend visiting this museum for at least 3 hours. It has 3 floors with lots to see and lots to read. If you choose to do the audio tour, you will have an added bonus of information. Next be sure to check out the cafe! The lines were better than the lines at the Statue of... People often mention history, Island, Ellis, immigration, Liberty, island, immigrants, interesting, visit, museum,


Address

New York, NY 10004

Website

www.libertyellisfoundation.org

Contact

(917) 299-3843

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (1.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 8 AM to 11:45 PM
  • Thursday: 8 AM to 11:45 PM
  • Friday: 8 AM to 11:45 PM
  • Saturday: 8 AM to 11:45 PM
  • Sunday: 8 AM to 11:45 PM
  • Monday: 8 AM to 11:45 PM
  • Tuesday: 8 AM to 11:45 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: history (18) Island (17) Ellis (17) immigration (16) Liberty (11) island (11) immigrants (11) interesting (10) visit (10) museum (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Linzee P. 2 years ago on Google
    A powerful experience. I recommend visiting this museum for at least 3 hours. It has 3 floors with lots to see and lots to read. If you choose to do the audio tour, you will have an added bonus of information. Next be sure to check out the cafe! The lines were better than the lines at the Statue of Liberty. The food was very delicious, and better than I expected, I was expecting a simple Costco style hotdog or hamburger but they cheese and presentation was nice.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tim G. 11 months ago on Google • 700 reviews
    Excellent. Very informative. Perhaps it could do with a view more tele-visual aids, that said the audio tour is very good and I enjoyed it. A great building with such an interesting history and like so many government buildings the world over, once it came to the end of it's useful operational life it was abandoned and left to fall into disrepair and and to be forgotten. But now it's back, like so many other monuments and buildings, back to tell its all too important and necessary story of its history, of the history of the USA 🇺🇸 and for so many who entered the USA via this small and almost forgotten island. How many gems like this have been forgotten and may or will never return to tell their story, so very sad. A good visit, an interesting visit and one and also a very important one. It was a little piece of history that I knew very little about. I am very glad that we visited as part of our day visiting Liberty Island & the Statue of Liberty🗽. You can expect queues for the ferry to and from the island.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rafael Reyes I. 1 year ago on Google
    Powerful and moving experience ! Learned a lot about immigration and the process upon entering Ellis island. A combination between hope and fear for all passing through. I highly recommend a visit to this iconic location.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Krishna S. 9 months ago on Google • 689 reviews
    The Ellis Island Immigrant Building stands as a testament to the rich history of immigration in the United States. Located in New York Harbor, this iconic structure served as the gateway for millions of immigrants arriving in America between 1892 and 1954. The building holds immense historical significance as the primary immigration processing center during the peak years of mass immigration. The architecture of the Ellis Island Immigrant Building is a blend of grandeur and functionality. Its main building, known as the Main Building or the Great Hall, welcomed and processed thousands of immigrants daily. The Great Hall itself is a marvel, with its soaring ceilings, ornate detailing, and an aura that echoes the hopes, dreams, and struggles of those who passed through its halls. Today, the Ellis Island Immigrant Building has been transformed into the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, managed by the National Park Service. The museum showcases compelling exhibits that tell the stories of the immigrants who embarked on their American journey, providing a glimpse into the challenges they faced and the contributions they made to the nation. Visitors to the Ellis Island Immigrant Building can explore interactive displays, view archival photographs, and even research their own family histories. The museum provides a powerful and emotional experience, allowing individuals to connect with the past and gain a deeper understanding of the immigrant experience. The Ellis Island Immigrant Building stands as a cherished symbol of America's diverse heritage and the resilience of those who sought a better life on its shores. It serves as a vital historical landmark, offering invaluable insights into the immigrant narrative and reminding us of the immeasurable contributions immigrants have made to the United States.

  • 5/5 Mirka M. 2 years ago on Google
    A visit to Ellis Island is definitely worth it. The exhibits in this museum were engaging and complete. Takes you on the history of American immigration since before the creation of the country. I got here through the cruise that also goes to the statue of liberty. Make sure you take the connection to Ellis Island and not the one directly to battery park.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jas G. 1 year ago on Google
    Really nice place of history. A must see place on the way to the Statue of Liberty
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dominik G. 1 year ago on Google
    Learning about the history of immigration to the united States was very interesting. It was also nice that the museum isn't just about the history of immigration at the time most arrived at Ellis island, but also about the history in more recent times.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jafar M. 10 months ago on Google • 361 reviews
    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.

  • 4/5 A O. 3 months ago on Google • 359 reviews New
    History well written (all in English) but still interesting and informative. Those interested can spend 3-4 hours here

  • 5/5 Phil S. 9 months ago on Google • 272 reviews
    We loved our visit to Ellis Island. The building is beautiful. Great experience with the family learning about the process of immigrants coming to America is the 1900s.

  • 5/5 patrizio del b. 1 week ago on Google • 249 reviews New
    What a great place full of history tracing the history of immigration to the United States. Several rooms retrace different periods of this immigration with photos, objects, letters, etc. A room retraces the difficult path of the migrant arriving on American soil. A difficult journey to be accepted I recommend this place full of emotion

  • 5/5 Georgia I. 6 months ago on Google • 120 reviews
    It was impactful to be in such a significant historical landmark. The exhibits were separated into different topics so it made it so we could prioritize our visit. This also really helped to disperse each group that came off the ferry rather than routing us all on the same path. I would recommend allocating plenty of time here to see all the exhibits. And definitely buy your tickets in advance.

  • 5/5 Antonio T. 4 weeks ago on Google • 92 reviews New
    In this place you can relive what those seeking the "American dream" experienced. Restored to its original state, during the visit you can understand how immigrants were treated before entering America. The boat trip is also characteristic.

  • 5/5 Caroline N. 2 months ago on Google • 82 reviews New
    You’ve got to try the intelligence test some immigrants were put through, putting the pieces of wood together to make a rectangle. It was fun for us, but I imagine quite stressful if it was your one chance to get in.

  • 5/5 Syra O. 1 year ago on Google • 62 reviews
    My only regret is I didn't allocate enough time to thoroughly enjoy the museum or read thru each exhibit but for the short time I was here I enjoyed it. Make sure you stop by and get one of the voice recorded gadgets to walk thru the museum that helps explain each part and enjoy

  • 5/5 irena s. 8 months ago on Google
    The main building on the island is the Immigration Museum. The correct way to describe the entry of the first immigrants into the USA. Nice place 🤩

  • 5/5 May L. 2 years ago on Google
    Historical place of great importance since emigrants who saw the United States as the land of opportunities and freedom were received here, it is also a place where great movies have been filmed.

  • 4/5 Brian H. 2 years ago on Google
    Historic, must see. I did not love the ferry process. The lines were terrible, it took a ton of time getting to and from the city, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island but it was all definitely worth seeing. Ellis Island was much more museum-like as you are reading and interacting with the exhibits (for lack of a better word). Very glad we went despite the amount of time the back and forth took.

  • 5/5 Brinda R. 2 years ago on Google
    Very detailed and well maintained Immigration building. The amount of information we get by visiting this place is amazing. While it is really interesting to learn about the immigration history, at the same time it is really sad to learn about all the things that the immigrants had to go through. Highly recommend to take this tour along with visiting Lady Liberty. The views we get to see of lower Manhattan while embarking and disembarking the cruise.

  • 5/5 Armando 4 months ago on Google • 53 reviews
    A journey into the history of immigration. Very well organized and lots of historical material. Allow at least 3 hours to see the details. Only the restaurant could have a larger area to have a seated meal. Roast Beef very good!

  • 4/5 Steven L. 8 months ago on Google
    Majestic buildings well preserved since centuries. The museum is very interesting, however it is maybe a bit too reading-oriented and could be a bit more immersive.

  • 5/5 Peter L. 11 months ago on Google
    The Ellis Island Immigrant Building is a profound historical site. After visiting the Statue of Liberty, the ferry takes you here, immersing you in the rich US immigration history. The historic setting combined with informative exhibits makes a visit to this island truly worthwhile. Highly recommended.

  • 5/5 Erik N. 3 years ago on Google
    This is a great historic place that reminds you of the origins of our country, immigration. I think it is also a pretty good deal to go to here and the Statue of Liberty for just $20. If you are going to the statue of Liberty, and you are on the boat back, I think you should stop here too, even if it is just for a few minutes. I also came here during sunset, and it gave a really great view of the city. This island is really well positioned to have a really great view of the city, so you can get off, and just look at the city if you want.

  • 5/5 Emmanuel H. 2 years ago on Google
    It’s a very interesting place to visit. However, you can feel The sadness in this place, of families that were separated. Immigrants that had to travel back to Europe.

  • 5/5 Beth K. 2 years ago on Google
    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.

  • 4/5 M M. 2 years ago on Google
    Admission to Ellis Island is free with your ticket to Liberty Island so you might as well spend an hour here. You can spend almost a whole day here if you wanted. There are lots of history to read and exhibits to explore. We were bummed that finding specific names of people who passed through the island costs money, $10.

  • 3/5 Chris B. 1 year ago on Google
    It was cool to see the history. Some of the things seem to not be interesting BUT it is history and they did have good displays

  • 5/5 Carolina H. 2 years ago on Google
    Very educational. The audio guide is really good.

  • 3/5 John M. 1 year ago on Google
    If you’re not descended from immigrants may not be that interesting. History of anti immigration was interesting though

  • 4/5 Gunnar Øyvin F. 1 year ago on Google
    A wonderful audio-guided walk through time and the immigration experience of so many Americans. We also had an immersive experience as part if the visit and I would truly wish for more such experiences which is also the only reason for not going for the full five stars here.


Call (917) 299-3843 Open on Google Maps

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