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Ellis Island

Island

πŸ‘πŸ‘ This is one of those places you should probably visit once in your life. Interesting view of our history through the lens of immigration. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but I'm a history nerd so... People often mention history, Ellis, Island, immigration, museum, island, time, Liberty, learn, visit,


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United States

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4.60 (1.1K reviews)

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Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: history (32) Ellis (14) Island (14) immigration (10) museum (10) island (10) time (9) Liberty (9) learn (9) visit (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Brian M. 7 months ago on Google
    This is one of those places you should probably visit once in your life. Interesting view of our history through the lens of immigration. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but I'm a history nerd so...
    6 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Mike W. 3 years ago on Google
    So rich with the history and the struggle of this country
    6 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Jay C. 2 years ago on Google
    Definitely worth visiting. But if you have time constraints you cannot go through all the past immigration stuff. If I had enough time I would definitely spend half a day there.
    4 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Christopher C. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to come with the family for a day event. The museum was really nice, it wasn't around when I was young. They put a lot of work into this. Very nice.
    4 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 gojuryu512 11 months ago on Google
    The last time we visited the city, we only had time to visit the Statue of Liberty nearby, but managed both in this visit. We were glad we did. Such an iconic location, being such an important part of the history of America we loved exploring the halls and reading the exhibits showing the history of the buildings. Also spotted the area used in the film β€˜Hitch’. The island is easy to access via ferry with well organised queues (even though it was busy), and there were toilet facilities and a cafe available. It was a beautiful day and this enhanced the visit. We enjoyed it.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 karan 2 years ago on Google
    Was amazing place we was celebrated my birthday in cruise 🚒 very humble staff
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Mr. W. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful place. Did a Wedding ceremony there. Never has New York City look so beautiful πŸ€—πŸ˜‡πŸ—½
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Vlad 1 year ago on Google
    Great history lesson. For visitors recommended at least 2-3 hours to learn about historical site.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Kaitlyn P. 2 years ago on Google
    the statues like bananas
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Ana Maria C. S. 1 year ago on Google
    Wonderful place. Yoy can see films with all the history of inmigration. It has a coffee shop with salads and sweet options. Toilets cleans in all floors.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 1/5 Ryan Eisinger-Fiumara (. 2 years ago on Google
    it smelled like cheese
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Hannah B. 2 years ago on Google
    I saw some rats.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Varun S. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing place to visit and know the history
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Jay S. 2 years ago on Google
    Definitely worth the visit to learn the early history of USA migration
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Jiak P. 6 months ago on Google
    Ellis Island is a historical treasure that transcends the boundaries of one's knowledge or expertise in history. As someone who might be considered a "history noob," I was absolutely captivated by the depth and significance of this iconic destination. Stepping onto Ellis Island felt like stepping back in time. The sheer magnitude of the immigration process that took place here is awe-inspiring. The exhibits and artifacts on display paint a vivid picture of the immigrant experience, from the trials they faced to the hopes that drew them to the shores of America. Even for someone like me, whose knowledge of history might be limited, the storytelling within these walls is both accessible and emotionally resonant. Beyond its historical significance, Ellis Island offers breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. The combination of this stunning backdrop with the profound history it holds makes it a must-visit destination for anyone, regardless of their familiarity with history. Ellis Island is a testament to the resilience and dreams of countless individuals who sought a new life in America, and it's an experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the tapestry of stories that make up this nation's history.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 J S. 4 months ago on Google
    Took a hard hat tour of the abandoned hospital and toured the museum in the main building. It was very informative and would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn deeper about the history of the island!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Isabel M. 7 months ago on Google
    Cool island and you learn about the history! Theres a self guided museum about the immigrants that came to the island. Theres a cafe with indoor and outdoor dining tables. You can see the statue of liberty from the back left side. You can see new york too! If you came to see the Statue of liberty, the boat arrives at Ellis Island first and then it takes you to the Statue Liberty after.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Oliver S (. 1 year ago on Google
    On any tour of New York City's highlights Liberty Island always gets top billing with Ellis Island often being more of a side trip or footnote. I had the same view myself but having visited both now I'd argue Ellis Island deserves at least equal time and attention on your trip. Yes, Lady Liberty is iconic, but while she's the symbol of the United States' history as a nation of immigrants, the story is better told through the more mundane buildings and artifacts of her neighboring island. Through the gates of Ellis' main building flowed thousands of souls hoping for a transition from one way of life to another just like thousands still do today. Some would face rejection but many more would be welcomed into a growing nation, and each one had a story to tell. You get a glimpse of those stories in the wide variety of museum exhibits chronicling both the well-known episodes of immigration - such as the Irish diaspora due to the potato famine of the 1800s - to the utterly obscure, like the handful of Filipino galleon sailors who escaped their lot by fleeing to Louisiana in 1765, centuries before the Filipino people's own global diaspora. Beyond the main building's museum there are lovely grounds to walk around in and take in gorgeous views of Manhattan and New York Harbor. After a long day walking around both islands the tree-shaded benches were a welcome break. While walking about you can also get an idea from signs scattered about of the less famous history of Ellis Island as a former military outpost predating its time as an immigration station. Overall, Ellis Island is a great experience for anyone with an appreciation for history and hours will fly by quickly until you inevitably have to take that ferry ride back to the city.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Aaron P. 1 year ago on Google
    11/20/2022 Over 100 years ago, my great grandfather came through Ellis Island. I'm not much for history or patriotism, but my life was directly affected by hearing his story direct from him and the hope he had in coming here. His words shaped my father thus shaped more aspects of myself than I even know. Most of us are descendents of immigrants and need to remember they were allowed to enter this country. Our tour guide, Sara, from Viator, told us that no matter how we got here, New York offers itself as home to us all, so we that live here or elsewhere in America need to do our best to welcome our guests and be vested in thier success as much as our own. Coming here helps you acknowledge this past and present thus is a place everyone should visit.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Antonio Perez C. 1 year ago on Google
    If you like history and feel it or learn it first hand, this is a great museum and experience! The Ellis Island (Immigrants) Museum is a beautiful place full of history, you have to take a cruise (boat) to get to the island and the short trip will allow you to visit the also the Statute of Liberty, and enjoy beautiful views of the Manhattan island. At the museum you will find many historical documents and very nice and touching stories through each exhibition; this was the first β€œcheck point” and entrance where many immigrants arrived from Europe and other continents back in the days. They have a small cafe too, so you can enjoy the museum and grab something to eat and drink.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Coby S. 1 year ago on Google
    An excellent museum for us immigration history. Free excellent audio guides and tours. Highly Recommended as a tour. Continue to the liberty island of you're visiting.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Trang O. 2 years ago on Google
    As part of our ferry tour, we got to stop at Ellis Island, which unfortunately coming on the heels of the exciting Miss Liberty, was a bit boring. However, there's a lot of history to be learned here if you're willing to spend the time.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Deepak B. 2 years ago on Google
    Good experience
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Melissa D. 1 year ago on Google
    Wow what an absolutely mind blowing experience. If you have never been to NYC before then it is a must. It’s a human experience and you feel as though you are living through the journey of those in history coming to the New World for a better life. It makes you remember that the USA is a country built on immigration all the while not sugar coating anything and admitting fully to the dark history of racial prejudice and the slave trade. It made me think about what those immigrants were feeling after weeks or even months of travelling to this promise land for this dream of hope and safety free from persecution. How they must have felt if they were not admitted, the anticipation of waiting in line in the big hall, and the freedom of relief when they finally walked through those doors on to American Soil.

  • 5/5 Jeremiah P. 1 year ago on Google
    Very impactful to see where millions of people went through to reach a new world. The stories you're able to read and experience there is worth the time to get there.

  • 5/5 Vamshi P. 1 year ago on Google
    Ellis island is a good place to learn about our history as Americans. This is a place that you can do the junior ranger program to learn more about it read my review on the Statue of Liberty. You can also get an audio tour.

  • 5/5 Town T. 4 months ago on Google
    Plenty to see, do, and read. Allocate at least an hour to explore the first floor, and there are three floors of information. They have a gift shop full of souvenirs and a cafe. Do the audio tour for more indepth tour.

  • 5/5 Tammy S. 4 months ago on Google
    What a wonderful place to learn about your family's history, and see the statue of liberty up close. I found some names on the wall on Ellis Island that I'm going to explore. Very reasonably priced also.

  • 5/5 Bente M. 1 year ago on Google
    It was fun to see the island after the Statue of Liberty. The museum however was not really in my field of interest but I greatly enjoyed the architecture of the building. One tip: if you offer free wifi then please don't have people make an account and then send the password for wifi to e-mail, which we can't access because we don't have wifi...

  • 5/5 Nicholas J. 1 year ago on Google
    Place full of history. There's a lot to learn about the immigration process.

  • 5/5 Pela K. 2 years ago on Google
    Must see πŸ’Ÿβ›΅οΈ

  • 5/5 Austin C. 5 months ago on Google
    Learning the history of immigration in America is definitely interesting, especially now that I found a launching point here to start researching my family's immigration history; that alone made the stop worth it.


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