"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…" This famous quote engraved on the Statue of Liberty has long welcomed immigrants to the U.S., but what else do we know about the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island? With a visit to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, visitors can learn more about the immigrant experience and what happened to those who landed on the island. The museum, which opened in 1990 after extensive restoration to the main building on Ellis Island, provides free admission with the purchase of a ferry ticket.
The museum exhibits are self-guided along with the Ellis Island brochure. Visitors can look through ship's manifests to find the names of their ancestors, or explore the immigrant experience of several Americans through museum displays. Allow three to four hours to view the entire museum. Audio tours can be purchased in several different languages for a small fee. For those who prefer human interaction, let a national park service ranger or a volunteer guide you on a 45-minute tour.
For a break from all the walking, sit and watch a 30-minute documentary on the immigrant experience on Ellis Island. Island of Hope, Island of Tears screens continually throughout the day and is also free.
Attraction Information
- Park Hours:
- 9am to 5:15pm daily
- Hours are adjusted seasonally and during holiday periods and weekends
- Admission:
- Museum: Free
- Contact:
- Location: Ellis Island, New York, NY
- Phone: 212-363-3206
- Website: www.nps.gov/elis
