The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are two of the top tourist attractions in the New York City area. They are the symbol of America to millions of immigrants. According to the National Park Service, over 40% of the nation's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island. Tour operators conduct tours to Ellis Island and Liberty Island, both part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Tickets must be reserved ahead of time to tour the statue's museum, pedestal and crown. Only a limited number of crown tickets are available.
Statue Cruises is the National Park Service's designated tour operator for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. They offer year-round daily service from Liberty State Park in New Jersey and Battery Park in New York City. Their website shows current wait times to enter the screening facility at both parks. Statue Cruises recommends booking in advance if you want access inside the statue. Tickets may be purchased online and customers may reserve up to four tickets. Crown tickets can be reserved a year in advance. Ferries provide round-trip transportation to both the Statue of LIberty and Ellis Island.
Statue Cruises
1 Audrey Zapp Drive
CRRNJ Terminal, Suite 203
Jersey City, NJ 07503
(877) 523-9849
statuecruises.com
The Circle Line Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry departs daily from New York's Battery Park and New Jersey's Liberty State Park. Board at New Jersey for faster wait times and processing. The ferry ride is 15 minutes to the Statue of Liberty. Because Circle Line ferries come by every half hour, you are free to tour the monument and Ellis Island at your own pace.
Circle Line
Harbor Experience Companies
499 Van Brunt St, Section 8B
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(866) 977-6998
circlelinedowntown.com
Lady Liberty Cruises offers a four-hour evening cruise to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This dinner and dancing cruise departs from Manhasset Bay Marina in Long Island. The cruise culminates with an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty. Sunday afternoon cruises and holiday cruises are also available, including a Fourth of July cruise with a front view of the Macy's Fireworks display over the Statue of Liberty.
Lady Liberty Cruises
Manhasset Bay Marina
10 Matinecock Avenue
Port Washington, NY 11050
(516) 922-9214
ladylibertycruises.com
NYCVP offers an escorted walking tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The tours include Priority Timed Access, which allows you to be among the first groups to enter Liberty Island Ferry security, and a Monument Access Pass that gets you inside the statue. The tour guide will detail the history and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty and immigrants' history at Ellis Island's Great Halls. You can also trace your ancestor's entry into America at the American Museum of Family Immigration database. The tour lasts approximately 5 1/2 hours.
NYCVP Tours
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Escorted Tour
300 Market St.
Kingston, PA 18704
(877) 692-8747
nycvp.com
