A visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is a must for many New York travelers—and this time, it was finally our turn to explore both islands properly. Here’s a practical and honest guide based on our first-hand experience: what to expect, how to prepare, and how to make the most of your visit.

Tips before visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

We booked the first ferry departure of the morning from Battery Park. The trip was booked through Get Your Guide. With jet lag on our side and the recommendation to arrive 30 minutes early, it fit perfectly. We arrived 25 minutes before departure—only to find a surprisingly long line already forming.

A couple of important notes:

Large backpacks are not allowed. What qualifies as “large” is a bit vague, so pack light to avoid any issues.
The journey from Battery Park to Liberty Island is short, but the photo opportunities are fantastic— Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island all look incredible from the water.
You can pick up a free audio guide with three different tour routes. We grabbed one each, but didn’t end up using them.

If you prefer, you can also take the same ferry route from New Jersey.

Liberty Island – Bigger and more interesting than expected

Liberty Island is actually larger than many expect. We walked the entire island, stopped by the café and souvenir shop, and ended at the Statue of Liberty Museum, which was genuinely fascinating.

Around four million people visit the Statue of Liberty each year, and even without crown access, the experience is memorable.

The ferries run in a triangular loop between:

Battery Park (Manhattan)
Liberty Island
Ellis Island

You can hop on and off at your own pace.

Ellis Island – The story of America’s gateway

Ellis Island served as the registration point for millions of immigrants arriving in the United States. Around 12 million people were processed here, making it one of the most important historic sites in the country.

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What you can explore:

Exhibits on immigration history
Extensive archives and records
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum
The Wall of Honor with nearly one million engraved names
Various historical and interactive displays

When we visited, the main building was undergoing restoration, so we didn’t get the full impression. Still, the island is rich in history—just a bit less emotional than we had expected.

We also tried the Family Research Station, where you can look up ancestors in the original immigration records. It’s the same database available online, but here you can view scanned original documents like ship manifests. The service costs $10 for 30 minutes.

Outside, The Wall of Honor curves along the waterfront toward Manhattan—a massive installation with names submitted by descendants.

How long to spend at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Overall, it was a very enjoyable trip, even if Ellis Island didn’t fully live up to expectations. If you haven’t visited before, it’s an essential New York experience.

💡 Plan for 4–5 hours to visit both islands comfortably.

💵 Price: About $22–25 USD