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New York Harbor (New York and New Jersey)

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France dedicated in 1886, became a symbol of welcome for people arriving by sea. Ellis Island was the nation's busiest immigration station from 1892 to 1954; its museum tells the story of American immigration.

Official visitor website(opens nps.gov in a new tab)
The Statue of Liberty seen from the front, with its pedestal and base.

All landmarks

Photo: AskALotl, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The story

  • Immigration & Becoming American
  • Founding, Independence & Government

Why it matters

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France dedicated in 1886, became a symbol of welcome for people arriving by sea. Ellis Island was the nation's busiest immigration station from 1892 to 1954; its museum tells the story of American immigration.

Why it may matter to you

Millions of families trace their American story to this harbor. Many visitors look for ancestors in Ellis Island's arrival records or reflect on their own journey to citizenship.

The fuller story

Not every arrival was welcomed. Ellis Island inspectors could detain or turn people away, and national laws at times excluded or limited immigrants by nationality and race.

Plan your visit

Hours, prices, reservations, and closures change. Check the official visitor website.
Time to allow
Most of a day for both islands (our estimate)
Setting
Indoor and outdoor
Tickets and reservations
The NPS does not charge an entrance fee for the island museums, but a ferry ticket from Statue City Cruises is required. Access to the pedestal and crown is limited and booked separately.

Confirmed on the operator's site on October 31, 2026: No NPS entrance fee for the museums on Liberty and Ellis Islands; a Statue City Cruises ferry ticket is required (NPS fees page).

Getting there
Ferries leave from Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
With family
Security screening before boarding. The ferry ride and outdoor areas are windy; bring layers.
Seasons and weather
Summer lines are long; winter crossings are cold.
Accessibility
Accessibility information from the operator(opens nps.gov in a new tab)
Times are estimates and distances are straight-line. Citizen Navigator is an independent educational resource. Visitor access and conditions change. Confirm current details with the destination's official operator.