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Ellis Island

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Ellis Island

Ellis Island

Located at the mouth of the Hudson River, this island served as the primary processing center for immigrants entering the United States between 1892 and 1954. Visitors go here to explore the immigration museum and see the original facilities where millions of people were screened and documented upon arrival.

Getting There

Access to the island is via ferry from Lower Manhattan. The trip typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes depending on the ferry route and boarding times.

Duration: 3 to 5 hours is generally sufficient to tour the museum and walk the grounds.

Planning Your Visit

The site gets crowded, particularly during peak tourist seasons and weekends. Arriving on the earliest ferry of the day helps avoid the longest queues. Because the island is exposed to the harbor, weather conditions can be windy and colder than in the city center.

Nearby Attractions

Since the ferry typically services multiple stops, this site is easily combined with other nearby landmarks:

  • Liberty Island (1.1km)
  • Statue of Liberty (1.2km)
  • The Battery (2km)
  • Trinity Church (2.5km)

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

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This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Ellis Island

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

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Ellis Island Nearby stays

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Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

New York City 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through New York City grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

3 nights, 4 days

New York City 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through New York City grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Liberty Island

Nature

Liberty Island

An uninhabited island in New York Harbor, well known as the site of the Statue of Liberty. Designated a national park along with Ellis Island, it's regarded as a symbol of New York.

1.1 km away
Statue of Liberty

Views & landmarks

Statue of Liberty

A large statue standing on Liberty Island in New York, given by France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American independence. As a symbol of New York, it's best explored up close by ferry.

1.2 km away
The Battery

Parks & gardens

The Battery

Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan, is where you can catch the ferry to Liberty Island. Its name comes from a gun battery installed by the British in 1683.

2.0 km away
Trinity Church

Temples & religious sites

Trinity Church

Trinity Church is located in Lower Manhattan, New York. It's a pleasant spot to pause and explore in the heart of downtown.

2.5 km away
National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Museums & galleries

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Built on the site of the former World Trade Center in New York, this memorial honors the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 1993 bombing. Its reflecting pools and museum offer a place to reflect on that day's tragedy.

2.6 km away
40 Wall Street

Views & landmarks

40 Wall Street

This 70-story skyscraper in Manhattan, New York, was the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1930. Its distinctive blue-tinted spire makes it easy to spot on the skyline.

2.7 km away