Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration was an interesting stop during our trip to New York. The museum provided a comprehensive insight into the immigrant experience, with displays of personal stories, artifacts, and interactive exhibits. While some areas felt a bit crowded, the information offered a meaningful glimpse into the challenges and hopes of those who passed through Ellis Island. The restored Great Hall was impressive and gave a sense of the processing these immigrants went through. However, the audio guide could have been more engaging. Overall, the museum offered an educational perspective on American history and the immigrant journey.

The ferry is what cost money to go see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We left from the NJ side and it was like $25 per adult but it was well worth the money!!! We loved exploring this museum and there was so much history here. We got to Ellis Island very late in the day and it was almost empty because we took the very last ferry back from Ellis island to New Jersey. The line to go back to Ny from Ellis island was a VERY long line.

Very interesting place to visit while in NY, returns you back in history when US was colonized by Europeans. Audio guide is a must have, grate narrator will guide you trough the process of migrants coming to the US soil.

This is a great place to visit, especially if your own people came through there.
It's a real pity that modern technology is not employed to bring the personal stories of the immigrants who passed through to life.
There is a brief attempt to do it on the audio guide and it was a highlight of my visit. A Sicilian woman spoke of arrival with her mother and two sisters. Her father was waiting having "gone ahead" some time earlier. He squatted down with his arms open and they ran to him. He told them they would never be apart again. There must be millions of stories but we only heard that one.
There is such potential for a much improved tour. Please hire me to make it brilliant. Smaller, less significant museums in Ireland use holograms and video to great effect.
That said, the place is fascinating and the spirit of hope in the hearts of arrivals still pervades the bricks and mortar. The building is much more elaborate and ornate than I imagined. Don't miss this when you are in New York.