America's Story: Liberty & Ellis Island Exclusive Tour
Hear the stories of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island and learn about the creation and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. On this guided tour, your expert New Yorker will get your reserve-line ferry tickets and ride with you to Liberty Island and afterward, if you select our Comprehensive Tour, to Ellis Island for a tour of the landmarks around the island, such as the wall of honour. Once the tour ends, the exploration doesn't stop there as you can continue inside the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration to explore its multiple floors at your own pace. An audio guide is included to help. You’ll also have time to visit the Statue of Liberty Museum as your guide prepares you for what you’ll see inside. Our Liberty Express option offers a 2 hour guided tour across the water, and on Liberty Island, where you'll learn all about the Statue of Liberty and our expert guide will also give you facts and tips if you wanted to visit the museum on your own after the tour.
Reviews
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Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
Nolong_b, 2/11/2026 9:10:01 AM
The tour part is two hours, then you’re off in your own. It was pretty pricey for the service you get. We tipped him because he was working out in the cold, not because he gave amazing information. He seemed to avoid history that might be controversial.
j_hannsindrip, 2/10/2026 8:15:38 AM
Went for the express tour, got freezing weather and strong polar winds. Our tour guide Mindi C, did the best out of a bad situation and did minor changes to the tour by doing parts inside.
Lourdes C, 2/9/2026 10:07:42 AM
Great trip and our guide was good. She was very informative. Getting into the boat was the worst experience ever. I had my 76 yr old father in a wheel chair was told we had to go into the regular line as you’re being cattled through, from 10 lines down to 4. There was group of people that pushed their way through the line. Shoved the wheel chair and it continued with other people as we approached the security area. I was also expecting that the ticket price included getting to the statue and it wasn’t.
Cperry070, 2/8/2026 2:30:26 PM
Jack was an excellent tour guide and braved the subzero temps with us to take us to the Statue of Liberty for our express tour. He is not only a wealth of information regarding the history of New York, but also very funny. Couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide!
X2935BGabdullaha, 2/7/2026 5:06:00 PM
Mindy was a great tour guide! She was very informative. Highly recommend it. We had a great time and the pictures are amazing.
KIM_P, 2/6/2026 10:22:25 PM
Such a great trip especially having Jay as our guide. Communication was excellent throughout and the information Jay gave all through the tour was given with enthusiasm and genuine enjoyment. Highly Recommend, Thank You
Senabdelmoughti_M, 2/4/2026 2:58:13 PM
Very good i recommend for evryone and the guide jett was so good he told us evrything about america history
Sisa_J, 2/4/2026 3:26:26 AM
First of all Jack the tour guide is so hilarious he make everything interesting and fun in the same time. The weather is cold but we enjoying everything in this tour. Very informative. Thank you Jack, keep it up the good work.
evan_W, 2/3/2026 2:35:33 PM
I had a great time on this tour. Jack was a great guide who provided lots of information and insight into the monuments, and the tour felt perfectly timed in each location.
Egypt_B, 2/3/2026 9:09:24 AM
Me and my husband enjoyed this tour. Joe was great and very knowledgeable. It was freezing cold outside but we had fun.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. The tour departs promptly and if late, you will NOT be able to catch up and will miss the tour. There are no refunds for missing the tour.
- Please note the earliest time tour will have the least wait. Later tours will encounter longer wait times.
- Your ferry ticket includes access to both islands, although for afternoon tours, there may not be enough time to visit Ellis Island.
- Food available for purchase on the ferry, at the Statue of Liberty, and on Ellis Island
- Operates in all weather conditions. Please dress appropriately.
- Security screening will take place prior to entering the ferry. Visitors to the park are required to undergo airport-style security screening.
- Photographs are permitted, but tripods and monopods are prohibited.
- Children 3 and under free with paid adult ticket.
- Guides are wearing orange hats AND/OR blue shirts or jackets.
- Pedestal and crown access are not included in your tour. Guided tours are not allowed in the pedestal or crown at the Statue of Liberty
Departure point
Meet your guide outside the front entrance of Castle Clinton, the round brown brick building near the water in Battery Park. Your guide will be on the steps outside of the north entrance of the castle, wearing an orange hat. This is the entrance facing the buildings in Manhattan.Return details
Hear the stories of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island and learn about the creation and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. On this guided tour, your expert New Yorker will get your reserve-line ferry tickets and ride with you to Liberty Island and afterward, if you select our Comprehensive Tour, to Ellis Island for a tour of the landmarks around the island, such as the wall of honour. Once the tour ends, the exploration doesn't stop there as you can continue inside the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration to explore its multiple floors at your own pace. An audio guide is included to help. You’ll also have time to visit the Statue of Liberty Museum as your guide prepares you for what you’ll see inside. Our Liberty Express option offers a 2 hour guided tour across the water, and on Liberty Island, where you'll learn all about the Statue of Liberty and our expert guide will also give you facts and tips if you wanted to visit the museum on your own after the tour.Redemption
More info here: https://www.exp1.com/new-york-tours/welcome-statue/ • Meet your guide outside the front entrance of Castle Clinton, the round brown brick building near the water in Battery Park. Your guide will be on the steps outside of the north entrance of the castle, wearing an orange hat. This is the entrance facing the buildings in Manhattan. • Your guide will have your tickets. Just tell the guide your name. • Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. The tour departs promptly and if late, you will NOT be able to catch up and will miss the tour. There are no refunds for missing the tour. • Security screening will take place prior to entering the ferry. Visitors to the park are required to undergo airport-style security screening. • DRIVING/PARKING - There is no on-site parking. Parking can be difficult. Please plan ahead to find an available garage that is close to the meeting location. Allocate additional time to find parking space and walking to the meeting location. We recommend taking public transport. • TAXI - Tell the taxi Battery Park. That will get you close to the meeting location. From there, you can walk south to Castle Clinton, which is the round brick building. Our staff will be OUTSIDE of the building. IMPORTANT: Tour end points vary depending on which tour option you choose. • The 4 Hour Comprehensive Tour includes a tour of Ellis Island and the tour finishes on Ellis Island. • The Express Tour doesn't include Ellis Island and the tour will finish at Liberty Island.24 hours before travel date - 100% refund
Less than 24 hours before travel date - 0% refund