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
Reviews and Rating (Tripadvisor)
5 stars
4 stars
Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
F6391KRmaryr, 12/13/2025 11:00:20 AM
Anthony was an amazing tour guide. His knowledge and personality made this tour very educational. We learned information that we wouldn’t have known about doing a self tour or the express tour.
Nouf_A, 12/13/2025 9:58:35 AM
It was really amazing trip with a professional tour guide. I enjoyed learning about the place and the historical context related to it.
jimmysE4581WQ, 12/13/2025 8:14:29 AM
Our tour guide Jeff was very informative. He made the tour great! Told us all the history and details. Our group started with 20 which most of us stayed with him the entire tour.
melissalT2695CC, 12/13/2025 8:06:27 AM
Jeff made it very easy to enjoy!! Extremely knowledgeable on history of NYC. The ferries were on time and he kept the group together, there are audio pods available at the statue for guests that speak different languages! We had a great day!
Linda_M, 12/12/2025 11:57:55 PM
Amazing details .I feel like every American should visit the Statue of Liberty once in their lifetime.
Camper737220, 12/12/2025 8:01:18 PM
Ben and the Experience First team was awesome from booking through execution. I’d sign up for for another tour in a heart beat. thx!
Frieda Christin... M, 12/12/2025 5:58:26 PM
Jack is a fantastic tour guide! He was very nice and very informative, and made the tour very enjoyable even though it was freezing.
661fionad, 12/12/2025 5:28:23 PM
Bad dad jokes aside, Chris was brilliant — knowledgeable, engaging, and made the history genuinely fun and easy to follow. Everything was well organised and never felt rushed. Seeing the Statue of Liberty up close was unforgettable, with amazing views back over Manhattan. Highly recommend — especially if you get Chris as your guide!
lub811, 12/12/2025 4:12:11 PM
Tour was great, Jorge was lovely as a guide, I had a great time! The group was small & it wasn't a busy time so very enjoyable.
georgegZ2254EB, 12/12/2025 2:11:45 PM
The tour was Great. Ken our tour guide was Awsome. He made sure everyone was taken care of as well as being very informative . Thank you again
- 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 on the steps outside of Castle Clinton's North Entrance. Castle Clinton is inside Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan. Your guide will have your entry tickets. Just show up and tell the guide your name. They will be wearing an orange hat and/or a blue jacket/shirt.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/ • Please meet your guide on the 3 steps outside of Castle Clinton's North Entrance. This is the entrance on facing the Manhattan buildings. Castle Clinton is inside Battery Park. • 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