Ellis Island was the Gateway to America. On this tour, you will learn more about the journey and the struggle people made for a new future and a better tomorrow. The site of the Statue of Liberty brought hope, freedom and peace. You will also learn about the procedures to enter America. Set on a 27.5-acre site located minutes off the most southern tip of Manhattan Island, the island has a connection to more than half of the American population, who can trace part of their history to entering Ellis Island.

Over 12 million immigrants entered America through the doors of this Island. The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration is located in the main building of the former immigration station complex. See the World Migration Globe which illustrates migration patterns around the globe. Also, visit the exhibit of the earliest arrivals as you walk through the various galleries, including a hearing room and a court of appeals. You will see the archives where you can access the passenger records of the ships that landed over 51 million immigrants, crew members and other travelers at the Port of New York and Ellis Island from 1892 to 1957. As you step outside of the museum, with the NYC skyline as the backdrop, visit the Wall of Honor.

This tour will also visit Lady Liberty, where your tour guide will review the  Engineering, Construction, and Crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Lady Liberty’s is an inspiration to immigrants who sailed past her on their way to America. The Statue of Libery’s overall height from the base of the pedestal foundation to the tip of the torch is 305 feet, 6 inches. The height of the statue from her heel to the top of her head is 111 feet, 6 inches, and she has a 35-foot waistline.  The total weight of the Statue of Liberty is 225 tons (or 450,000 pounds).