The tour begins at Battery Park, one of the oldest parts of Manhattan. Here you’ll find the country’s first immigration center, Castle Garden Immigration Station, which operated until Ellis Island opened. Take a ferry to visit Liberty Island where the Statue of Liberty keeps an eye on incoming ships. You’ll learn all about Fort Wood, which now acts as the base for the statue, offered to the US by France in 1886. You’ll hear all about its creator, Bartholdi, as well as contributions by famed architect Gustave Eiffel, of Tower fame. Another ferry will whisk you across the water to Ellis Island. Here, millions of European newcomers wandered the very island that you will visit, learning about the medical examines and surprising conditions faced by immigrants. Learn about the island layout, and where immigrants who were quarantined were housed. You’ll end at the Wall of Honor, where you can search for your family’s name among the some 700,000 names commemorating those who entered the United States here. After the tour, your guide will introduce you to the museum to further explore the exhibits and history of the island. This tour is the ideal way to remember, and celebrate, the immigrants that contributed so much to America’s success.
Highlights Include: (But not limited to)
Battery Park
Castle Garden Immigration Station
Governors Island – the other forts
Liberty Island
Base of Fort Wood – Fort’s history
Inside – original torch
Bartholdi, construction, Eifel, Hunt, opening
Verrazano Bridge & immigrant journey
Ellis Island
Wall of honor
(based on group size)13 years of age or older
(based on group size)Between 0 - 12 years of age