Viator Exclusive: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with Hard Hat Tour from Viator

Highlights:

Start your comprehensive tour of the Statue of Liberty National Monument off right with priority boarding on a ferry from Manhattan. At Liberty Island, a guide leads you inside the pedestal of 'Liberty Enlightening the World' (Lady Liberty's real name) to find observation decks and a museum. Later visit the restored Great Hall on Ellis Island for exhibits about the millions of immigrants who arrived between 1892 and 1954. This quintessential Big Apple experience is enhanced with a hard hat tour of Ellis Island's abandoned south side, an opportunity that many visitors miss.

Meet your guide at Castle Clinton, a former fort inside Battery Park in Manhattan. Enjoy priority boarding on the ferry as your guide accompanies your group to your first stop: Liberty Island. Along the way, you’ll hear historical facts about the Statue of Liberty National Monument, and its significance for people coming to America.
Admire the New York City skyline when you step foot on Liberty Island for a guided tour of the grounds. Your ticket also grants you access to the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, where inside you'll discover several observation levels and a museum about the iconic landmark’s construction and architecture.

Afterward, board the ferry to Ellis Island and listen as your guide shares information about this historic gateway to the United States. Upon arrival, tour the grounds and spend time at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The former federal immigration station processed more than 12 million immigrants from its opening in 1892 until its closure in 1954. Visit the restored Great Hall for various exhibits about the people who arrived here, and learn how US citizens can trace their ancestors to Ellis Island.
Following a break for lunch (own expense), your 1.5-hour hard hat tour begins with receiving a safety briefing as you prepare to enter the abandoned south side, where the Ellis Island Hospital was located. A guide leads you to select areas of the 750-bed complex, which included morgues, infectious disease wards and psychiatric facilities for immigrants who needed treatment or isolation. At its peak of operation, the huge facility was staffed by the US Public Health Service. Follow in the footsteps of former doctors, nurses and patients as you discover the fascinating history of the hospital that now sits eerily empty.
At the hospital, you'll also catch an art exhibit that features two dozen life-size historic photographs of Ellis Island immigrants installed on 16 interior walls. The ghostly images are of the patients, both children and adults, who were treated at the facility.

At the end of the tour, you can take the ferry back at your leisure.
Viator Exclusives combine unique experiences and great deals — from traditional tours to once-in-a-lifetime experiences — and are not available from other 3rd-party online sellers.

Viator Exclusive: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with Hard Hat Tour

From $99 USD

Agency: Viator

Viator Exclusive: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with Hard Hat Tour

From $99 USD

Agency: Viator

Viator Exclusive: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with Hard Hat Tour

From $99 USD

Agency: Viator