The Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour is the perfect tour for anyone wishing to explore the Ellis Island Hospital. This complex, located on the island that served as the gateway to America for millions of immigrants, has been abandoned for over 70 years. The buildings are not open to the public. Only by booking this Ellis Island Hospital Tour can you see this unique place with your own eyes.
Book tickets for the Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour here
Note: In addition to a ticket for the Hard Hat Tour, you will need a ticket for the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Buy Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tickets here
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Taking the ferry to Ellis Island
After visiting Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty, the ferry continues on to neighbouring Ellis Island. This immigration island has a remarkable history. It was the first place where new arrivals to the US set foot on American soil. All visitors are free to explore Ellis Island at their leisure, but not all areas are accessible.
Visit the Ellis Island Hospital
One of the places you cannot simply walk into is the island’s hospital, which has been abandoned since 1954. This is where immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island in poor health were treated.
Led by a guide and wearing a safety helmet, you will visit the washrooms, wards, autopsy rooms and even the mortuary. In total, you will discover no fewer than 29 unrestored buildings on the southern side of the island. The‘Unframed Ellis Island’ art installations by the French artist JR tell the patients’ stories.
During the tour, you’ll follow in the footsteps of doctors, nurses and immigrants as you learn all about the hospital’s history. And by purchasing your ticket, you’ll also be contributing to the further restoration of the island.
Hard Hat Tour and visit to the Statue of Liberty
The Hard Hat Tour is a special guided tour that you can take on Ellis Island. As the ferry ticket (which you can buy separately here) also takes you to the island of the Statue of Liberty, you can visit this island for free.
The ferry departs from Manhattan to Liberty Island, where you can disembark. Please bear in mind that you will need at least 1.5 to 2 hours to visit the island.
Next, take the ferry from Liberty Island to Ellis Island no later than 30 minutes before the Hard Hat Tour begins. You can, of course, take this ferry earlier to explore Ellis Island before the tour.
Practical Information
After your purchase, you will receive a voucher which you can print out and use as your ticket for the tour, or show as a mobile ticket on your phone.
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Departure point: You meet the guide at the information desk on the ground floor of the Ellis Island Museum, next to the National Park Service.
- Departure time: between 10:30 and 14:30
- How to get there: The ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island departs from Battery Park. To get there, take the subway lines 45 to Bowling Green station, RW to Whitehall St–South Ferry, or 1 to South Ferry station.
- Accessibility: The tour is not wheelchair accessible
- Note: The ferry to Ellis Island is not included in this tour; you will need to purchase a separate ticket for this.
Book tickets for the Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour here
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