Contents
One-Day Tour of Liberty Island and Ellis Island | Introduction
Spending a day visiting Liberty Island and Ellis Island in New York is a classic itinerary for many first-time visitors to the city. It’s not just about seeing the Statue of Liberty—this short trip can take you through two powerful symbols of American history in just a few hours. One represents idealistic freedom and hope; the other bears witness to the real challenges faced by millions of immigrants in pursuit of their dreams. These two islands represent two chapters of the American story—on one side, a grand vision; on the other, intricate and personal realities.
The Statue of Liberty has stood in the harbor since 1886. A symbolic gift from France to the United States, it commemorates the 100th anniversary of American independence. From this iconic symbol of freedom, the next stop is Ellis Island, where more than 12 million immigrants first set foot in the United States between 1892 and 1954. Visiting both islands in one day takes about 5 to 6 hours. Combined with the ferry ride’s scenic views of New York Harbor, it’s a perfect main event for one day of your NYC itinerary.
One-Day Tour of Liberty Island and Ellis Island | Transportation
前往自由女神與 Ellis Island 的渡輪是由官方合作的 Statue City Cruises 營運，目前有兩個搭乘地點：曼哈頓下城的 Battery Park 和 新澤西的 Liberty State Park。大多數觀光客都會從曼哈頓出發。
如果你是搭地鐵，建議搭到 South Ferry（1 號線）、Bowling Green（4/5 號線） 或 Whitehall St（R/W 號線），這三站走路到碼頭都只需要 5 分鐘左右。入口附近會有明顯的 Statue City Cruises 指標，旺季時排隊安檢會花一些時間。整趟交通過程非常順暢，不需要開車也不建議開車（附近停車超貴），地鐵＋渡輪就是最方便的組合了。
The ferry from Battery Park stops at Liberty Island first, then Ellis Island. You only need one ticket, which includes round-trip transportation and entry to both islands. You can decide how long to stay on each island. Ferries run approximately every 20–30 minutes. Prices vary based on ticket options. A General Admission ticket lets you visit the islands. To access the pedestal or crown of the Statue of Liberty, you must reserve in advance via the official website. These tickets are limited and sell out quickly during high season. (Ticket Link)
If you'd like a deeper understanding of the history, or already have a New York City Pass, you can also join a local half-day guided tour.
Liberty island + Ellis Island Tour
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One-Day Tour of Liberty Island and Ellis Island | Itinerary and Highlights
We took the Statue City Cruises ferry from Battery Park in Manhattan around 8:30 a.m. There are plenty of seats onboard, and you can also stand on the deck to enjoy views of New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline. On a clear day, it’s stunning. It can be quite windy though—if you're visiting in fall or winter, be sure to bring a scarf or hat. The ferry ride takes about 30 minutes.
Liberty Island | The Statue of Liberty
The first stop is Liberty Island, home to the iconic Statue of Liberty. Even if you've never been to New York, you’ll likely recognize it at a glance. This statue has stood since 1886 as a symbolic gift from France, celebrating the centennial of American independence and symbolizing the spirit of liberty and democracy.
The statue itself is about 46 meters tall, and over 90 meters when including the pedestal. She holds a torch of freedom, has broken chains at her feet, and wears a crown with seven rays—representing the seven continents and oceans, signifying the universality of liberty. With advance reservations, you can visit the pedestal or even the crown area inside the statue. Standing at the base and looking up at the 46-meter-tall bronze figure, she feels less like a monument and more like a projection of collective hope. In the 19th century, she symbolized freedom, liberation, and democracy. Today, she represents the American spirit.
Don’t miss the scenic viewing area facing Manhattan—one of the most classic photo spots combining the skyline and the statue. By the way, if you don’t want to take the ferry, a great alternative viewing spot is Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
While most people know the statue was a gift from France, few know why. In 19th-century France, the country was undergoing transitions from monarchy to republicanism. Intellectuals and liberals admired the ideas of republicanism, popular sovereignty, and freedom. The United States, which had successfully implemented these ideas, became their role model.
One French law scholar and political thinker, Édouard René de Laboulaye, first proposed the idea. A staunch republican, he admired the U.S. and suggested at a memorial for President Lincoln in 1865 that France should give a gift to celebrate America’s 100 years of independence.
The statue was designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and engineered by Gustave Eiffel (yes, of Eiffel Tower fame). It was funded by the French public, while the U.S. built the pedestal. The statue was unveiled on October 28, 1886, symbolizing the shared values of liberty and the friendship between France and the United States. Statues of these key figures can be found on Liberty Island.
There’s also the Statue of Liberty Museum on the island, showcasing original torch models, documents about the construction process, and multimedia exhibits. If you're interested in architecture and history, it’s worth a visit.
One highlight: the original torch from 1886, now preserved indoors. It stood atop the statue until 1984, when it was replaced due to weather damage. Up close, its intricate glass and metal structure is much more impressive than in photos.
自由女神的建造方式，包括 Gustave Eiffel 所設計的內部支架結構（跟艾菲爾鐵塔類似的金屬骨架），也有介紹如何用薄銅片「敲打成形」的方法。自由女神是用一種叫 repoussé 的技術打造的——也就是把銅片一片一片反過來從背後敲出立體線條，是手工製作的喔。
Ellis Island
After Liberty Island, the ferry takes you to nearby Ellis Island. This short boat ride already carries historical weight. Immigrants arriving on the East Coast in earlier centuries would first glimpse the Statue of Liberty, then disembark at Ellis Island for inspection. Between 1892 and 1954, more than 12 million immigrants passed through this major port of entry, undergoing health and identity checks before beginning their new lives in America.
The main building is now the National Museum of Immigration. It retains the original layout, including the grand Registry Room, holding areas, and records. When you enter the main hall, you’re greeted by the impressive, high-ceilinged registry room, where light streams through arched windows—majestic, yet silent with historical weight.
The exhibits cover immigration history from the colonial era to modern times, focusing especially on the mass influx of European immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Displays include everyday items, documents, voyage records, and personal stories. You might see a German family’s passport copy or hear an Italian descendant talk about their grandfather’s experience passing health checks here. In contrast, the Angel Island Immigration Station on the West Coast tells the stories of Asian immigrants.
The “Through America’s Gate” section reveals how U.S. immigration policy changed over time—from openness to the restrictive attitudes of the 1920s. You’ll see coverage of the Chinese Exclusion Act, quota systems, and xenophobic commentary against Southern and Eastern Europeans.
The “Journey Through Ellis Island” exhibit recreates the immigrant experience: queuing for health checks, document review, even psychological tests. Historic photos show anxious faces; posted procedures show that not everyone was accepted. Medical tools, exam rooms, and isolation room models paint a vivid picture—some people were sent back or separated despite having reached the U.S.
There’s also a Family History Center where visitors can search early 20th-century immigration records—perfect if your ancestors came through Ellis Island.
This museum is layered, telling the full scope of America’s immigrant story—not just the hopeful beginning but also the shifting tides of policy, racism, and exclusion. In today’s world of complex identities and migration, Ellis Island is a reminder that “freedom” has never come without a cost. If the Statue of Liberty symbolizes an ideal, then this place reveals the lives behind that ideal.
Further reading
- More New York posts
- More US east coast posts
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