• Immigrants awaiting inspection in front of Ellis Island's Main Building

    Ellis Island

    Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument NJ,NY

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  • Ellis Island Closed Until Further Notice

    As of May 2013: Due to the conditions caused by Hurricane Sandy, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum will be closed until further notice. A projected reopening date has not yet been established, follow our twitter account for updates. More »

Plan A Field Trip

Visiting Ellis Island

Update as of March 20, 2013: Due to extensive damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy, Ellis Island is closed indefinitely. Statue of Liberty will re-open on July 4, 2013.

 
Ranger with Students on Ellis Island dock.
Plan a Field Trip to Ellis Island, like this teacher did!
NPS Photo
 

When you bring your school class to Ellis Island, there are a number of opportunities to make the most out of your visit. Most require reservations, while touring the museum on your own does not (although you must purchase and reserve your boat tickets in advance).

Ranger Guided programs include curriculum-based programs as well as general introductory programs and must be reserved in advance of your visit and is done through Statue Cruises' reservation system.

Even without a ranger guided program, there is plenty to do and see while at Ellis Island, including a variety of lesson plans designed for implementation before, during, or after visiting Ellis Island with your class. Or, check out these ideas and tips for self-guided groups. The audio tour is included in the price of your ferry ticket, so you can pick up your class's headsets when you arrive on each island.

Learn more about visiting and reservation information for school groups and other large groups of children and make sure to download our Informational Guide for Teachers and Chaperones.

Did You Know?

Angel Island aerial cropped2

From 1910 to 1940, the Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay processed approximately 1 million Asian immigrants entering into the US, leading to it sometimes being referred to as "The Ellis Island of the West". Due to the restrictions of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, many immigrants spent years on the island, waiting for entry. Access to the island is by private boat or public ferry from San Francisco, Tiburon or Vallejo. Ferry services are reduced during the winter. More...