The Baggage Room

Directions, guided tours, maps, and programs for children can all be found on the first floor.

Immediately after arriving in New York Harbor, immigrants stepped off of a steamship and onto a ferry that departed towards Ellis Island. The Baggage Room was their first experience in America. This is where they began the inspection process in hopes they would be granted passage into New York City or New Jersey. If your time is short, you should at least begin "The Ellis Island Experience" here. It's a tour where you "walk in the footsteps" of immigrants who once passed through these walls long ago. There are staff members available who can provide you with a map, an audio tour, or even a children's program.

Details

Duration

60 Minutes

Many hours can be spent exploring the exhibits here, but even with just an hour, you can get a better understanding of what new arrivals would have experienced over 100 years ago.

Activity

Museum Exhibits

Ellis island was the busiest immigration station in the world! Used between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million immigrants were processed on this island in busy New York Harbor. Explore the many exhibits on immigration, watch a film, or take a ranger-led tour.

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

National Museum of Immigration

Ellis Island is only accessible through our concessionaire Statue Cruises; private boats are not permitted.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

The information desk on Ellis Island is open every day except December 25.

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

The main building on Ellis Island is accessible via a flight of stairs or ramp for wheelchair accessibility.
 
A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They can be borrowed, free of charge, with the deposit of a driver's license or another form of identification at the information desk. The information desk is located on the first level of the main building.
 
Located directly behind the information desk, there are tactile displays of the museum levels as well as of the island. Visitors can borrow braille copies of the park’s brochure from the ranger at the desk.

The film “Island of Hope, Island of Tears” plays in English with English open captions. Both theaters are wheelchair accessible.

Make your way over to the information desk after entering the main building on Ellis Island. Pick up a brochure, and find out how to best spend your time efficiently at our museum. For you to experience everything that Ellis Island has to offer, an entire afternoon will likely be required. A ranger can assist you on what exhibits you should give priority to if your time is limited.