Ellis Island was once the busiest immigrant inspection and processing station in the United States. From 1892 to 1954 nearly 12 million immigrants arriving at the Port of New York were processed there.
The name derives from Samuel Ellis, a Welshman who bought the island in 1774.
It has been part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument since 1965 and is accessible to the public only by ferry. Statue City Cruises are the only authorised provider of tickets to visit Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty. Only buy from their website and not from any other online sellers or street vendors.
The north side of the island is a national museum of immigration while the south side of the island, including the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital, is open to the public through guided tours. During both World War I and World War II its facilities were also used by the US military to detain prisoners of war.
General admission tickets cost from £20 / €24 / $25 and this gives you a return ferry ride from Battery Park to Liberty Island as well as Ellis Island with an audio tour.
