Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty National Monument includes more than the sculpture of Lady Liberty. Tours of it should also include a visit to Ellis Island. Over half of all Americans today have ancestors who arrived here through this prominent gateway to America. The Ellis Island Museum tells the stories of these 12 million immigrants on a three-floor self-guided tour.

You'll see photographs and memorabilia from these future Americans as well as temporary exhibits sometimes including live theater. Outside the museum, the Wall of Honor shows inscribed over 700,000 names of former immigrants who entered through Ellis Island.