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Experience America’s most iconic symbols of freedom without the guesswork. This comprehensive guided tour takes you from the bustling shores of Battery Park through the hallowed halls of Ellis Island. With Reserved Access tickets, you’ll bypass the massive general admission lines and dive straight into history with a local expert storyteller.
What You’ll Experience
Step onto Liberty Island for a guided stroll around the monument. Your guide will share the "hidden in plain sight" secrets of the statue’s design and the dramatic story of its journey from France.
The Immigrant Journey: Walk through the Great Hall where 12 million people began their American dream. Hear the personal, heart-wrenching, and triumphant stories of the families who passed through these very doors.
The "Guide Advantage": Our guides are experts in NYC history who know the best photo spots and the quietest corners of the museums.
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. The tour departs promptly and if late, you will NOT be able to catch up and will miss the tour. There are no refunds for missing the tour.
Please note the earliest time tour will have the least wait. Later tours will encounter longer wait times.
Your ferry ticket includes access to both islands, although for afternoon tours, there may not be enough time to visit Ellis Island.
Food available for purchase on the ferry, at the Statue of Liberty, and on Ellis Island
Operates in all weather conditions. Please dress appropriately.
Security screening will take place prior to entering the ferry. Visitors to the park are required to undergo airport-style security screening.
Photographs are permitted, but tripods and monopods are prohibited.
Children 3 and under free with paid adult ticket.
Guides are wearing orange hats AND/OR blue shirts or jackets.
Pedestal and crown access are not included in your tour. Guided tours are not allowed in the pedestal or crown at the Statue of Liberty
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Castle Clinton National Monument
This sandstone fort is our meeting point, but it’s also a national monument.
Statue of Liberty
Tour Liberty Island with your guide. See the statue up-close and visit the Statue of Liberty Museum. This is also a great opportunity for photos of the NYC skyline.
Skyline Views
Statue of Liberty Museum
Expert NYC Storyteller
Immigration Museum Access
Reserved Ferry Access - significantly reducing your wait time
Ellis Island Experience (Comprehensive Tour)
Gratuities
Pedestal & Crown Access
While your guide provides essential history outside, museums are self-guided to comply with rules.
small locker fees for oversized bags ($0.25) are not included.
Duration: 2 hours: The guided portion of the express tour lasts around 2 hours. Return ferry is included.
13,716 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Destination591292,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Anthony was a great tour guide!
Davina Y,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
Guided tour around the Statue of Liberty & Ellis island with detailed history & interesting facts. Museums are not guided but at your own pace.
Alison1600,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
I really enjoyed the tour, and our tour guide Charlie. He was funny, informative and made a very cold day enjoyable!
Sandy,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
Don’t do this. You can just as easily buy a ferry ticket and go see it yourself. What a waste. Our tour guide was such a tool. He was racist and kept calling out a family from Venezuela. I was mortified. Honestly he knew nothing. We didn’t need him for this tour. Horrible.
M7522SGjustins,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Jim is absolutely amazing! Very knowledgeable and passionate about his tours to both Liberty island and Ellis island. He was thoughtful enough to keep the group in a warm covered location at Castle Clinton until it was time to board our ferry. Upon leaving the island my son and I ran into him again on the return ferry where we chatted even more but 1 on 1. When we landed at battery park he took the time to guide us to the charging bull, the stock exchange and ultimately directions to ground zero. Truly amazing and I would love to do another tour with him!
ambcde,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We hadn't realised we booked a guided tour, but we were so glad that we had. Tim was an excellent guide and his love of history and the arts made the stories he shared all the more interesting. Thanks to Tim's exceptional knowledge we had a fantastic day, we loved his sharing of Emma Lazarus' poem to send us on our way, he really was the star of the day.
Wander160173,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Anthony is great!!!! Knowledgeable of Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.


203hopeb,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Anthony was absolutely amazing, very upbeat, extremely knowledgeable and kind. A New York local who knew his history like the back of his hand. I would absolutely recommend Anthony to anyone who wants to take this tour.
janieh916,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Anthony, our guide was super knowledgeable and passionate about our tour. He was a joy to learn from. We would definitely recommend.
katirosef,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Anthony was so fun and knowledgeable
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