Ellis Island
Aug 7th, 2019, 07:13 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ellis Island
We'll be in NYC for a few days the third week of August and I would very much like to see Ellis Island. My brother who lives there predicts that it will be very crowded and hot. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has visited recently what your experience was. How much time would you allocate from for the visit start to finish? Are there places to get food on Ellis Island? Do we need to get tickets in advance? any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks
Aug 8th, 2019, 06:48 AM
#2
I haven't been there recently, but some of the answers to your questions can be found here:
https://www.tripsavvy.com/ellis-isla...r-tips-1612793
https://www.statuecruises.com/#/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/ellis-isla...r-tips-1612793
https://www.statuecruises.com/#/
Aug 8th, 2019, 09:11 AM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I visited Ellis Island in March, and i have been twice previously, once in May, and once in August. It is a fascinating site that is worth visiting. The US National Park Service runs the building, and they do a wonderful job. The boats are run by a third party, as noted by poster above.
I don't remember it being terribly hot in August, and the water brings on a breeze. All of Manhattan is a big steam bath in the summer, so just wear some breathable clothing, and maybe bring a hat and sunglasses for the boat, in case you want to sit outside. I don't believe there were food concessions there. I brought a lunch in a little backpack and some water. Be advised that security before you board is similar to the TSA--they will scan you and all your items, so be sure and check the list of acceptable items to bring.
I made a reservation in advance because I went on the Crown Tour at the Statue of Liberty on the same day. When I arrived, they were selling boat tickets for the same day, but I'm not sure that would be the case in August. I would get the tickets in advance to be safe.
Regarding your question about crowds in August, I would say that I don't remember it being unbearable. The boat ride over is unpleasant because they cram people in like cattle. If you can go super early, that would help. The building is huge, so people are spread out over a wide area. My favorite exhibit there is one where people from different country explain their story (you listen on a phone), and you get to look at their memorabilia. It's on one of the upper floors.
There is a "Behind the Scenes" tour on Ellis Island that I have been wanting to take. It sounds really fascinating.
I don't remember it being terribly hot in August, and the water brings on a breeze. All of Manhattan is a big steam bath in the summer, so just wear some breathable clothing, and maybe bring a hat and sunglasses for the boat, in case you want to sit outside. I don't believe there were food concessions there. I brought a lunch in a little backpack and some water. Be advised that security before you board is similar to the TSA--they will scan you and all your items, so be sure and check the list of acceptable items to bring.
I made a reservation in advance because I went on the Crown Tour at the Statue of Liberty on the same day. When I arrived, they were selling boat tickets for the same day, but I'm not sure that would be the case in August. I would get the tickets in advance to be safe.
Regarding your question about crowds in August, I would say that I don't remember it being unbearable. The boat ride over is unpleasant because they cram people in like cattle. If you can go super early, that would help. The building is huge, so people are spread out over a wide area. My favorite exhibit there is one where people from different country explain their story (you listen on a phone), and you get to look at their memorabilia. It's on one of the upper floors.
There is a "Behind the Scenes" tour on Ellis Island that I have been wanting to take. It sounds really fascinating.
Last edited by CaliforniaLady; Aug 8th, 2019 at 09:15 AM.
Aug 8th, 2019, 06:41 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks California Lady and Jean, I was googling how long it would take from a midtown hotel (44th st) to the ferry and found a tripadvisor report from 9 years ago in which people said the lines to get on the ferry were staggering, even with reserved tickets. And the consensus seemed to be if one takes the subway it would take about 30 minutes from the hotel. Are the lines still as bad? And I'm assuming one can stay on the ferry and not get off at the statue of liberty (have already been so would want to save our time for Ellis Island.)
Aug 8th, 2019, 06:51 PM
#5
Nope no food that I can recall but I haven't visited recently. I thought I could get a decent lunch but they only had hot dogs and soft pretzels so not what I was hoping for unless things have changed. I think I just bought a drink and skipped eating as I didn't think it was worth it.
Aug 8th, 2019, 07:36 PM
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On our last trip, we stayed at the Marriott in Times Square, and the subway took a good half an hour. I'm not sure from midtown, but you can go to google maps, and it will tell you how long the subway ride is. You also have to allow extra time for just missing a train. I would say that you should allow an hour from your hotel, because it's a bit of a walk from the Battery subway station to the dock.
Since I had was going on the Crown Tour, I had to go to the will call window so they could check my ID, since anyone entering the statue has to go through a second security check. If you're going to Ellis Island and have a boat reservation, I am not sure if you have to go to the will call line, or you can simply print out a ticket. The folks that answer the phones for the boat line are pretty helpful. Once you have your ticket in hand, you pass through a couple of guards that check your tickets, and then you go through actual security. Once you do that, you stand in a line waiting to get on the boat. I was lucky when I was there--the boat was just leaving and I was the last one on. Coming back, I did have to stand in a line, and it was a bit unpleasant. The other customers were 90% Europeans, and let's just say many have a different sense of personal space. I am not used to having people stand so close to me, especially men.
Regarding the boat path, it goes from the Battery dock, to the Statue of Liberty, to Ellis Island, and back to the Battery. When you get to the Statue of Liberty, you can wait on the boat while others get on and off. When you arrive at Ellis Island, take a phone picture of the sign with the boat departure times. That's what I did, and when I got tired, I noted what time the next boat was leaving, and left. I would say allow a very minimum of two hours for the museum itself, and maybe four if you are like me, and like to read everything. For example, there are several rooms, where they explain about the hospitals. Some people scan over it quickly, and some people look at every surgical instrument. There is also a video I believe. Check with the ranger with you get to the museum, pick up a map, and ask if there are any special programs that day.
I remember that there was some food and drinks on the boat, but as I said, bring your own lunch, or at least a protein bar, and some water.
Since I had was going on the Crown Tour, I had to go to the will call window so they could check my ID, since anyone entering the statue has to go through a second security check. If you're going to Ellis Island and have a boat reservation, I am not sure if you have to go to the will call line, or you can simply print out a ticket. The folks that answer the phones for the boat line are pretty helpful. Once you have your ticket in hand, you pass through a couple of guards that check your tickets, and then you go through actual security. Once you do that, you stand in a line waiting to get on the boat. I was lucky when I was there--the boat was just leaving and I was the last one on. Coming back, I did have to stand in a line, and it was a bit unpleasant. The other customers were 90% Europeans, and let's just say many have a different sense of personal space. I am not used to having people stand so close to me, especially men.
Regarding the boat path, it goes from the Battery dock, to the Statue of Liberty, to Ellis Island, and back to the Battery. When you get to the Statue of Liberty, you can wait on the boat while others get on and off. When you arrive at Ellis Island, take a phone picture of the sign with the boat departure times. That's what I did, and when I got tired, I noted what time the next boat was leaving, and left. I would say allow a very minimum of two hours for the museum itself, and maybe four if you are like me, and like to read everything. For example, there are several rooms, where they explain about the hospitals. Some people scan over it quickly, and some people look at every surgical instrument. There is also a video I believe. Check with the ranger with you get to the museum, pick up a map, and ask if there are any special programs that day.
I remember that there was some food and drinks on the boat, but as I said, bring your own lunch, or at least a protein bar, and some water.
Aug 9th, 2019, 04:51 AM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1. You absolutely need reservations, or you will wait an hour or more for the security line (no shade for most of it). There's only one place in the entire world to buy advance tickets, and that's the Statue Cruises web site (https://www.statuecruises.com/). You may or may not be able to get tickets for August at this point. Your best bet is to try immediately and see how early in the day you go. The earlier you go, the less the waits. But in the busy summer season, 2 weeks in advance is not much. People buy tickets months in advance. Forget all the Statue of Liberty options. You get into the new museum with any ticket, and you will not be able to climb to the crown, so look for times more than anything. Since this will be the most difficult thing to arrange, I'd do this first and plan everything else around it.
2. Yes, you will have to wait, but not nearly as long as if you don't have a reservation. Get there about half an hour before your appointed time, and you may even be able to get on an earlier ferry. It's the security line that's long.
3. Yes, of course there's food. It' snot great, and it will be sandwiches and wraps and salads, but it's there (and of course hot dogs, too).
4. It will be hot, but depending on how late in August you go. We've had really horribly hot days and others that weren't too bad. But most of what you see at Ellis Island is indoors (there's a nice outdoor terrace), and the museum is air-conditioned, so the heat isn't too horrible. Lines and heat both get worse as the day progresses, so you really do want to try to get there as early as possible.
5. In terms of timing, allow about 30 minutes to get there on the 1 train (to South Ferry) or R/W (to Whitehall, the same station), then 5 minutes walk through the park to Castle Clinton, 30 minutes to get through security, and at least 2 hours in the museum, more at the Statue of Liberty (if you want to get out and see the museum there), and more if you eat. This is a day you can devote to sightseeing downtown. You'll be close to the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and I highly recommend the moving Auschwitz exhibit there, with artifacts that have never traveled outside of Poland before as long as it's not Saturday. It also requires an advance ticket on most days.
2. Yes, you will have to wait, but not nearly as long as if you don't have a reservation. Get there about half an hour before your appointed time, and you may even be able to get on an earlier ferry. It's the security line that's long.
3. Yes, of course there's food. It' snot great, and it will be sandwiches and wraps and salads, but it's there (and of course hot dogs, too).
4. It will be hot, but depending on how late in August you go. We've had really horribly hot days and others that weren't too bad. But most of what you see at Ellis Island is indoors (there's a nice outdoor terrace), and the museum is air-conditioned, so the heat isn't too horrible. Lines and heat both get worse as the day progresses, so you really do want to try to get there as early as possible.
5. In terms of timing, allow about 30 minutes to get there on the 1 train (to South Ferry) or R/W (to Whitehall, the same station), then 5 minutes walk through the park to Castle Clinton, 30 minutes to get through security, and at least 2 hours in the museum, more at the Statue of Liberty (if you want to get out and see the museum there), and more if you eat. This is a day you can devote to sightseeing downtown. You'll be close to the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and I highly recommend the moving Auschwitz exhibit there, with artifacts that have never traveled outside of Poland before as long as it's not Saturday. It also requires an advance ticket on most days.
Trending Topics
Aug 9th, 2019, 04:57 AM
#8
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just looked, 9 am tickets are available for most days of the third week of August. Buy them today (immediately if you can), and you can probably be back by 2 or 3 if you don't spend a lot of time in either museum.
Aug 10th, 2019, 01:31 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Doug and all, I just went ahead and bought the reserved tickets. They aren't that expensive that the worst that happens is we don't make it. I truly appreciate all the advice. I am excited to walk the paths that my great grandparents walked!
Aug 29th, 2019, 06:35 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Report from the other side...
Thanks again to all who advised. Here is what reality on the ground was. We booked noon tickets on the ferry (health issues prevent early mornings), left the hotel at about a quarter to 11, easily found subway and arrived about 11:15 (hardest part was my husband figuring out the turnstile lol). Line for security was about 100 people, but once they opened the doors for the next batch of folk it moved very quickly We almost made the earlier ferry. Although tickets are sold on the hour, the ferries actually leave every 20 minutes, and when you are ready you just get on the next one. We had seats going out, not coming back, but that was shorter. Once on Ellis Island it was easy to find our way, the film was very good. Deeply moving exhibits about the experience for our ancestors. We ended up skipping lunch that day, just nibbling on bread and chips. On the subway back we ended up on a car with other hapless tourists and it was fun to be the ones letting them know when their stops rolled around. In other words, although the temperatures were very hot, it really wasn't difficult (caveat we went mid week, weekends may be worse).
Ellis Island security
New York from the ferry
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
Chinese Exclusion Act
Red scare
Old Glory
Ellis Island security
New York from the ferry
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
Chinese Exclusion Act
Red scare
Old Glory
Aug 30th, 2019, 10:19 PM
#13
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,896
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm glad you had a successful trip.
I'm sorry I didn't see this thread sooner. I went 7 years ago with reservations. I know it is too late for your trip, but for future readers:
We ate lunch at the Ellis Island Cafe. We were pleasantly surprised at how good and fresh the wraps were. The daily specials were the thing to get. I just checked and there is still a cafe there according to the park service website.
https://www.nps.gov/elis/planyourvis...-and-gifts.htm
I'm sorry I didn't see this thread sooner. I went 7 years ago with reservations. I know it is too late for your trip, but for future readers:
We ate lunch at the Ellis Island Cafe. We were pleasantly surprised at how good and fresh the wraps were. The daily specials were the thing to get. I just checked and there is still a cafe there according to the park service website.
https://www.nps.gov/elis/planyourvis...-and-gifts.htm
