Ellis Island

Between 1892 and 1954, Ellis Island was the gateway to the United States for over 12 million immigrants. It's believed that over 100 million Americans are descendants of the newcomers that landed on Ellis Island. 

On Ellis Island, there was a main building for the administrative control of all newcomers, a hospital for those that arrived poorly, a dormitory building, a port, and buildings for those with transmissible diseases.  

Interestingly, the largest number of immigrants landed on 17 April 1907. 11,747 of them, to be exact. 

Immigration Museum

After several decades of neglect, the Immigration Museum was opened in 1990. In this museum, you'll find photographs and personal items, among other objects from the period. You’ll witness the different sanitary controls that took place and how the very unfortunate were deported.

The museum is found on three floors of the Island’s main building. Outside you'll find the “Wall of Honour” with over 600,000 names of immigrants that landed on Ellis Island.

To get to this location you'll have to take the ferry from Battery Park.

A Definite Must-See

The United States’ multicultural essence can be appreciated in this fascinating place, where many arrived seeking new opportunities. In the perfectly restored buildings, you're able to experience how the arrivals were, and reading some of the immigrant’s stories can sometimes be overwhelming.

Ellis Island is quite big and if you stop to read some of the immigrants' tales, the visit will take you approximately three hours.