Ranger leads a tour of the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
The National Park Service conducts guided tours of the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration typically at the top of every hour starting at 10 AM. There is no charge, so just show up at the information desk in the Baggage Room on the first floor of the building if interested (the schedule for the day is posted at the desk). The tours are scheduled to last 40 minutes, but the one I was on ran nearly an hour, so all depends on the number of questions asked by group members. The Ranger seemed to be in no hurry to get back, so I assume another guide handled the next tour group.
The tour is really more of a lecture on the history of immigration and how Ellis Island fits into the picture. It is not an orientation tour designed to show you where all of the exhibits are, nor is it a substitute for self-guided exploration of the museum. The guide does take you to a few places, including the Baggage Room and Registry Room on the second floor. The information and stories are extremely interesting, and I highly recommend working the tour into your schedule if possible.
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Last updated on May 19, 2020
