If you’re visiting New York for the first time, there are certain sights that you just have to see. Central Park. The Empire State Building. And, of course, the iconic Statue of Liberty.
Lady Liberty is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and nothing can quite prepare you for seeing her up close for the first time. When you book a private tour in New York that takes in both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, you won’t just be seeing these important landmarks – you’ll be learning about their fascinating history.
Why visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on the same tour?
The simple answer is because they are deeply connected, not to mention being right next to one another.
Visiting Lady Liberty is a natural starting point for this tour. You’ll get to watch from the ferry as she gradually gets larger on your approach and you’ll be able to fully appreciate how awe-inspiring she is.
Her history is fascinating. She was gifted to the people of America by France, although the driving forces behind her creation were Édouard de Laboulaye and sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi. It was de Laboulaye who had the idea that France should give America a monumental gift to celebrate its independence and the abolition of slavery.
Bartholdi, meanwhile, designed Lady Liberty herself, including a range of symbolism in his work. Her crown is designed to emulate the sun’s rays, while the broken shackle at her ankle is a symbol of the end of slavery in the country.
Then there is her tablet that she holds proudly, inscribed with the date of American independence. On a private tour, you’ll hear about all this and more, including learning about her epic voyage to reach the USA and even why she is a distinctive green colour.
No private tour in this part of New York would be complete without snapping some photos of you with Lady Liberty, so your guide will make sure that you make the most of all the photo opportunities.
Can you go inside the Statue of Liberty?
Yes, it’s possible to access both the pedestal and crown of the Statue of Liberty, but only if you have advance tickets as numbers are limited due to safety. This is when a private New York tour comes into its own, because we can arrange access to some of the more exclusive spots at this iconic landmark.
It’s worth noting that if you want to go all the way to Lady Liberty’s crown, you will need to climb 162 stairs as there is no lift access here.
Access to both the pedestal and the crown give you an opportunity to enjoy stunning views across New York harbour. Unlike the crown, there is lift access to the pedestal – or you can choose to climb the 215 steps if you want an extra workout!
What can you see on Ellis Island?
Ellis Island is like nowhere else. It was the gateway to America – and all it stood for – for over 60 years in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Over 12 million migrants passed through this immigration hub on their way to what they hoped would be a better life in the USA.
If you have ancestors who entered the USA through this immigration station, you can’t pass up a chance to explore Ellis Island. On a private tour of Ellis Island, your guide will be able to help you find information directly relevant to your ancestors.
Many people’s stories are showcased in the Ellis Island Museum and if your ancestor’s story is among them we’ll be able to help you find it.
The Ellis Island Foundation holds all the ship manifests for those who arrived in the USA via Ellis Island from 1897 onwards and these are available to search so that you can read about your family member’s arrival to the country.
Records from Ellis Island’s early years in operation – from 1892 to 1897 – were lost when the immigration centre burnt to the ground in a catastrophic fire. However, while all the ship manifests from these years were lost, the custom records remain and are also searchable.
The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration documents the process immigrants faced on arrival, as well as sharing stories of some of those who entered the country during this period.
If there are any aspects of the immigration process that you’re particularly interested in, be sure to let your guide know as they will be able to direct you to specific information or exhibits.
Even if you don’t have ancestors who passed through Ellis Island, you’ll still find plenty of interest in its museum, which explores the immigration process before the centre here was opened as well as the cultural melting pot that resulted from so many people from all over the world choosing to make America their home.
