National Park Service Statue of Liberty & Ellis U.S. Department of the Interior
Statue of Liberty National Monument Island Ellis Island Immigration Museum New York/New Jersey
Planning Guide for Educators
Overview Thank you for your interest in the Statue of Liberty National Monument including
the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. This bulletin has important information that
will assist educators in planning visits. Help us protect and care for these special places by reading and abiding by the following information:
Attention: One adult chaperone is required for every 10 Everyone must keep all belongings with them at students. Chaperones must remain with students all times. Unattended and suspicious items are at all times. cause for concern.
Eating and drinking is only permitted in certain Contact a Park Police officer or a park ranger if areas; chewing gum is not allowed anywhere. you notice any suspicious behavior or items.
Students may each bring a bagged lunch or can Vandalism (including graffiti) is a crime. purchase food on-site. Coolers are not allowed. Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited. Littering and feeding wildlife hurts our environment; explain this to your students. Smoking is prohibited indoors.
Hours & Location The Statue of Liberty National Monument on either island. Ferries depart from both Battery including the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is Park in New York (southern tip of Manhattan) and open every day (weather permitting) except for from Liberty State Park in New Jersey (NJ December 25, from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with Turnpike Exit 14B) at scheduled times daily. extended hours offered during certain times throughout the year. Please call (877) LADY-TIX or visit statuecruises.com to purchase ferry tickets, Liberty Island and Ellis Island are located in New reserve museum/pedestal tickets or crown tickets, York Harbor. The only way to visit either island is request education programs, and for more by ferry. Private vessels are not permitted to dock information well in advance of your visit.
Purchase Ferry Tickets Please choose your day keeping in mind which are available in limited quantities only. program availability. Please consult the website Trips to the crown require crown tickets which are or the “Education Programs” bulletin for a list of not available to groups. Book as early as programs available. Please note that certain possible and verify your confirmation. programs are only available on certain days and that programs are reserved well in advance of Visit statuecruises.com or call (877) LADY-TIX the visit. Entrance to the pedestal of the Statue (877-523-9849) to inquire about ticket pricing and of Liberty requires museum/pedestal tickets availability.
Before Your Visit Read through your confirmation letter(s) more about the program and to become familiar thoroughly to ensure you understand what tickets with the pre-visit activities, if any. Carefully read you purchased and what programs you have through this entire “Planning Guide for scheduled during your visit. Consult the website Educators” so you are aware of the various rules or the “Education Programs” bulletin to learn and policies of the site
What to Expect Arrive early to your departure point (either Battery Ferries leaving from Battery Park will first stop at Park in New York or Liberty State Park in New Liberty Island, and then will stop at Ellis Island Jersey) in order to have sufficient time to pass before returning directly back to Battery Park. through security—the boat will leave on schedule whether or not your group has boarded. Ferries leaving from Liberty State Park will first stop at Ellis Island, and then will stop at Liberty The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are popular Island before returning directly back to Liberty destinations; lines to go through security and for State Park. boarding the ferry can be very long and can require extended waits. All weapons (including firearms, knives, sharp objects, explosives, mace, pepper spray, and All visitors must pass through an airport-style dual-use items) are strictly prohibited and will be screening process that can be quite time- confiscated and not returned. consuming, especially with large groups of people. Large packages, large backpacks, suitcases, and other large items are not permitted. There are no Visitors and all belongings are subject to search lockers available at either Battery Park or Liberty at all times. State Park.
Highlights Liberty Island: Walk around the island to view Ellis Island: View the exhibits on the third floor the Statue of Liberty. For those with reserved before walking through the Great Hall as you visit tickets to the museum/pedestal or to the crown, the exhibits on the second floor. Conclude your the entrance is directly behind the statue. Learn visit on the first floor. Look for your ancestors’ more through wayside exhibits, a video in the records at the History Center. Learn more Information Center, and public tours. through the documentary video and public tours.
Recommendations Arrive early with well-prepared students. Contact a National Park Service ranger or a US Park Police officer with any problems. Make sure that students are with chaperones at all times: Chaperones must keep track of their Be very aware of the time; programs begin and students and students must stay with their boats depart at certain times only. chaperones.
Contact Information Statue of Liberty National Monument Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation Ellis Island Immigration Museum (212) 561-4500 (212) 363-3200 ext. 180 www.statueofliberty.org www.nps.gov/stli or www.nps.gov/elis www.ellisisland.org
Statue Cruises Save Ellis Island (877) 523-9849 (973) 347-8400 www.statuecruises.com www.saveellisisland.org www.ellisislandinstitute.org Evelyn Hill, Inc. Food & Gifts on Liberty Island (212) 363-3180 Food & Gifts on Ellis Island (212) 344-0096 www.thestatueofliberty.com
Board of Special Inquiry See immigration policy from one hundred years immigrant hearings conducted during the years of ago come to life in the “Hearing Room” and help peak immigration at Ellis Island. This program is decide the fate of an immigrant. This living available on a first-come, first-served basis from history program presents the accounts of actual mid-spring through late summer. (Free)
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