For a State Park touring enthusiast looking to travel from Liberty State Park to Ellis Island, there are several transportation options available. The most common method is to take the ferry operated by Statue City Cruises, which departs from both Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
Getting to Liberty State Park
From Liberty State Park, visitors can drive and take exit 14-B off the New Jersey Turnpike, following signs to Liberty State Park. Ample parking is available for a nominal fee. Alternatively, visitors can take the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) to the Liberty State Park Station and walk or bike one mile along Audrey Zapp Drive to the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal in Liberty State Park.
Booking Your Ferry Tickets
The ferry schedule changes seasonally and during periods of high tourism, so it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance through Statue City Cruises’ website or by calling 1-877-523-9849 (877-LADY-TIX). Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Statue City Cruises ticket booths located in Castle Clinton in Battery Park (NYC) or at the ferry departure point in Liberty State Park.
What’s Included in the Ferry Ticket?
A round-trip ferry ticket includes access to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, as well as self-guided audio tours in 12 languages, an American Sign Language (ASL) version, and an Audio Descriptive (AD) version. The ferry operates from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last departure from Liberty Island at 4:45 PM and the last departure from Ellis Island at 5:15 PM.
Exploring Ellis Island
At Ellis Island, visitors can explore the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, which showcases the immigrant experience and the trials and triumphs of those who passed through the Golden Door. The Museum is located in the Main Building of the former immigration complex, which was restored and re-opened in 1990 by the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation.
Discovering Your Family History
Visitors can also search an extraordinary collection of arrival records at the American Family Immigration History Center to discover new layers in their ancestry and retrace their family’s journey to the gates of the United States.
Conclusion
In summary, visiting Ellis Island from Liberty State Park involves taking the Statue City Cruises ferry, which operates from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM with tickets available for purchase online or in person. The ferry ticket includes access to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, as well as self-guided audio tours in multiple languages. The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration offers a fascinating look into the immigrant experience and the opportunity to search arrival records for personal ancestry.
References:
– Statue of Liberty Official Website
– National Park Service – Ellis Island
– Statue City Cruises – Plan Your Visit
– Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration