Go behind the scenes on a hard hat tour of Ellis Island’s abandoned hospital
3.5 hours
Up to 10 people
Ferry, hard hat tour, museum
Explore the abandoned Ellis Island Hospital complex on an exclusive hard hat tour led by a Save Ellis Island docent. Step inside buildings that are usually off-limits and learn how this former contagious disease hospital was later used by the US Coast Guard and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Guests must be age 10+ and sign a waiver on arrival. Closed-toe, closed-heeled shoes are required, and the tour is not accessible for wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers. Tips are not included.
Full refund for cancellations made more than 7 days before the tour. No refunds for late arrivals, no-shows, or cancellations within 7 days of the tour start time.
Product ID: WQEJCV
Wear a mask for the duration of the tour. Closed-toe, closed-heeled shoes are mandatory.
No. The tour is not accessible for people using wheelchairs or powered scooters, and scooters, wheelchairs, and walkers are not allowed.
Kids must be age 10+ to join. No children under 10 years old are allowed.
Information desk located on the ground floor of the Ellis Island Museum
Step onto the grounds of Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and you step into one of the most consequential chapters in American history. The restored Main Building rises above New York Harbor, its red-brick facade and copper-trimmed towers reflecting the ambitions of the era that built it. Inside, the soaring Registry Room still carries the weight of the more than twelve million people who passed through it. Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration holds their stories in photographs, passenger manifests, and personal belongings that make the past feel immediate and human.
New York history comes alive on these tours, with guides like Richard, Ross, Justin, Laura, and Pete consistently earning praise for their depth of knowledge and engaging storytelling. From the Gilded Age mansions of the Upper East Side to the hidden details of Grand Central Terminal and the Woolworth Building, the tours cover fascinating corners of the city that most visitors never think to explore. Groups of mixed ages seem to enjoy these experiences equally, and several reviewers noted that the content never feels dumbed down or padded out. The guides are clearly passionate about their subjects and happy to field questions along the way. If you're looking for a tour that feels more like a conversation with a knowledgeable local than a scripted walk, this one delivers.
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