Ellis Island Hospital Hard Hat Tour
Explore off-limits hospital wards on Ellis Island with an exclusive hard hat tour
From$96/ personincl. taxes and fees
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Discover what we've curated for you
Explore off-limits hospital wards on Ellis Island with an exclusive hard hat tour
Discover what we've curated for you
3.5 hours
Ferry, Museum, Hard hat tour
Go behind the scenes at the abandoned Ellis Island Hospital on an exclusive hard hat tour. Access rarely seen spaces and uncover the complex's history.
Closed-toe shoes and hard hats are required; all guests must stay with the guide and sign a waiver. Ages 10+ only; not accessible for wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers. Photography is allowed without tripods or monopods; tour operates rain or shine.
How long is the tour?
The guided portion of the tour is 1.5 hours long. The total length of the experience including the ferry crossing is around 3.5 hours long.
How strenuous is this tour?
This tour is easy and most people can participate.
Is this tour ADA accessible?
Unfortunately, this tour is not ADA accessible.
Is this tour mostly indoors or outdoors?
This tour is mostly indoors, with parts of it that are outdoors.
Who will be our guide?
This tour will be led by a Save Ellis Island docent.
Are pets allowed on the ferry or in the park?
No. Pets are prohibited from using the ferry system and being on Liberty and Ellis Islands. However, documented service/assist animals are exempt from this policy.
Free cancellation. Cancel up to 72 hours in advance for a full refund. No refund for cancellations within 72 hours or no-shows.
Information desk located on the ground floor of the Ellis Island Museum
Visitors consistently rave about the exceptional tour guides here, particularly Richard, who leads several different walking tours including Grand Central Terminal, Gilded Age mansions, and Fifth Avenue experiences. People describe him as incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and engaging, with one reviewer noting he knew so much that guests didn't even have questions. The tours reveal hidden secrets and fascinating historical details that bring iconic NYC locations to life, and guides come prepared with visual aids and even hearing devices for elderly participants who need them. The variety of themed tours appeals to history buffs and casual tourists alike, from New Amsterdam colonial history to Gilded Age architecture. Justin, who created and leads the New Amsterdam tour, receives special praise for his depth of knowledge and passion for the subject. Other guides like Ro also get mentioned for keeping groups engaged throughout multi-hour walking experiences. Expect about 90 minutes to two hours of walking, but reviewers consistently say the time flies by thanks to intriguing stories and enthusiastic guides who handle questions graciously.
We did the secrets to Grand Central tour with Richard and it was such a wonderful tour. Richard is so incredibly knowledgeable about GCT that most of us didn't even have any questions. He was informative and knew his way around so well. Highly recommend and would definitely take another tour with Richard.
P F
January 9, 2026
We did the secrets to Grand Central tour with Richard and it was such a wonderful tour. Richard is so incredibly knowledgeable about GCT that most of us didn't even have any questions. He was informative and knew his way around so well. Highly recommend and would definitely take another tour with Richard.
P F
January 9, 2026