What You Will Do
Enjoy an immersive guided walking tour with a professional, friendly, personable, knowledgeable and engaging, licensed NYC Guide and exceptional storyteller. Our tours are fun and engaging, never dull & boring, and have been carefully and thoughtfully designed for the enjoyment of all ages.
For a more intimate, private tour feel at a public tour price, tours generally consist of 16 Guests, or less.
Our tour's early morning start time means that our tour Guests will likely encounter less crowds, they'll be able to pass through security screening more quickly (mandatory before boarding a ferry to the Statue of Liberty), they'll have more quality time to experience Liberty Island & Ellis Island, and ultimately, will have greater comfort and maximum enjoyment of their tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
Meet-up and departure from in front of Starbuck's coffee shop, at the corner of State Street & Pearl Street (We DO NOT MEET INSIDE THE PARK!). Look for your Guide from MY NY TOURS. You should have no trouble finding the meet point but if you do, please call My NY Tours at the number on your voucher.
1
Battery Park
20 minutes
After meeting your Guide at the designated meet-up/departure point in Battery Park, Lower Manhattan, your Guide will lead the group through Battery Park. It is in this area that the story of America unfolds. You'll learn about Manhattan's original occupation by indigenous Lenape tribes and the island's evolution into becoming the birthplace of America and as well as our nation’s most populous and financially important city!
In-depth commentary will be provided in a fun and engaging way as the group makes their way into the heart of the park and towards the historic structure called Castle Clinton. En route, you’ll also enjoy a lovely view of 1 WTC (aka Freedom Tower) from across lawn of Battery Park.
round Castle Clinton structure en route to the Statue of Liberty security screening tent before approved passage to the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.
2
Castle Clinton National Monument
10 minutes
As the tour progresses into the heart of Battery Park, we come upon a round, historic structure, called Castle Clinton. The day’s tour includes a visit to the famous Ellis Island immigrant-processing depot, and likewise, Castle Clinton has also played a role in our immigrant story. In fact, Castle Clinton has served many purposes since its being built in the early 19th century and you’ll learn about them on this tour.
3
Statue of Liberty
1 hour
After sharing the history of Castle Clinton, the Guide will lead the group through airport-style security. This security check-point for ferry-access to Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty, is mandatory for all Guests. It is important to note that carrying weaponry of any kind is strictly prohibited. Prohibited items will be confiscated, cannot be retrieved and may result in legal jeopardy even if you’re licensed to carry them in your own state or country!
Once all Guests have passed the security inspection, the group will then board the first of two 10-minute ferry rides that we will use during the tour. Our first ferry brings us to Liberty Island. Here, you'll have an opportunity to view the Statue of Liberty up-close, from Liberty Island's grounds. Through in-depth commentary, you’ll learn all about how this important icon of freedom came to be. You'll also see the Statue of Liberty's original torch, on display at the Statue of Liberty Museum.
4
Ellis Island
1 hour
From 1892-1954, Ellis Island was the largest, busiest and most famous immigrant-processing depot, in the USA! During the tour, your Guide will share insightful information about the varied history of this island and will share in-depth information on the immigrant inspection process. The Guide's commentary is done upon the grounds of the island, outside of the Ellis Island National Immigration Museum.
The tour concludes on Ellis Island after the guided portion of the tour has ended. Afterwards, you are free to further explore Ellis Island, on your own. Access to the many fine self-guided exhibits found inside the fascinating Ellis Island National Immigration Museum, is included in the price of your tour. A book store, souvenir shop, cafe and computerized immigrant research facilities can also be found on the island. At your leisure, when you are ready to leave the Ellis Island, simply board a NYC-bound ferry that will return you to Battery Park, in Lower Manhattan (included).
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