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.

Enter off-limits hospital buildings on Ellis Island
Explore laundry rooms, disease wards, autopsy rooms, and staff house
Learn the story of a 29-building hospital abandoned since 1954
See life-size historic photos from JR's Unframed exhibition
Follow a Save Ellis Island docent through restricted areas
Support restoration efforts with your ticket

What's Included

Round-trip ferry tickets
Access to Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
Hard hat tour of the hospital complex

Things to know

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.

FAQs

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.

Best results for Historical Tours in Brooklyn NY

NYC's Underground Subway Tour

Ellis Island Hospital Hard Hat Tour