Ellis Island, NY
Ellis Island was the first place where new immigrants arriving in New York left their footprints, during the period from 1892 to 1954. Ellis Island is located next to Liberty Island on which the Statue of Liberty sits.
There is a very interesting museum at Ellis Island that tells the story of immigration and the contributions that the immigrants made to the creation of America. Now the archives of the passengers who arrived in the New World are also available online and open to everyone. Try searching by name. Perhaps you can learn the history of your ancestors if they came to the United States.
There are audio tours available in the museum that cost only $8. We highly recommend taking an audio tour if you are interested in the history of American immigration. You can get to Ellis Island by the same cruise that goes to Liberty Island; tickets can be purchased online. Schedule and tickets are here.
It can be quite windy on the island, especially in the winter months, be sure to check the weather.
