New York Statue of Liberty Self-Guided Tour

This self-guided tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island offers a unique opportunity to explore these historic landmarks at your own pace. With round-trip ferry tickets from Battery Park, you'll gain access to both islands and their museums while enjoying special audio experiences. The exclusive web-based companion tour provides powerful narratives and emotional storytelling in addition to the official audio guide. Uncover hidden histories, modern protest stories, and personal journeys that continue to shape America today. Learn about immigrant laborers who built the statue, suffragists who challenged its meaning, and activists who still gather beneath its torch. Unlike traditional tours, this immersive experience blends soundscapes, bonus tracks, and a cinematic script to help you feel the weight of history—past and present. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, this tour will leave you informed, inspired, and newly connected to a symbol the world thought it knew.

Meeting Point

Statue of Liberty

Liberty Island, New York City, 10004, New York

What's included:

• General admission to Ellis Island and the National Museum of Immigration
• Access to the official National Park Service audio guide
• Exclusive web-based companion audio guide
• General admission to Liberty Island grounds and the Statue of Liberty Museum
• Round-trip ferry tickets from Battery Park to Liberty Island and Ellis Island

Not included:

• Access to the pedestal or crown
• Headphones or mobile data access (please bring your own)
• Food and drink

What to expect:

Duration: between 3 hours and 5 hours

Statue of Liberty

Liberty Island, New York City, 10004, New York

Begin your visit on Liberty Island, home to one of the most iconic symbols of freedom in the world. Stroll the grounds at your own pace, take in stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, and explore the Statue of Liberty Museum, where you'll learn about the statue’s design, symbolism, and evolution over time. Stand face-to-face with the original torch, discover how Lady Liberty was constructed, and hear the powerful stories behind her enduring legacy. With our companion audio guide, you’ll uncover lesser-known histories—like the immigrant laborers who helped build the statue and the suffragists who used it as a backdrop for protest.

2 hours

Statue of Liberty Museum

Liberty Island, New York City, 10004, New York

Step inside the Statue of Liberty Museum to explore the rich history, design, and evolving symbolism of Lady Liberty. See the original torch, view historic photographs and artifacts, and interact with immersive exhibits that trace the statue’s journey from concept to global icon. The museum offers powerful insights into what liberty has meant across generations—and how that meaning continues to evolve today.

1 hour

Ellis Island

New York Harbor, New York City, 10017, New York

Step onto Ellis Island, the historic gateway through which over 12 million immigrants entered the United States. Walk the island’s grounds and stand inside the Great Hall, where families waited in long lines filled with hope, fear, and anticipation. As you explore with your companion audio guide, imagine the powerful reunions that happened at the Kissing Post, where loved ones embraced after passing inspection. This is more than a visit—it’s a chance to walk in the footsteps of those who helped shape America’s story.

1 hour

Ellis Island Immigration Museum

17 Battery Place #324, , New York City, 10004-3507, New York

Located inside the main building of the former immigration station, the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration tells the story of the American immigrant experience. Explore interactive exhibits, original inspection rooms, and thousands of personal artifacts that trace journeys from around the world. Listen to real voices through oral histories, see passenger manifests, and learn how immigration shaped—and continues to shape—the nation. It’s a deeply moving tribute to courage, resilience, and the pursuit of a new life.

1 hour