This informative tour begins by visiting the sites around Battery Park. Visitors often rush to the ferry and therefore tend to forget the sites around them. Here you'll visit some of them: the Castle Clinton National Monument, Pier A Harbor House, the American Merchant Mariner’s Memorial, the Sphere and New York Korean War Veteran’s Memorial.
You get priority boarding onto the ferry and can relax for a bit while you sail towards Liberty Island. As the tour starts early, you visit Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty before the crowds arrive. When your feet touch the ground of the island, look back and see the stunning views over the city - it looks very different compared to the view you just had from Battery Park.
The guide takes you right into the pedestal, getting you closer to Lady Liberty than on a regular visit. Here you learn about the city's greatest icon - among the stories is the one about the struggle that got Lady Liberty on her feet and made her even more special to the people of New York. You also visit the impressive Statue of Liberty Museum.
You then travel to Ellis Island. Here you follow in the footsteps of millions of immigrants: Ellis Island used to be an immigration inspection station. You see the Stairs of Separation - named so, because it divided the island in two: 'The Island of Hope' and 'The Island of Tears'. You guide tells you all the details and some of the real stories, that have happened here. You also explore the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and its impressive collection of interactive displays.
The tour ends on Ellis Island, but you can stay longer if you’d like - or you can head back on the ferry with your guide.