Statue of Liberty Island & Ellis Island Tour with Audioguide

The Statue of Liberty is more than a just a monument - it's a symbol of freedom for people all over the world. The Statue of Liberty exhibits pay tribute to the wonderful artisans who dedicated their time to her construction as well as those who funded it. More importantly, however, it honors the values that the Statue of Liberty stands for as well as the hope she instils in people all around the globe.

The story of this iconic monument is nothing if not one of change. After the installation of “The New Colossus” on a plate in the pedestal in the year 1903, the importance of Lady Liberty increased as she became a source of inspiration to immigrants who encountered her as they made their way to America. The Statue was kept on a pedestal made of granite inside the courtyard of Fort Wood.

Until 1901, The United States Lighthouse Board was responsible for the operation of the Statue of Liberty, after which the responsibility was granted to the War Department. Fort Wood, which included the Statue of Liberty, was declared a National Monument by a Presidential Proclamation in 1924. The edge of Fort Wood was decided upon as the outermost edge of Fort Wood.

The responsibility of the Statue of Liberty's administration and upkeep changed yet again in the year 1933, whereupon it was handed over to the National Park Service. The government wanted to enlarge the jurisdiction of the Statue of Liberty in order to contain the entirety of Bedloe’s Island. The island’s name was eventually changed to Liberty Island in the year 1956.

Nine years later, Ellis Island was also moved to the service of the National Park, and henceforth became a part of the National Monument. Ellis Island has been the host to the museum of immigration since the year 1990.

Once you have your reserve ticket, you can catch the ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The ferries depart from two places - Battery Park in New York and the Liberty State Park in New Jersey. You can catch the ferry from either of these points.

The ferry will take you to Ellis Island, which is located in upper New York City Bay. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum showcases the first immigrants to the country, dating all the way back to the 19th century - an age where immigrants continuously filtered into the States, becoming a vital part of the fabric of the country and its economy.

Once you have explored the museum, you can proceed to the famous Statue of Liberty. You can take your time and explore the grounds at your own pace. Photography is permitted here. You could also read about the history of the Statue and understand its significance as a Universal Symbol of Freedom.

A ferry will be waiting to take you back to your starting point, thus ending your tour.