exclusive tour
Ellis Island Hospital Hard Hat Tour
Behind-the-scenes hard hat tour inside Ellis Island Contagious Disease Hospital, abandoned since 1954, and once also used as an FBI detention center
Nursing Tour Inside Ellis Island's Abandoned Hospital
- 4 hours
- From $96
- Up to 10 guests
- Free Cancellations
Highlights
- Step inside a pivotal chapter in the history of American medicine and public health. The Ellis Island Hospital was at the forefront of early 20th-century healthcare, pioneering sanitation, ventilation, and quarantine practices that proved remarkably effective for their time.
- Gain a deeper understanding of how immigrants were actually treated medically upon arrival. This experience dispels common myths, revealing a system designed to heal, protect, and give newcomers every possible chance to enter the United States.
- Learn how Florence Nightingale’s revolutionary principles shaped the hospital’s design and operations, influencing nursing practice, hospital layout, and patient care standards still used today.
- This tour resonates deeply with nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals, while remaining accessible and fascinating for anyone interested in history, medicine, or the human stories behind Ellis Island.
Your Own Guide. Your Own Schedule
Itinerary
9:30am — Arrival at Castle Clinton, Manhattan
Present your ferry tickets, enter the reserved line, and pass through airport-style security.
10:15am — Ferry to Ellis Island
Scenic 40-minute harbor crossing with iconic views. The ferry stops at Liberty Island first, then continues to Ellis Island. Guests remain on board at Liberty Island.
11:00am — Guided Tour Begins
Pick up your hard hat, leave the crowds behind, and enter the off-limits hospital buildings with your expert guide.
12:30pm — Guided Tour Ends
Guests can explore the National Immigration Museum with the self-guided audio tour included in their ticket, or return to Manhattan.
1:15pm — Ferry Return to Manhattan
Approx. 10-minute ride back to Castle Clinton. Ferries depart every 25 minutes until 3:30pm.
What's included
- Guided tour inside off-limits, abandoned Ellis Island Buildings
- Round-trip ferry tickets to Ellis Island
- National Immigration Museum admission
- Self-guided audio tour of the National Immigration Museum
- Hard Hat provided for the length of the tour
More about this tour:
This is an exclusive nursing tour offered in partnership with Save Ellis Island and dedicated to better understanding the health care of immigrants. This is a truly unique opportunity for anyone working in or interested in the medical field.
Immerse yourself in a unique experience as we explore the historic grounds of Ellis Island, where countless immigrants began their journey to a new life in America. This tour focuses on the critical role of the healthcare professionals. You will connect with the rich history and stories that echo through the wards of the iconic Ellis Island hospital complex..
This exclusive tour is led by one of Save Ellis Island’s veteran guides, Denise Giachetta- Ryan. Denise is a former CUNY professor and Chair of the Department of Nursing. She has also served as Assistant Vice President of Perioperative Services at two New York City hospitals.
Cancellation Policy
Meeting Location
How to Get There?
FAQ
Cancellation Policy
100% refund up to 7 days prior to the start of your tour.
When canceled less than 7 days before the start of your tour, we will do our best to reschedule you or issue you a credit to use on any of our upcoming tours. This credit won’t expire until you use it!
Meeting Location
The tour meets at the information desk located on the ground floor of the Ellis Island Museum adjacent to the National Park Service information desk. When you get to the meeting location, we will need your first and last name to check you in.
How to Get There?
You get to Ellis Island by ferry from either Castle Clinton, Manhattan or Liberty State Park, NJ. Your ferry tickets to and from Ellis Island are included in the price of this tour, and you will receive them by email a day before the tour. Please print them or show them on your phone to board the ferry.
Departure from Castle Clinton, Manhattan:
If your tour starts at 2pm on Ellis Island please arrive at Castle Clinton, Manhattan no later than 12pm in order to get in the “reserve” line, go through the airport style security, and board the Statue Cruises ferry to Ellis Island. The boat ride itself takes 40 minutes. The boat will first stop on Liberty Island, stay on the boat and wait until its second stop which will be Ellis Island.
Departure from Liberty State Park, NJ:
If your tour starts at 2pm on Ellis Island you will need to arrive at Liberty State Park, NJ no later than 12:30pm in order to get in the “reserve” line, go through the airport style security, and board the Statue Cruises ferry to Ellis Island. The boat ride itself takes 15 minutes. Ellis Island will be the first stop.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
This tour is 1.5 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.
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. Please contact Statue City Cruises
Any Questions? We're here to help!
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