Explore the abandoned Ellis Island Hospital complex, once the standard for United States medical care and later transformed into a US Coast Guard base and FBI detention center. It has been left to decay for nearly 60 years. Now, Untapped New York is bringing you behind-the-scenes for a unique hard hat tour of the abandoned hospital. On this experience, you will discover the laundry building, contagious disease wards, autopsy rooms, staff house and so much more as you walk in the footsteps of the immigrants who were there a hundred years ago. While exploring the buildings, you will also see several life-size photographs of immigrants pasted on the walls of the abandoned buildings. They are part of JR’s exhibition “Unframed – Ellis Island”.
The 29-building South Side hospital complex is hidden in plain sight, just to the left of disembarking passengers headed towards the Great Hall. Looking at its desolate, skeletal frame now, it’s difficult to imagine its backstory as one of the largest public health undertakings in American history. Join us for our upcoming Ellis Island hospital tour, guided by a Save Ellis Island docent, where we’ll uncover its many, buried secrets.
This tour costs $965 for up to 10 guests, $96.5 for each additional guest. This price includes:
– Round trip ferry tickets to and from Ellis Island, departure from Manhattan or New Jersey
– Access to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum
– Exclusive guided Hard Hat Tour inside Ellis Island’s Abandoned Hospital
All participants must sign waiver upon arrival. No children under 10 years old. No scooters, wheel chairs or walkers
All participants must wear closed toe and closed heel shoes. All guests must remain with the guide at all times. Everyone must wear a hard hat for the duration of the tour. Har Hats provided at the beginning of the tour. Guests may take photographs, but tripods, monopods or filming are not allowed. While there are a lot of opportunities to take photos on this tour, this is not a photo tour and guests are expected to stay together as a group.
100% refund up to 7 days prior to the start of your tour.
Tickets are not refundable or exchangeable starting a week prior to the date of the tour.
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.
Departure from Liberty State Park, NJ:
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?
One of our licensed New York tour guides. Always a local New Yorker!
