Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with your own private guide on a tour of top New York City attractions, ideal for travelers seeking a personalized experience. Take a ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. All entrance fees and round-trip ferry tickets are included.

Private tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, in New York City
Enjoy a more personalized experience of two New York City icons with a private guide
Learn about Lady Liberty at the Statue of Liberty National Monument
Includes ferry tickets, all entrance fees, and guide

What's Included

Round-Trip ferry ticket to Liberty and Ellis Island
Professional guide
Access to the new museum on Liberty Island
Access to the museum on Ellis Island

Gratuities
Crown and Pedestal access at the Statue of Liberty

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Castle Clinton National Monument
New York, NY 10004, USA
Please meet your guide on the steps outside of Castle Clinton's North Entrance (the far side from the water). The tour guide will be there 15 minutes before the tour starts and will be wearing an orange hat AND/OR a blue shirt or jacket.

End point

Ellis Island, United States
The tour will end on Ellis Island. You can choose to stay there longer and explore on your own or take the first ferry back to Battery Park.

What To Expect

Make your own way to Castle Clinton in Battery Park to meet your guide at the time specified at checkout.

Board your Statue Cruises ferry and travel the short distance to Liberty Island, taking in the views of the Manhattan skyline along the way. See the collection of Statue of Liberty artifacts, such as the first version of her torch and photographs of the statue under construction.

Then take a stroll around the small island on your own, or grab a quick bite before rejoining your guide for the trip to Ellis Island.

On Ellis Island, you'll visit the original Immigration Station, carefully restored after decades of neglect and renovated to house the Museum of Immigration. Hear the stories of the millions of immigrants who came through Ellis Island, and have time to browse the collections or search the extensive archives.

Your tour concludes with a return to Battery Park in Lower Manhattan.

Battery Park

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Manhattan Skyline

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Statue of Liberty

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Ellis Island

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
The activity runs regardless of weather conditions. In the rare situation where the seller is forced to cancel the event, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability) or be offered a refund
Wheelchair accessible
Dress appropriately for the weather. Downtown Manhattan is particularly windy
Stroller accessible
Security screenings will take place prior to entering the ferry and pedestal at the statue. The Statue of Liberty is managed by the United States Park Police and visitors to the park are required to undergo airport-style security screenings. All persons and property are subject to search.

Service animals allowed
Prohibited items: any weapons (self-defense or otherwise), locking blades, tools of any kind, large non-folding umbrellas, tripods, laptops, tablet keyboards, luggage, coolers, drones, basketballs, sewing kits, lighter fluid, and anything propelled by aerosol.
Near public transportation
Backpacks, strollers, large items, & food and beverages must be checked into lockers on Liberty Island prior to entering the statue pedestal. These lockers are available for $0.25 per locker. This fee is NOT included in the tour price.
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

339 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 339 reviews

James was a really knowledgeable guide.

Sherre_P, Mar 2024

When my husband found his Grandfather’s arrival info at Ellis island. And, when James, our guide, pointed out that on the back of Lady Liberty’s statue, her foot is positioned in such a way that she is still moving for.

Excellent

lisa, Dec 2023

James is an excellent guide. We really enjoyed our private tour! He had a great way of describing history and a great sense of humor.

James was wonderful on our tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Kathy_M, Nov 2023

James was excellent! I highly recommend him. Very knowledgeable and super funny. He made our tour so enjoyable. He even followed up with a great email with some recommendations for us to consider with the time we had left in NYC. Recommended a great restaurant after the tour for lunch that was awesome. Best tour guide we have ever had for sure! Thanks James…well done!!

Statue upclose

Ellen_C, Nov 2023

Upclose picture at the Statue and the details of how it got there! Guide was friendly, knowledgeable and worth the extra cost for a private tour!

The highlight of our week in NYC!

Val_C, Nov 2023

Our family of 11 ranging in age from 5 to 65 all enjoyed this privately guided tour by James. He knew how to expertly guide our group and meet our needs with humor, sensitivity, and confidence. The kids loved him, the grandparents had a blast (even with quite a bit of walking), and we appreciated his insider know-how (which we dubbed "James-hacks"). If you have a big party and want to experience the Statue of Liberty with ease. Don't hesitate to book this trip and get James if you can!

Fabulous Tour!

Kara_L, Nov 2023

Timothy was wonderful!! He was a calm and kind presence, understanding of the needs of our entire family, from 5 years old to 78, and a wealth of knowledge. He is the best!!

Informative, delivered in entertaining manner

Delia_M, Sep 2023

Guide had photo album showing supplemental information about Lady Liberty. Interesting facts about immigration and Ellis Island, as well as the Wall of immigrants.

Cialali was awesome...

Lee_E, Aug 2023

Cialali was awesome private guide friendly well versed kept us on time pointed out lots of interesting info

Too much for Too little

Robert_M, Aug 2023

Tour was greatly over priced. $500 for about 45 minutes of content. Chris, our tour guide knows his stuff but spent far less time providing it than I expected for what Viator charged.

Funniest Ellis Island tour ever!

Giulio_C, Aug 2023

James has the best sense of humour - it is wonderful to have a tour infused with one liners keeping us laughing. Sp knowledgeable about history and provided excellent information. Much appreciated was his expert help with navigating the crowded ferries to make the tour easier. Would definitely hire him again!

Our tour guid Anthony was...

Peter_B, Jun 2023

Our tour guid Anthony was very knowledgeable. Although getting inside the Statue of Liberty is not included, he educated us on all the landmarks starting at Battery Park, liberty island and Ellis island.

Pay attention to wet=at her forecast

Kenneth_P, Mar 2023

Alex was great! The instruction as to where to meet the guide were accurate and useful. We knew it would be cold and Rainey but did not anticipate the impact this would have on the tour. Alex was ready come rain or shine but if you have multiple days and can choose one with better weather go for it! The Statue of Liberty is a must see and the tour guides will give a behind he scenes look at it. Ellis Island wa less compelling as a place to visit.

Great Tour

LaSaundra_W, Mar 2023

Tim was a great and very knowledgeable tour guide who was very engaging with our 9yr old. I would definitely recommend a private tour it’s worth the extra money!

Private statue of liberty tour

Trish_M, Dec 2022

Jeff was the best tour guide! His knowledge of the history of New York was very extensive and we def enjoyed it!! He deserves an A plus!!!

The artifacts and...

Kristen_S, Dec 2022

The artifacts and graffiti on the walls at Ellis Island. Lady Liberty did not disappoint either! Would highly recommend to friends & look forward to going back again soon!

Statue and Ellis island tour

Douglas_A, Oct 2022

Charlie was a great guide for the trip out, the statue and Ellis island. This tour company is not the one that allows tourists into the pedestal And the stairs to the crown just opened up. Have to book that in advance and none available the day of. Nice museum by the statue. Free so check it out Worth it to go private! Ellis island has a great exhibit where you could spend hours Highly recommend

Give me liberty

Anna_L, Oct 2022

Private tour with Chris Lee was amazing. He was so knowledgeable and fun, we did not even mind the hordes of people.

Great experience for whole family!

Andrea_C, Jul 2022

We had a fantastic time with our private guide Chris! He was so informative, great pace and engaging with both the adults and teens!

Our guide was amazing. ...

dariko_m, Jun 2022

Our guide was amazing. All of us loved the tour. We had a great time. Leaned a lot of new facts. Would for sure recommend.

Amazing Statue!

Jocelyn_D, Jun 2022

When we arrived our tour guide took another group instead of us which he did not know he was assigned to be our private tour guide..good thing the guide who replaced him is very friendly and knowlegeable about the history and facts of Statue of liberty!

Response from Host, Jun 2022

We're so happy to hear that situation worked out so well and you had a nice time on the tour! Thank you for taking the time to leave this great review.

Likely to Sell Out