
Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors worth booking?
Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors is a 2-hour experience in New York, United States, from $599 per person. It scores 49 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 49 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $599 per person
Discover the exact moment your family member arrived in New York. Step into your family member’s story at Ellis Island. This immersive experience focuses on tracing your family’s immigration story using original ship man
What you get
- Personalized family history presentation
- Each booking includes one in-depth genealogy research profile.
- Knowledgeable private guide for two hours
- Beautifully crafted book detailing family journey
- $599 includes a private tour for your family or group, plus one genealogy research profile.
About this experience
Discover the exact moment your family member arrived in New York. Step into your family member’s story at Ellis Island. This immersive experience focuses on tracing your family’s immigration story using original ship manifest, immigration records, and historical documents that reveal their arrival and first steps in America. During the tour, you’ll walk the same grounds where immigrants were once processed and learn how these records connect to your family’s past. Blending history with personal discovery the tour offers a way to explore your heritage and understand the beginning of your family’s American journey. Each booking includes one in-depth genealogy research profile for one family member. Additional family members may be added upon request. Please note: Access to Ellis Island requires a mandatory round trip ferry ticket, which is not included and must be purchased separately. This experience involves 2 weeks of research prior to the tour
What's included
Included
- Personalized family history presentation
- Each booking includes one in-depth genealogy research profile.
- Knowledgeable private guide for two hours
- Beautifully crafted book detailing family journey
- $599 includes a private tour for your family or group, plus one genealogy research profile.
Not included
- Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.)
What you'll see and do
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Travelers explore the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, visiting the main exhibition halls where millions of immigrants were processed. The guide explains the immigration procedures, shares historical context, and helps guests understand how family records and ship manifests document their ancestors’ arrival in the United States.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Visitors walk through the historic Great Hall of the Ellis Island Immigration Station, where immigrants once waited for inspection. The guide explains medical and legal screening processes and highlights the significance of this space in the American immigration journey.
30 minutes here
American Immigrant Wall of Honor
Travelers visit the American Immigrant Wall of Honor, a commemorative monument displaying engraved names of immigrants who contributed to the United States. Guests learn about the legacy of immigration and the importance of preserving family heritage.
15 minutes here
Ellis Island
Guests walk across the historic grounds of Ellis Island, learning about the original buildings, hospital complex, and daily life of immigrants during processing. The guide provides historical insight while visitors take in views of New York Harbor
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
We encourage you to arrive 10 minutes prior to the tour departure time so you can get acquainted with your guide before the tour begins. Tour meeting point: At the front of Castle Clinton National Monument, 21 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004 Transportation options to the tour meeting point:
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We encourage you to arrive 10 minutes prior to the tour departure time so you can get acquainted with your guide before the tour begins. Tour meeting point: At the front of Castle Clinton National Monument, 21 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004 Transportation options to the tour meeting point:
Options you can book
Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors
Up to 7 guests
Up to 8 guest
Up to 10 guest
Up to 12 guest
Up to 9 guest
Up to 11 guest
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- 40 Thieves New York Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Private Ellis Island Tour
We had an absolutely wonderful experience with our Ellis Island tour! From start to finish, the team was extremely responsive, organized, and communicative. They had everyone lined up and ready to go, and all of the little touches made the experience feel very special. Our tour guide was fantastic—so knowledgeable, engaging, and wonderful with the kids. He made the history come alive and kept everyone interested throughout the tour. But the absolute best part was that they found my grandmother! That made the entire experience incredibly meaningful and something our family will never forget. We also loved the thoughtful folder and poster—it was such a nice way to preserve the memories and information from the day. Highly recommend this tour, especially for families. Wonderful communication, an excellent guide, and an unforgettable experience!
Response from the operator: Sally, thank you so much for sharing such a heartfelt review! We’re truly honoured that you chose to experience Ellis Island with us, and we’re especially touched that we were able to help you find your grandmother. That is such a special moment, and we’re so happy we could be a small part of your family’s story. We’re thrilled you enjoyed the guide, the personal touches, and the experience from start to finish. Knowing that your family, especially the kids, had such a memorable day means the world to us. Thank you again, Sally, for trusting us with such a meaningful experience and for recommending us. We hope the memories from your day at Ellis Island stay with your family for years to come! 🗽
via Tripadvisor
Szlachta Family Tour
Earl and Vince made our visit to Eillis Island amazing. Sent us home with family history that I will treasure. Help locate family name on Walk on Honor. I left New York feeling like I inherited a new family member.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words, Rebecca. It was a real pleasure meeting you and sharing this journey with your family. Seeing you and your mom connect with your family history made the day special for us as well. I'm so glad we were able to help you find your family's name on the Wall of Honor also . I'll be sure to share your thoughtful message with Vince—he'll be so happy to know how much your experience meant. Wishing you and your mom all the best, and we hope to see you both again on a future visit!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $599 to $1049
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 49
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors cost?
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Prices start at $599 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 49 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ellis Island Family History Tour Walk with Your Ancestors start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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