Ellis Island is a symbol of America’s immigrant heritage. From 1892 to 1954, this immigrant depot processed the greatest tide of incoming humanity in the nation’s history. Nearly twelve million landed here in their search of freedom of speech and religion, and for economic opportunity.

Today, over 40 percent of America’s population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island.

The museum exhibits chronicle Ellis Island’s role in immigration history and view it in the context of its time and the still broader context of four centuries of immigration to America. The exhibits occupy over 40,000 sq.ft. on three floors of the Main Building; they include museum objects, photographs, prints, videos, interactive displays and oral histories. The largest exhibit is the building itself — the imposing French Renaissance Revival structure designed by Boring and Tilton, built in 1900 and restored to its 1918-1924 appearance.

A popular exhibit at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is the American Immigrant Wall of Honor. The Wall of Honor is located outdoors, just outside the "Peopling of America" exhibit. The Wall honors America’s immigrants regardless of when they immigrated or through which port they entered. The Wall is currently inscribed with over 700,000 names.

Even if your ancestors did not come through this immigration port, a visit to the island with your family gives some sense of the gratitude that we all should feel to our forefathers for making the hard decision to start a new life in America. While the younger members of your family may bore with the old images and artifacts, a sense of history is important to the education of your family and therefore Ellis Island should be on your list of places to visit.

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Located on a 12 acre island, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

Visiting the island where Miss Liberty stands is a very enjoyable boat ride from New York City. Once there, you can walk around the island and take some beautiful pictures. The security personnel (a sad reality of life in this age), is quite friendly and you may be able to convince them to take a photo of your entire group for you. If none are around, don’t hesitate to ask another tourist but make sure to return the favor for them.

For years, you could not enter the old statue as it was being refurbished so if you haven’t made this trip lately, it is time to go again on your next trip to New York City. You will have to register for tickets in advance by going to www.statuereservations.com or by calling 866-STATUE4. You need to do this at least 48 hours in advance so plan ahead! You will still not be able to go up to the torch as in decades past but you can at least go to the top of the statue’s pedestal. (Warning: you will have to pass additional security screening to take this part of the tour).

It probably should be required memorization in every American classroom for this famous sonnet that is inscribed in bronze at the base of the statue.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
by Emma Lazarus, New York City, 1883

A trip to New York City is not complete without a visit to the Statue of Liberty. Budget 4-5 hours for this activity and your family will remember it for a lifetime.

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The park was designated as the 10th National Park by President Taft in 1910. The park encompasses  approximately 1.4 million acres of wilderness and some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the western United States. The park is open year round, but due to it’s northern mountainous location, most people visit the park in the spring and summer. There are several lodges and inns located throughout the park but it is advised that you plan ahead since these will likely sell out weeks or months in advance.  Check out this site for lodging in surrounding towns as well.

If you enjoy the outdoors, want to do something off the beaten path and away from  commercialism then this is great spot for you to go. You don’t have to be avid hikers like our tour guides on this photo essay so plan your next family vacation where you can see the raw beauty of this world.

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