When a traveler plans a trip to New York, an itinerary often includes the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and Central Park. One often overlooked gem is Ellis Island.

Ellis Island, located in the New York Harbor, was a hub for many Europeans emigrating to the U.S. between 1892 and 1954. Today it is home to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

The following Ellis Island exhibits chronicle the history of immigration to the U.S.

The Ellis Experience – Ellis Island as an entry point to the U.S.

Journeys: The Peopling of America – Immigration pre-dating Ellis Island, 1550s – 1890s.

Journey: New Eras of Immigration – Immigration from 1954 – present.

Search the archives of those entering the United States between 1820 to 1957 either by visiting the American Family Immigration History Center®, also located on Ellis Island, or by searching online.

Finally, visit The American Immigrant Wall of Honor®. This massive wall includes the names of over 700,000 people emigrating to the U.S. Ellis Island is accessible by ferry from either Liberty State Park in New Jersey or Battery Park in lower Manhattan. Expect to spend a half day here.