HMOH #30before30: trace your roots in ellis island

You hear it time and time again, prob cause it's true - you're the worst tourist in your own city.  I've never climbed the Statue of Liberty and I'd never made my way to explore the roots of immigration at Ellis Island.  Being a first generation American, I long thought that my parents were filthy poor and did jigs in the steerage of a boat on their way to America.  I pictured them showing up at the gates of Ellis Island, getting their head checked for fleas and their throats scraped for unknown reasons.  It was very Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic and dramatic, just the way I liked it.


Turns out Mom caught an American Airlines flight over (they served peanuts and beverages) and Dad + family took a luxury cruiseliner.  Part vacation, part let's migrate to our new land of opportunity.  Shattered my history lesson, but I was still excited to cross "visit Ellis Island" off my "30 before 30" list recently. 


In town for a weekend or a jaded New Yorker (if Mary Poppins come to mind here, you are a jaded New Yorker) look up the ferry schedule and see what those who came before you endured to set your roots here!

Visiting Ellis Island
Book your reservations in advance so you can pop on the "Reserved" line with less of a wait.  Expect airport-like security and to be yelled at when you're talking on your phone (done).  Also expect that the security guy will creep on you and say he didn't want to have to restain you (done again).  Pack snacks ... it's what the immigrants would have wanted you to do.  And don't worry, they serve hotdogs on the boat.


 Take the ferry and enjoy the sites.  Lady Liberty is way more impressive up close than from the city skyline.  The ferry ticket allows you to stop both at the Statue (currently closed for renovations) and Ellis Island before heading back to the South Street Seaport.  Deck hands are creepy too.

Once you've arrived, opt for the audio tour (included in your day pass) and prepare to walk around and learn about the way it once was.  The tour takes you through your journey as if you too were just arriving in America - and about an hour.

At the end of your journey you arrive at the spot where families were reunited and loved ones claimed their passengers.  You're also greated by the line to pay to access your family history from the extensive database. I saved my research until I got to Ellis Island thinking it'd feel more authentic if I looked up my family members in the very spot they embarked on their new life in America. They'll charge you $12 to use their commuters, and $5 a photo to print ... OR you can access it for free by registering here. #touristtrap

Here's the passenger ship that my great grandfather came to Ellis Island on.  He made the voyage at just 23 to meet his uncle and see about a better life.  I bet he did a few jigs down in the steerage.  Had to.  Returning back to Sicily, he instead moved the family (my grandmother and my grandfather (then just a family friend)) to Tunisia.  My dad was born there ... and so our history begins.

Miss the ferry? No worries, it comes every 20 minutes and gives you time to take more tourist photos with your friends. 

And to top it off ...  Pearl Street is one of the oldest parts of New York City, located just by Battery Park where you'll be dropped off.  The little alley is lined with bars and restaurants, and my favorite part - outdoor wooden tables and benches.  In the mood for a raw bar, Ulysses Folk House offered us just what we wanted to cap off a great NYC day.  The four glasses of wine and chocolate covered strawberries that followed at Azra weren't too bad either.  Let's just say I did a jig home too.  Hey, my ancestors immigrated from Italy.  They wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

-HMOH