We visited this amazing museum recently. Before the guided tour, we spent a little time in the…read morebeautiful garden outside, which was decorated for the 250th anniversary. The building was created in the 1790s, beginning as a carriage house, and later serving about a decade as an exclusive daytime resort. The first room e were shown had documents created by George Washington, John Adams and their friends. The tavern could be a rowdy place for anyone walking in, and a room next door was a gentile spot for paying overnight guests. They said there were no signs of ghosts here, but I wonder about that.

Gary was our tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and made our tour fun. We pretty much had a…read moreprivate tour as we were the only two at this time. You should sell fans along with the explanation of the fan wave meanings. I think that would be a fun souvenir. Thank you, Pat and Laraine

2 of 2 Yelp Reviews. Photos in other review…read more Make sure you buy your tickets from Statue Cruises, NOT street vendors. Be safe. Quality/Quantity - What an amazing, fun, historical, and educational experience. Also, it gives some insight into how my family (many generations ago) came to this country. Tourist attraction, an amazing # of people visiting. Crazy long lines initially boarding the ferry, but it moves fast. Very organized and experienced. See all my excessive pictures. Ambiance - 12 million immigrants came through here. Service - Self service. Cut and pasted from their website: "In 2001, the Foundation opened the American Family Immigration History Center at Ellis Island, which contains a searchable database of passenger manifests for Ellis Island and the Port of New York between 1820 and 1954. The database is also available online." Price - Part of the Statue of Liberty ferry tour ride. $30 per person; inexpensive in my opinion. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success since 1900. 1971 - New Jersey register of historic places. 1982 - President Reagan with Lee Iacocca raised funds for restoration and preservation of Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. 1990 - Restoration and re-opening. 1993 - NY City Landmark. 2016 - Statue of Liberty Museum.

check out my review of the statue of liberty for info on the trip here. This review will focus on…read morethe museum itself. As a direct descendent of European immigrants who actually set foot in this iconic building it actually gave me chills walking in. They offer a self guided audio tour of the place which gives you a wonderful description of how the place functioned. You have to use your imagination a bit when you stand in the main hall as there is nothing there but an empty hall. the audio tour helps you picture what it was like to be in that room. Then they take you through all the various routs an immigrant might go depending on their situation. Again you have to use your imagination a bit as none of the rooms are furnished with actual stuff. Instead each room contains artifacts which help paint a picture. This is a really important part of American history and people should come to visit this place but I can understand if you have kids with you this place would not be very exciting to them. So do keep all of that in mind. This can certainly be a boring place for someone who doesn't understand or appreciate the part of American history it represents.

The South Sea Seaport Museum chronicles the history of lower Manhattan begining with Lenni Lenape…read morehabitation and Henry Hudson's 1609 discovery voyages. The development of New Amsterdam by the Dutch West Indies company (1624), the British seizing the city and renaming it New York after the Duke of York (1664-1776) and George Washington's inauguration as the first president of the United States in (1789) at Federal Hall. The seaport became a major hub of commerce, travel overseas (the Cunard line) and an important immigration center. The museum galleries are open Wed-Sun from 11-5. You can tour the Wavertree and and smaller Ambrose ship with a General Admission ticket of $18. There are free admission events as well. Check their website for details.

Macy's 4th of July: DO.NOT.WASTE.YOUR.MONEY! This is the absolute worts experience the museum has…read moreput together: the security was rude beyond reason; to make more money they added another zone; they packed people like sardines in a "hallway" made of rope, and considering that the view is already obstructed by the buildings on each side of pier 16, on top of that they had a tent right in the middle at the end of the pier obstructing the view even more. When purchasing the tickets they don't ask about especial accommodations for families with kids with special needs and then those families have to watch from the very back, completely wasting the money paid. They don't apply the rules to everyone: they said no chairs, but they let them pass security for a lot of people and space was even more to a premium.

an amazing and world class museum in nyc! it's not the easiest to get to, but manageable to walk…read moreto. you could easily spend several hours here learning about history and engineering. highlights definitely include the craft carrier with descriptions of various helicopters and planes, as well as the submarine Growler. I've been twice and learn something new each time! the staff is also friendly and incredibly knowledgeable

I've run by this place many times off WSH and it was cool to finally be able to go inside…read more Loves: + Flight deck on top was my favorite; you can see all the aircraft, navigation, and flag bridges + Other neat points of interest: space shuttle pavilion, lego model, berthing rooms, submarine + Exploreum is fun for kids + Accessible with elevators and stairs Overall, I would expect most people to spend two to three hours here. Fun way to spend a few hours. NOTE: One piece of advice is that sometimes they may have certain exhibits closed, so I would check in advance if there's something you truly you want to see!

Visited back in April -- the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House Museum is a true hidden gem. Nestled right…read moreon the Queens-Brooklyn county line, in the far northwest corner of Ridgewood and well off the typical tourist path, this historic house museum offers a quiet, intimate escape with a fascinating story to tell. The collection inside is thoughtfully curated, showcasing artifacts that illuminate both the house's past and the surrounding neighborhood's rich history. The staff is warm and welcoming, and one guide in full period attire was not only gracious but impressively knowledgeable a wonderful touch that really brings the space to life. This is a must-visit for history buffs, preservation professionals, Ridgewood locals, or anyone exploring NYC who's craving an "out-of-the-way" spot to slow down, reflect, and soak in some Queens-centric history. Don't miss the "Arbitration Rock" on the grounds tucked inside a picket-fenced enclosure, it's an intriguing remnant of the historic boundary dispute that once defined the Ridgewood (Queens)-Bushwick (Brooklyn) border. A peaceful, educational, and surprisingly charming experience.

We were so happy to have our daughter's wedding at the Onderdonk house and gardens at the end of…read moreMay. The staff there could not have been better stewards for the space or kinder shepherds to us as we worked out way through the planning, execution, and enjoyment of a wonderful event with friends and family. We are big DIYers and the gracious guidance of Virginia and others at Vander Ende-Onderdonk took exceptional care of us. A joyous event (and huge success for us) and cannot sing my praises enough for this gem of a location.

Amazing history, drinks, and food! Great staff and atmosphere. I will return when back in NYC…read more Was one of my favorite spots in the city we visited.

I've been at the Fraunces Tavern many times for drinks and dinner as I used to work in a building a…read moreblock away from it. Its an historic spot dating back to Revolutionary times. Not only is it a terrific bar and gathering place if you're a history buff it's worth visiting the upstairs levels which houses a museum. Its cool to see the way people lived in colonial times, New York's place in the war, and about George Washington's stay here. You can do a self guided tour here and take it all in. A few rooms with art, flags, weapons, and artifacts from that era. It's a step back in time and wonderfully preserved. It's a quick visit then head downstairs for a cold beer and bite to eat knowing that you might be standing in the same steps George did so many years ago.

**7/25/26** I just…read moretook the tour of his home... and it was surreal to be in the actual surroundings where this iconic star shared his rare moments of rest and privacy. It was truly amazing in such an understated way. It felt like stepping back into the 1960s--stretching over to see your neighbor for a quick hello--only to be instantly reminded of whose living room you were actually standing in. The kitchen and bathrooms were a real time-capsule blast! And the office, in particular, was extra special for me. Seeing Louie's many reel-to-reels and his demo library, where so much of his world-loved magic came to life, was incredible. My father was an opera singer during that same era, even a bit earlier, and Pop's equipment and effects were an exact replica! And God bless Lucille Wilson, Louie's last wife. Talk about being ahead of her time! Ms. Wilson singlehandedly loved this man enough to recognize the enormous impact Louie had made--and how vital it was to preserve his home, his music, and his legacy. She fought to have it recognized for its landmark and historical significance. She was a dynamo in her own right, with a deep understanding of "things to come." She was also a community activist--and an absolute "wallpaper" junkie... You'll see exactly what I mean the moment you cross the doorway into this unique, beautifully preserved bygone era. God bless Satchmo and Lucille. And most of all, God bless the hardworking individuals at the Louis Armstrong Center and the historic home who meticulously care for and preserve the world of one of America's greatest citizens and most beloved icons.

Our visit was absolutely delightful. This house is so beautiful, and seeing it gave us a…read morefascinating insight into the life and legacy of an icon. The museum is wonderfully curated, the house is lovingly preserved, and the staff are so kind. Our tour was illuminating, led by the very passionate and knowledgeable Sam. This was such a cool experience, highly recommend for anyone interested in jazz or local history! It was a fantastic way to celebrate Valentine's Day.

I/24/26 I checked the website and currently there are no tours available until further notice. On…read more1/19/26 there were some information that is no longer there . Hopefully this house is open soon to explore. Wonderful experience.

Our docent brought the history of the house to life with stories of the family that built the house…read more(Tories who fled as the Colonists approached), subsequent families who owned and lost the house, its fall into disrepair, its use as an ice cream stand and then the Museum of the City of New York, and finally the role Robert Moses played to convince Mayor LaGuardia to convert the Mansion into the official residence of the Mayor of New York. What followed were antidotes about each of the Mayors who lived in the Mansion, starting with LaGuardia's reluctance to live in the house due to his fear of ghosts, stories of restorations initiated by Mayors, and a chance to view the current Mayors decorative choices. Much more interesting when heard live, in the residence, when presented by a truly outstanding docent. (You will also learn why all eagles in the house have a ball & chain wrapped around their necks) A very good, very enjoyable, very worthwhile visit. Highly recommended.