NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IMMIGRATION

From 1892 to 1954, this little island, which throughout the 19th century had been used for munitions storage, became a reception area for more than 12 million immigrants, who were subjected to a particular selection process – first physical and then legal – after which they were finally allowed to take their long-awaited step onto the ground of Manhattan. All of this is emotionally explained and illustrated with videos, photos, exhibits and incredible stories of survival – and success – in the National Museum of Immigration, housed in the main building of the enormous customs complex.

From the outside, this historical building looks very much like a railway station, with a triple-arch entrance and open brickwork. Once inside, however, you’ll be even more struck by the stories concealed within the high walls, such as those in the huge, spectacular Great Hall, where the first physical examinations were performed on the new arrivals.

During this emotional visit, make sure you don’t miss the large Wall of Honor, covered with more than 700,000 names of immigrants, deliberately placed in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty.