This Fourth of July holiday weekend you can learn about the risks of coming to America, the hard work immigrants did to build our economy, and the contributions immigrants make to our democracy by visiting one of the many sites featured in our Immigration Vacation series.
Immigration Vacation takes you to places around the New York area where you can explore our region’s rich immigrant heritage. Each installment features images and video, directions to the site, and links to ticket prices and hours.
Battery Park and Castle Clinton
If your family came to New York before 1892, this is likely where they landed.
Ellis Island
America’s best immigration museum.
The New York State Museum in Albany
Italian and Chinese immigrant life in New York City and the Jewish refugee experience on view in one of the best free museums in the Northeast.
Lowell National Historical Park
Great way for kids to learn the vital role of immigrants in industrialization and labor protection.
Lackawanna Coal Mine and Steamtown
Kids from ages four and up can learn about the tough jobs our immigrant ancestors did.
Old Croton Aqueduct
Nature, exercise, and immigrant history in a park 100 feet wide and 26 miles long.
Irish Hunger Memorial
Some of our ancestors came here for freedom, and some came simply to be able to eat. Some came for both.
The Tenement Museum
Great for teens and ‘tweens. Irish, German, and Jewish life on the Lower East Side.
Long Island Monument to Immigrants Who Died Coming to America.
Image courtesy of MrCTeach via Flickr.
