Although you can do this trip on your own, I really recommend a guided tour. The tour leader is knowledgeable about the history of the Statue or Liberty and Ellis Island, and has practical knowledge to make the experience better by knowing how to navigate the ferry and islands efficiently. An early morning tour is a good idea to avoid the worst of the heat and the crowds.focusing on the must see spots in the museums. Be prepared to do lots of walking and stair climbing! Also, bring your own bottled water -- as you might expect, prices on the islands are high.
Dan was a great guide. We learned a lot and had a great time.
The only issue I had was that the description of the tour said up to 20 people, and we had close to 30.
Great tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It got us through the lines much quicker and our guide was great!