BallinStadt Emigration Museum Hamburg
BallinStadt Emigration Museum Hamburg
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
More than five million people emigrated to the New World via the Port of Hamburg between 1850 and 1934. The stories of their lives are brought to life at BallinStadt. Historical exhibits, multimedia stations, the backdrop of a bustling market in the New York of the 1920s, and much more will make this a breath-taking journey for visitors. Pls see our website for the current opening times!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Veddel • 4 min walk
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4.0
349 reviews
Excellent
170
Very good
115
Average
39
Poor
16
Terrible
9
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Bliubimy
Kassel, Germany45 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
The poor grade is given for management incompetence. The website states the museum is open Mondays. It’s only when you show up that you see a sign pasted on the door that it’s closed Mondays. Given the hefty entrance fee, the least the museum’s administration could do is update its website to avoid serious visitor inconvenience.
Written 10 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HI, we are sorry that you had this inconvenience. Actually we updated the webiste that same day. If you like you are weclome to visit us again with free entrance to see that your poor one point is not reflecting our museum in a proper way.
Written 2 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Biene
6 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
I was very interested in BallinStadt after reading a novel that was set there at that time. I generally liked the exhibition a lot, even though there was a lot of text to read, some of it repeated and unfortunately with the odd spelling and grammatical error. Reading the display boards was not always easy, partly because of the lighting, the font being too small or simply because exhibits were covering the boards. Unfortunately, I was missing a common thread from the start, even in the first house I didn't know exactly where to start reading. In the second house, a lot of things were in a wild jumble and I just lacked a bit of context - what kind of exhibits are they, what do they stand for, where do they come from? The information boards were also apparently disorganized, a text about the refugees of the Balkan War, next to it a film from the American newsreel about the construction of the Berlin Wall, next to it information about the Frank family's futile efforts to get visas for the United States. Behind the Trabi was a model and the short story of the "Cimbria", an emigrant ship that sank in the North Sea. Everything was very interesting, but in a confusing arrangement. I also couldn't explain the presence of the many typewriters and the shelves, whose drawers also offered a wealth of information. It would have been nice if there had been more information about what I was seeing here and why. In older reviews I read that the exhibition used to show a lot more about the actual emigration halls - that's what I imagined and I would have loved to see it. Unfortunately, the stories and characters mentioned there, whose fates you could follow through the exhibition, no longer exist. The topic of migration in general is also very interesting, but would have liked to have been able to stand on its own outside of the emigration stories from Hamburg onwards.
The last house then only had one room on Albert Ballin, unfortunately here too there was no information about whether it was a replica of his office. The facts about his life had already been processed several times in other texts in House 1, so only the private photos were of interest to me. It's a shame that they were presented so squashed into the corner. The tour of the museum ended immediately after this room, a very small souvenir shop and a bistro followed, but we didn't eat anything there.
Basically - nice museum, I have already recommended the exhibition to others. Nevertheless, I would like the focus to be more on the topic of emigration from Hamburg. The big topic of migration could be presented separately in building 3.
The last house then only had one room on Albert Ballin, unfortunately here too there was no information about whether it was a replica of his office. The facts about his life had already been processed several times in other texts in House 1, so only the private photos were of interest to me. It's a shame that they were presented so squashed into the corner. The tour of the museum ended immediately after this room, a very small souvenir shop and a bistro followed, but we didn't eat anything there.
Basically - nice museum, I have already recommended the exhibition to others. Nevertheless, I would like the focus to be more on the topic of emigration from Hamburg. The big topic of migration could be presented separately in building 3.
Written 1 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smoothx
Leipzig, Germany39 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Rain in Hamburg? No problem. We were here with the kids (8 and 2) and the museum is a really wonderful place for bright explorers. History and current migration topics are presented wonderfully and in an accessible way for visitors of all ages. A really great place to spend two or three hours as a family. Highly recommended.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ulrike Korb
Hamburg, Germany41 contributions
Aug 2023 • Business
Dreams, courage, new beginnings: their scent is still in the air in the park of the Ballinstadt Emigration Museum. Here, on the Elbe island of Veddel, millions of people emigrated to America between 1909 and 1939.
Their story is presented in a creative and playful way in the museum - with interactive elements, handicrafts, a free electro summer concert (last year). Or - as is the case right now - in contrast with the colorful modern exhibition "50 Years of Sesame Street".
The shipowner Ballin had built the emigrants a residential village in which they were supposed to feel at home. And the props of the travelers from back then speak a friendly language: hat boxes, leather suitcases, a lace-trimmed silk petticoat in a sleeping berth. An original recorded promenade concert.
Nothing remains of the original village. In 2007, BallinStadt was completely recreated as a museum world and received second place in the History Award during the construction phase.
Ballinstadt, a promenade for the brave. With good restaurants, fresh concepts and an island breeze.
Their story is presented in a creative and playful way in the museum - with interactive elements, handicrafts, a free electro summer concert (last year). Or - as is the case right now - in contrast with the colorful modern exhibition "50 Years of Sesame Street".
The shipowner Ballin had built the emigrants a residential village in which they were supposed to feel at home. And the props of the travelers from back then speak a friendly language: hat boxes, leather suitcases, a lace-trimmed silk petticoat in a sleeping berth. An original recorded promenade concert.
Nothing remains of the original village. In 2007, BallinStadt was completely recreated as a museum world and received second place in the History Award during the construction phase.
Ballinstadt, a promenade for the brave. With good restaurants, fresh concepts and an island breeze.
Written 17 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie D
9 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
The emigration museum was even better than expected. As a visitor, you are guided through the individual rooms in a great way. The exhibits are amazing and the sayings on the walls were very impressive.
At times you become thoughtful and even sad when you learn about the different reasons for emigrating and personal fates.
Our son thought it was particularly great that he could create his own characters at various terminals that he could "accompany" on the way to immigration. In addition, you could not only look at a lot of things, but also try them out.
All in all, a really worthwhile exhibition in superbly prepared buildings.
At times you become thoughtful and even sad when you learn about the different reasons for emigrating and personal fates.
Our son thought it was particularly great that he could create his own characters at various terminals that he could "accompany" on the way to immigration. In addition, you could not only look at a lot of things, but also try them out.
All in all, a really worthwhile exhibition in superbly prepared buildings.
Written 9 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Destination519576
East Greenbush, New York12 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Sadly this museum disappointed me. I understand it used to be better. It’s a too glossy high level look at our ancestors arduous trip. There’s a strange Sesame Street exhibition that I’m guessing has more to do with money than history. No workable attempt to provide English translations. If this subject is at all important to you it will be a waste of your time.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudia
Basel, Switzerland67 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Large area with various houses. It shows the history of emigration to America from the beginning to today. Well done and entertaining for children. We even found emigrants from our family in the old documents.
If you are interested in this topic, it is well worth a visit.
If you are interested in this topic, it is well worth a visit.
Written 15 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marylanderkj
New Market, MD45 contributions
From America, we visited family from my grandparents who lived near Hamburg. We all went to BallinStadt in September 2007. I think it opened in July 2007. It was very similar to Ellis Island in New York (New Jersey), but did not appear to be as large. Ample displays and large photographs--some explanations in English. Photographs truly said a 1000 words each. Very enjoyable and informative. Under 30 crowd (except us over 60) was very interested. Entrance was about 10 € each. Family used public transportation to get there, which was easy if you know what you are doing.
Probably most meaningful was being near the area where my grandparents emigrated to America when they were only about 20 years old. It was a gutsy thing to do in those days.
If you are in to geneology and history, BallinStadt is a place to go to. There are several computers available to do family passenger list searches. However, they really want you to buy the product if you make a find. I had already done this from home.
Probably most meaningful was being near the area where my grandparents emigrated to America when they were only about 20 years old. It was a gutsy thing to do in those days.
If you are in to geneology and history, BallinStadt is a place to go to. There are several computers available to do family passenger list searches. However, they really want you to buy the product if you make a find. I had already done this from home.
Written 12 October 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan S
Ottawa, Canada144 contributions
June 2016 • Solo
This museum was easy to get to from the train station by Metro, and then a 5-10 minute walk. I went primarily because their web site indicated they had a research area and staff to assist in looking for one's German ancestors. Unfortunately this turned out to be a bank of 5 computer terminals tied into ancestry.com. Very disappointing. I stopped at the cafe, which was not disappointing before departing.
Written 9 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sydneysider70
Sydney113 contributions
Unfortunately, much of the exhibition wasn't translated into English, except for parts concerning Americans. Not speaking German we didn't understand most of the information. I wouldn't recommend this museum to non- American English speakers.
Written 18 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It depends on your level of interest and if you speak German. You can simply tour through the three buildings and be done in an hour. If you have more interest, you can stop and read some of the major signs, which are mostly in German (alternately, you can follow along in the English language booklet provided, however, it does not cover all signs) and take about 2 hours. If you're a German speaker and choose to read all of the signs including the interesting stories, you could take about 3 hours.
Buildings #1 and #2 each have a lot of exhibits and signs. Building #3 has far fewer exhibits but it also houses computer terminals so you can do research on your family genealogy on the German version of Ancestry. There's also a very nice cafe in building #3 serving fresh cooked food that is quite tasty so a stop there could also lengthen your stay. There is a gift shop by the cafe. Overall, I would say 2-3 hours.
Written 29 June 2018
Today I would like to visit this museum but unfortunately I don't have a lot of time, how long does the visit take? Is it 1,5 hrs enough or not?
Thanks for your help
Written 22 April 2017
BallinStadt
Hamburg, Germany
On an average visitors spend about 1,5 to 2 hours in the exhibition.
Written 22 April 2017
Public traffic is quite comfortable in Hamburg and will take you to Ballin Stadt easily. I would reccomand to look for a hotel not to far from the center as this will enable short transportation times to all interesting points of the city.
Written 21 March 2017
Is the museum ONLY about emigration to America? My ancestor left Germany (well, really Schleswig-Holstein/Lubeck) in 1850 for Argentina.
Written 6 March 2016
As this emigration centre is supported by the German branch of Ancestry it does not only hold the shipping lists for US bound emigrants but acts as a global family research centre.
Written 7 March 2016
is it true that the only research that can be done here is actually all through the ancestry website? I am hoping for more. Thanks!
Written 27 December 2014
Hallo, wenn Du in Hamburg bist und in der Ballinstadt nichts ,oder wenig über Deine Familie herausfindest, gibt es interumständen einen anderen Weg. Es gibt Archive, in den alte Unterlagen gespeichert werden. Vielleicht hast Du schon alte Urkunden auf den in der Fußnote eine Registernummer ist. Alles was hilft, Geburtsdaten, Mädchenname ect. Falls Du noch Tipps brauchst melde Dich
Written 15 September 2015
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