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Tenement History and Immigrant Life in the Lower East Side

Tenement History and Immigrant Life in the Lower East Side

Overview

From the Five Points and Mulberry Bend, through the Italian and Jewish immigrant waves, and finally what is today's Chinatown, this tour explores the development of a rustic landscape of lakes and farms into what became the mostly densely overcrowded neighborhood on earth barely 100 years ago. The incremental step-by-step process of putting the need for adequate housing over the drive for profit to house the immigrant poor, from disease-ridden cellar dwelling in tumble down shanties. to pre-, old- and new-law tenements, this tour uses pictures to show what is no longer there, and finds what continues to stand in the street walls today to tell the immensely rich, tragic and redemptive story of New York's Lower East Side.

City: New York City

Thu 20 Mar

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $79.00

Make a reservation

Thu 20 Mar

Starting at $79.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Local guide

Professional guide

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
wear comfortable walking shoes
snacks and water are recommended to revitalize

What To Expect

Foley Square

We begin at the former sites of The Five Points neighborhood and Mulberry Bend, one-time notorious slums in New York City's history. The focus is on the "tenement," the early purpose-built housing for the working class, mostly immigrant poor whose history begins not far from this spot.

Columbus Park

Jacob Riis and his seminal work, How the Other Half Lives, helps bring to life the past communities that once occupied the site of today's Columbus Park, between Chinatown and the Court District.

Lower East Side

The heart of the tour is along the blocks of the Lower East Side and the non-stop tenement buildings that proliferated in the Lower East Side from the mid-19th to the early-20th Centuries. Not all tenements were associated with slum communities, though living conditions could be hard. We'll identify different tenements types from different eras, and witness the decades-long process of tenement evolution following advancing laws.

Manhattan Bridge

We will have a stunning view of the Municipal Building and the Woolworth Building East Broadway, one of Chinatowns most vibrant street scenes with hidden-in-plain-sight historic gems.

Museum At Eldridge Street

One of the most beautiful edifices in the city, The Eldridge Street Synagogue begins discussion of the Jewish experience in the Lower East Side, who, like the massive immigrant waves before them, have their own unique story to tell.

Tenement Museum

We pass the back of the museum where they replicate tenement life. Outhouses and clothes line help transport one back in time.

Williamsburg Bridge

DeLancey Street was the clothing discount outlet center of the past.

Show 4 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (17)

Mary_E

Oct 2024

Absolutely outstanding. We saw such a great variety of Manhattan history and sights…and our guide Rob was phenomenal, We would definitely hope to use him again to see other parts of the city.

Response from Host

Oct 2024

Thank you for making it a great day! It was a pleasure taking you around. Hope to see you again.

Janet_J

Sep 2024

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating. He was able to answer all questions and made this tour a great experience.

Response from Host

Sep 2024

Thank you for the great review! Enjoy the city and I hope to see you again!

Ayn_C

Aug 2024

The tour guide was excellent. Really knew his stuff and his passion for the subject was infectious. My friend and I put his tour as one of the best experiences we had in New York

Response from Host

Aug 2024

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I hope to see you again!