My family's story in the United States has roots on the lower east side of Manhattan. Lost history since my grandfather refused to talk about his early life, emigrating from Russia. My grandmother was just a baby with few recollections. In 1988 two visionaries founded the Tenement Museum. Their intent was to spread tolerance and understanding of the immigrant experience. The museum purchased two tenement buildings on Orchard Street and rehabbed several apartments to simulate the way they were when occupied. Between 1863 and 1935 it's estimated thousands of people from 20 nations called these tenement buildings 'home.' I found the tour fascinating with our guide talking about two families -- one Italian, the other Jewish -- and the hardships they endured living in over-crowded quarters. There are several tours you can choose from focusing on different immigrant experiences, each $30, each ranging from 60 to 75 minutes. (The only way you can see the museum is by booking a tour.) Make reservations on line and check-in at the visitors' center upon arrival. Learn more about the museum by watching the 26 minute film that's run on a loop in the back room. A very worthwhile afternoon. read more

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This is a very great museum and experience. It is focused on the history of the tenants in this area over time. it is not the typical museum where you see fixed exhibits, but rather pick a tour and then visit a particularly tenement based on the tour you selected. We went on a tour called "family-owned." The tours seem to fill up quickly on weekends, so it is a good idea to reserve in advance. You meet in the main building and then form into your tour group. You get a quick briefing at the start, then go into one of the tenements. This tour started in one that was a saloon in the front and then an apartment in the past (with families from Prussia and Bavaria). The tour guide was excellent and the history was really interesting. I will likely go back again for a different tour--definitely worth a visit. read more

Very unique and well done museum experience! The Tenement Museum is by tour only, with many different tour options that allow you to double click into the lives of tenement families. My tour featured the stories and living spaces of a Jewish family with a mother and father who survived the holocaust and a Puerto Rican family that moved into the neighborhood at a later point in time. Our tour guide, Silas, was a great storyteller and brought the lives of the two families to life through vivid descriptions of their everyday life, details on the evolution of the neighborhood, and context on the larger story of immigration to the U.S. Along with just being in the real living spaces of the families-- reconstructed to the best of the museum's abilities-- the vivid, minute details in the storytelling made the experience feel very intimate in a way that you don't get from a traditional history museum. It was also cool to hear the efforts the museum made to make sure the living members of the two families maintained ownership of their stories. The nice thing about the museum is that there is always more to come back to experience since there are numerous tours to sign up for, each focusing on different families or aspects of tenement life. The tour was only an hour, though, which is much less time than most people would typically spend at a museum. Overall, a wonderful experience. read more

What's great about this museum is 1) it's honoring the often-forgotten backbone of NYC - the tired, poor, huddled masses kind of people 2) they have a bunch of different settings and tours. This made me sign up for membership because I really wanted to come back. I took the "family owned" tour, and I do recommend buying tickets in advance because this place was packed, and you don't want to end up waiting around for an available timeslot. The tour focused on the basement businesses (a tavern from a German family and an auction house circa the Great Depression) and the tour guide provided photos, census data, and an interactive display discussing the peddler history of the Lower East Side before LaGuardia put an end to that era. It was an interesting peak into a history that doesn't get a lot of focus. The tickets are expensive, but it's a unique experience. The gift shop gets crowded, but there are a lot of cool things to look at and an introductory video while you wait. There are also walking tours in warmer months. The cashier seemed nice and friendly as well. We look forward to returning to learn about another immigrant family's life. read more

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Loved my first-time experience here. We did tour 8A and had a fabulous guide, Kojo, who was a friendly and compelling storyteller. We walked up and down three flights of stairs, but there was minimal walking Other than that. Appreciated the stories of two families in the mid-1900s who lived in the unit, with recorded clips from family members. A couple young kids on our tour (ages 5-7?) seemed bored, but for adults, I highly recommend checking out this unique museum. I plan to return and want to try one of the food tours next. read more

Tenement Museum - Living room of the unit we toured. - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

Really interesting tour! We chose the Moore family in 2A. Lots of facts about the 1800's, immigration, race relations, propaganda, and community living. Will do a different one next time! read more

I had a wonderful time here, accidentally ran into this place . Everyone working there was wonderful . What a gem I have founded . It's worth it so much to come & visit it read more

Tenement Museum - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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I don't know where to start. This was the highlight of my trip to NYC. New Yorkers- get a membership.. you won't regret it. Disclaimer - it is walking tour. The tenement museum was such an enriching experience for me. I truly enjoyed learning about the immigrants/ immigration story of so many Americans. Our tour guide was absolutely fabulous. He took us through a journey that was both exciting yet sad at times. I don't want to spoil it too much because I think that it is important that people experience this journey themselves. I don't live in NYC but I will make it a point to do the different tours whenever I visit NY. read more

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Really unique museum experience. I chose the Moore tour, which tells the story of an Irish immigrant family. The tour guide Maiea was knowledgeable and engaging. I loved learning about the history of immigrants who lived in the building, and the interactive experience of walking through the apartments. I would've liked to hear a bit more about the other stories that were available, because you have to just pick one and hear that story. read more

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I loved this tour! Very interesting to learn about the residents in New York in the late 1800's. You get to learn about daily life and daily struggles. The tour guide definitely makes the tour and Natalia was excellent read more

Tenement Museum - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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Tenement Museum - 100 Years Apart Tour Did the 100 Years Apart tour today and honestly, I did not expect to like it this much The tour is short, but very immersive. It is not flashy or like an attraction, but once you are inside the space, you get pulled in. If you are curious about things that have been around for a long time and the stories behind them, this place really works What I liked most was how quiet it felt. NYC can be overwhelming, but here felt calm. No rushing, no noise, just walking through and sitting with the stories. That part was really nice I am not a history nerd. I am just someone who is curious about people and the time they lived in. Seeing how immigrants, especially Asians, came to New York and tried to survive felt very familiar to me. I am not Chinese, but it reminded me a lot of what it feels like to come to the US and figure things out on your own. That connection stayed with me I would definitely come back next time to try another tour read more

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Highly recommended! After taking our first tour, "After the Famine: 1869," at the museum, everyone in our group is eager to return for another tour on our next visit to NYC. Shout-out to our guide, Isaac--he was both incredibly knowledgeable and a captivating storyteller. Through the story of Joseph and Bridget Moore, an Irish family in a predominantly German neighborhood, he offered thoughtful insights into how Irish immigrants were viewed at the time. His narrative made it easy to draw powerful parallels between past and present societal attitudes. Tours are small (about 12 people), cost around $30, and are totally worth it. If there's one you really want, book early! read more

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They have a lot of different tours, so you could go back again and see totally different sections. The horror was interesting and I never even realized the museum was there. So glad my friend's cousin suggested it. It was particularly timely, since we saw the Ragtime revival later that day. read more

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Our friend is a NY native and he told us "oh the Tenement Museum is actually a really cool thing to do" when we told him about our tour. We did the Under One Roof museum with Austin. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the space and history of the building. I loved learning about the families and the macro stories they experienced in the early 1900s. Visit the Tenement Museum! Your NYC friends will be proud. read more

We did the under one roof tour. Silas our guide was incredible. He was so knowledgeable and did a great job telling stories and conveying what it was like living then. I would love to go on other tours they offer. This is a must do!! read more

I am so happy my friend recommended that I visit The Tenement Museum. I had such a great time and learned so much! Visited the ROGARSHEVSKYS & BALDIZZIS apartments. and the tour was amazing. Loved the tour guide Daryl. I HIGHLY recommend this museum. What a gem! Cannot wait to return. read more

Absolutely beautiful experience on the LES. The preservation is amazing as was the tour. Highly recommend. read more

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HIGHLY RECOMMEND this to EVERYONE when they visit NYC. We did the tour that told the story of two holocaust survivors as well as a mother from Puerto Rico trying to make a better life herself and her sons. Just entering the building makes you feel like you are back in time. The stories and sights. The brick walls and the story of the ventilation system. The hallway bathroom. All of it was just so moving and I cannot wait to go back to do some of the other tours read more

Finally crossing off from my nyc historic landmark bucket list. It was such an interesting hour tour, glad that we finally made it. Seeing and listening the history behind the building made us contemplate how lucky we are being on the present time. It seems immigrant life during that time is difficult as starting from the ground was full of challenges. Each generation is improving on this aspect. If you are into history, this is well recommended museum. read more

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The museum's shop is offering a 25% discount on everything through December 31 (online only) and the code is SNOW. They have a particularly good selection of items right now. read more

Really interesting small museums. Quite a few tours available to appeal to everyone. Definitely book in advance on line since they're always very full. Even on a Monday at lunch they were full. We loved the women's tour. read more

Great museum experience! I learned about this museum when taking a food tour of the lower east side and a couple trips to NYC later I finally went on a tour here! This isn't a typical museum where you just buy a ticket and roam around by yourself. You have to book a tour and they have a good amount to choose from. The one my mom and I did was about tenement women of the early 1900s and there was a tasting afterwards at the Pickle Guys. The history is awesome and the museum did an amazing job of restoring the tenements for public viewing. We had several tour guides, each of which were engaging and easy to listen to. Even if you take one tour here, you can continue to go back and go to the other tours as they are all different and provide new and different information. They have a really cool gift store as well with so many New York City history books. read more

The tenement museum is unlike any museum I've ever visited. Guided tours are required, and unlike walking around and reading plaques on the wall, the tour guides really bring you in to the stories of the families who lived there. You get to ask lots of questions and really immerse yourself in the experience. I've been twice and each time was a wonderful, fascinating experience. read more

Tenement Museum - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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I returned to the Tenement Museum a year after my last visit, this time with a friend to experience the Family Owned tour. Our tour guide, Sophie, was outstanding! What I love most about these tours is how intimate they are. I highly recommend!!! Oh, and their gift shop is perfectly curated. I ended up buying some fun socks and a journal. read more

Not your typical museum: there's no permanent exhibits, just scheduled tours to book. Through the somewhat overwhelming variety of tours offered, you can learn about different types of people, times, and experiences in this part of the city, presented by knowledgeable guides taking you in their spaces. What ties them all together is they're stories of relatively regular people, not great men names you know. Maybe my only problem was that of expectations: I had heard from so many people that this was such a highlight of New York, and while I'd recommend it, I'm not sure I'd be quite as enthusiastic as some. read more

Cool museum and Definitely informative about the past and how families lived. My family having to have came Through these type of apartments made it cool to look at and gray for my Son to see I wouldn't go back here Again for sure as it's not something WOW. But definitely cool to go once read more

I had never been here while in New York and so glad I checked it out! Very interesting and informative tour! I liked that we also got to listen to audio recordings of former residents. Really great glimpse of the past and living conditions. Highly recommended, especially for history buffs. read more

Highly Recommend! I am so happy we went to the Tenement Museum, and are looking forward to returning for other tours. Daryl, our tour guide, was super nice, fun and filled with great information and incredible stories. We took the tour highlighting The Rogarshevsky & Baldizzi Families. Fabulous experience. read more

Spent the day in the city and this was on our agenda. Didn't know what to expect but WOW. Our tour guide Sophia(?) was incredible. Very knowledgeable. A lot of what we saw touched a chord. We lived in a tenement for almost five years, I was 1-5. If you've ever lived in a tenement, this is a must do! read more

Tenement Museum - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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Tenement Museum: A Union of Hope: 1869, has been on my radar for a few years. On Thursday 10/9 at 1, I squeezed in a visit ahead of another appointment on the Lower East Side - LES. Our guide Caitlin was enthusiastic, professional, and sincere. We were a diverse group of twelve, ranging in age from early 20s to 70s. Eleven tourist and yours truly - New Yorker for 30+ years by way of the nation's capital. It was an overcast day with a slight breeze as we gathered and although there wasn't peek street and pedestrian traffic there was still the typical loud rumbling of people, cars, trucks and buses along Delancey Street. Despite the difficulty hearing, Caitlin's emphasis on pace and safety going to and through the exhibit, a 5th floor walk-up, was clear. Spoiler alert - here's why I believe this tour/exhibit is hard to explain - 97 Orchard St is not where Joseph and Rachel Moore lived. Ever. In fact, they didn't live on the LES (German and Irish neighborhood). That said, Caitlin provides explanations, but it means keeping a few narratives in mind or separate. For example, the Moore's were migrants not immigrants, but because of racism and societal norms they were relegated to the 8th Ward an area reserved for Black, Irish immigrants, and mixed-race New Yorker's. I found myself torn at times during the tour wanting to share what I knew of the history of the Native/African/Caribbean American experience but not wanting to distract or overstep. One instance of this was Caitlin's description of a bar/dancehall on the same block where the Moore's lived being a "social" gathering place. While that is technically true, the reality historically and now is marginalized communities, like the 8th ward, are often places where illegal or illicit businesses are allowed to operate. Still Union of Hope is a worthwhile visit but, a very different storytelling in only 75 minutes I suspect than the other tours, such as "After the Famine:1869 Joseph and Bridget Moore, an Irish family who lived briefly at 97 Orchard St. I also recommend The Tenement Museum videos on YouTube if you want to go down the rabbit hole of New York history. I'll visit TM again and look forward to more details on the economics and day-to-day realities of Joseph and Rachel Moore's family, community, and their boarders - Rose Brown and Louis Munday. Great resource on Gotham Center site - "In 1870, there were eighty households in Manhattan's Eighth Ward composed of Black-Irish families. [3] Joseph and Rachel Moore's household was a part of that figure; the couple provided housing for Rose Brown, an Irish immigrant, and her son Louis Mundy, who was Black and Irish. [4]" https://www.gothamcenter.org/blog/tenementmuseum-moore-zy4la-6h6h4-tlwga-allfs-5gpbn-p8hkk read more

I've been to New York 10+ times. This time, I wanted to do something I hadn't done. First did all, the tour guide Emily was PHENOMENAL. She spoke almost the entire 75 minutes, rattling off facts and info. So massive shoutout to her. Second, it's important to note that there is No specific museum you get to walk through. You HAVE to choose a specific, scheduled walking tour. Luckily there seems to be a tour scheduled every 15 minutes, so if you just show up, you'll find something Third, this was SO cool. You literally walk into real true tenement apartments. It's insane. I mean even some of the flooring feels unsafe. In my opinion, this is totally worth it. Zero complaints. The apartments are all air conditioned, and the tour guides seem to be passionate and phenomenal. 5 stars. I just wish I couple have done the walking food tour. read more

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I visited here with family and found the tour guide to be excellent. They were knowledgeable and well-prepared for questions. This isn't the sort of big museum where you wander around and explore, but rather a smaller place that really takes you deep into the details of what life was like for the people who lived in these types of dwellings in the past--their successes and struggles and their daily routines. You learn a lot by coming here, and the tour was suitable for a variety of ages. It is well worth a visit! Great for both tourists and locals alike. read more

The shop is really cool. They have tons of books and newspapers about the tenement. They also have a movie describing the history. We missed the tour or we would have tried that out. Definitely would be back for the remainder. read more

Went on the tour for After the Famine. The tours are nice and short and sweet at only 1 hour and there wasn't too much walking or stairs. I found the story fascinating and really taken back into time where the Moore family lived there but I would have liked to have seen more. Only got to see one apartment and they are so small so you are really limited on what you see. I did appreciate the story telling, the staff and the small group that I went with. I would come back to attend more tours but wish you could see a bit more. read more

The Tenement Museum was interesting, but I'd say that it was a little bit underwhelming. You only got to see about two and a half (2 1/2) real rooms of tenement housing, and I didn't feel like it really taught me that much. Perhaps I should have picked a different tour to go on, but there wasn't really any way for me to have known that at the time. It kind of seemed like they put more effort into the gift shop than they did the actual museum. I'd probably recommend going to one of the other museums in the city over this one, but it wasn't terrible, just pretty mediocre. read more

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A phenomenal tour and I think everyone should stop here when in NYC. An amazing way to look at immigration to America, and specifically New York from the early days! It is a great way to appreciate how immigrants have contributed to American culture and society for our entire history. They offer many tours the one we did this trip was the Tour and Tasting: Family Owned. It looked at an old saloon and auction house, where we learned about family businesses that had once been housed there and what that meant for New York and the people that lived there. Then we walked around the area to look at different areas and learn more about the businesses that used to call this neighborhood home. The tour ends at Cafe Katja for pretzels and beer or lemonade. This cafe is run by an Austrian Immigrant! It was a wonderful tour and our guides Laureen and Grace were awesome! Highly recommend stopping here! read more

Tenement Museum - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

Such an interesting museum BUT be careful not to get Lin as your tour guide. She is odd and strangely negative. I'm going again this week to tour a different room/family and will amend this review if the guide is better. read more

It sounds like a downer but it is anything but. Every time we visit NYC, we go on a tour here. It just gets better with time as well. They take you through the neighborhood or through one of several apartments they have reassembled. The talks are interactive and a fascinating glimpse of New York in the past. They own the inequities of history but manage to portray the hope and resilience of the former residents. Weirdly the gift shop is also amazing. I always buy a book or something as a souvenir. This place is very special, don't miss it! Sign up ahead as tours are small and often sell out. read more

Great visit at the Tenement museum today. We enjoyed a walking tour of 97 Orchard building by Ben, very informative & learned a lot more about the history of the neighborhood. Definitely worth a visit to the area & would return for another tour. read more

Very informative tour with actual recordings and items from people who lived in the building as long as a decade ago. Personal stories bring history to life. read more