Tenement Tales: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of The Lower East Side

5.0 (2 reviews) 2 hours – 2 h 30 min Free cancellation Private tour

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2 reviews

5.0

Tenement Tales: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of The Lower East Side — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Tenement Tales: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of The Lower East Side, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

The Lower East Side’s tenements, synagogues and storefronts have, within them, the story of America.

On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll discover how the densest slum in human history became an incubator for comedy, social justice, and entrepreneurship that transformed the nation. You’ll find out how hardship bred both humor and hope in the Lower East Side, from the perspectives of pushcart peddlers, labor organizers, and immigrants dreaming of a better life.

This tour starts at Straus Square, named after a German-Jewish immigrant who rose from selling china plates to owning Macy’s department store. You’ll walk past the building that once housed a daily Yiddish newspaper that championed labor rights, and former synagogues that welcomed thousands of worshippers. Along the way, you’ll discover how mutual aid societies helped newcomers find housing and jobs, and how women led the largest labor strikes of their era.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours – 2 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: VoiceMap Audio Tours

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Included: App for Android and iOS
Included: Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Included: Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Not included

Not included: Smartphone and headphones
Not included: Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Not included: Food and drink
Not included: Transportation

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

We'll pass by the Forward Building, adding to the historic charm of the neighbourhood.
Stop 2

Passing by

We'll also pass by the Jarmulowsky Building, an early 20th century NYC gem.
Museum At Eldridge Street

Passing by

We'll also pass by the Museum at Eldridge Street, originally a synagogue. However, entry to the Museum itself is not included in this tour.
Tenement Museum

Passing by

We'll also pass by the Tenement Museum, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. However, entry to the museum itself is not included in this tour.
Stop 5

Passing by

We'll also pass by the University Settlement House, the very first settlement house in America. However, entry to the house itself is not included in this tour.
Stop 6

Passing by

We'll also pass by the Russ & Daughters, a classic NYC eatery. However, entry itself is not included in this tour.
Stop 7

Passing by

We'll also pass by the Katz's Delicatessen, a pillar of New York cuisine. However, entry to deli is not included on the tour.
Stop 8

Passing by

We'll also pass by The Angel Orensanz Foundation, the building that housed the first synagogue in the Lower East Side. However, entry to the building itself is not included in this tour.
Economy Candy

Passing by

We'll also pass by Economy Candy, a classic NYC candy shop. However, entry to the shop itself is not included in this tour.
Stop 10

Passing by

We'll end the tour at the Essex Street Market, a mainstay of NYC.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

This tour starts at Straus Square Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading

End point

The tour ends at Essex Market.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

Create an account

Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.

This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.

When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.

Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

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For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]