Tenement History and Immigrant Life in the Lower East Side

4.9 (81 reviews) 2–3 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

81 reviews

4.9

Tenement History and Immigrant Life in the Lower East Side — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Tenement History and Immigrant Life in the Lower East Side, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

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At a glance

Duration: 2–3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 5 people
People per booking: 1–5
Guide: English
Operated by: Manhattan Unlocked Historical and Architectural Walking Tours

Ages: Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Local guide
Included: Professional guide

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Foley Square

15 min

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

5 min

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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.
Stop 6

Passing by

One of the first parks in the neighborhood. It was so crowded on opening day it was standing room only. Here, an array of photos from Jacob Riis' How the Other Half Lives brings the past to life.
Stop 7

Passing by

A newspaper that was an institution for the Jewish community.
Tenement Museum

Passing by

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

Passing by

DeLancey Street was the clothing discount outlet center of the past.
Stop 10

Passing by

The Allen Street bath house functioned as such from 1905 until 1975, along with about a dozen in the area. This one lasted the longest and was converted to a church.
Stop 11

10 min

We end the tour on the rooftop of Hotel Indigo. Here we'll be be able to see a bird's eye view of the different tenement types, along with a spectacular view of Midtown, a perfect way to end the tour.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Tour starts nearby the sculpture, Triumph of the Human Spirit, at Foley Square

End point

We end overlooking the streets we walked from the upper floor lobby of the Indigo Hotel where we will be able to identify the various eras of tenement laws from a birds-eye perspective.

Using your ticket

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.