Tenement Museum

Tenement Museum Kitchen

One of our favorite places to recommend in New York City is the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.  This is partially due to the fact that a couple of us have family roots in the neighborhood, going all the way back to 1882 (My great-grandparents moved here from Naples Italy.  My grandfather was born here.)

We think of the Tenement Museum as the next logical place to visit after Ellis Island, for those who have an interest in mid-19th Century to mid-20th Century immigration to this country.  The tour guides at the Tenement Museum make the walls speak with the stories of the immigrant families who passed through this place.  Stories that mirror the same heard by us from our parents and grandparents.  The Tenement Museum makes those stories come to life. 

If you don’t know, the old tenement house you tour (about 1 hour) was condemned and vacant for about 50 years, retaining much its original “feel.”  Small and limited size groups are taken through, and told the story of a specific family who lived in a particular apartment.  You see their belongings, papers and pictures.  It is a fascinating and warming experience for all.

If you are looking for rich off the beaten path New York City sightseeing experiences, you may want to consider taking one of our tours.  We can incorporate such places as the Tenement Museum on the itinerary we custom create with you.  Contact us today for more information:  www.FamilyInNewYork.com.