Tenement Tales: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of The Lower East Side
Overview
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.
What's Included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
- Food and drink
- Transportation
Meeting Location
Straus Square
New York, NY 10002, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
88 Essex Street
New York, NY 10002, USA
The tour ends at Essex Market.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Forward Building (pass by)
Jarmulowsky Building (pass by)
Museum At Eldridge Street (pass by)
Tenement Museum (pass by)
University Settlement House (pass by)
Russ & Daughters (pass by)
Katz's Delicatessen (pass by)
The Angel Orensanz Foundation (pass by)
Economy Candy (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Tenement Tales: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of The Lower East Side?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-110804P1232
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 3.67 out of 5 stars based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool NYC and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool NYC customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST).
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it.
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata.
- App for Android and iOS.
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start.
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour.
- Smartphone and headphones.
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
- Food and drink.
- Transportation.
The minimum age to participate is 6..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Tenement Tales: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of The Lower East Side is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Tenement Tales: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of The Lower East Side will be included in your confirmation email from Cool NYC. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
- Food and drink
- Transportation
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
