108 Orchard Street (Visitor's Center)

Delancy Street station (F train), Essex Street station (J, M, or Z train), or Grand Street station (B or D train)

212-431-0233

www.tenement.org

Housed in an actual tenement that was home to a total of more than 7,000 immigrants in the years from 1863 to 1935, the museum offers several guided tours through furnished rooms stocked with photos and artifacts. Together these tell the story of the immigrants who lived throughout the Lower East Side.

The museum, chartered in 1988, is comparatively small and exemplifies urban dwelling and the immigrant experience. Several first-rate tour guides recount the stories of different families who lived in the tenement and describe the possessions that were donated to the museum.

Across the street at the visitors' center, visitors can view a film featuring interviews with historians and former residents of the old tenement. A slide show, called “Urban Pioneers,” describes the history of the tenement. The museum has free outdoor exhibits and a gift shop.

For an in-depth experience, check out one of the walking tours, which highlight aspects of the surrounding neighborhood. The Confino Living History Tour, a costumed, interactive experience even five-year-olds will enjoy, runs on the weekends.

Parking, Hours, and Fees

You can find free parking in the lot on Broome Street, between Norfolk and Suffolk, for up to four hours. The museum is accessible by various guided tours only, which take about an hour. The Getting By Tour costs $17 for adults, $13 for students and seniors, and is suitable for children ages eight and older. Tours begin in the visitor center Tuesday through Friday every forty minutes from 1:20 to 5 P.M. and on Saturdays and Sundays on the half hour from 11:15 A.M. to 4:45 P.M., depending on the season. Check the Web site for updated times and holiday hours.

The Confino Living History Tour, suitable for children five and older, operates Saturdays and Sundays at noon, 1, 2, and 3 P.M. Cost is $17 for adults and $13 for students and seniors. It is strongly recommended that you make a reservation or buy tickets ahead of time.