The caretakers have carefully pulled back the layers of the onion on the building at 103 Orchard Street to give visitors an honest depiction of life in Kleindeutschland (the Little Germany neighborhood) 100+ years ago. We went on the Hard Times tour and I, my wife, and my 17 year-old son all came away with an understanding of the struggles... More

A very interesting couple of hours learning about life at the turn of the last century. This tour would be good for older kids or adults.

We did Hard Times and Sweat Shop. They were both very interesting. The first one we did was Sweat Shop. . The guide was extremely informative, and it was very enjoyable. I donnot think you need to do two because they very similar.

We recently visited the Tenement Museum in New York and took the Hard Times Tour. Our Tour Guide was exceptional, took time for questions and made the tenement apartments "come alive" for us. She was careful to explain that although those living in the tenement were certainly experiencing hard times, they still found happiness in their family and new country.... More

We really enjoyed a look into the past. It is good to remember our roots and to appreciate all the conveniences we enjoy. A simpler time and much can be learned. Very educational!!! First visit was in 2002 and have been recommending the museum ever since. The tours have gotten even better.

Here's a suggestion: Do the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour in the morning, come straight here afterward, then walk to Katz's Deli (not far), or hit Little Italy (a little farther but an interesting walk) or Chinatown (alongside Little Italy) and do lunch. If you want to understand how this city -- and much of America, especially urban America --... More

i was very interested in going to the tenement museum in the lower east side. I reserved two tours, the sweatshop worker and the hard times tour and we did them back to back with a 15 minutes break in between. The tenement museum is an old tenement housing building that has been restored. and each of the 2 tours... More

I just returned from one of the best museum experiences in New York. My husband, cousin and I were fascinated by the stories of the Eastern European Jewish immigrants who lived in the tenements on the Lower East Side and made up the bulk of the garment workers at the turn of the century. Seeing the cramped apartments and hearing... More

Although my friends and I have heard our families' stories, it was a new dimension to actually see places and objects and living conditions typical of their experiences. The stories the tour guide told us and the objects she showed us and talked about gave an immediacy to history and made it real. We were on the Hard Times tour,... More