Ever wonder what it was like to live in New York in the days of yore? Our fair city was colonized by the Dutch in the 1600s. Flash-forward 400 years, and about 37% of our citizens identify as foreign-born and New Yorkers speak as many as 800 different languages!

We are truly a melting pot. (Which is just how we like it.)

The bulk of immigrants who came to New York City in the late 19th and early 20th centuries settled on the Lower East Side, moving into crowded tenements in the neighborhood.The area welcomed folks predominantly from China, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Eastern Europe and Russia, and their work here helped build the city and nation. It goes without saying that their stories help us understand our history.

The Tenement Museum enables you to peek into the homes of working class immigrant, migrant and refugee families and listen to their stories. Tours of these tenement homes, complete with their personal belongings, bring our ancestors' history to life.

The buildings are at 97 and 103 Orchard Street. Inside you'll learn about people like Joseph and Bridget Moore, who fled the Irish famine. Or Jennie Levine, who managed a household and oversaw family finances while her husband ran a garment factory in the front room. And Joseph and Rachel Moore. Joseph was from the free Black community in Belvedere, New Jersey, and Rachel was from upstate New York, but in 1857 they traveled here to build their own, diverse community.

Tickets are $30. Head here for more info.

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