International Coalition, 91 Orchard St, Frnt A, New York, NY 10002, US

New immigrants packed New York City's Lower East Side in the early 1900s. Some of the first urban reform movements were motivated by the overcrowded, unsanitary living conditions they endured. The Tenement Museum walks visitors through the lives their great-grandparents may have lived when they first arrived in the United States.Best and worst times to go to the Tenement MuseumThe museum explores unrestored tenement apartments, with no air conditioning, and summer visits can be hot. The museum often reserves mornings for school groups, so you may need to plan your visit for the afternoon.Must see/do at the Tenement MuseumThe museum offers several themed tours to choose from; some tours have costumed guides, adding to the feel of walking through the past. The Shop Life tour presents the family businesses on the lower level of the tenement building. The Irish Outsiders tour shows the life of Irish immigrants to the neighborhood. The museum offers other tours that extend beyond the tenement building and explore the Lower East Side neighborhood.Admission to the Tenement MuseumPre-book your tour to guarantee availability. One-hour tours cost about $20 for students and seniors, $25 for adults, except for the "Foods of the Lower East Side" which includes tastings and costs an additional $20.Parking and public transportation to the Tenement MuseumThere are several subway stations within walking distance to the museum. A bus stop one-and-a-half blocks away serves both a public bus and sightseeing buses. Street parking may be available and the museum has arrangements for free parking at a neighborhood lot.Food at the Tenement MuseumThe museum does not have any food facilities, but its Lower East Side neighborhood is home to restaurants. The museum is also a walk away from Chinatown, with many additional food choices.Insider tip for visitors to the Tenement MuseumBesides the perspective gained by a tour of the tenement, come back to the museum for an evening lecture about other aspects of immigrant life in NYC.Author's bio: Elissa Gilbert is a New York native. She blogs about her travels outside of the city at http://www.elissaexplores.com.

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Lower East Side Tenement Museum