How long does the self-guided tour take?

Most visitors spend about 45 to 60 minutes completing the self-guided tour at their own pace.

Are audio guides available?

Yes, audio guides and mobile apps enhance the self-guided experience with additional stories and context.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

The museum has made accessibility improvements, but some areas may have limited access due to historic architecture.

Can I take photos inside the synagogue?

Photography is welcome without flash to protect sensitive artwork and artifacts.

Are group tours available?

Private group tours can be arranged for 10 or more visitors, offering a more detailed, guided experience.

What is the admission cost?

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $8 for children ages 5–17; children under 5 enter free.

Self-Guided Museum Tour at Eldridge Street, NYC | Guided Tour | Museum

In the heart of New York City's Lower East Side, the Museum at Eldridge Street offers a distinctive journey into the past with its Self-Guided Museum Discovery Tour. Located at 12 Eldridge St, this experience invites visitors to step inside the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a stunning National Historic Landmark built in 1887. This synagogue stands as an extraordinary piece of architectural history and a testament to the relentless spirit of Eastern European Jewish immigrants who laid down roots amidst the crowded tenements and bustling streets of turn-of-the-century Manhattan.

The building itself is a striking example of Moorish Revival style, notable for its intricate stained glass windows and elaborate woodwork. As you move through the space at your own pace, you'll discover layers of history—both architectural and cultural—that reflect the Jewish immigrant experience, community life, and the neighborhood's evolving identity. The synagogue was more than a house of worship; it was a center for connection, education, and hope for immigrants forging a new life.

After decades of decline due to immigration restrictions and urban changes, the $20 million restoration revitalized this landmark into a vibrant museum. Today’s self-guided tour offers a flexible, immersive exploration, perfect for visitors who want to engage deeply with exhibits covering immigration narratives, preservation efforts, and the synagogue's rise, fall, and revival.

This tour is a unique urban adventure, different from typical hiking or outdoor excursions but no less rewarding for those interested in cultural landscapes and urban history. Situated in one of NYC’s most historically rich neighborhoods, the Museum at Eldridge Street provides a window into the immigrant roots that helped shape modern America—a must-visit for travelers seeking the stories behind the city’s iconic mosaic.

About Museum at Eldridge Street

Museum at Eldridge Street preserves and interprets the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a landmark on Manhattan’s Lower East Side established in 1887. The museum offers a range of guided and self-guided experiences, including docent-led discovery tours, self-guided visits, architecture and anniversary building tours, virtual talks, and multilingual programs.
Regular offerings highlight walking tours that explore Jewish history across neighborhoods such as the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, and Historic Jewish Harlem, as well as themed walks about activism, love and courtship, and the Jewish gangsters of Lower Manhattan. Monthly Spanish-guided tours are held every last Monday of the month, and special events include concerts, exhibition talks, and food-focused walks like the Eldridge Eats Food Tour.
The museum presents virtual programming, including seminars tied to exhibitions such as the Lower East Side in 1975 photography project and virtual book talks. The Anniversary Building Tour celebrates the synagogue with artifacts, documents, and images presented by guides like Scott Brevda.
By combining historic preservation, community programming, and educational tours, the institution supports research and public engagement without relying on conjecture. Visitors can expect factual interpretation rooted in primary sources, curated exhibitions, and live-led programs produced by professional staff and volunteer docents. Located in New York, New York, the Museum at Eldridge Street serves both local audiences and visitors seeking authentic stories of Jewish immigrant experience, architecture, and cultural history on the Lower East Side. Programs include guided education for schools, public lectures, family activities, and seasonal events that deepen neighborhood connections and archival access.