I'm torn between which program to choose. There are 6 of us: 2 teenage girls and their moms and grandmothers.

These appeal the most to us:
GETTING BY
PIECING IT TOGETHER

Please help if you can!!
Thanks,
dina

Well, I've only done one of the two - Piecing It Together - and we thought it was excellent. I chose that one because two of my immigrant grandfathers (out of 3 - one a stepgrandfather) were tailors. The tour starts with a visit to an empty apartment, proceeds to one that not only housed the family, but also, during the day, the garment workers (and is "outfitted" like it would have looked at the time), then to another apartment that is like it would have been after the garment industry moved out of the tenements and into actual factories. Our guide (a NZ student in the US to get his masters) was wonderful. We (including my 20-year daughter, who is NOT a museum fan in general) really enjoyed it.

My daughter and I really enjoyed Piecing it Together, but I don't think you can go wrong with either option.

Another vote for Piecing it Together (my immigrant father was also a tailor). I've lived in NY my whole life and must admit that I was amazed by what I saw. A truly excellent tour.

That is great news. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

I wonder if "Getting By" has similar rave reviews...

So I reserved PIECING IT TOGETHER. I'm really looking forward to it!

thanks!
dina

I think you'll really enjoy it. You'll be close enough to have lunch at Katz' Deli (one of the best in NY).

Thanks for the tip!!
Dina

I'm sure you won't be disappointed, but for the record Getting By gets a rave review from me. It includes a tape from a now-deceased woman who actually lived in the Italian apartment.

At Katz's there is a somewhat confusing (to visitors) system which others may be able to help you with but which generally involves counter service in the front section and table service in the back. Katz's is over 100 years old and famous for, among other things, its WWII slogan "Send a Salami to your Boy in the Army" and the fake orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally.

The Katz' "system" is extremely confusing, so here goes. First of all the table service is against the left wall -- the rest of the main room and the back room (I think) are for self-service customers. You definitely want to do self-serve, table service is for those who can't serve themselves (disabled, old, etc.).

When you enter, each person in your party gets a little ticket like an old-fashioned movie ticket. Then you go to the sandwich counter (on your right) and pick a line. Each server has his own line (none of the red rope, bank-teller type line here). You order from the server. Tell him what you want and he'll give you a taste of everything (even tuna in my daughter's case). Put $1.00 in his tip bowl, and make sure he sees you doing it -- it'll make the difference between a skinny sandwich and one that can feed two or three people LOL! If you want soup, he'll get that for you, too. Then he marks on the little ticket everything you ordered. BUT NOTE, drinks and french fries (which are excellent) are at a different line, so split up --- one person to get sandwiches and soup, one to get french fries and drinks and one to scout out a table!

When you're done, you head for the cashier where you turn in all your little tickets, even those that are blank, and they figure out what you owe (sort of little deli-dim sum).

Hope that helps. The food is worth it. Oh, one more thing - if you order pastrami or corned beef, ask for extra-lean. I think its $1.00 extra, but it's worth it.

Oh, and sit in the front room, the back room is too quiet LOL!

wow! thanks for the advice!

we would have been totally overwhelmed! can't wait to try it...

Here's another tough decision:

Which flavor(s) of gelato at Il Laboratorio?

You must go here while you are there:

http://www.laboratoriodelgelato.com/

I could skip Katz or the museum and just go for gelato!

I could skip Katz or the museum and just go for gelato!

I haven't been, but I say, share a sandwich and a bowl of soup at Katz', take a walk around the LES, and have Il Laboratorio gelato for dessert!

well i won't skip katz' deli or the museum, but the gelato has me intrigued.

i have to admit i'm a bit of a gelato snob -- is this place as good as gelato in italy?? it would be have to be REALLY good to eat gelato in december weather!

thanks.

I can vouch for the gelato--some very unusual as well as delicious flavors.

laboratorio is widely thought to be excellent gelato - many high-end restaurants serve it. Check the website for shop hours in the winter.
http://www.laboratoriodelgelato.com/contact.php

By the way there is also an excellent bakery called Falai on Clinton

http://www.nyc.com/restaurants/falai...al_review.aspx

Try the bumblini, Itlaian "donuts" filled with either cream or jelly.

I also love Katz's and Il Laboratoro.

A gelato snob would feel quite comfortable with Il Laboratorio.

Their gelato is just yummy.

That neighborhood sounds great -- and DELICIOUS!!!

Thanks!