Tours
Fashion District History Walking Tour
Over the years I have entertained and instructed many groups of fashion interested adults and students from organizations and schools across the USA and Canada.
The tour that I will do is about 2 hours in duration and contains most of the following:
- The history of the apparel industry in NYC from Henry Hudson to the present and aforecast into the future.
- Some significant events in the evolution of the industry: Mass Production, The sewing machine, the development of ‘sizes’, the invention of synthetic fibers and the impact there of, The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, and the evolution of “Fashion”. How the garment center of today arrived at its current location.
- The immigrant labor force that has driven the apparel industry from its beginning, and how it has changed yet stayed the same over the years.
- During the course of the tour we will make visits to most of the following locations
depending on availability:
- A showroom, where I may be able to get an intern to explain how (s)he got the job, what is required on the job and what their goals are. Perhaps a sample sale as well.
- A factory where garments are spread and cut prior to sewing.
- A visit to some meaningful garment center artwork.
- Visit the location where Calvin, Donna Ralph and Oscar have their workspace.
- A visit to Mood Fabrics, familiar to a"Project Runway” fans.
- A walk through the historic streets of the fashion district.
- The Fashion Walk of Fame
- And much more.
I myself, have spent over 35 years in the industry in many different capacities and am able to relay interesting anecdotes that I have witnessed first hand, such as the evolution of Children’s Flammable Sleepwear & how garments are designed costed produced, marketed, financed and more.
Email: MikesNYCTours@yahoo.com
Telephone: (212) 370-4214
Telephone: (917) 952-4610
Garment Center Holiday Bargain Shopping Tour
Join your tour guide, Mike Kaback, a 35 year garment center pro, for his 11th annual showroom and warehouse, holiday bargain shopping tour. Go behind the scenes in the Garment Center where showroom sample sales abound during this time of year. Get a chance for unheard of bargains at prices below cost, and less! The manufacturers we visit are the same vendors that sell to stores such as Bloomies, Saks, L&T, Barneys and boutiques all over the country. The merchandise available represents overproduction, canceled orders and one-of-a-kind samples. Please make sure to bring cash — When there is a chance to bargain, cash will make it happen!
DURATION: 2 - 2.5 hours
Email: MikesNYCTours@yahoo.com
Telephone:(212) 370-4214
Telephone:(917) 952-4610
The Jewish Lower East Side
Your guide, born and raised on the Lower East Side strolls with you through this ever-changing neighborhood. Visit the various religious and cultural institutions including the Educational Alliance, orthodox tenement shuls, the RJJ and Seward Park. Sample the experience of your grandparents. Grab a bialy at Kossars, a perfect dill pickle and visit Streitz’s Matzoh factory. Play a quick game of hopscotch, stoop ball or skully — become a genuine Lower East Sider for the afternoon. Tip: Wear comfortable shoes!
DURATION: approximately 2 hours
Email: MikesNYCTours@yahoo.com
Telephone:(212) 370-4214
Telephone:(917) 952-4610
Gramercy Park Walking Tour
This neighborhood remains one of the most quaint and lovely in New York City. Spend a few hours with your guide enjoying the scenery and visiting beautiful and historical sites in this area: the last private park in New York City, the Players Club, National Arts Club, the Block Beautiful, the former home of Stanford White, Cyrus W. Field and Peter Cooper, and more!
DURATION: 1.5 - 2 hours
Email: MikesNYCTours@yahoo.com
Telephone:(212) 370-4214
Telephone:(917) 952-4610
Hike New York City
Take a hike with your learned guide to uncover the secrets of many of New York’s greatest neighborhoods and structures including the U.N., Chrysler Building, Grand Central, Times Square, Herald Square, Flatiron, 5th Avenue, NY Public Library, Bryant Park, Broadway, Herald Square and much more! Tip: Wear comfortable shoes & bring cash for a pizza or a bagel!
DURATION: 5 - 6 hours
Email: MikesNYCTours@yahoo.com
Telephone:(212) 370-4214
Telephone:(917) 952-4610
Easter Parade Walking Tour
Visit and (more fun!) join in today’s Easter Parade on 5th Avenue, after a short, in-depth walking tour of mid-town New York City. Sites explored include Grand Central, the beautiful and historic NY Public Library, Times Square, Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Building. Tip: Bring your camera to capture the paraders in the most beautiful, exotic and outrageous bonnets! (See photos at here)
DURATION: approximately 2 hours
Email: MikesNYCTours@yahoo.com
Telephone:(212) 370-4214
Telephone:(917) 952-4610
Flatiron and Madison Square Park Walking Tour
Spend some time exploring and learning about one of New York City’s most interesting areas: the home of the Flatiron Building, the original Madison Square Garden, “23 Skidoo,” and the center of NYC social life in the mid-19th century. Walk through an urban oasis while soaking in tales of the city’s amazing history.
This tour examines the area in and around Madison Ave where it intersects Fifth Ave.
The history includes, Stanford White’s many contributions including his affair with a 15 year old showgirl; 23rd St., former site of Fao Schwarz, The Eden Musee, and Ajeeb the chess playing “Automaton”, Tin Pan Alley, The former Delmonico’s home of Lobster Newburgh. NY Life Insurance building, home of the first and second Madison Square Garden, Famous Statues: Wm. Seward, General Worth Monument, Farragut Monument and The Met Life Building, once the tallest in NYC. Reverend Parkhurst, Winston Churchill’s Mom, Jenny Jerome. The 69th Regiment Armory, and the Ashcan School of Art. All this and much more! This tour is sponsored by the flatiron/23rd st partnership. Make sure to check out their webpage .
DURATION: 1.5 - 2 hours
Email: MikesNYCTours@yahoo.com
Telephone:(212) 370-4214
Telephone:(917) 952-4610
