Tours
ZOOM tours of the Garment District, Flatiron and Lower East Side
Mike has re-created his walking tour as closely as possible, virtually, through ZOOM. The tour incorporates a whole lot of the signature Mike Kaback schmaltz thrown in for good measure, including his Grandmother, Momeleh. (Who wouldn’t wax nostalgic?) The ZOOM session even manages to include visits to several garment factories, both present day and of yore.
Below are the dates for tours offered by Mike Kaback for the month of April, 2021. Most are free but those offered through the N.Y. Adventure Club are for a $10 fee.
Please e-mail mikenyctours@yahoo.com for more information and to sign up for any of these tours.
- April 1st @ 11am - NY Adventure Club Garment District Tour*
- April 2nd @ 2pm - Free Garment BID Tour
- April 12th @ 7pm - Free Garment BID Tour
- April 15th @ 4pm - Free Flatiron BID Tour
- April 22nd @ 7pm - Free Garment BID Tour
- Mike’s own personal experiences in the Fashion Industry and Garment District over the last half-century.
- Changes in Fashion through the years
- Immigrants and the growth of the NYC apparel industry.
- Factories and workers.
- visit into several factories over the years
- The Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire of 1911.
- Unions and Gangsters.
- How the Garment District of today relocated to its current location.
- Fashion Ave and The Fashion Walk of Fame.
- A look into the future of the Garment Industry.
- And Much More!!
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: (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:(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:(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:(917) 952-4610
