Lower East Side

The Basics

A good way to immerse yourself in the Lower East Side’s history, culture, or culinary diversity is to join a tour of the area on a topic that interests you—whether that’s street art, multiethnic cuisine, the immigrant experience, or the influence of organized crime groups. Alternatively, wander the streets on a broader walking tour that introduces you to the neighborhood’s landmarks and hidden gems.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Lower East Side is a must for New York City history buffs.

• Unlike in much of Manhattan, the Lower East Side’s streets are numbered, making navigation slightly trickier.

• Be prepared to wait in line to get into the long-standing Katz’s Delicatessen, recognizable from the movie When Harry Met Sally.

How to Get There

Manhattan’s Lower East Side is easily accessible via subway, 24 hours a day. Or, take the M15 bus, which travels along Houston Street.

When to Get There

There’s always something going on on the Lower East Side, but the neighborhood is generally liveliest after dark. On Friday and Saturday nights, New Yorkers hit the many bars, clubs, and music venues clustered around Ludlow and Orchard streets. Late Sunday is another popular time, when area restaurants serve brunch.

Lower East Side Museums

A handful of museums cater to different interests on the Lower East Side. Check out the Tenement Museum to see how Manhattan’s earliest immigrants lived, or view the current exhibition of contemporary art at the New Museum. And if you want to learn more about Manhattan’s Jewish history, don’t miss the Museum at Eldridge Street, housed in a synagogue that opened in 1887.

What part of Lower Manhattan is considered the Lower East Side?

While New York City geography can appear fuzzy, with new neighborhood acronyms popping up overnight, the Lower East Side still has clear contours. It refers to the section of Manhattan wedged in by Chinatown and Canal Street to the south, Soho and Nolita to the east, and the East Village to the north.

What is the Lower East Side best known for?

This is where many of New York City’s most storied immigrant communities started in the 19th and 20th centuries. The era can still be glimpsed through the neighborhood’s historic tenement walk-ups. Lower East Side addresses once carried a stigma, although you’d never know that today. While still gritty, the neighborhood has also gentrified.

How can I spend a day in the Lower East Side?

Take a stroll down Orchard Street, once the domain of Jewish fabric merchants and now an urban laboratory for new boutiques, cafés, and galleries—with a vintage deli thrown in. Grab a pastrami sandwich at Katz’s Delicatessen. After sundown, while away the evening at a comedy show or neighborhood music venue.

Is the Lower East Side safe for tourists?

Yes, the Lower East Side has more than cleaned up its once-seedy reputation over the years. This is one of Manhattan’s most bustling neighborhoods day and night, so you’re unlikely to encounter any dodgy situations. That said, anyone in any city should keep their wits about them and watch out for pickpocketers.

Is the Lower East Side expensive to visit?

New York City tends to be expensive, especially Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, and the Lower East Side is no exception. But the beauty of this wonderfully multi-dimensional neighborhood is that high-end brunch joints and designer shops are sprinkled in with greasy spoon diners and old-school corner stores. And hey, strolling around is free.

What shouldn’t I miss in the Lower East Side?

Be sure to check out the Tenement Museum. Located on Orchard Street, the museum encompasses two 19th-century walk-ups that housed over 7,000 immigrants and migrants from over 20 countries. Choose from various themed apartment tours (including one focused on women and another on famine), which can be booked online in advance.

Can I visit the Lower East Side on a guided tour?

Yes. Travelers will find no shortage of guided neighborhood walking tours, including from the Tenement Museum. While you should also allot time to venture out on your own, visiting the area with a guide is a great way to learn about the legacies of many first-generation Americans who have called the Lower East Side home.

Ways to explore

A good way to immerse yourself in the Lower East Side’s history, culture, and culinary diversity is to join a tour of the area on a topic that interests you—whether that’s street art or the immigrant experience. Food tours are a particularly popular way to taste the neighborhood’s multiethnic cuisine, as Chinatown and Little Italy are just steps away. Alternatively, wander the Lower East Side’s streets on a broader walking tour that introduces you to the neighborhood’s landmarks and hidden gems, such as the Tenement Museum and Museum at Eldridge Street.

Accessibility

Some Lower East Side tours are wheelchair accessible—check with the tour provider before booking.

Age limits

Most tours allow children under 18, provided they are accompanied by an adult.

What to pack

Water and essentials

What to wear

Clothing for the weather and comfortable walking shoes

Not allowed

Rules vary by tour, but most don’t allow smoking, drinking, or non-service animals.

Address

The Lower East Side is in Lower Manhattan, with Chinatown to the south, Soho and Nolita to the east, and the East Village to the north. You can walk there from the surrounding neighborhoods or access it via public transportation, which is easily accessible from any of the five boroughs.

Driving

Navigating around Manhattan can be stressful, and parking can be hard to come by on the Lower East Side. For a more convenient experience, take a taxi or a rideshare to the neighborhood.

Public transportation

Delancey Street-Essex Street is one of the neighborhood’s most central subway stations, with train lines F, J, M, and Z.

Best times to visit

Head to the Lower East Side around lunchtime, when the widest variety of street food vendors, museums, and shops are open.

Best days to visit

There’s always something going on in the Lower East Side, though it’s best to visit on a weekday to bypass Saturday and Sunday crowds.

Best months to visit

The Lower East Side is best experienced on foot, so head there when New York City’s weather is most pleasant from March–May or September–November.

Special events

In June, the Museum at Eldridge Street puts on the Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Street Festival to celebrate the neighborhood’s multicultural identity.