Lower East Side Tours and Activities
29 Reviews

Once a hub for newly arrived immigrants, then later, a gritty part of New York City largely populated by struggling artists, the Lower East Side is now one of Manhattan’s trendiest neighborhoods. You’ll find unique boutiques, small galleries, and plenty of character in this district bordered by East Houston, Essex, Canal, and the Bowery.
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
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.
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.
Address: New York City, New York, USA
15 Tours and Activities to Experience Lower East Side
Sort by:Featured

NYC Lower East Side Food and Culture Small-Group Tour
454
From stroopwafel to mozzarella to knishes; there are many amazing eats on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. On this small-group walking tour, discover the neighborhood's diverse cultural heritage and learn how its immigration history has influenced its dynamic foodie scene. Along the way, visit markets, bakeries, and restaurants, and sample delicacies from all around the world.
…More
From
$81.63
From
$81.63
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Learn More

NYC Lower East Side Walking and Food Tour
284
Delve deeper into the food and multicultural history of Manhattan’s Lower East Side than you could alone on this small-group walking tour. Rather than guessing at eateries and foods to try, let a guide showcase local hotspots and specialties; and chart their European, Jewish, and other cultural roots. Taste snacks such as “knish” doughballs, “bialy” filled rolls, and more; and learn stories of 19th-century immigrant life that many travelers miss.
…More
From
$69.34
From
$69.34
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise
200
Avoid the mobs of people sightseeing on land, and opt for this Manhattan architecture yacht cruise instead. From the teak deck of the boat, learn about New York City's architectural landmarks as you circumnavigate the island and listen to the 'Around Manhattan' narration provided by members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). One beer or glass of wine is provided, as well as soda.
…More
From
$106.00
Price varies by group size
From
$106.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Lower East Side Eats Food Tour
49
Foodies experience the diverse flavors of New York City’s Lower East Side on this culinary walking tour. Join your guide to begin your stroll, where you can uncover the immigrant history of the neighborhood, and learn how diverse cultures contributed to the rich culinary world of the Lower East Side today. Highlights include the tastings at six different shops, restaurants, and cafés, where you sample everything from traditional Jewish delicacies and bagels to old-fashioned candies, donuts, and more.
…More
From
$75.00
From
$75.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Private New York City Jeep Tour: Exploring the Urban Jungle of Lower Manhattan
16
Cruise around New York City like a VIP in a private Jeep Wrangler with a personal chauffeur. Cover far more ground than you could on foot as you drive the streets of the Big Apple and explore all of the city's most famous neighborhoods including Greenwich Village, SoHo, TriBeCa, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side.
…More
From
$399.00
per group
From
$399.00
per group
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Learn More

Tastes of the Lower East Side
2
The Lower East Side can seem intimidating to explore on your own, but this Tastes of the Lower East Side food tour is a perfect introduction to the neighborhood, its history, and, of course, its food. Explore the LES on foot and learn about its rich immigrant past. Hear about the various groups who immigrated to New York City and sample some of the delicious foods that they brought with them.
…More
From
$48.00
From
$48.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

New York Double-Decker Bus Night Tour
226
See New York City shine in all its glory on this illuminating night tour. From aboard an open-top double-decker bus, see the lights and evening activity of Times Square, Greenwich Village, SoHo, the Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and more. Savor incredible panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline at night.
…More
From
$29.00
From
$29.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Learn More

Private Tastes of the Lower East Side Tour
On this private tour, get up close and personal with the Lower East Side: one of Manhattan’s most diverse and dynamic neighborhoods. Pick a departure time that works for your schedule, and meet your guide. You’ll see the Eldridge Street Synagogue, popular eateries like Katz’s Deli and Russ & Daughters, the Manhattan Bridge, and more. As you go, learn about the immigrants who shaped the area, the history of tenement housing, the Lower East Side’s rich culinary culture, and more.
…More
From
$96.00
From
$96.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Historical NYC neighborhood tour with a soccer focus, followed by a live match
3
Our tours allow you to see the sites as well as the match. Soccer Walks NYC is the only New York walking tour that will introduce you to the history of the city through the eyes of the many immigrant groups that have arrived in New York with a dream for a better life and a love of soccer. Neighborhoods covered include the Lower East Side, Little Italy, Greenwich Village and East Village.
After exploring the immigrant history of various New York City neighborhoods, we’ll stop in to one of NYC’s many soccer bars to experience what it’s like to watch your favorite team or league with a bunch of rabid football fans in New York City.
…More
From
$25.00
From
$25.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

New York City Hop-on Hop-Off Tour including One World Observatory Admission
26
Put the 'big' in the Big Apple by covering a huge swath of Manhattan on this 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour and then gain entry to the sky-high One World Observatory in lower Manhattan. Save your feet and leg muscles by riding comfortably on the double-decker bus, learning about the history of the city as you go, getting off when something strikes your interest. Then head to One World Observatory for a stunning view. Upgrade to a 48-hour 'all loops' ticket to see even more.
…More
From
$88.00
From
$88.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Learn More

Street Art & Graffiti Tour in NYC Private Tour
4
New York’s vibrant Lower East Side neighborhood has, in recent years, become a hub of some of the city’s most experimental and boundary-pushing street art. Go on a small-group, cultural walking tour of the neighborhood, and spot noteworthy works by internationally renowned artists. Meet your guide at the Houston Bowery Wall in Nolita—famed for its ever-changing murals—and then venture to the LES. You’ll admire pieces in the 100 Gates Project, will see work by Shephard Fairey and Space Invader, and learn more about the vibrant local street art community.
…More
From
$200.00
$50.00 savings
From
$200.00
$50.00 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

A History of Housing the Poor: A Walk of New York's Lower East Side
9
Enrich your understanding of New York as a city of immigrants, exiles, and refugees on this walking tour of the Lower East Side. With an informative guide leading the way, learn about the African burial ground beneath the city’s pavement, the Italian slum of Mulberry Bend, the Five Points neighborhood of “Gangs of New York” fame, and the waves of poor immigrants who called this corner of lower Manhattan home.
…More
From
$42.00
From
$42.00

Empire State Building Ticket with Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
19
New York City is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world, but taking in the highlights can be daunting. With this hop-on-hop-off tour, admire the most famous sights in the city without getting footsore or having to navigate public transportation. Relax on an open-top sightseeing bus to admire Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty and enjoy a bird’s-eye view from the Empire State Building.
…More
From
$70.00
From
$70.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Hudson River Bike Rental
12
Spend the day exploring Lower Manhattan’s architecture, sites, landmarks, and coastal views with this convenient bike rental. Perfect for independent travelers, choosing a rental rather than a tour lets you go at your own pace and spend as long as you want at each stop. Plus, traveling by bike enables you to fit in more sights than you can on foot.
…More
From
$8.17
From
$8.17
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Learn More

Private Downtown Street Art Tour With Guide/Muralist
5
New York City has been a street art destination for close to 50 years. On a private walking tour through downtown neighborhoods, your guide points out hidden murals that visitors often miss. Along the way, learn about the evolution of Lower Manhattan, from the influx of immigrants to how it became the city’s first artist colony. Booking a private tour ensures a tailored experience and your guide’s full attention.
…More
From
$328.67
per group
From
$328.67
per group
Things to do near New York City
- Things to do in New York
- Things to do in Brooklyn
- Things to do in Newark
- Things to do in Long Island
- Things to do in Philadelphia
- Things to do in Amboseli National Park
- Things to do in Boston
- Things to do in Salem
- Things to do in Washington DC
- Things to do in Buffalo
- Things to do in Niagara Falls & Around
- Things to do in Montreal
- Things to do in Ottawa
- Things to do in New Jersey
- Things to do in Pennsylvania