Secrets of the Lower East Side Tour and Tasting in New York City

2 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

Once the most densely populated districts in the world, the lower east side of Manhattan has witnessed numerous changes during the past hundred years. This walking tour is a resourceful glimpse of the past. The tour will focus on a few of the remaining vestiges and surviving buildings and structures of an era of Jewish immigration. The streets were lined with numerous stores and pushcarts including Jewish delicatessens, bakeries, pickle stands, cafeterias to name a few.

You will be shown buildings and structures that still exist today as well as those that have been restored, re-purposed, demolished, and abandoned. I will speak about what transformed the neighborhood and conclude with a discussion of several food establishments that still exist today and a brief look at the Lower East Side today. Along the way, we’ll stop at a couple of these to nibble on traditional Jewish food.

What's Included

3 food Stops
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet in front of The Pickle Guys on the corner of South East Corner of Grand and Essex Street. Your guide will be holding a sign.

End point

Tour will end by the subway station (F, M, J) on the South East Corner.

Itinerary

Duration: 2 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    Stroll through this historic NYC neighborhood and sample foods that are a staple of Jewish culture.

    45 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    The Pickle Guys

    It was estimated that during the heyday of Jewish immigration (1880-1924) over 60 pickle stores existed. This is one of the few that still remain.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3

    Visit one of the oldest municipal parks in Manhattan. The park named after William Henry Seward, a U.S. Senator from New York, was opened in 1903. See one of the few statues in the U.S. dedicated to Togo, the sled dog who led the most treacherous route of the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4

    Experience the street that was one full of peddlers and pushcarts. Learn what happened to all of the vendors.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5

    See the sign of a famous bank of the lower east side and see what this magnificent building was transformed into.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Essex Market

    Learn the history of markets like this once were created and see a modern marketplace today. This is the ending point for the tour. The tour will end by the subway station (F, M, J) on the South East Corner.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 7

    See the site of the oldest Jewish newspaper in New York City and the current site and the find out what’s there now.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Supplied by Richard Soden

Tags

Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Small Group
Food & Drink
New Product
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Likely to sell out
from per group (up to 8)
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