Lower East Side Travel Guide

New York

Lower East Side
Lower East Side
Lower East Side
Lower East Side
Lower East Side

Old combines with new and high art meets urban grit in this ever-changing and eclectic melting pot neighbourhood with broad appeal.

One of Manhattan’s most interesting areas, the Lower East Side combines a rich immigrant heritage with a bohemian character that still survives today. Contemporary art galleries and fine dining have begun to proliferate. Visit the Lower East Side to experience a unique New York mix featuring a day of cultural exploration, eating, drinking and waterfront walking.

Learn about early immigrant life at the Tenement Museum. In tenement buildings such as these, over 15,000 immigrants lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often working desperately hard to build lives in America. Explore the recreated home and garment shop of a Jewish-American family, encounter personal narratives and try ethnic cuisine in neighbourhood structures.

The Lower East Side has been an artistic hub for decades. Delve into the world of contemporary art by visiting the renowned New Museum, appreciating sculptures, paintings and installations from diverse global artists. Admire its unusual design, which resembles a series of unevenly stacked white boxes. Stop at the Sperone Westwater Gallery, housing works from artists such as Helmut Lang and Susan Rothenberg in an award-winning building.

Have a meal at Katz’s Delicatessen, the classic New York deli where a famous scene in When Harry Met Sally… was filmed. Shop for bagels and lox at the family-owned Russ & Daughters Cafe or head to the Essex Market to sample flavours from all over the world in a state-of-the-art food hall.

Beloved for its nightlife, the Lower East Side has an exciting ambiance after dark. Select from dive bars or watch a show at the Bowery Ballroom, an illustrious indie venue with multiple bars and performance spaces.

The Lower East Side is located in downtown Manhattan, immediately south of the East Village. The area is well served by a number of subway lines. Travel by taxi if necessary but traffic is often heavy. Relax with a scenic walk along the East River Waterfront Esplanade, which offers lovely views over the iconic Manhattan Bridge and the East River.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Lower East Side

PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel

PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel

4 out of 5
215 Chrystie St, New York, NY
The price is ฿7,801 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
฿7,801
฿10,752 total
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 6 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,073 reviews)
Clean room, very convenient location. Some of the amenities in my room were broken/did not work unfortunately . A bedframe sconce, charger outlets, and two out of the four curtain sheers did not open without manual manipulation.

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2025

PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel
citizenM New York Bowery

citizenM New York Bowery

4 out of 5
189 Bowery, New York, NY
The price is ฿6,825 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
฿6,825
฿7,946 total
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,618 reviews)
Area

Reviewed on 25 Oct 2025

citizenM New York Bowery
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

4 out of 5
811 7th Ave, New York, NY
The price is ฿5,192 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
฿5,192
฿7,384 total
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.4/10 Good! (5,257 reviews)
The hotel's location is perfect for exploring all the nearby attractions, but I did have some concerns during my stay. For instance, the rooms could benefit from a deeper clean and some modernization, including the windows, regardless of the room category. Additionally, the breakfast option was limited, ...

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2025

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
Hyatt Grand Central New York

Hyatt Grand Central New York

4 out of 5
109 East 42nd Street, at Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY
The price is ฿7,184 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
฿7,184
฿9,857 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (6,319 reviews)
Great hotel! I would book again for another trip!

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2025

Hyatt Grand Central New York
Lotte New York Palace

Lotte New York Palace

4.5 out of 5
455 Madison Ave, New York, NY
The price is ฿19,250 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
฿19,250
฿23,141 total
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in New York. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,684 reviews)
Soda was $12/bottle - ice was brought to our room in a ziplock plastic bag- pretty incongruous

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

Lotte New York Palace
Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel

Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel

4 out of 5
235 West 46th Street, New York, NY
The price is ฿4,115 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
฿4,115
฿6,335 total
24 Nov - 25 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,441 reviews)
Excellent location for the theater district

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2025

Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Lower East Side

SoHo - Tribeca showing a city

SoHo

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in SoHo. Spend some time visiting top spots like Singer Building, and catch the metro at Prince St. Station or Spring St. Station to see more of the area.

SoHo
Default Image

Financial District

4.5/5(112 area reviews)

Enjoy the important monuments in Financial District. Brooklyn Bridge is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Wall St. Station (William St.) or Broad St. Station to see more of New York.

Financial District
Greenwich Village which includes a fountain

Greenwich Village

4.5/5(41 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like 5th Avenue while getting to know Greenwich Village, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Christopher St. - Sheridan Sq. Station or W 4 St. Station to see more of the area.

Greenwich Village
Downtown Brooklyn showing heritage elements and a bridge

Downtown Brooklyn

4/5(23 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Brooklyn Bridge while getting to know Downtown Brooklyn, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Jay St. - Tech Station or York St. Station to see more of the area.

Downtown Brooklyn
West Village featuring signage, city views and café lifestyle

West Village

Consider a visit to Bleecker Street and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in West Village. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Christopher St. - Sheridan Sq. Station or 14 St. Station (7th Ave.).

West Village
Default Image

Williamsburg

4.5/5(44 area reviews)

Noted for its cafes and live music, there's plenty to explore in Williamsburg. Top attractions like Brooklyn Brewery and Music Hall of Williamsburg are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Metropolitan Av. Station or Lorimer St. Station (Metropolitan St.) to see more of the city.

Williamsburg


Lower East Side Travel Guide