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Free booking and cancellationFree payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
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Accepts electronic paymentThis tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card
Free Lower East Side History Tour
I am a licensed tour guide, professional blogger, and active member of the Guides Association of New York City. My passion is New York’s food, history, and culture, and my walking tours are one of a kind NYC experiences! I also created, own, and operate a tour agency called Food Strolls Guided Tours right here in New York City.
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Tour description
Join Alex on a Lower East Side walking tour through a neighborhood once spanning Canal to present day 14th Street. We'll discuss its history, from wealthy farmland, to tenement filled slums, and back to prosperity again. We’ll visit 17th century Dutch colonial sites, talk about 19th century Irish, German, Italian, and Jewish immigration, and discuss the neighborhood’s place in contemporary pop culture.
We'll visit a bunch of New York City Historic Landmarks during the tour, including famous churches, synagogues, and theaters. We'll also go inside several local businesses with deep historical connections to the neighborhood, including pubs, music clubs, and markets.
If time allows, we may even have a drink at NYC's oldest Tavern!
Along the way you'll have plenty of time to ask questions and engage with Alex on any number of topics. The tours are casual, flexible, and fun, so bring your curiosity and a comfortable pair of walking shoes!
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Highlights
What will we visit on this tour?
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View on mapMeeting point:50 Stuyvesant St, New York, NY 10003,...50 Stuyvesant St, New York, NY 10003, USA
I will be standing in front of the church holding a clear folder full of black and white images.
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1Outside visitAstor Place
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2Outside visitSt. Marks Church-In-The-Bowery
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3Outside visitMcSorley's
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4Outside visitCooper Union
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5Outside visitKatz's Delicatessen
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6Outside visitAngel Orensanz Foundation
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7Outside visitEssex Market
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8Outside visitTenement Museum
How much does this tour cost?
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
Tour opinions
Anne
25 Mar 2023
Verified booking
Travelled alone -
Mar 2023
Great tour with two wonderful hidden jam surprises that just made my day! Again Alex’s tour left me feeling enriched and relaxed.
Sama...
06 Mar 2023
Verified booking
Travelled alone -
Mar 2023
Alex’s tour of the lower east side was both fun and informative. The range of history covered was expansive, from colonial time, immigration of the 19th and 20th century, 80s music to present day, and his presentation was very vivid and engaging. We were able to visit interiors of several historical landmarks, Highly recommended!
Jane
01 Mar 2023
The most fun and unique experience! I can't wait to do another tour with Alex.
chris
01 Mar 2023
It couldn’t have been a more educational or fun experience! Alex really knows his stuff and also where to take you off the beaten path to get great food!
Rudolf
01 Mar 2023
Alex is a very personable and knowledgeable tour guide
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Who is this tour for?
Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Accepts reservations up to 20 people.
Pets
Not suitable for pets.
What should you know?
Minimum of attendees
A minimum of 4 people is required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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See availability