Free Lower East Side History Tour

Duration: 2h and 15min
Languages: English
Guru: Alex
Quality Verified Registered on February 06, 2023

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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  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

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?

  • Meeting point:
    50 Stuyvesant St, New York, NY 10003,...
    50 Stuyvesant St, New York, NY 10003, USA
    View on map

    I will be standing in front of the church holding a clear folder full of black and white images.

  • 1
    Outside visit
    Astor Place
  • 2
    Outside visit
    St. Marks Church-In-The-Bowery
  • 3
    Outside visit
    McSorley's
  • 4
    Outside visit
    Cooper Union
  • 5
    Outside visit
    Katz's Delicatessen
  • 6
    Outside visit
    Angel Orensanz Foundation
  • 7
    Outside visit
    Essex Market
  • 8
    Outside visit
    Tenement 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

13 ratings
5.0
By category
Professionalism
5.0
Fun
4.91
Expression
5.0
Quality
5.0
Route
5.0
Generic
5 stars
13
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Anne 25 Mar 2023
Rotterdam

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
San Jose

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
Lawrence Township

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?
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