Enjoy A Premium Blend Of Classic Establishments And Trendy Gems In This Iconic NYC Area

A trip to New York City during any time of the year always promises to be memorable. From the endless streets of the city's five boroughs, to the museums and a rich history, the Big Apple never disappoints. However, one neighborhood is often overlooked but worth adding to your itinerary. Located just off the beautiful Williamsburg Bridge, New York City's Lower East Side has undergone a lot of changes in the last century.

Once a beacon of hope for newly arrived immigrants at the turn of the 20th century, the neighborhood was a rundown and gritty safe haven for artists, writers, and weirdos of all kinds in the 80s and 90s. Now, the Lower East Side (or, "the LES," as locals call it), is one of New York's trendiest neighborhoods, and one of the best destinations in the city for history buffs. With an abundance of bars and restaurants the Lower East Side is iconic because it sits at the intersection of New York City's past, present, and future.

For decades, New York City has served as a beacon of hope for the world's tired, huddled, and hungry masses, with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island immortalized as symbols of the United States' inclusivity. In particular, the Lower East Side has been called home by migrants from around the world, including German, Jewish, and Puerto Rican communities. There's no better way to explore these stories than with Viator's walking tour of Tenement History and Immigrant Life in the Lower East Side. 

The experience takes you to some of the most underrated tourist attractions in New York City. With this tour, visitors are led by a local guide to learn about several historic sites, including the African burial ground beneath the neighborhood's pavement and Mulberry Bend, which was once an Italian slum. For film buffs, the tour also includes a visit to the Five Points neighborhood, made famous by Martin Scorsese's gangster epic, "Gangs of New York." You can join the morning or afternoon tour, and it takes about two or three hours to explore the neighborhood.

After the walking tour, go across town to Canal St., a hub of restaurants, bars, and art galleries that runs through China Town and makes the Lower East Side one of New York City's hottest neighborhoods. The intersection of Canal and Ludlow St. is of particular interest, with the area home to one of New York's most prestigious theaters, the Metrograph (also a great place to have some wine or a cocktail).

If you've still got an appetite for more of what the Lower East Side has to offer, another highly recommended tour is NYC: The Story of Lower East Side's Food Culture. This three-hour tour (that has the option of being private if you've got a large group), lets visitors sample New York City staples along four different food spots while strolling through Chinatown and Little Italy. Expect to have some of the best dumplings, empanadas and pizzas you'll ever have! Napkins should be kept handy, as every block you traverse will offer either an old church or a piece of street art that's picture-worthy.

Another Viator foodie tour will also lead you towards one of New York's most iconic sandwiches at Katz' Deli. Their pastrami is known the world over, and film lovers will recognize the interior of the restaurant from the 1989 rom com, "When Harry Met Sally." Other highlights on this tour include some of New York City's best pickles and the Empire State's favorite baked goods: bagels. Harlem is another exciting tourist-friendly neighborhood to explore in New York.