Lower East Side
Lower East Side
4.5
About
This section of Manhattan once inhabited by Jewish immigrants has undergone a rebirth in recent years.
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The area
Neighbourhood: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
How to get there
- Grand St • 2 min walk
- Bowery • 4 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
10,000 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,591 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
160 reviews
Excellent
69
Very good
67
Average
19
Poor
5
Terrible
0
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,791 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
NYC's Lower East Side has traditionally been an area of impoverished ethnic neighborhoods. Little Italy was the center of Italian life in NYC, until the process of gentrification began, and many Italians moved out, mainly to New Jersey. Chinatown continues to prosper. Many new immigrants find shelter here. The traditional Jewish neighborhoods have been overtaken by new tenement dwellers. The Lower East Side is undergoing a revival, as artists and new settlers move in. It's well worth a look around, we stayed here and were made welcome.
Written 24 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,367 contributions
Nov 2021
I've always avoided this part of town a bit worried about the crime. But I did not detect any bad vibes as I wandered all around, enjoying the huge array of ethnic restaurants and cafes. Great atmosphere and mix of people. This is a real neighborhood with history.
Written 11 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samoht
New York City, NY444 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Today we visited the Lower East Side for the first time in several years and were disappointed by the seriously deteriorated conditions in some areas. Many stores are vacant and show a serious lack of care. Trash and graffiti are everywhere. Walking these streets was not the pleasant experience we were hoping for.
Written 17 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
neil102
Astoria, NY7,973 contributions
Jul 2020
I love coming down here to view the boutique stores and little restaurants. One of the nicest things to do is go to some of the art houses during the summer months. A must for those who want to visit NYC. I came back here in July 2020.
Written 16 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,791 contributions
Mar 2020
Manhattan's Lower East Side has traditionally been populated by poor immigants. In the 2000s the Lower East Side began a process of rapid gentrification. Now it is best known for its nightlife eating, drinking, dancing and live music. The Lower East Side's immigrant history can be seen in the Tenement Museum. Delancey Street and Hester Street are still the geographic heart of the Lower East Side, though most Jewish people have moved elsewhere..
Written 27 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolynscully
South Londonderry, VT9 contributions
Oct 2019
I would recommend this tour for anyone visiting NYC and for people living in NYC who never get out of their own zip code and who would like to explore a different part of NYC. Bruce shared lots of information on history, architecture, and the different cultures living in the LES. The tour was fun and we moved an at a nice pase stopping often Bruce answered all of our questions and at the end of the tour, he emailed us a tip sheet with links on what we saw and other information about NYC.
Written 19 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark W
Boca Raton, FL2,732 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Famous as a Jewish immigrant neighborhood at the turn of the Twentieth Century, it is changing rapidly as luxury apartment buildings spring up all around. However, there are still a number of restaurants, shops, and institutions which preserve memories of what once was in its past.
Written 18 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,367 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This part of lower Manhattan has gone through a big transition to a gentrified present, full of cool restaurants and bars, and more expensive apartments. But still a lot of traditional low income housing, so the old mix of immigrants is still present. A little gritty, but very safe. Take a walking tour to learn the history.
Written 21 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alec D
Seattle, WA2,743 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
When I lived in Manhattan this is where I lived. I love going back to visit. It's such an interesting and vibrant part of the city. If you have time make sure to find your way to the Lower East side of Manhattan.
Written 24 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kappy26
Boston, MA1,091 contributions
Jun 2018
A neighborhood on the east side of NYC were there are flea markets with lower prices and good deli’s as well as the tenament museum.
Written 22 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jodi
Boca Raton, FL58 contributions
Best day to find outdoor venders and action in LES ? Thanks
Lucy P
123 contributions
Yes, the lower east side is very safe. Probably more so than some other neighbourhoods. I stayed all over NYC in apartments and this was my favourite spot. It's always busy and full of young professionals. Lots of cafés, restaurants, bakeries, juice bars etc
Carol K
New York City, NY440 contributions
The Lower East Side is certainly safe. It's bustling now, with plenty of restaurants, bakeries, and so forth. Tompkins Square Park is no longer Drug Dealers' Heaven. There are little mini-parks here and there, and some cultural institutions for you to visit. The whole area is not yet fully gentrified, so there's still a genuine core of old neighborhood left. The old shops on Orchard Street have in some cases been replaced by trendier and more expensive ones, but now and again you will still find some bargains. If you're buying food, visit the Essex Street Market. Do NOT rent a car. Use buses and subways, the way true New Yorkers of all classes do. (Well, almost all classes, but practically everyone does use public transportation.) There are also buses. . Do not be afraid of the subway. It's not gorgeous, but it's fast and safe and you won't have to spend hours or lots of $$ trying to park a car.
Vivb8
8 contributions
Is it safe to stay in lower east side. We are hiring a car. Where is best to stay with car in new york
Marciahi
New York City, NY1,469 contributions
The Lower East Side is completely safe, both to visit and to stay. I work there and never fear walking the streets. In the evening it can get a little crazy with all the restaurants and bars but this does not make it unsafe-just different and interesting. One big problem is local parking so it is best not to drive there but take public transportation. There are many reasonable hotels on the Lower East Side. There is also long term parking on Broome between Norfolk and Suffolk.
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Claim your listingLOWER EAST SIDE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lower East Side
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Lower East Side:
- Lower East Side Food and Neighborhood Tour (From €36.56)
- Private Lower East Side Food and Neighborhood Tour (From €87.75)
- NYC Lower East Side Walking and Food Tour (From €86.83)
- Lower East Side Bagel Tour (From €53.63)
- Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise (From €102.37)
- Hotels near Lower East Side:
- (0.23 km) Moxy NYC Lower East Side
- (0.11 km) The Allen Hotel
- (0.19 km) The Historic Blue Moon Hotel
- (0.25 km) Kasa Lantern LES
- (0.30 km) Wyndham Garden Chinatown
- Restaurants near Lower East Side:
- (0.01 km) Simple
- (0.01 km) Zest Ramen
- (0.02 km) The Flower Shop
- (0.02 km) Takumi Japanese Cuisine
- (0.04 km) Vanessa's Dumpling House
- Attractions near Lower East Side:
- (0.03 km) Skin Station - Manhattan
- (0.17 km) Yaf Sparkle Fine Jewelry
- (0.21 km) Sourced Adventures
- (0.19 km) Tenement Museum
- (0.14 km) Live In Theater