Things to Do in Lower East Side, New York

Once New York's densest immigrant quarter, the Lower East Side keeps its Jewish appetizing heritage at Katz's Delicatessen, Russ & Daughters, and the century-old Economy Candy. The Tenement Museum preserves the tenement past while Essex Market and Orchard Street's bars carry its present.

Tenement MuseumHistory Museum
East River Waterfront EsplanadeCity Park
Bialystoker SynagogueSynagogue

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Top things to do in Lower East Side

Tenement Museum
★ 4.6 · 6.0k
History Museum★
1863 preserved tenement building brings Lower East Side immigrant stories to life with guided tours.
Every day
10 AM – 6 PM
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East River Waterfront Esplanade
City Park★
Website ↗Map ↗
Bialystoker Synagogue
★ 4.7 · 110
Synagogue★
Synagogue in Manhattan's Lower East Side
Every day
8 AM – 6 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Rogue
★ 4.9 · 1.2k
Flea Market
Mon–Thu
11 AM – 7 PM
Fri
11 AM – 8 PM
Sat
11 AM – 8 PM
Sun
12 PM – 7 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Essex Market
★ 4.5 · 6.9k
Market
Indoor market with rows of vendors specializing in meat, fish, cheese, produce & specialty foods.
Mon–Wed
8 AM – 8 PM
Thu–Fri
8 AM – 9 PM
Sat
8 AM – 9 PM
Sun
10 AM – 6 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Economy Candy
★ 4.7 · 2.6k
Chocolate Shop
Since 1937 this shop has been stocking all types of candy, nuts & dried fruit from floor-to-ceiling.
Every day
11 AM – 6 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
(Seward Park Playground) Children's Play Area
★ 4.3 · 763
Playground
Known as the country's first municipal playground, this park includes sports courts & a splash area.
Every day
7 AM – 10 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Fragmental Museum
★ 4.3 · 26.4k
Art Museum
Frank Lloyd Wright–designed modern art museum with an architecturally significant spiral rotunda.
Every day
10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
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The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center
★ 4.5 · 150
Art Gallery
Puerto Rican/Latino cultural center that also showcases local artists & performance companies.
Mon–Fri
10 AM – 6 PM
Sat
11 AM – 10 PM
Sun
11 AM – 10 PM
Website ↗Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in Lower East Side

Katz's Delicatessen
★ 4.5 · 53.9k
Deli· $30–40
No-frills deli with theatrically cranky service serving mile-high sandwiches since 1888.
Mon–Thu
8 AM – 11 PM
Fri
8 AM – 11:30 PM
Sat
12 AM – 12 AM
Sun
12 AM – 11 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Ms. Alice
★ 4.9 · 279
Cocktail Bar
Mon–Thu
4 PM – 12 AM
Fri
2 PM – 2 AM
Sat
2 PM – 2 AM
Sun
2 PM – 12 AM
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Russ & Daughters Cafe
★ 4.6 · 3.6k
American· $20–30
From a legendary appetizing shop comes this retro, full-service outpost serving Jewish comfort food.
Mon–Tue
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Wed
8:30 AM – 1 PM
Thu
Closed
Fri
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Sat
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Sun
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Essex
★ 4.8 · 8.9k
Steakhouse· $40–70
Boozy brunches, happy hours & New American dinners in a warehouse-like space with balcony seating.
Mon–Wed
5 PM – 11 PM
Thu
5 PM – 12 AM
Fri
5 PM – 2 AM
Sat
11 AM – 2 AM
Sun
11 AM – 11 PM
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Davelle
★ 4.3 · 698
Japanese· $10–40
Japanese cafe offering set breakfasts and lunches, plus coffee, tea, and matcha lattes.
Website ↗Map ↗
Russ & Daughters
★ 4.5 · 1.1k
Bagels· $10–20
Fine Food Purveyor
Every day
8 AM – 4 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
La Contenta
★ 4.6 · 1.1k
Mexican· $20–80
Neighborhood joint for Mexican food by a native chef-owner, plus mezcals & other agave spirits.
Mon–Wed
3 PM – 11 PM
Thu
2 PM – 11 PM
Fri
2 PM – 2 AM
Sat
12 PM – 2 AM
Sun
12 PM – 10 PM
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