7 Easy Things To Do | NYC Lower East Side Travel Guide
I have a confession to make. Even as a frequent traveler, New York City overwhelms me.
This was my second time in the city and I finally felt like I was starting to get comfortable, partly because we decided to focus on one area, the Lower East Side, instead of trying to hit all the highlights.
The Lower East Side and Lower Manhattan are a great place to focus on and we had plenty to see, do, and eat in our 48 hours there.
Here are my top 7 easy things to do for a relaxed and fun experience.
1. Drink Amazing Coffee & Eat Bagels
With so many choices how do you decide where to start? Luckily enough I was traveling with The Abundant Traveler, and we put our heads together to decide.
First, coffee. Right across the street from our hotel was Ludlow Coffee Supply. Their coffee was delicious from the drip to the latte, all were on point. They have space to lounge if you want to hang out, and a few snacks like pastries and avocado toast.
For breakfast, we walked a little bit north of the LES into the East Village and stopped into Thompkins Square Bagels. The bagels were fresh and all you dream of when you think New York bagel. They offered plenty of flavor options and the cream cheese selection was endless! Yes, I had already taken a big bite before I took a pic of my classic pairing of plain with plain. (I had to go old school to see how it truly tasted!)
Pro Tip: Gluten free or traveling with someone who is? My friend had a gluten-free bagel that she said was really good here! She had not tasted a bagel in over 10 years!
2. Visit the Tenament Museum or Synagogue & Museum at Eldridge St.
Spend an hour or two of your morning at either the Museum & Synagogue at Eldridge Street or the Tenement Museum for some history and culture.
The Museum & Synagogue at Eldridge Street – Museum & Synagogue at Eldridge Street – Technically located in Chinatown this is a great historical spot to visit. Built in 1887, this is the last remaining landmark of the Jewish Lower East Side. You can borrow a booklet for a self-guided tour, or take a guided tour daily from 10 am – 4 pm on the hour.
The Tenement Museum – You’ll need to purchase a ticket for a guided tour to visit this location, but it’s amazing to see pieces of immigration history. Abandoned for 50 years, the founders recovered pieces of immigration history form inhabitants of the 1860s to the 1930s. Tickets can be purchased on their site here.
Pro Tip: Always check the official website for any museum or site a few weeks before you travel there. You never know if reservations are required, or if you’ll get a cheaper rate in advance! You can also schedule curated walking tours with a company I like called Walks. They have a variety of NYC tours you can check out – click here.
3. Stroll (and snack) at the Essex Market
I love a city market with lots of food options. If you read my post on one week in Portugal, you know how much I loved Time Out in Lisbon.
Essex Market started across the street originally where the pushcarts of the 20s and 30s were housed. The facility that the food shops and counters are in now is new and fresh. It felt like it was missing something character-wise, but I still enjoyed walking around and even taste testing some New York pizza. I maaay have burned my mouth on it because I couldn’t wait to eat it. 🙂
Pro Tip: Walk the entire market first and then come up with a game plan of which stall(s) you want to return to and try. Prices were reasonable for the city with most plates around the $12 range (Pizza was $3.50 for a slice)
4. Eat Lunch at Katz's Deli
If you haven’t heard or Katz’s or it’s pastrami sandwich, I’m not sure how or why. Open since 1888 (with a few changes since then), it’s an institution in NYC and a Lower East Side pillar.
I didn’t make it on this trip since I was in town for a conference, but it will remain on my list because it’s definitely worthy. We were lucky enough to have Katz’s Deli expand to Austin (now closed) and I visited a few times before it shuttered. DELICIOUS.
5. Walk the Williamsburg Bridge
Work off all the snacks and lunch by walking the Williamsburg Bridge. It’s quite the walk and we didn’t make it all the way across. This bridge connects the Lower East Side at Delancey Street across to Brooklyn near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
Make sure you walk in the correct lane, as there are biking lanes and pedestrian lanes. It’s fun to watch the people of NY running, riding bikes, teaching kids how to ride bikes and just strolling. There are some nice views but do know that the whole bridge is basically surrounded by a cage, I imagine to keep people from throwing things on cars below.
Pro Tip: NYC is a city for walking, but you’ll want to have some comfortable shoes on, especially for this activity. Want a cute shoe that doesn’t scream workout? Try New Balance or Vans for style and comfort.
6. Enjoy a Beverage
At this point in the day, I think it might be time for happy hour.
We visited a few wine bars in the general area. Below are two that I really enjoyed.
Jadis Wine Bar – 42 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002: This quaint little spot had a nice happy hour and delicious bites. The chef cooks right at the counter in the smallest little kitchen in front of you.
La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels – 249 Centre St, New York, NY 10013: If you love great quality wine and don’t mind a slightly higher price tag, this is a great option. The wine was quality.
Pro Tip: On a budget? Add happy hour to your schedule to save some money and still enjoy delicious food and drinks. NYC can be an expensive place!
7. Eat Delicious Pizza
I LOVE pizza. It might be an unhealthy obsession to be honest. Remember that slice of pizza I had at Essex Market? Well Kim, The Abundant Traveler, asked that vendor where to find the best gluten free pizza in the city. That led us to Keste in Greenwich Village – I bit of a trek from the LES, but WORTH it.
We started with their house-made burrata and prosciutto, and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. Kim ordered the gluten free pepperoni pizza and I got the white pie with arugula. Y’ALL – I live down the street from a pizza mecca called Pieous here in Texas, and this pizza was just as amazing and delicious. Neapolitan style, not a NY slice, but just the way I like it cooked in a wood fired oven.
Pro Tip: Ask locals where to find the best food or things to do. They will always have a recommendation you have never heard of or would not have found on your own!
Where to Stay
Where I stayed – Hotel Indigo: This modern and chic hotel on the Lower East Side is a great choice. Located on Ludlow street, the location is great for walking the area. They offer a rooftop bar on the 15th floor and a “lobby” cafe on the 14th floor. I ordered room service the night I arrived and it was really good. I also had their coffee and yogurt with berries and granola, all super tasty for a hotel.
Other Options:
CitizenM New York Bowery – This hotel is also located on the Lower East Side. With a coffee bar that transitions to cocktail bar at night and modern fun interiors this is a great choice. Moderate pricing.
Hotel on Rivington – Ultra cool vibes without an outrageous price tag, I want to stay here when I go back to NYC. The hip and cozy bar, and Mediterranean cafe on-site are a plus.
I think that was a fun and easy day on the Lower East Side, don’t you? I really enjoyed this part of NYC after previously visiting Midtown, Tribeca and the Financial District, this felt like a cozy and quaint area of the city.
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Have you visited the Lower East Side or are you adding it to your NYC Travel list? Let me know in the comments below!
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