Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: City Hall Park, 43 Park Row City Hall, New York City, NY 10038-1508

We meet at the fountain in this park just outside of New York’s City Hall. We discuss the beginnings of the city and sample a local treat. We also see some of the nearby buildings (Municipal Building, Woolworth Building, Brooklyn Bridge), and mention their history.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: The Municipal Building, Chambers and Centre streets, New York City, NY 10007-1602

We point out some of the exterior features and talk about the building’s history.

Duration: 5 minutes

Pass By: Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, NY 10038

Take in the beauty of this amazing feat of engineering as we get a view from the Manhattan side. Our guides will give you tips on how to walk across it and can share some stories about its history.

Stop At: African Burial Ground National Monument, Duane and Elk Streets next to 290 Broadway, New York City, NY

We discuss the discovery of the burial ground and the building of the memorial and monument, including the significance of some of the design. We also talk a little bit about the early African experience in New York through those that were brought here as slaves and those that were freed.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: New York City Supreme Court, 60 Centre St, New York City, NY 10007-1402

We talk about the history of the surrounding area that was once a poor Irish community and before that a polluted pond. You get to see the building that is now most famous for being featured on most episodes of Law & Order.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Columbus Park, 67 Mulberry St Baxter St, New York City, NY 10013-4331

We briefly walk through this park on the edge of Chinatown and talk about what used to be here: the notorious neighborhood of the Five Points. We discuss the Irish immigration and show photos of what the neighborhood used to look like.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Chinatown, Canal Street to Bayard Street, New York City, NY 10013

We walk through part of the neighborhood, discuss Chinese immigration, and visit a dumpling shop that is a local favorite. We also give tips on where else to visit in the large community.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Little Italy, Mulberry Street, New York City, NY 10013

We head up and around Mulberry Street and discuss Italian immigration. We get to see some amazing modern street art, hear stories about organized crime, and visit an historic local Italian food shop for a delicious tasting.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Nolita, New York City, NY

We cruise through one of the most trendy neighborhoods in New York today and discuss the changing neighborhood. This used to be Little Italy, but today it’s loaded with hip bars and restaurants and we get to see some of the best street art in the city.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: St. Patrick's Cathedral, 50th Street & 5th Avenue Wheelchair accessibility located off the corner of 51st Street and 5th Avenue, New York City, NY 10022-6863

As we walk through Nolita, you get a chance to see the original St. Patrick’s and learn about the hardships Catholic immigrants first suffered when coming to this country.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Sara D Roosevelt Park, E Houston St Between Chrystie & Forsyth St, New York City, NY 10002

Learn about the history of this park, named for FDR’s mother, and take a quick stroll through the northern end. We’ll also stop at the M’Finda Kalunga Garden inside the park to discuss Latin American immigration and how this neighborhood has changed throughout the decades.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Lower East Side, New York City, NY

See the transformation of the neighborhood from an area filled with run-down tenements and poverty to one that is currently being gentrified. See lots of great street art and community gardens. Learn about Jewish, German, and Latin American immigration in this neighborhood and sample some traditional food.

Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Tenement Museum, 103 Orchard St Lower East Side, New York City, NY 10002-3102

We share stories about the founding of the museum and its important part in Lower East Side history. Our tour ends very close to the museum and our guides can give you tips on how to get tickets and explore their excellent gift shop.