Hello! For the last blog post from my New York City trip, I’m showing you around the Lower East Side. This part of town is one of the most interesting, historic, and edgy parts of the city. I’m drawn to this area because of the story behind it, along with the gentrification that has happened over the past few decades that has made the LES hip and modern, with a grungy twist.

The adventure started after crossing over the Brooklyn Bridge. The Lower East Side is just a few blocks from the Bridge.

We walked past Chinatown on the way.

The buildings in this area are a mix of gritty tenements and upscale boutiques.

There’s a big art scene in the Lower East Side as well, which you’ll get hints of everywhere.

With Little Italy nearby, this area is packed with cuisine from all over the world.

Below is a very popular restaurant/cafe called Urban Backyard, focused on environmental and social responsibly. The inside is a very popular spot for food bloggers.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, the Lower East Side was transformed by an influx of immigrants from Europe. It was first heavily populated by Germans, then followed by Eastern European Jews. The Jewish neighborhood grew to about 400,000 people, becoming one of the largest ethnic groups in the area. They lived in harsh conditions and were usually packed into small apartments or tenements. During my last visit to NYC, I visited the Tenement Museum, which is a fantastic way to learn about the immigration process and the life that many of these people lived. The visit included a tour of a mock apartment with live actors. I’d highly recommend a visit here. (The photo below is from nycgo.com)

As you move away from the Tenement Museum, you’ll start to see more boutiques and hip cafes.

Shops have been having fun with their signs, although I’m not sure what half of them mean! Especially the one about a goat…

There is much more in the Lower East Side that is not included in this blog post, but I think the best part about NYC is that it should be explored in pieces. There are so many hidden spots and stories around the city. I hope you enjoyed this little escape. Feel free to check out the rest of my NYC blog posts.

Until next time, stay safe.

-Katherine