Traditionally a low-income immigrant neighbourhood, the Lower East Side of Manhattan New York today offers a multicultural blend of down-to-earth bars and trendy upscale boutiques. The area has in recent year gone through a rapid gentrification and the National Trust for Historical Preservation now deems the neighbourhood as one of the most endagered places in the entire U.S. So if you want to catch a glimpse of the Lower East Side before it is all art students and French cafes, this is the time to go.

The Lower East Side has always been considered something of the bargain hunters paradise and this is where the New York garment industry first began its journey to success. It is still possible to find great bargains in places like Orchad street but the area has an influx of trendy shops and cutting edge designer brands. The blend of old and new, pricy and cheap, immigrant and yet so quintessentially American, makes the Lower East Side a bustling hub that attracts visitors and residents from all over the world.

The Lower East Side offer great nightlife and Ludlow St and Clinton St are good places to start since these street have the highest density of night clubs on the Lower East Side. If you are looking for live music there are a lot of choices such as C-Squat, a highly regarded live punk club and if you prefer rock you can try visiting the Bowery Ballroom. Live music is also offered in several bars, such as Cake Shop and Living Room on Ludlow Street and Arlene’s Grocery on Stanton Street.

The Lower East Side is the cradle of the American Jewish culture in the United States Manhattan NYC; especially during the 19^th and 20^th century. Today the early Jewish immigrants and their descendants have largely been replaced by more recent newcomers with different cultural backgrounds, but you can still find vestiges of the neighbourhood’s Jewish heritage here, such as the shops lined up along Hester Street and Essex Street, a handful of kosher delis and bakeries, and the yeshiva day schools run by the Orthodox Jewish community. When planning your visit it is important to keep in mind that stores run by Orthodox Jews will be closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

Did you know that the legendary fake orgasm scene in “When Harry Met Sally” was shot in one of the eating establishments at Lower East Side? The restaurant chosen for the scene was Katz’s Deli on 205 E. Houston St; a place that is still open for business. If you decide to visit the Deli we recommend the pastrami sandwich or the brisket, both are renound for being really really good. “The World’s Finest Knishes since 1910″ is a sign you can see outside Yonah Schimmel’s Knishes Bakery between Orchard St and Allen St on 137 Houston street. This bakery is actually even older than that and has been selling knishes on Houston Street since 1890. It is one of the last distinctly Jewish bakeries left in this part of town.

If you want to learn more about the culture, history and traditions of the great wave of Jewish immigrants to the Lower East Side don’t hesitate to pay a visit to the museum located at the Eldridge Street Synagogue. The museum offers guided tours, cultural events and exhibits and is located in the restored 1887 ational Historic Landmark Eldridge Street Synagogue. They also offer walking tours around the neighbourhood with guides that tell you about the neighbourhood. The museum offer free admittance ecery monday between 10 and 12 a.m.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.