The Lower East Side, one of downtown Manhattan’s most colorful and unique neighborhoods, is located between Chinatown and the East River, with East Houston Street serving as its northern border. Historically a home to immigrant communities from all over the world, the Lower East Side still pulsates with diversity today, with countless ethnic eateries, neighborhood watering holes and coffee shops alongside fine dining restaurants, upscale bars and boutiques. The Lower East side’s working class history lives on in its raw streets and classic New York storefronts, but the primarily residential neighborhood now boasts many new luxury buildings and conversions, offering a higher class of amenities and living space than has ever been available there.

What to do:

The Lower East Side is blessed with iconic ambience and tremendous entertainment. Soak it up! From bagels and lox at Russ and Daughters to trendy up-market nightspots, you can’t go wrong. Or check out one of the Lower East Side’s bumper crop of music clubs for some of New York’s best new bands.

Lower East Side Loft Culture:

Lower East Side lofts include examples of every type of residential loft on the market, from raw industrial-style to chic high-end elevator buildings. Newly-built loft buildings offer remarkable amenities like top-of-the line appliances, private elevators and stunning views. Older Lower East Side lofts, converted from industrial space, offer exposed brick, wood floors and very high ceilings. Commercial lofts in the Lower East Side are fewer and tend to be storefronts.