LES:See & Do The magnificent immigrant
story of the LES thrives in the vibrant LES of today. Get a first-hand
experience of your ancestors' experience by visiting a restored
tenement at the Tenement Museum (90 Orchard Street). When you're
done, pass by the nation's first settlement house, University Settlement
at184 Eldridge Street. This historic Georgian Revival building still
provides services to immigrants today. And, you can take a free
walking tour of the neighborhood at 11am Sundays April-December
(meet at Katz's Deli, Houston and Ludlow).
As the lights go down, the streets light up on the LES. Check out the area's unique and eclectic hangouts including Arlene's Grocery (95 Stanton Street, 212.358.1633), the bodega-turned-cutting-edge music venue and bar where many bands have had their start, or the Slipper Room (167 Orchard Street), for comedy and other unique performances.
Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts 172 Norfolk Street, 212-529-7194 The Foundation hosts art and photography exhibits, performances and various fashion, film and music events. The center is housed in the oldest synagogue building in New York. Built in 1849, the historic structure was built in the German Romantic tradition.
Beth Hamedras Hagadol 60 Norfolk Street A Gothic Revival structure erected in 1852; a New York City landmark. Originally a Baptist church, the synagogue houses the oldest Russian Jewish congregation in the United States.
East River Waterfront Located on FDR Drive Houston and below A beautiful park along the river, with tennis courts, basketball courts, a track and fields.
Eldridge Street Synagogue 12 Eldridge Street, 212.219.0903 Boasts one of the finest facades on the Lower East Side. An ornate and eclectic mix of Moorish, Romanesque, and Gothic styles, this national historic landmark was erected in 1886, and is currently being restored.
Henry Street Settlement 265 Henry Street, 212-766-9200 Since its founding in 1893 by social work pioneer Lillian D. Wald, Henry Street has met continuously the needs of its Lower East Side neighbors. Today, Henry Street offers a wealth of social service and cultural programs, including educational and recreational opportunities for youth, shelters and transitional housing, workforce development programs, mental health services, services for seniors and home-bound individuals, and a multi-disciplinary arts programming at its Abrons Arts Center.
Jarmulovsky's Bank Building 54 Canal Street Erected in 1895, this building was the tallest structure on the Lower East Side at the time. Founded by Sender Jarmulovsky who, literally, went from rags to riches (he began his "career" on Hester Street, selling rags from a pushcart), the bank collapsed after the pre-World War I panic, when depositors rushed to withdraw funds to help relatives in Europe.
Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum 280 Broome Street, 212-431-1619 Opened in 1927 to serve individuals of Greek-Romaniote descent. The landmarked synagogue is the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
Municipal Bath House 133 Allen Street, 212-254-3886 One of 15 free public bath houses in the city. Built to provide tenement dwellers, most of whom had no bathtubs in their homes, with a place to bathe. It now hosts the Church of Grace Fujianese.
St. Augustine's Episcopal Church 290 Henry Street, 212-673-5300 Originally constructed by the All Saints Free Church congregation, this landmark Greek Revival church was completed in 1828. Above the balcony there are two small "Slave Galleries," designated seating areas for slaves that the church is presently restoring.
St. Mary's Church 440 Grand Street, 212-674-3266 St. Mary's Parish began in 1826 on Sheriff Street. In 1832 the cornerstone was laid for the present Church location. St. Mary's is the third Catholic Church in New York City after St. Peter's and the old St. Patrick's.
The Educational Alliance 197 East Broadway, 212-780-2300 Call for tour appointment. Established in this 1889 Romanesque Revival structure under the original name of the Hebrew Institute. Its mission was to help "Americanize" newly arrived immigrants. It offered classes in English and was the only free library in the city at the time.
The Seward Park Library 192 East Broadway, 212-477-6770 Constructed with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie in 1909, was designed with a rooftop garden reading area, because land for building was so scarce. It houses a large collection on Lower East Side history.
University Settlement 184 Eldridge Street, 212.674.9120 The oldest settlement house in America, it was established at this site in 1898 under the leadership of Seth Low, then-president of Columbia University, who drew the Settlement's ranks of volunteers from the university's students and graduates.
ABC No Rio 156 Rivington Street, 212-254-3697 www.abcnorio.org Founded in 1980, ABC No Rio is an internationally-known, collectively-run center for art and activism. Regular features include fine art exhibitions, poetry readings, film & video screenings. The weekly hard core/punk and experimental/improvisational music bookings are neighborhood faves.
Abrons Arts Center/ Henry Street Settlement 466 Grand Street, 212-598-0400 www.henrystreet.org Offering classes and workshops in dance, music, theater, visual arts and media catering to all ages and skill levels. Taught by a faculty of professional artists and dedicated educators.
Clemente Soto Velez 107 Suffolk Street, 212-260-4080 www.el.net/csv Named after the beloved Puerto Rican poet, this multicultural art center showcases theatre, music, art and film by artists from all over the world.
Lower East Side Conservancy 235 East Broadway, 212-374-4100 www.nycjewishtours.org Historic preservation and cultural organization. Historian-trained, professional guides provide educational, entertaining and tasty tours of the Lower East Side, showcasing the district's rich immigrant history.
Sunshine Theater 143 East Houston Street, 212-358-7709
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum 108 Orchard Street, 212-982-8420 www.tenement.org Recreates life in the tenements in its restored building with apartments typical of the turn of the century. Offering exciting tours, dramas, "urban explorations," children's programs and exhibitions.
Orchard St. Gallery 60 Orchard Street, 212-966-2720
Participant 95 Rivington Street, 917-488-0185
Sunshine Factory 11 Essex Street, 917-562-8468 www.loisinwonderland.com Healthy neighborhood café and gallery. Fun mix of street art including comic and graffiti.
Zito Studio Gallery 122 Ludlow Street, 646-602-2338 Zito, the artist in residence, paints beautiful, evocative portraits on commission-either from photographs or from a traditional live setting. Shows other artist work with monthly reception.
