Lower East Side and the East Village in New York City

Featuring funky shops, bars, and restaurants that radiate from Ludlow Street, Orchard Street, and Clinton Street, the Lower East Side and the East Village offers a wealth of exciting things to do in the Big Apple.

The Lower East Side borders Soho and the East Village and is known for designers, writers, artists, and musicians. was once the world's largest Jewish community, today this is New York's landmark historic Jewish neighborhood. This is one of New York's favorite bargain beats, where serious shoppers find fantastic bargains, cutting-edge new designers, and hot bars and music venues - and possibly the best place to get a great pastrami sandwich, pickles out of a barrel, and the world's best bialys.This area is a true multicultural blend, with trendy boutiques, French cafés, and fabulous nightspots among dry-goods discounters, Spanish bodegas, and family owned shops selling everything from T-shirts to designer fashions.

The East Village once housed millionaires, but due to many immigrants flooding into New York City in the 1900s, the elite were soon displaced, and therefore moved uptown. Since then the area has housed all kinds of diverse population with everything from hippies to punks. Today the neighborhood is still run by the younger generation, with experimental music clubs and theaters and cutting-edge fashion this neighborhood. It also reputedly contains the most varied assortment of ethnic restaurants in New York City with everything from Indian Eateries to old pubs. This area is also home to New York University and what was once the Astor Library, the restored Public Theater has been the opening venue for many famous plays.