When exploring New York City you’re bound to find a little bit of everything. Every neighborhood has it’s own personality. From the very posh to the very gritty. Now, I’m going to focus on the grittier side of the city: The Lower East Side. Truth is, this neighborhood used to be a dump. A “You’ll get stabbed by a coked-out tranny” kind of place. But no worries! The LES has rebounded quite nicely from its former depravity and is filled with fun sites. But it has kept a little bit of the grit for good measure. Exploring the Lower East Side is a true New York experience cause it really represents what the city used to be and what it currently is in an artful way. A good example of this would be the Tenement Museum. In the 1800’s there was an influx of immigration to New York City and simply very little space for this melting pot of people to fit. The Lower East Side had a number of Tenements (which is just another word for “tiny apartment” and was often in a communal living situation). This museum is an homage to the working-class immigrants and the conditions in which they lived. This living style is still present as most New Yorkers live in very small apartment. A small price to pay to live in the greatest city on earth.

Let’s just talk about food for a minute. If you’re a foodie or a brunch aficionado then the Lower East Side may be heaven for you. There are countless adorable pastry shops, restaurants and cafes. Some cheap and some not-so-cheap but all delicious. One of favorite spots however is Economy Candy on Rivington Street. This place is mecca for anyone with a sweet tooth. Another amazing spot would be Meow Parlour on Hester Street. This little patisserie is a great place to enjoy cookies and macarons with some kitties. Yes, that’s right, kitties! Snacking with cats was a cafe trend that first started in Taiwan and now it’s an LES exclusive for cat lovers to observe and play with felines while sipping tea and eating sweets. Other eateries of note include, Little Cupcake Bake Shop on Prince Street and Doughnut Plant on Grand Street. There is certainly no shortage of good eats on the LES.

By and far the best part of the LES is the street art. In the city, if you want to find great public art the Lower East Side is the place to be. Street Artists have made this their playground for years. I’ve always thought of the LES as a sort of “Outdoor Museum” because a number of high caliber artists make their mark on the brick walls and windows on almost every block. Most of these pieces get tagged or are otherwise covered within less than a year so there is always something new to admire which just adds to variety of this great neighborhood. The Lower East Side is so artistic and colorful it is easy to overlook the grim. Overall there is a nice balance of beauty and grit. The street art here is the best in New York. And considering the epic street art through Brooklyn and the Bushwick area, this is a big statement. The spirit of random creative art has not been lost despite the fact that the area has been somewhat sanitized over the years. All-in-all The Lower East Side is quintessential New York, a neighborhood of great diversity, interesting history and a fantastic and unique aesthetic.

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My name is Shannon. I am a travel photographer and I have made it my mission to spread my joy of wanderlust to the masses. Through my lens I see the world and all its beauty and want to inspire others to get on that plane and fly. It's just me and my camera. My name is Shannon. I am a travel photographer and I have made it my mission to spread my joy of wanderlust to the masses. Through my lens I see the world and all its beauty and want to inspire others to get on that plane and fly. It's just me and my camera.