Explore New York’s Layered History
Take a Big Onion Walking Tour and discover New York’s rich history through memorable stories and little-known facts.
Lower East Side: The “Creative Destruction” of an Ethnic Neighborhood
Explore a century of ethnic and architectural change on the Lower East Side.
The Lower East Side has been undergoing a significant transformation over the past decade, but in reality it is has been in a state of dramatic change for much longer. We will walk the neighborhood roughly bounded by Roosevelt Park, Houston, Essex and Canal Streets to explore how this change has been a century in the making. Within this area we will explore the remarkable ethnic transformation, urban renewal and gentrification of the storied neighborhood.
Stops could include: The “Jewish Carnegie Hall”, University Settlement House, The Second African Burial Ground, and sites associated with Rose Pastor Stokes, Ernest Flagg, Eleanor Roosevelt, Robert Moses, and McKim, Mead & White.
We also offer, for private bookings, two related Virtual Adventures: Immigrant New York Virtual Adventure and The Jewish Lower East Side Virtual Adventure.
Tour Info
Cost: $30
$20 Seniors and Full-Time Students
Give a Big Onion Gift Certificate!
Give an experience they’ll remember! All tours are available as gift certificates.
Tour Schedule
No schedule yet
Tour Reservations
Big Onion requires all walkers to reserve and pay in advance. Prepayment helps us determine group size and appropriate guide numbers.
NOTE: You will select your date in the next step.
For bigger groups, consider a private walking or virtual tour!
Whether you are looking to integrate a tour into your academic curriculm or entertaining out-of-towners, a Big Onion walking tour is a great way to experience the city.
For more information, or to arrange, please call (718) 499-3001 or email info@bigonion.com.
Meeting Location
Location:
The northwest corner of Houston Street & First Avenue, at the edge of First Park.
Subway Trains
F train to Second Avenue
FAQs for In-Person Street Walks
Guides
The finest group of tour guides anywhere. Most of us are full-time graduate students researching and writing doctoral dissertations in history passionate about the history, architecture and people of New York.
Finding Your Guides
All guides carry an 8×11 sign that says “Big Onion Walking Tours”.
Time & Distance
All tours last approximately two hours. We start on time and walk between one and two miles at a moderate walking pace, stopping at various sites along the tour.
Rain/Inclement Weather
Big Onion generally presents tours rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather please check our home page for notifications or call our hotline [(888) 606-WALK (9255) ext. 1], to confirm our schedule.
Tips
Gratuities are always appreciated, but never expected.
Reschedule Policy
With 24+ hours prior to a walking tour, Big Onion offers a full credit for the value of the booking. Credits will be given as Gift Cards in dollar amounts. Gift Cards are good for two years and can be used on any Big Onion outing. Cancellations with less than 24 hours prior to the tour or no shows cannot be credited.
Walks are held rain or shine, but may be cancelled for severe weather or if museum is closed. In the event of a Big Onion cancellation or museum closure, full refunds or rescheduled tickets will be offered.
More Questions? Check out How it Works for more details.