Historically the epitome of the American melting pot, the Lower East Side is one of Manhattan's most enthralling downtown neighborhoods. A little-known quarter that began to attract attention toward the end of the nineteenth century when it became an insular slum for over half a million Jewish immigrants - and the most densely populated spot in the world. Coming here from eastern Europe, refugees sought a better life, scratching out a living in the neighborhood's sweatshops. Since then, the area has become considerably depopulated and better maintained, and while up until recently the inhabitants were largely working-class Puerto Rican or Chinese, these days you are just as likely to find students, artsy types and other refugees from the overly gentrified areas of SoHo and the nearby East Village. Below Houston, today's Lower East Side is one of the most hip areas around for shopping, drinking, dancing and (what else?) food. Along East Broadway or Grand Street, how ever, it is still a bit seedy.

To reach the Lower East Side, take the #F, #S or #6 train to Broadway-Lafayette Street, or the #F or #V to Delancey Street