The most Instagrammable places in NYC's Lower East Side

The Lower East Side is known as the gritty stomping ground of young people stumbling out of bars, but it’s much more than that. As multi-millionaire businesswoman Ursula Burns once said: “I’m a black lady from the Lower East Side of New York. Not a lot intimidates me.”

The neighborhood, facing the Williamsburg Bridge, has a village-like personality that is home to traditional delis, quirky alleyways, a street art museum and a jungle of bars, indie restaurants and cosmopolitan nightlife. For those who like to photograph their way through their holidays, check out these iconic hotspots, which are the most Instagrammable places on the Lower East Side (don’t forget to hashtag #lowereastside).

THE NEW MUSEUM

This iconic silver museum is hard to miss in the Bowery. The multi-floor museum features contemporary art, from video art to sculptures and rotating exhibits from the world’s hottest art stars. On weekends, their Sky Room is open to the public offering stunning views of Lower Manhattan. Take the elevator to the museum’s top floor patio, which overlooks the stunning city (especially at sunset).

Since 1888, this deli has been serving mile-high sandwiches. The look is old fashioned, and so is the sumptuous menu. This traditional hotspot is famous on the silver screen, as Meg Ryan shot her legendary scene here for “When Harry Met Sally.” Order up a pastrami sandwich with a matzo ball to get a real taste of the city.

FREEMAN ALLEY

The Freeman Alley in the Lower East Side is a dead-end alley between Bowery, Rivington Street and Chrystie Street. Named after a restaurant that used to be down the street, it’s filled with graffiti, murals on garages and Instagrammers getting the perfect shot in the small laneway. Don’t miss the mural by Shepard Fairey. At the end of the alley, you’ll find a blue door that leads to Freeman’s restaurant, a rustic and classic American tavern.

WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE

This 1,600-foot-long steel suspension bridge that connects Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn across the East River is a must-trek-to hotspot for the perfect Instagram photo. It’s also where you can bike, walk, drive or take the subway across. Taking a picture in the middle of the bridge offers a great view of both boroughs. Better yet: Capture the bridge from between two buildings on Delancey Street, close to the Delancey metro station for an iconic New York photo.

MUSEUM OF STREET ART

This museum was founded by local street artists who now have a permanent space for their spray-painted masterpieces. The 20-floor stairwell museum at the back of the citizenM Hotel offers a different painting on each floor. Check out a mural of Ru Paul, the Drag Race TV host, as well as a 5000-square-foot mural by local artist Meres One.

NURSE BETTIE

Dita Von Teese fans will not be disappointed at this bar. Named after legendary pinup model Bettie Page, this burlesque-themed bar is covered in 1950s pinup photographs, while couches are lined up along the walls. Try the bubble gum martini or a classic Manhattan. This hotspot has the longest running, free weekly burlesque shows every Thursday and Friday at 10 p.m. This is the ultimate place to catch an up and coming local dancer who steps onto their iconic stage every week. The costumes are from another era, filled with rhinestones, gems and sparkles.

TENEMENT MUSEUM

Want to see what New York once looked like? Walk back into the neighborhood’s past at this museum which pays homage to the immigrants who carved out their lives in the Lower East Side from the 19th century onward. Don’t expect your usual infographics; this is a real experience. The museum has recreated six authentic apartments based on the belongings of real families who lived across two buildings. Roughly 15,000 working-class immigrants from 20 countries once lived among (or nearby) these walls and this homey museum pays homage to them all.

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