Since I’m in New York City for a stint, I decided my cure for chilly jet lag would be to hit the cold streets of New York head on. I had a friend in town who was a first time visitor to NYC so I dusted off my NYC visitor playbook and got us on a few walking tours in New York. I have always recommended food and walking tours for first time visitors to NYC – it’s a great way to orient yourself to the neighborhoods and find some awesome local places to eat during your stay.
My body revolted as I bundled up in my winter jacket and scarf to head out on the streets for 3 hours. But it wasn’t mad at me for long when I started feeding it delicious homemade pasta from the Mario Batali food tour we went on! A fun orientation to the Village and the legacy of Batali. He was a key player in showing Americans what Italian food really was, as opposed to the oversauced, meatballed versions we had grown accustomed to. We went to 3 restaurants and a gelato store, basically having a 4 course Italian meal (antipasto, primo, secondo, and dolce) while roaming around Greenwich Village. Perfecto!
The next day we went deeper into old New York and did a fascinating walking tour of the Lower East Side. The Lower East Side is a neighborhood that has always been the epicenter of immigrants and the beginning of a thriving merchant community. Surprisingly it still really is that today as it is home to the Asian and Hispanic populations living in the redesigned historic tenement buildings.
We went through historic synagogues, stopped at old cafes and food vendors for some nosh, and enjoyed the vibrant street art all while learning of the tough history and emerging gentrification of the Lower East Side. I’ve been to the tenement museum a few times and it has always been one of my favorite places to send people to in NYC – however after this Walks of New York Lower East Side tour I think this was an even better, more interactive way to be really deeply introduced to the history of the tenements and immigrants of Manhattan.
Was in pasta heaven on my Mario Batali Walking tour w @walksofnewyork . I could not get enough of this tagliolini al limone – pasta w lemon zest, carrot, parmesan, & roasted garlic. Simple, fresh & delicious – how Italian food should be!
Time travel Lower East Side w @walksofnewyork
Lower East Side street art and garbage. Spotted on my @walksofnewyork LES tour yesterday.
Even though it’s freezing outside it’s always a good day for olive oil gelato. W @walksofnewyork eating my way through Greenwich village.
Good morning #NYC ! It’s nice to be ‘home’.
Changing perspectives. Viewing the tenements of the Lower East Side #NYC through the stained glass windows of the Eldridge Street Synagogue. W @walksofnewyork
Pucker up for pickles! One of the last pickle shops in NYC – @pickleguys ! Mangos, tomatoes, beets, & of course cucumbers.
Disclosure: I was hosted by the Walks of New York on my tours, however all of the opinions on this site are my own.
Sherry Ott is a refugee from corporate IT who is now a long term traveler, blogger, and photographer. She’s a co-founder of Briefcasetobackpack.com, a website offering career break travel inspiration and advice.
Additionally, she runs an around the world travel blog writing about her travel and expat adventures at Ottsworld.com.com.
