Home to theaters, grand bank buildings, education centers, and flophouses, the historic 1.5-mile Bowery had it all. Originally this path was part of the Mohican or Wickquasgeck Trail, which connected Algonquin territory spanning all the way to Montreal. The Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam built their bouweries, or farms, along the trail, further cementing the land as a major thoroughfare. Later, the Bowery played a role in the Revolutionary War and eventually became a place for wild fun and an anything-goes attitude. On our newest walking tour, Secrets of the Bowery, we’ll dive into each chapter of this street’s fascinating history on the Lower East Side!
Lower East Side residents, along with folks from all over the city, would flock to the Bowery to hear song buskers like Irving Berlin, see moving pictures, open a bank account, or get a bowl of soup when falling on hard times. You’ll retrace the steps of these New Yorkers from the past and visit numerous sites they would have seen including the grand Cooper Union building, the former sites of Amato Opera House, music venue CBGB, and much more. Check out photos from the tour in the gallery below:
