Bowery Travel Guide

New York

Bowery
New York
New Museum showing a city and modern architecture
New York
New Museum showing interior views

Hundreds of years of history layer on top of one another along this famous street in New York City’s Lower East Side.

Explore centuries of New York City history along the Bowery, one of the city’s oldest streets. This iconic corridor between Chatham Square in the south to Cooper Square in the north is just 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) long. A 30-minute walk passing art museums, performance venues and historical sites highlights the artistic and immigrant tradition that makes the Lower East Side neighbourhood unique.

Start your tour of the Bowery with a look to the past at a historical museum in the surrounding blocks, such as the Tenement Museum, the Museum at Eldridge Street or the Museum of Chinese in America. Alternatively, look for clues in the streetscape. The thoroughfare was lined with farms 350 years ago. Notice the many historic tenement buildings, where working-class immigrants settled as the city boomed during the 19th century.

Observe the Bowery’s unusual width and grassy median. An elevated train ran the length of this street, casting a shadow where the city’s underbelly thrived. From gambling houses to dancehalls, the Bowery was a destination for New Yorkers seeking illicit delights. It was also the territory of the Bowery Boys, a notorious gang.

Appreciate the busy atmosphere of the Bowery today. As factories closed and the Lower East Side experienced decline after the 1970s, artists moved in and gave the neighbourhood its bohemian, youthful reputation.

Check out the artsy wall at Bowery and Houston Street, where famous painters periodically install colourful, complex murals. Visit one of the neighbourhood’s arts venues to experience the community’s enduring creative spirit. As well as presenting global contemporary artists, the New Museum also grants stunning, 360-degree views of Lower Manhattan from its seventh-floor observation deck. Sample a bohemian lifestyle at Bowery Poetry through daily writing workshops and nightly poetry and burlesque performances. Attend a concert at The Bowery Ballroom, where musicians have become famous since 1998.

Opening times and ticket prices vary between venues visit their individual websites for more information. The street itself is free and open to the public to visit. Child-friendly guided tours of the neighbourhood are available most days from the nearby Tenement Museum.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Bowery

PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel

PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel

4 out of 5
215 Chrystie St, New York, NY
The price is Rp3.668.872 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp3.668.872
Rp5.108.080 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 6 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,952 reviews)
"Actually the best hotel (within the similar price range) I have ever stayed in the US."

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel
citizenM New York Bowery

citizenM New York Bowery

4 out of 5
189 Bowery, New York, NY
The price is Rp3.400.848 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp3.400.848
Rp3.959.426 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,527 reviews)
"Great to stay"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

citizenM New York Bowery
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

4 out of 5
811 7th Ave, New York, NY
The price is Rp2.717.424 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp2.717.424
Rp3.828.680 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.4/10 Good! (4,340 reviews)
"Magnificent location and good comfort on the room. Unfortunately the property was on renovation which made found in or out and checking in an uncomfortable situation."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
Hotel Edison Times Square

Hotel Edison Times Square

4 out of 5
228 W 47th St, New York, NY
The price is Rp2.099.088 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp2.099.088
Rp3.212.581 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy 2 restaurants, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,604 reviews)
"Beautiful act deco. Accommodating friendly staff. Secure atmosphere"

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

Hotel Edison Times Square
Hotel St. James

Hotel St. James

2.5 out of 5
109 W. 45TH ST., New York, NY
Stay at this hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,263 reviews)
"Muy lindo lugar, limpio y accesible, está muy cerca de todo. Lo recomiendo"

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Hotel St. James
Arlo Midtown

Arlo Midtown

4 out of 5
351 West 38th Street, New York, NY
The price is Rp2.474.971 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp2.474.971
Rp3.494.490 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,746 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Arlo Midtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Bowery

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Lower East Side

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

Travellers love Lower East Side for its fantastic nightlife, and you can see more of New York by jumping on the metro at Essex St. Station or Delancey St. Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Orchard Street Shopping District and Lower East Side Tenement Museum.

Lower East Side
SoHo - Tribeca showing a city

SoHo

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in SoHo. Spend some time visiting top spots like Singer Building, and catch the metro at Prince St. Station or Spring St. Station to see more of the area.

SoHo
Greenwich Village which includes a fountain

Greenwich Village

4.5/5(41 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like 5th Avenue while getting to know Greenwich Village, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Christopher St. - Sheridan Sq. Station or W 4 St. Station to see more of the area.

Greenwich Village
West Village featuring signage, city views and café lifestyle

West Village

Consider a visit to Bleecker Street and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in West Village. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Christopher St. - Sheridan Sq. Station or 14 St. Station (7th Ave.).

West Village
Default Image

Financial District

4.5/5(112 area reviews)

Enjoy the important monuments in Financial District. Brooklyn Bridge is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Wall St. Station (William St.) or Broad St. Station to see more of New York.

Financial District
The High Line Park showing a garden, street scenes and a city

Chelsea

4/5(111 area reviews)

Chelsea is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Madison Square Garden and Chelsea Hotel. See more of New York by jumping on the metro at 23 St. Station (8th Av.) or 23 St. Station (7th Av.).

Chelsea

Bowery Travel Guide