Lower East Side Walking Tour

[@DanielleDoherty]

FINALLY. MY. NEIGHBORHOOD! I’ve been waiting for this one! My Greek Jewish family emigrated to the US in the 1920s and settled in the LES. (The owners of Economy Candy are my distant cousins!) Most left in the 80s but I moved back here earlier this year. I’ve always wanted to know more about the history but a lot of my family that lived here earlier in the century are gone. Though my mom loves to remind me how she didn’t have her own bed in her tenement apartment growing up and had to sleep in my grandpa’s bed when he went to work, driving the F train at night! I love learning about the city my family experienced and the history I walk by every day.

[@Meowmeow-nk7no]

Tell your cousins thanks for existing

[@juniperabbott2614]

Would love to visit one day [ from Canada} the history is fascinating.

[@richt.4900]

Everybody’s favourite doppelgänger, lawyer, comedian, thespian, tour guide etc...! Sick plug 😉

[@guytwombly2955]

Y

[@FionaEm]

Thank god you threw in your career as a lawyer. The world gets to appreciate your considerable knowledge and sardonic wit! Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@sandyrose2398]

I was born on the lower east side in 1940. We lived in a small apartment building on Lewis St. corner Stanton (which was torn down decades ago.) I went to PS 188 on Houston St. til the 4th grade - when we moved to Crown Heights, Brooklyn. I remember the Essex St. Market. My mother grew up on Rivington St. and she went to the Henry Street Settlement - and Seward High School. Miss those Knishes and Bialys. All the years, when I mentioned New York, I'd say that I grew up on the LES ---- it wasn't until I started watching those TV programs where they showed properties on the UES. I never realized that I grew up poor --- but most of the people from our area were the same. NYC was great in the olden days - I don't remember any crime - the neighbors were always friendly. I'm sure the rent was around $25/month - for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. In 1949, my parents bought the first TV in the building. On Tuesday nights, at 9PM, my mother would line up a few chairs in the kitchen and the neighbors would come over to watch Milton Berle. We didn't have a living/family room. In 1946, our superintendent, Mr. Aranda, made me a party for my 6th birthday - the children and a few parents who lived in the building attended. I have a large picture of the neighbors - taken in my kitchen. It's one of my best memories!!! Thanks for the walking tour. I recognized all the street names.

[@juniperabbott2614]

that's so cool, nice to have all those good memories, sounds like things were a bit different.

[@diannefaith7866]

Hello there Tom!! I am a Puerto Rican who was born and raised in Manhattan on West 89th street Near Columbus... My parents met and married in NYC in the 1950’s. They Decided to return to Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 in the mid 1970’s when things got pretty bad... I visit NYC a couple of times.. the last time (before Covid) I went with my brother on October 2019 and visited the Tenement Museum and loved it!! 💜 I love NYC and missed it! Thank you Tom for your awesome guides!! Gracias y muchas bendiciones para tí !! Sigue con tu excelente trabajo como guía para turistas!! 💙🎉🌟💫🎉🇵🇷⚡️🥂🎊 🇳🇮

[@romewalkingtours3292]

Ciao Tom, I love the combination of fun and information in your videos. Wink!

[@kosmoxz]

I agree 😄😀

[@lahaza6515]

I moved to the lower east side from Va. Beach in 1981 at 17. I'll never forget being a young girl & just bopping around as if it weren't the broken down area that it was (ignorance IS bliss:)) That amazing feeling of butterflies & lightness in your gut because you know the day (or night) could bring literally anything. There were all these kids that would congregate at night at places like A7 & our bands would play. I still know a few people from that time & we marvel at how much different it is now in those neighborhoods. I just found your videos today & they are really fantastic. You know your stuff for sure!

[@annestrmsted9749]

Pushcard??

[@crystals8693]

Another great video! There aren't a lot of lower east side videos so we enjoyed this one. A very unique neighborhood.

[@Challenger540i]

Brilliant! You and Phil...... get famous.....soon.....-please! Great vid.... again!

[@alexr1934]

You are without a doubt the best tour guide in this city, and I don't even know 99.9% of those people.

[@rubensamuel5256]

once again, tom with another banger. i love this guy!

[@lolad6083]

Seen a lot of nyc your videos on YT. This by FARRR is the best. Not commercial, informative, doesn’t give me annoying young millennial gentrifyer vibe. Love it ❤️

[@ericdudley4169]

Another great video! Thank you!

[@jaynemyles2238]

Hello Tom. Found your channel during lockdown here in Scotland. Amazing knowledge of your city. You really know your stuff and you make it really enjoyable to watch. Love it 😊😊😊😊😊👍

[@miguelmejia4656]

people are leaving new york in droves. don't come to this city.

[@larrygrasso6032]

Tom you're still the best !

[@robertnagy2170]

I lived on East 4th Street (as well as many other places) a very, very, long time ago. I used to have friendly rooftop fireworks wars with the "biker gang" on 3rd St. and learned a lot from their general escapades. This walking tour is one of the most accurate, historic and fulfilling take of any topic I've yet to see on KZbin. This video should be archived and viewed a century from now. I also like the more serious tone. I wish all of what I remember a very very long time ago still existed. The polish restaurant on 1st Ave, the punk bars the vile smelling meat distribution center that's now a coffee shop. This video made me want to buy a Roman candle.

[@susansmiley2738]

I'm fascinated. I was a cop from 81-01 and to see the change is unbelievable. Thanks. Love your channel. Love learning.

[@maldo1969]

Good to see your building up your subscribers 👍 Awesome content.

[@angiearroyo9640]

Thank you. Brings back lots of memories of growing up, living in the lower East side 1950s Came from Puerto Rico at age 3, that was 1948. I remember living at 260 East 4th Street, briefly on Columbia Street, my aunt lived on Rivington Street. Loved the ice cream parlors and pickles. My step father was a skilled jewelry maker.

[@ansoniamuse401]

Always a pleasure to see u!

[@denniscass4013]

In 1992 I stayed with a friend (on Pitt St.) who worked at Alphabets and Benny's Burritos. The Hell's Angels had their headquarters a couple of blocks away and at night we'd hear motorcycles and gunshots. There were dealers on almost every street corner. The change in the neighborhood is astonishing. I suppose it's a lot safer now but it was the rough edges that made it special and memorable. Thanks, Tom, for bringing back a lot of memories and bringing me up to date on what's happening in NYC. Your knowledge of history is impressive and you ooze street cred. All the best.

[@pauljackman7137]

Definitely recommend the Tenement Museum. Perfect time capsule of the many waves of immigrants for whom the lower east side was their first step into the US. Thanks Tom & kudos to the excellent camera work!

[@lunabouch]

So glad you mentioned William Seward and his survival of the assassin attack on him. Those bits of American history combined with your humorous takes are well appreciated.

[@joanparker8152]

Constantly rewinding your vids to get all of the facts right!! It is great to learn and have fun listening to you at the same time!! Thanks for all of your hard work!!

[@adrilyst5]

Oh man you’re bringing me back. I used to party and bar hop in the LES all the time back in the day. Also I’ve visited the Tenement Museum as well and I agree it’s pretty cool.

[@buttadae2044]

Why u don’t party no more in the lower lol 🤔🤔🤔

[@adrilyst5]

@@buttadae2044 not really sure lol

[@steviegalloway8124]

Another great informative tour. The buildings are amazing and I’m missing NYC so much.. Thank you TD...

[@kokobwild2413]

Mate I'm in Bristol UK and I just got in shit because you've got me lolling at 2am on a Thursday.....woke up my housemate. The wink at the end of the pizza/mask saga ended me.

[@janicesanders9981]

I hate it when you and Action Kid are both doing "Live" walks at the exact same time, but love it when you walk together. He's doing a Halloween thing right now...I'll watch his later...

[@Squeegeedude50]

You are by far the best logger ever: : nonstop entertaining and informative not to mention witty and charismatic Glad you didn’t waste it on being a lawyer🤪❤️

[@pommefrites9761]

Agreed! Except on the logger part...we know you meant vlogger.

[@BillAnt]

Comes of a bit corny/douchey for a first time viewer but then he grows on ya. :)

[@PureNapture]

@@BillAnt underhanded

[@proxymatik]

Coolest virtual tour. 😎👌🏾

[@jimmcguire3894]

Brilliant ! Funny informative and entertaining, Phil seems to be getting taller each video . .

[@JulianSteve]

Totally man👍🏾!

[@johannsmithe2570]

... or Tom is shrinking

[@jeffharper6259]

He gained four inches and several pounds in this video alone! Early in the video Tom says his camera man is 6'10" and 320 pounds, then later he says he is 7'4" and 375 pounds lol.

[@johannsmithe2570]

There is a *Phil Rizdon* , comedian from Bushwick, Brooklyn, on You Tube. Funny Then again, there is *Punxsutawney Phil* as in the movie "Groundhog Day". Bill Murray plays Phil. The same Murray in "Ghost Busters" Tom's favorite movie which kinda leads one to think Phil is actually his "Harvey", an imaginary 7'4" 375 lb. groundhog who just happens to own a camera and is too large to fit through sideway scaffolding that Tom has to walk around them. (Phil is also Tom's doppelganger handler but that is old news.) Personally, I'm sticking with Tomd shrinking since Rick Moranis was also in "Ghost Busters" and starred in the movie "Honey We Shrunk the Kids". Coincidence ... ? Think about it. Send Tom knishes* so he won't wither away. Patreon donations are good too. *Hot knishes double as armpit warmers during those long walks in New York City's bitter cold winters. Been there, done that. Could Rizdon be thinking "I'm not some Lewis Carroll DMT shape-shifting groundhog." Sure, categorically believe that. Dreams can come true. I digress ... but it does explain expanding Phil while Tom getting small space truckin' LES.

[@JulianSteve]

So much history I did not know. Thank you Tom for the tour and history lesson. Also, thanks Phil for filming🙌🏾🎥‼️

[@HenPapirman]

When you give tours face to face, I hope you make those owww, wwooww, claps claps sfx as well. Why I like watching these vids? it give me the feeling I'm back there. Cheers.

[@JulianSteve]

Same here too👏🏾!

[@chriskim7123]

Oh now it all makes sense that you speak different languages, so informative of history, and in depth analysis of the areas including financial, and law related stories of the city! Sending you respect from South Korea!!!

[@mrsK1710]

Delighted to see a new video 😀 keep up the great work Tom 👏

[@24327355]

Love the start, From 18-49....coming from Scotland I was in a church 2 days ago from..10-48 ...800 yrs of a difference, sometimes we forget how young America is, but you do have Taller buildings...keep up the good work

[@fumangia]

I just came across your channel a couple of days ago and haven't been able to see anything else. You master storytelling like the best of them. Congrats. Absolutely amazing. Keep it up.

[@ymoralesesq]

I love watching your videos! I get to see all my old neighborhoods! I’m a retired lawyer. I remember as a child in the 70s my mom going to the LES on Sundays from Red Hook, to go to Orchard Street to buy winter coats for us and underwear. We used to shop at the Essex Red Market, go to the movie theatre on Essex St. (Spanish movies) and also got glasses at Sol Moscot and/or Cohens Optical. As a teenager I worked at the Henry Street Settlement. Such nice memories. We are Puerto Rican, and my parents came to NY in the 1950s and settled in the LES in furnished apartments. Then they moved to the Bronx for a short time and then went to Williamsburg. From Williamsburg they moved to Red Hook and then in 1977, they returned to Williamsburg.

[@janicesanders9981]

Tom I would love it if you did a tour of Times Square on Halloween evening....but it may not be safe...

[@bostonceltics2691]

At 2 Minutes and 37 Seconds you are inside of PS20 Anna Silver School that’s where I went to school at for my 4th , 5th and 6th grade years I graduated 6th grade in 2004 I’m 31 turning 32 in November, it brought back so many memories man only if u knew how special that park is to me and how wonderful it made my childhood when times were a little more simple that’s where I truly polished myself in basketball and football we won the championship in 2004 and went back to back winning again in 2005 but by then we had graduated and were in Marta Valle 25 which is right across from PS20 😢😢😢😢😢 take me back Thank u 🙏🏾 I’m subscribing

[@judithhinton5784]

How things have changed on the LES. I had friends who I used to visit there. I remember the Hell's Angel's had their club on Avenue C. Thanks for showing the history of a very interesting neighborhood, Tom!

[@fangyu1066]

It's amazing Tom able to remember those buildings exact year they were built.

[@BEMoore-tt1cl]

Thank you for sharing this great post. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to get back to NYC to visit again.

[@esmeesme7666]

Nice! 142/150 you now have 11.8k subscribers!! Enjoyed this video. Can't wait for the next one!

[@AneudiD78]

The saying used to be back in the day of Alphabet City: Aware, Beware, Caution & Death! There were other sayings of the names, but that's the one I remembered the most.

[@thenewpeanutbutter8766]

I was in Alphabet City in the early 90s. I ate ate the pizza place where they filmed the 'fight' in Berry Gordys Last Dragon.

[@Andyanddiana467]

@@thenewpeanutbutter8766 My sister lives next door to that spot, lol. My mom actually saw them filming that movie back then.

[@caz85]

Another ace tour Tom 😉

[@POPMUSICFREAK500]

You're doing a fantastic job with these videos! I grew up on Avenue A between 6th & 7th Street. Child of the 70s and teenager in the 80s, and I'm usually sad about most of the places there in my youth have disappeared, but you remind me that it's still a great part of town, and I need to visit more often.....

[@DCL26]

You're funny and very knowledgeable. Thank you and Phil for the LES tour.

[@frankro1]

Amazing tour. One of the best I’ve seen. Very informative and well done.

[@kwnphoto]

Thanks for taking an extra moment to show the underappreciated Houston / Bowery mural 10:25 . I have been taking pics of that wall since the 1980s. Next time you pass Sara Roosevelt Park tell the story why Robert Moses named it after her and not her daughter in law.

[@Officialkiddleon]

Tommy boy, the best thing to happen to NYC since bagel. 😄 Good tour bro.

[@erinv5689]

New sub. Love UR logs. Never been to N. Y. THANK U M Cali. Man everybody walks there. I m impressed what is best walking shoe. Thanks again. 💋

[@carmelinapejic2016]

I was there and that whole area but didn't know I was in east village...I need you as a guide next time I'm there

[@ehmmmjay9907]

A knish is basically mashed potatoes you can eat with your hands, with mustard.

[@DarkandTwisted]

Never had one. Sure does sound different.

[@jaybee3055]

@@DarkandTwisted where do u live lol knishes are everywhere

[@elaineburnett5230]

So delish....

[@thenewpeanutbutter8766]

Yep!! Nyc has some good knishes

[@andrewscaife8223]

Beautiful city. We've only been once last year and it immediately became our favourite city in the world. We are from England and we will be back.

[@dirtydenzel84]

Really enjoying your video series Tom. Next time me and the Mrs make a trip to NYC we'll definitely get in touch about a tour, your knowledge is very impressive! (and your jokes aren't bad too :)) Hope all goes well for you during these trying times, you seem like a really nice and genuine bloke - all the best buddy from a big fan in the UK. Cheers

[@nycbloodymoney23]

another great video my man!!!

[@naomilugo7368]

TOM,DO NOT STOP MAKING VIDEOS. OF YOUR TOUR GUIDES OF NEW YORK CITY.I LOVE THEM 🎈😎❤️ TAKE CARE GOD BLESS

[@davidbailey6563]

Fantastic. A new fact with every step you take.Thank you.

[@howardxlee]

Hello Tom. I'm really enjoying your videos after having just come back from NYC, and my first visit there in 30 years. You are very knowledgeable, energetic, and entertaining! Thank you for making these informative videos on a very fascinating city!

[@alanharrison694]

Great memories! My parents owned 2 commercial buildings on Bond St and the Bowery back since the 40s. When my father passed in the early 70s, my mother sold both for only $300,000. I can only imagine what they are worth today. I used to go to CBGBs on the Bowery when it first opened. The start of Punk music groups.

[@ireneelizabeth4462]

Those were super fun days...seeing the Talking Heads, Blondie and The Ramones strolling on the Bowery. And the Mud Club.

[@joannaford7137]

, Amazing tours Tom,,, brilliant charming,,,, love from the UK X

[@favorites5746]

Excelente! I love all of those stories. I used to live in Ave B. Nice shot of nostalgia, thanks

[@politefan6271]

Another excellent video. Your mind is like an incredible encyclopedia or NYC knowledge. I marvel at it and wonder how you learned all the many interesting fact you recount on your videos. AK, WRF, TNYCWS etc. have some fun videos to watch but you are the best due to your extensive knowledge of the areas you cover. Thank you....

[@natkarl7559]

Fantastic information shared in a unique way. I love all of your presentations!!

[@wapartist]

Tom, you need to bring back the “Ooooh” and “Ahhh”sounders on the newer videos. Always good for a laugh!

[@Shane55able]

Superb as always, Tom. Would you consider doing a Woody Allen film locations tour for us all? 😎 Stay safe 😎

[@MJarmell]

Real entertaining and informative. Loved it.

[@DCL26]

Thanks Tom and Phil! So funny, smart n cute! Wish I could remember half these facts to impress my friends. You make listening to urban history a lot of fun, Tom. Happy Holidays!

[@DarkandTwisted]

Cool short story about Russ & Daughters 💪

[@BillAnt]

Yep, pretty unusual for that era, most businesses had Father and Sons in the name. Guess he has no choice having all daughters. he-he

[@trailerparksupervisor7046]

@Kate H. cool story bro.

[@ashleychambers7602]

I’m from the UK and absolutely love NYC, it’s a pretty young city compared to York where I live near in the UK but I find the NYC history fascinating. Great video 👍

[@ericmontalvo6262]

Another successful tour!

[@inthepubagaineh6318]

Oh my! You are so engaging…. Thank you for this fantastic insight

[@zenildamartinez9254]

Excelente😀 Loved the info! Saludos desde Texas!

[@janpercival08]

Tom! Your videos are THE best. I'd love to see your takes/tours on the towns off the Hudson Valley Metro-North line like Riverdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Tarrytown, Cold Spring, Beacon, Peekskill, etc. We drive as a family to all of these towns but they're easily accessible by train. Your Sag Harbor video is the one that made me think of you for walking tour content. Sarah Jessica Parker's "Divorced" TV show and the movie "Girl on the Train" feature many of these Hudson River towns. You would be THE BEST walking tour guide of such incredible towns.

[@ShivamMishra13]

Tom - Please do come to Quebec. I will be very much happy to give you a tour. You are amazing person to listen and to enjoy time with. Thanks for making these videos.

[@christopherm2552]

Tom D is a such a pro he can drop one vid a week and it’s always just heavenly 🔥

[@DallasBoricua]

Great video Tom. I haven't been there in a long time. Now living in Louisiana but born and raised in New York City. I will subscribe and follow your channel. Know about you through ActionKid. All the best my friend.

[@WhatsCookingwithLizzoC]

Informative and entertaining...great tour as always !

[@MusicLover-ui9sm]

Awesome tour

[@wallyg77]

The center light store next to donut plant used to be a movie theater called Essex, I saw ET there when I was little

[@RobertClaessens]

Boerderij is the Dutch word now for Bouwerij. Love the tours and the history!

[@seleneirissummersrn6980]

You are not going “Backward” you are living an amazing dream life doing what you are excellent at…Teaching History to the masses….I want to walk with you when I get to TriBeCa in the Fall 2023…. Peace

[@anafauteux3395]

You walked by my High School!!! Seward Park HS!!! Thank you!!!

[@lisakaplan9007]

Mine too! '78

[@lillydejesus9510]

My too

[@khuranaguggu]

Funny, Knowledgeable and Entertaining "Tom". Great video.l

[@mano1971music]

Was that the old Sin-e building that Jeff Buckley performed at?

[@LadyChelleish]

Thank you love your videos love NY ❤️👏🏾👏🏾👍🏽

Hola Tom, entiendo palabras sueltas pero estoy empezando a ver tus vídeos y los de Sarah Funk, están muy bien, un saludo desde España

[@anastasiabuie1665]

I love this channel man

[@emmahardesty4330]

Fun history and visuals. Big thanks. I can tell you read actual books, and that you have a lot of them. I lived at Stanton and Clinton in the early 70s, hippie of course. I have some really good memories of that place, that time. NYC is the best.

[@nataliaspinelli9747]

Thank you for your tours - keep doing your thing.

[@mdwmdw1000]

I ran away from home when I was a 124 yr old teenager and ended up staying overnight at an older guy's apartment on e 4th st. I won't say what happened. Not good I ended up hitchhiking back home to my upset parents who were glad to have me back.

[@TMAItalia]

Tom, I’m binge watching your videos, you are amazing!

[@andredoumad]

Thanks for sharing these videos. You're doing a great service !

[@Carla-ng2yo]

Crossing fingers I can come in May. We had our trip.planned for sept but had to cancel. Will definitely be booking a tour with you

[@billbye2427]

tomas u are a full bucket of information thank you sir.!

[@johnn8117]

Loved the tour and commentary. Would like you to do another tour in the warmer weather with restaurants open and dining al fresco. Maybe at sunset.

[@noahsmedia]

The basic editing skills remind me of myself. I know the struggle of learning editing software from scratch!

[@madamevannel3856]

Great video, thank you!! We are staying in Rivington st. for 2 weeks in April and visiting NYC, thanks for all the info 🙏🙏🙏

[@2TalentedCats]

I lived in Manhattan for 5 years starting in 1989, but did not research the history of the Lower East Side in detail, so this video is very interesting. I also learned a lot about the immigrant history associated with the city. I used to visit frequently because an acquaintance of mine lived on Avenue A (paying attention to the surroundings, of course), but the scenes I remember now from those days include unique murals and telegraph poles designed with broken tiles. The history of the "COHEN'S" glasses store is also amazing. Anyway, great video, thanks!