CharacTour of the Lower East Side in New York
New York, United States

CharacTour of the Lower East Side

Outty Ranking 47 5.0 · 3 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $1063

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$1063
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Outty Ranking

47/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is CharacTour of the Lower East Side worth booking?

CharacTour of the Lower East Side is a 1.5-hour experience in New York, United States, from $1063 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
47 / 100
Rating
5/5 (3)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$1063 per person

This is not just a tour, bur interactive theater on the streets! Accompanied by a tour guide throughout, the group meets an actor improvising four or five different characters from history along the way.

What you get

    About this experience

    This is not just a tour, bur interactive theater on the streets! Accompanied by a tour guide throughout, the group meets an actor improvising four or five different characters from history along the way.

    What's included

    Included

    • Improvisational Actor Bringing History To Life
    • Expert Guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. The Pickle Guys

      Have an opportunity to nosh on a NYC classic!

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. Can't do NYC without a good bagel, or it's regional cousin, the bialy!

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    3. Essex Market

      Newest version of immigrant commerce, from pushcarts to food halls.

      10 minutes here

    4. Tenement Museum

      Life for immigrants was incredibly hard, but what the U.S. had more than their point of emigration was opportunity for success.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Economy Candy

      This Great Depression-era candy store is as much a museum as it is a store. Find all the favorites you grew up with and all the latest side by side.

      10 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    New York

    In the center of the Plaza (Straus Square) by the monumental column

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The best candy store in NYC!

    Options you can book

    • Third Sunday of the Month

      Open Tour: Charge on a per person basis.

    • CharacTour of the Lower East Side

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Cicerone Travel

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    CharacTour of the Lower East Side in New York, photo 2CharacTour of the Lower East Side in New York, photo 3CharacTour of the Lower East Side in New York, photo 4CharacTour of the Lower East Side in New York, photo 5CharacTour of the Lower East Side in New York, photo 6CharacTour of the Lower East Side in New York, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    The guide

    1 mention

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    1 mention

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Traveler reviews

    3 verified traveler reviews for CharacTour of the Lower East Side. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    3
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    MatthewA2521 · May 2022

    Interesting, enjoyable, and fun!

    Wonderful, interactive, informative, and interesting tour. Also--just a lot of fun! We learned a great deal and enjoyed watching the history come alive. Our entire group made up of kids and adults all got a tremendous amount out of it.

    Response from the operator: Thanks so much, Cantor Matt! it was such a great group. A true pleasure!

    via Tripadvisor

    hsn_13 · October 2021

    Fantastic Tour of the LES

    All the stops were fantastic, and meeting the characters from the past was especially engaging. Great experience

    Response from the operator: Thanks so much! Our looks forward to hosting your group again in Harlem and Lower Manhattan later in the semester!

    via Tripadvisor

    Y2384IEdp · March 2021

    A 1 service

    I first met Jon in 2018 during a walking tour of the Lower Eastside. I was forced to go by a friend that really wanted to check it out. It turned out to really great time.. Jon was knowledgeable and very personable. In 2019, my family planned a trip to NYC and at the very last minute, I was called out of town on business. I wracked my brain thinking of who could show my family the sites and sounds of NYC. Fortunately, I remembered Jon. He was willing to fill in as a tour guide for my family. He took them from Yankee Stadium to Battery Park. They also shopped at Macy’s (an extra that wasn’t included in our initial agreement). They loved him so much they treated him to lunch and gave him a generous tip. Luckily for me, they were so exhausted, they stayed in their hotel the next day.

    Response from the operator: Thanks so much! We have loved exploring with you and your family! Can't wait for the next NYC adventure you and yours!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 47

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)78
    Review evidence (18% weight)18
    Booking momentum (14% weight)10
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)60
    Local standing (8% weight)56
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    CharacTour of the Lower East Side: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.

    How much does CharacTour of the Lower East Side cost?

    +

    Prices start at $1063 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does CharacTour of the Lower East Side take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.

    Is CharacTour of the Lower East Side worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule CharacTour of the Lower East Side?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is CharacTour of the Lower East Side suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book CharacTour of the Lower East Side?

    +

    Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does CharacTour of the Lower East Side start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in New York?

    +

    New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit New York?

    +

    September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in New York?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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