Flatiron Food, History & Architecture Tour

The LES Ecology Center (Ecology Center) has pioneered community-based models in urban sustainability since 1987. They provide unique e-waste and composting services, environmental stewardship opportunities, and educational programming to all New Yorkers & visitors who want to learn about environmental issues and take responsibility for creating solutions through action.

Enjoy a talk from the composting team at the Union Square Greenmarket & learn about urban composting & sustainability!

On your tour you will hear the term “social impact”, but what does that really mean? For us, social impact is making sure that we have a positive impact on the communities we live and work in, as well as the amazing places we explore with our tours. We believe that truly experiencing a place “like a local” means having meaningful engagement that supports local, community-based organizations and learning about their causes and the people making them happen. Just as we carefully select the places you’ll visit and the food you’ll try, we have also carefully selected our social impact partners to showcase the amazing work being done in our communities. Your patronage on our tours is a small act to help these initiatives flourish. We want to help our visitors explore NYC on an authentic level and make sure that we are all having a positive impact while doing it.

• Madison Square Park
• Outdoor sculpture art
• Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop
• Flatiron Building
• Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
• Union Square Farmer’s Market (Wed, Fri & Sat only)
• Bread’s Bakery
• Start: Eataly, 200 5th Avenue (between 23rd & 24th Streets)
• Optional restaurants for group tours: Obica Mozzarella Bar or Tacombi Taco

Over a hundred years ago, the Flatiron District was a very important commercial and residential district in New York City. The Met Life Tower was once the tallest building in the world, many important historical figures lived in the neighborhood and there was, of course, Ladies Mile. Today, this incredibly beautiful and charming neighborhood is full of the city’s best restaurants and shops. Come enjoy all the modern day popularity of the Flatiron District and hear the interesting tales of what came before.

“Italian food court/theme park in the Flatiron District, Eataly (breakfast for two $15), attracts a crowd, and it’s a daily ritual for this writer, who uses the superstore as a coffee shop. I walk to work every morning and stop in at Café Lavazza for the best skim cappuccino and apricot croissant ever. Better than Milan, better than Paris,” Travel + Leisure.

“Wedged between the indie cool of the East Village and the corporate canyons of Midtown is this trio of neighborhoods. It’s here that you’ll find the eclectic crowds of Union Square, the triangular Flatiron Building, and the verdant respite of Madison Square Park.” And Union Square, “Union Square is like the Noah’s Ark of New York, rescuing at least two of every kind from the curling seas of concrete. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find a more eclectic cross-section of locals gathered in one public place: suited businessfolk gulping fresh air during their lunch breaks, dreadlocked loiterers tapping beats on their tabla, skateboarders flipping tricks on the southeastern stairs, rowdy college kids guzzling student-priced eats, and throngs of protesting masses chanting fervently for various causes,” Fodor’s.

Focused on providing high quality, sustainable products for all, Eataly is the largest Italian retail and dining experience in the world, transforming the way consumers experience food, beverage and, culture. At Eataly, guests have the unique opportunity to experience Italian culture through markets, counters, cafés, restaurants and educational offerings that explore the best food and beverage options Italy’s 20 regions and the world has to offer. Since Oscar Farinetti first opened Eataly Torino Italy in 2007, his philosophy has spread to 39 stores across the world, including our US flagship NYC Flatiron (2010), Chicago (2013), NYC Downtown (2016), Boston (2016), L.A. (2017), Vegas (2018), Toronto (opening in 2019), and Dallas (opening in 2020). Eataly NYC Flatiron, the authentic Italian marketplace, opened in NYC is 2010. Located in the heart of the Flatiron neighborhood, features 8 unique food counters, 6 restaurants and bars, 2 cafes, and a market that all offer traditional Italian food in a vibrant ambiance. To learn more about Eataly please visit www.Eataly.com.