For over 100 years, Essex Market has served as a meeting place for the Lower East Side community. It is a public market made up of many smaller vendors who pride themselves on getting to know their customers. Its friendly vendors offer a unique array of products in a welcoming, community-oriented environment. You can be on a first-name basis with your butcher, cheese monger, grocer, and fishmonger. And if you’re in the mood to nosh,

Dear EscapeMakers — Got a sweet tooth? BYOW (Bring your own waffles)! Join us for our first event of the season, Maple Fest, at the GrowNYC Union Square Greenmarket on Friday, March 17th from 10am to 4pm. This event is FREE for all ages! Stop by for free samples, live music, maple samples, maple flavored products and more! Sample maple syrup, maple-infused coffee, maple candies, maple yogurt, maple lollipops, and witness maple tree tapping demos