Allen Street is located on the lower east side of Manhattan. Crossing Allen Street to the west puts you into the Chinatown section. Walking east from Allen Street brings you into the heart of the lower east side. Allen Street is one of five streets in this area which were named after military heroes of the War of 1812. It was named after William H Allen of the Navy.
In 2004 Allen street was co-named as "Avenue of the Immigrants".