Hipster

Chelsea

Chelsea, the area just below midtown west is home to many artists who escaped the higher rents in SoHo. Mostly a residential neighborhood -large gay community home of many art galleries and restaurants. The Chelsea Historic District runs from 9th to about 10th Ave between 20th and 21st street. Historic Cusman Row is an area of Preserved Greek Revival houses from the early 1800’s. These homes were built by a merchant Don Cushman.

The Historic Chelsea Hotel can also be found in this area. Some of it's more famous residents: Mark Twain, Tenessee Wiliams and Bob Dylan. Also check out the Chelsea Piers, it's a hugh sports complex and shopping area on the west side. Many recreational activities to do for the entire family: Skating, Rock Climbing, Indoor Golf, Bowling, Children's Playgrounds, Health Club and Spa. Nearby Hudson River Park runs from 59th Street, through Chelsea, all the way down to the Battery and is a great place to Bike.
The Flower District is an area on 6th ave (between 26th and 29th) that florists and distributers come to buy and sell plants and flowers.

East Village

The East Village was made famous by the musical "rent", originally produced in the East Village at the New York Theatre Workshop, which is located between Houston and 14th Streets. The area was once the home of the wealthy Astors and Vanderbuilts, but eventually became a melting pot for early immigrants coming into New York City. There is a large population of Ukrainians in an area now called Little Ukraine. You will find that the East Village has many ethnic restaurants that are very affordable. Try Little India on 6th street.

The Great Hall at Cooper Union located on Third Ave. once hosted speakers such as Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain, while the "Public Theater" has been the opening theater for quite a few famous productions (Chorus Line opened here). Be sure to visit Historic St. Marks-in-the Bowery Church located on 10th Street. The church dates back to 1799. Also in the area Tompkins Square Park was home to many of the violent protests of the 60’s hippie era.

Check out the Old Merchant House located at 29 East 4th Street, or the Alamo, a steel cube sculpture that revolves when pushed.

Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village is an area of the city known for its Bohemian lifestyle. It is located between Houston and 14th Street. It is one of areas of the city where the roads lose the simple grid pattern. If you venture here, do yourself a favor and bring a good map to navigate the streets.

It is a charming city area with lots of coffee shops, jazz clubs, bars, Off-Broadway theaters and many restaurants.

If you like to people watch, it is great place to come at night at just walk around. Over the past few years the village has become a hangout for some of the Hollywood jet set, keep your eyes open. Relax, walk along Bleecker Street and explore!

Enjoy Washington Square Park, popular hangout for NYU students and tourists.

SoHo

SoHo, which stands for South of Houston Street, is at Canal Street, between Sixth Avenue and Lafayette Street. Once the home of factories and warehouse buildings artists flocked to this area in the 50’s and 60’s because of the cheap loft space. Although the rising cost of real estate has driven many of the galleries to Tribeca, pockets still remain.

Walk down the area known for it’s Cast Iron Building architecture Green Street to see the highlights. Many of the once deteriorating buildings have been restore. In the 1970’s, the area was given landmark status. The neighborhood is now a very trendy, rather upscale area with many shops, bars, restaurants and boutiques. It’s a great place to visit at night, or on the weekend to walk around and just windowshop.
Some of the attraction in this area: Guggenheim Museum SoHo, the little brother to the Uptown Museum. The Museum of African Art, New York City Fire Museum (Historic NYC Firehouse Museum- great collection of Fire Engines and Equipment.)

Tribeca

Tribeca is another very trendy residential New York Neighborhood, whose name stands for TRIangle BElow CAnal street. The artists who left SoHo to escape the rising cost of real estate came to Tribeca. You will find many of the city's art galleries in this area as well as many restaurants shops and bars. The area is adjacent to SoHo so you can expect to find some of that same great cast iron architecture. Stroll down Harrison Street and you will find a grouping of historic townhouses. Nearby you can find a little bit of green at Washington Market Park.