New York

Neighborhoods

Downtown

Chinatown

Chinatown is the city's most colorful neighborhood, and it is growing so rapidly that it may soon overrun Little Italy and the Lower East Side. The streets here are full of Chinese grocery shops, gift shops and restaurants. Mott and Pell Streets are the Chinatown's most historic, and they are easily reached from the Canal St. subway stop.

The Meatpacking District

Unappealing as it sounds, the Meatpacking District has recently transformed itself into one of the city's hottest nightlife destinations. Situated at the north end of Greenwich Village and bordered by 14th Street and the Hudson River, the neighborhood was once the center of the city's meat trade. Now its cobbled streets are lined with chic clubs, pricey boutiques and beautiful people eager to be a part of it all.

Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village (also called the West Village) has been known as a hotbed of artistic expression, and a haunt of poets, musicians, writers and artists for much of the 20th century. These days it is a bit more upscale, but the ambience remains. Its quiet, tree-lined, twisting streets are favored by celebrity residents like Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman. Bleecker Street is lined with small shops, bookstores and cafes, and has recently attracted fashionable shops like Marc Jacobs and Cynthia Rowley. Greenwich Village is also home to NYU and the famous Washington Square Park, a perfect place for a walk in any season.

The Lower East Side

Nearly every immigrant group in America has at one time called this neighborhood home. Today, it is thoroughly multi-cultural, and the favorite hangout of many artists and musicians. Bargain shoppers will love Orchard Street for everything from cool sunglasses to luggage. Nightlife throughout the neighborhood is plentiful. Learn the colorful history at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.

Little Italy

The sights and sounds of this neighborhood still reflect its Italian immigrant history. Delightful bakeries, restaurants and Italian pastry shops line festive Mulberry Street between Spring and Canal Streets. Stroll down and check out all the menus before you decide where to eat.

Soho & Tribeca

SoHo (the name is short for "South of Houston") is a great place to window-shop. These beautiful old warehouse buildings were once home to artists seeking well-lit studio space. SoHo's Greene Street is the site of the country's largest collection of historic cast iron architecture. Today, fashion houses including Chanel, Prada and Ferragamo have moved in, as well as many lesser-known chic boutiques. TriBeCa (short for "Triangle Below Canal Street") just south of SoHo, is relatively quiet by Manhattan standards and its residents like it that way.

The East Village

The East Village is a major hub of the alternative arts community in New York, with art openings, theater performances, all varieties of ethnic foods and an unbeatable nightlife scene. Jazz musician Charlie Parker once called this area home. Music stores, boutiques, vintage clothing shops and relaxed coffeehouses dot these tree-lined blocks.

Gramercy Park & the Flatiron District

The Flatiron Building at 23rd and 5th Avenue is the hub of this vibrant area. The surrounding shops and restaurants cater to a hip crowd and feature stylish goods ranging from clothing to home dﾂcor and antiques. Nightlife here offers a good mix of quiet candlelit lounges and raging techno clubs. Around Gramercy Park you'll see beautiful gilded-age mansions.

Chelsea

A thriving art scene can be found here, as many prominent galleries have moved from SoHo to inhabit Chelsea's once-abandoned industrial buildings on the West Side. A vibrant gay community also has a visible presence, and many bars and clubs cater to that scene.