Greenwich Village in New York City: Attractions and Lodging

Spirit of New York Dinner Cruise

Spirit of New York

Greenwich Village has been one of the most popular residential neighborhoods in New York City for decades. The Village, as it's more commonly referred to, sits in Lower Manhattan and is bounded by Broadway and the Hudson River. The street grid is unique from the rest of the city, adding just one of the many features that make The Village a unique community.

Greenwich Village was home to the Beat movement in the early to mid twentieth century, bringing with it a unique mix of residents. The atmosphere is often described as eccentric, due in large part to its large artistic community mixed with the vibrant spirit of the youth from nearby universities, including New York University. The community has been home to a number of famous personalities over the years, including Richard Pryor, Paul Simon, William Faulkner, Eugene O'Neill, Jack Kerouac, and Bob Dylan. From the Washington Square Park to such popular theaters as the Village Vanguard, Judson Poets' Theater, the Theatre of the Absurd, the Downtown Theater, and the Cherry Lane Theater, this community boasts a large number of venues that serve the artistic community.

You can tour Greenwich Village with one of the many convenient tours that explore the area. The Edgar Allen Poe Greenwich Village Tour is a two hour guided walking tour that takes you to such hot spots as Washington Square Park, New York University, the Stonewall Inn, Our Lady of Pompeii Church, the Home of Edgar Allen Poe, and more. The Manhattan Comprehensive Motorcoach Tour takes you on an eight and a half hour guided tour on a motor coach through some of Manhattan's most popular areas. In addition to stopping in Greenwich Village, this tour also visits Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Little Italy, and more.

If you're looking for lodging in or near Greenwich Village, you will have plenty of choices. The Hilton Garden Inn Tribeca, the Gem Hotel, Sohotel, and W all sit within a mile of the many attractions of this famous area, and also put you close to the other attractions on the Manhattan area.

In or near Greenwich Village, you will find an amazing range of dining options. In Manhattan, you can dine at the famous Tom's Diner, featured in the TV show Seinfeld, and known for its Greek cuisine. In Times Square in Midtown Manhattan, you can enjoy great barbecue and plenty of live music at the popular BB King Blues Bar and Grill. Close to Greenwich Village in lower Manhattan is Katz's Deli, a New York City institution since its opening in 1888.

While  you're in the area, make plans to do some shopping at some of the famous shopping spots in Greenwich Village and throughout Manhattan. The Manhattan Mall is a one-stop shopping destination filled with hundreds of stores with everything from apparel to toys and houseware. The South Street Seaport is also a popular shopping destination, featuring both name brand stores and unique local shops. Here, you can find J Crew, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, Gap, Ann Taylor, and more. There are also great dining options at the South Street Seaport including Subway, Cajun Cafe, Little Tokyo, and the Seaport Cafe.

Greenwich Village is unlike any other place in the city, with its funky ambiance, off-Broadway theaters, and exciting culture. Make plans to spend some time soaking up the atmosphere and visiting the attractions in Greenwich Village!