The Best Things to do in Greenwich Village

By Go City Expert

Certain parts of New York are simply iconic, from Central Park to Lincoln Center. To that list you’d have to add Greenwich Village, home of beat poets, cool jazz, and, lately, good restaurants and shopping.

Here are some of the best things to do in Greenwich Village.

Washington Square Arch

Washington Square Park, not surprisingly, is named for George Washington— he was actually inaugurated in New York as the country’s first president. The original arch was made of wood and designed to commemorate the inauguration. The marble one that stands there now was designed by the notable architect Stanford White. You can see statues of Washington and other noted leaders throughout the park, as well as performers, chess players, dog walkers. Even protesters. It’s an essential historic stop on any tour.

“Friends” apartment

Whether you’re obsessed with Friends (the show, not your actual ones) you have to admit that the apartment in the series is pretty iconic. The apartment - at least the exterior - is real, and you can stop by and take a few pics for posterity. It’s located at 90 Bedford Street on the corner of Grove. There’s also a great restaurant called Little Owl on the ground floor. Take your photos, find a fountain to jump in, go have a coffee, and your Friends experience will be complete.

Macdougal Street

Once known for being the epicenter of cool - Bob Dylan played his first gig there; Hemingway drank there; and numerous other luminaries lived, worked, or hung out there - Macdougal Street is another one in the Village that has seen an urban renaissance. Go stroll it for its history, as well as its places to eat. For starters, the once-legendary Caffe Dante is now simply Dante, and has rebranded itself as a bar/restaurant that’s known for being a great date spot. Stop by Café Wha? where Jimi Hendrix and Dylan used to play, and grab a drink and some oysters at the Mermaid Oyster Bar. But mostly, just go soak up the vibes.

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Photo courtesy of Cafe Wha?[/caption]

Stonewall Inn

The site of the 1969 riots that launched the gay rights movement, the Stonewall Inn is a bar, entertainment space, and historic landmark all in one. It’s in the heart of Greenwich Village, on Christopher Street, and is a vital part of the history of the Pride movement. It’s also the first LGBT-history site in the country listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and the first LGBT-history site in New York City. Go have a drink, buy a t-shirt, listen to some music, maybe play some drag bingo and be a part of the history.

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Photo courtesy of The Stonewall Inn[/caption]

IFC Center

There are movie theaters, and then there’s the IFC Center, the premiere home of independent cinema in New York. Go not just to impress your friends by knowing that the latest New Wave film is playing here, but for a quintessential New York experience. It has five theaters, plenty of premieres of independent, documentary and foreign films, and a documentary festival every fall. Plus cult and classic movies on weekends. The ultimate NYC film experience, and a classic Greenwich Village one to boot. And if all this New York history has given you a hankering for more, while you're downtown, go check out Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

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Photo credit: IFC Center[/caption]

Blue Note

There are jazz clubs, and then there’s the Blue Note. If the name is familiar, they have branches around the globe, and it's hosted just about every jazz great. Opened in 1981, it’s now one of the premiere jazz clubs in the city. You’ll see headliners like Chick Corea and McCoy Tyner as well as legends like Stevie Wonder and Liza Minelli. But you’ll also get to see up and coming jazz musicians. If you like jazz- or just want to experience a piece of New York nightlife history- check this one out.

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Photo credit: The Blue Note[/caption]

Bleeker Street

Once the center of a kind of urban hippie chic, Bleeker Street fell into disrepair, boasting empty storefronts and a desolate feel. But it's bounced back, and is now home to lots of chic stores and restaurants—definitely worth a visit. Visit vegan darling By Chloe, beloved by celebrities. And it's kosher, to boot. Also worth checking out: Bessou, which offers modern Japanese comfort food--yes, that’s a thing. The Porto Rico Importing Co. has been in business since 1907, and is a must-stop for tea and coffee lovers. Coffee is roasted daily; you’ll find some teas you won’t find anywhere else.) And The Village Tannery has been offering up its leather goods since 1973—it’s even open at night. Now you feel like you’re in the Village.

[caption id="attachment_3442" align="alignnone" width="480"]

Photo credit: Porto Rico Importing Co.[/caption]

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1 Day in New York City - Sample Itinerary with The New York Pass®

With The New York Pass, your sightseeing possibilities are endless. Choose from over 90 included attractions and create an itinerary tailored to your interests and what you want to do and see in the city. We put together a sample 1 Day in New York City Sightseeing Itinerary using The New York Pass to give you some inspiration to start planning your trip and to show how The New York Pass helps you save on combined admission to top New York City attractions. With The New York Pass you can get into all of the attractions in this itinerary for less than it would cost to buy tickets at each attraction. But remember, this is just one of the many 1-day itineraries you could create with The New York Pass – follow the itinerary below, or, visit any and as many of the other included attractions as you want. This Sample 1 Day Itinerary Includes: Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Tour Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Radio City Music Hall Tour Empire State Building Big Bus New York Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Get a full overview of New York City by starting your trip off with a narrated tour of it all. On the tour, you’ll have a double-decker view of all the city’s top attractions, landmarks, sights, and layout so you can take note of any areas and attractions you want to go back to and visit. You’ll have access to the tour’s 3 routes: Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown and be able to hop on or off at any of the 25+ stops An on-board tour guide will direct your attention to notable sights while providing entertaining and educational narration along the way, so you’ll learn some NYC history, fun facts, unique culture, and more. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (Seasonal) Get out on the water for some unique New York City views. Your New York Pass lets you choose from 6 Circle Line cruise options, but to get the most out of your day, choose one of the 2 options that will have you back on land before lunch: 30-minute BEAST Speedboat/Thrill Ride: zoom around the Hudson River at speeds of up to 45 mph on the 70-foot BEAST speedboat. You’ll cruise towards the Statue of Liberty while your captain performs tricks like sharp turns, twists, corkscrews, and more—all with Midtown and Lower Manhattan as your backdrop. 1-hour Liberty Cruise: get up-close views of the Statue of Liberty while learning all about the history and cultural importance of the statue and how she became an icon of freedom, hope, and liberty that extends beyond her physical presence in New York City from educational and entertaining narration. You get unbeatable views of Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, the New York City skyline, and more. No matter which cruise you choose, Circle Line’s knowledgeable guides will narrate your experience with fun facts and information, so you’ll learn some of the city’s fascinating and notable history while seeing the sights from the perspective of the water. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Explore American military and maritime history at Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, where you can climb on board four important historic vessels: the museum’s namesake aircraft carrier, Intrepid, the submarine Growler, the space shuttle Enterprise, and the British Airways Concorde. In addition to the four vessels, the museum features an Exploreum Interactive Hall, a hands-on exhibition space and education center dedicated to inspiring an appreciation for history, science, and all those who serve our country. Planet Hollywood - Save 15% Grab a late lunch and save 15% off food, beverages, and merchandise with your New York Pass at Planet Hollywood. You’ll get to dine in an atmosphere dedicated to celebrating all things Hollywood and movie magic with a hint of nostalgia for the films and celebrities of yore—a restaurant venue worth a visit on its own! Radio City Music Hall Tour Take a 75-minute tour of this world-famous entertainment venue and walk in the footsteps (or leg kicks) of legends, like its resident headline performers, the Rockettes. On the tour, you’ll get to meet one of the world-famous Rockette performers, see the celebrity-signed guest book, explore the revered Art-Deco interiors, learn some of the secrets of the show biz trade, and more. Empire State Building Finish your day of sightseeing off with a visit to one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the Empire State Building. You’ll get some of the best views in the entire city from its 360-degree open-air observation deck and after a full day of touring, you’ll be able to put some context to the views you’ll get from above. During your visit, check out the Empire State Building Experience which includes access to the newly restored Art Deco lobby, the historical Dare to Dream and Sustainability exhibits before hopping in the elevator to the observation deck on the 86th floor. From the deck, you’ll have unobstructed views of the city in every direction from 1,050 feet above ground. Free, self-guided multimedia tours are available to help you identify buildings and landmarks along the skyline.
Shashia Mitchell
Manhattan
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Things to Do in Midtown Manhattan & Midtown NYC

Looking for things to do in Midtown Manhattan? As home to world-famous Times Square, Fifth Avenue, and many of the city's most popular skyscrapers and landmarks, there are a lot of fun and entertaining things to do in Midtown Manhattan and it’s one of the most frequented spots in the city for visitors. Midtown Manhattan is considered the area between 60th Street and 14th Street. Stretching nearly 50 blocks within the middle of the Manhattan borough, its packed with popular attractions, historic landmarks, some of the world’s best restaurants, shopping, and more. Guided Tours in Midtown Manhattan Often a quick and easy way to view as much as possible, Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tours and The Ride are popular ways to get a guided over tour of the city and you can start both right in Midtown. Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Sightseeing Tours plays chauffeur to large groups, taking them around the city to all of the most notable landmarks like Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden, the Empire State Building, and many more. Not only can you take a comfy journey through midtown on the double-decker Big Bus, you also have the option of touring Manhattan’s Uptown and Downtown routes, in addition to the Midtown route, with your same ticket. The Ride features a unique way to experience the city with tons of entertainment along the way. The interior design of the bus allows groups to sit sideways and take in the view of Midtown’s beautiful skyscrapers as well as the action-packed streets of Manhattan, where you’ll get to see 5-7 performances by street talent throughout the city. While in New York, it would be a shame not to spend some time touring and admiring the amazing architecture that exists in the city. The Highlights of Midtown Architectural Tour will take you to the famous NYC buildings like the Chrysler Building, Ford Foundation Building, and even Grand Central Station, where you can take the self-guided Grand Central Terminal Audio Tour and gain insight to GCT’s history and interesting facts about the design of the building. Another great Midtown tour is the Madison Square Garden – All Access Tour which allows you to visit the world’s most famous entertainment arena. While touring, you can step foot inside of the locker rooms of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers. Further uptown, you can take the Rockefeller Center Tour and learn about the Rockefeller family and history of the plaza. After the tour, use your pass for the building’s observation deck experience, Top of the Rock, where you’ll get a stunning, 360-degree panoramic view of the entire city. Museums in Midtown Manhattan No trip to New York City is complete without experience the museum-going culture that NYC is known for. Manhattan is home to some of the world’s most famous art museums, many of which can be found right in Midtown. Tourists and native New Yorkers alike love to view the creative exhibits on display at museums like the MoMA and the Whitney Museum of Art just as much as they enjoy seeing the lively figures of famous celebrities shown at Madame Tussauds. If you’re more a fan of the sciences, another great museum experience in Midtown is the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum which is held on a real ship docked on the Hudson River with installations and exhibits you can explore in the ship’s interior.
Shashia Mitchell
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Exploring New York’s Upper West Side

New York’s endless and diverse neighborhoods give the city its character; the Upper East Side, for instance, is vastly different than SoHo. Here, we've got tips for exploring New York’s Upper West Side. From pastries to parks, we've got where you should go. Café Lalo When you explore New York’s Upper West Side, you’re going to get hungry. And you may well want something sweet. If the inside of Café Lalo looks familiar and you haven’t actually been there before, that’s probably because you’ve seen it in a movie – it co-starred in You’ve Got Mail, with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. The lovely cafe has a European vibe and a fabulous array of pastries. (They also have a bar, a brunch and food menu that’s served all day, and live music.) But you’re there for a capuccino and some Grand Marnier mousse. Or a piece of German chocolate cake. Or...what the heck, just have them all. Riverside Park New York’s Upper West Side has no shortage of parks. Stretching for four miles along the Hudson River, Riverside Park (hence is name) includes a beautiful promenade, sports fields and tennis courts, dog runs, playgrounds, bike paths, and plenty of green space for hanging out. It’s just about the prettiest waterfront park in the city, and the wide promenade has a distinctly European feel. Go to picnic, to skateboard, to gaze at the marina on 79th street, or simply to sit on a park bench or wander. Lincoln Center The premiere arts venue in New York City is one of the premiere spots in the entire country to hear opera, watch dance, enjoy world-class theater, and partake of a family program. (It even has its own branch of the Public Library.) In one venue you can watch the New York City Ballet dance The Nutcracker every winter; listen to lectures about films (and watch actual films); or check out the White Lights Festival, which explores global themes and cultural intersections. Plus there’s the iconic outside fountain (great for a photo op), and the nearby atrium that offers free programs. If you’re exploring New York’s Upper West Side, Lincoln Center should be on your list. Cathedral of St. John the Divine Do you know where the largest cathedral in the world is located? Nope, it’s not Paris, or Vienna, or London. It’s right here in New York City—it’s the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The cathedral is renowned for its spectacular architecture, its inclusive and welcoming programs, and the peacocks that roam its grounds. (Yes, you read that correctly.) You can participate in a family program, attend a crafts show, or attend a Blessing of the Bikes service (yes, really.) No matter what your goal, it’s worth a trip; it’s literally jaw-dropping. American Museum of Natural History Exploring The American Museum of Natural History is truly one of New York’s great pleasures. The main attraction, of course, is the dinosaur skeletons, but they’ve also got (live) butterflies and metorites, the giant blue whale replica, and exhibits that focus on the natural and scientific worlds. You could practically spend the entire day in the Planetarium, or in the history of evolution, or wandering through the animal dioramas. It is truly a “something for everyone” kind of place. And don’t miss the dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets in the cafeteria! (And if you want tips for more fun days out, we've got them here. Zabar's True fact: There are people who live in New York who have been to the Upper West Side to visit only two places: Lincoln Center (see above) and Zabar’s, the specialty food store in the West 80s on Broadway. It’s probably the most famous specialty store in New York, having been opened in 1934, and since then supposedly having introduced New Yorkers to brie and sundried tomatoes, among other foods considered exotic at the time. These days, you can get your Sunday-morning lox and bagels, your lunchtime salad, your New Year’s Eve caviar, the entrée to serve your in-laws, and the cookie to munch on for a snack, plus breads, coffee, olives, soups, Zabar’s merchandise, and more. The store itself is loud and crowded—but you won’t leave empty-handed. All in all, it’s a quintessential New York experience, and something you must include when exploring New York’s Upper West Side. If exploring some of the Northern part of the city has given you a hankering to see more, check out Greenwich Village! Pick up a New York Pass® and get out exploring the very best the Big Apple has offer! You'll make great savings using the pass vs paying at the gate.
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