What to do in Greenwich Village

NYC’s Greenwich Village was considered the city’s bohemian capital throughout the 19th and 20th centuries - a place to explore an unconventional lifestyle. At the heart of the counterculture movement in the 1960s, it is known for its avant-garde vibe, and as the home of actors, writers, musicians and artists, including Lou Reed, Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol.

Its name comes from the Dutch word “Greenwijck'' or “Groenwijck,” which means “Pine District” or “Green District.” Located on Manhattan’s lower west side, Greenwich Village is bounded by 14th Street and Houston Street on the north and south, and Broadway and the Hudson River on the east and west. Unlike its neighbors to the north, “the Village'' was not included in NYC’s 19th century grid plan. As a result, some of its streets are narrow, oddly curved or run diagonally. Most of them have names, not numbers. In addition to its cobblestone streets, it features charming brownstones, unique shops and hundreds of restaurants and bars. Its architecture is a mix of 19th century row houses, Federal and Greek Revival style homes, mid-rise apartment buildings and single-family walk-ups. Today Greenwich Village remains culturally diverse and art-centric. It is among the most desirable places to live in New York City. Its iconic landmarks include Washington Square Park and the Washington Square Arch by New York University.

Start your day at the symbolic and cultural heart of Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park. This 10-acre public park, named after George Washington, features a fountain, statues and monuments, and the marble Washington Square Arch, which was modeled after Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, at its north end. Hang out at the fountain, where you will feel right at the center of New York’s cultural scene.

Stroll along Bleeker Street, which runs from Abingdon Square in the West Village to the Bowery in the East Village. Once a bohemian center, today it is the location of music and comedy venues, bars and restaurants, and some of the best shopping in Manhattan. On just one block between Christopher Street and Eighth Avenue, you’ll find Intermix, Sandro, Ralph Lauren, MAC, and Burberry, alongside smaller boutiques.

Stop into Murray’s Mac & Cheese, a spin-off of Murray’s Cheese, at 250 Bleeker, which offers a wide variety of cheesy options and pasta for a total comfort food experience. You should also check out Bleeker Street Pizza, rated the best pizza in New York by the Food Network and New York Post, at 69 Seventh Avenue South.

The Village is a jazz lover’s heaven. You’ll find the Village Vanguard at 178 Seventh Avenue South, which opened in 1935, and where John Coltrane once played, the Blue Note, at 131 West 3rd Street. Finally, check out the Bitter End at 147 Bleeker. 

For comedy, you don’t have to walk very far to take in shows at more than one location. Check out the Greenwich Village Comedy Club at 99 McDougal Street, the Comedy Cellar at 117 McDougal, and the Comedy Shop at 167 Bleeker. 

For a glimpse of the Village’s bohemian past, stop for a coffee at Caffé Reggio. Established in 1927, it features the country’s first espresso machine, and was the country’s first café to serve cappuccino. Once you step inside, you’ll see it looks as if nothing has changed for almost 100 years. Located at 119 McDougal.