Discover experiences in Meatpacking District
What to do in Meatpacking District
Meatpacking District overview
Once home to hundreds of meat packing plants and distributors, today the Meatpacking District is the home to the uber-hip. Beautiful restaurants rub shoulders with boutique fashion stores and luxury goods. Manhattan’s rich, famous and beautiful can be found here on rooftop bars and all-night clubs. It literally is the place to be in Manhattan, and yes there are still a few meat-packing plants still in operation here.
How to spend a day in Meatpacking District
Aside from fashion and food, the Meatpacking District is also the gateway to two of NYC's newest and most unique parks. Little Island is a brand new park that sits right in the Hudson River, a feat of engineering that took six years to build and must be seen to be believed. Privately funded by Barry Diller, it has been described as “New York’s secret garden”. Also in the area is the beginning of The HighLine, an old elevated freight train line that has been reclaimed and turned into a park and walking trail. It runs from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street, with multiple ways to enter and exit along the way.
Once finished on your walking tour swing past the Gourmet ice cream store Aubi&Ramsa. There are no cones here but there 21+ ice cream is sold in beautiful takeaway pint containers, ideal for a cool nightcap.
How to spend a night in Meatpacking District
In two words, bars and clubs - there are so many here in this tiny neighborhood, it would be impossible to name them all. But here are three that I would not miss. Top of the Standard, sitting on the top floor of the Standard Hotel, sets the bar for all other clubs in NYC. A little more low-key is The Brass Monkey, a favorite of locals that also has a great rooftop. Finally, there is Plunge Rooftop, another high-end cocktail bar where you are almost guaranteed to see celebrities on any given day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meatpacking District known for?
Cobblestone streets, converted warehouses, and stunning apartments are just a few of the things that this area is famous for. Of course there is one more thing: Fashion. And we do mean high-end fashion. For a trip to this part of town, you will want to bring your credit card. Some local favorites include the flagship store of the iconic Diane Von Fustenberg, New York's favorite for jeans and street wear Rag & Bone, or check out Nigel Curtis.
How do you get around Meatpacking District?
This small and beautiful neighborhood runs only four blocks long from 14th street in the north to Gansevoort in the south, and is bordered by the Hudson River and Hudson Street. This small area is best explored on foot. The nearest subway is the 14th street A,C,E and L.
What do you HAVE to do in Meatpacking District?
You cannot visit the Meatpacking District without visiting arguably one of the best galleries in NYC, The Whitney. The Whitney specializes in twentieth and twenty-first-century American Art, and offers special exhibitions as well as its permanent collection. Be sure to see Marsden Hartley’s Painting, Number 5.
Another must-see gallery and Museum is the 9/11 Museum and Gallery This wonderful gallery offers visitors a remarkable insight into 9/11, with a focus primarily on the first responders.
What are the best restaurants in Meatpacking District?
Two favorite places to eat in the Meatpacking district are The Standard Grill and Catch. The Standard Grill is part of the Standard Hotel and offers wonderful choices for lunch and dinner. Catch offers fine seafood, with an amazing rooftop view.