While originally part of the Lower East Side, an immigrant neighborhood, the East Village NY, has separated itself and become home to some of the City’s best restaurants, shops and nightlife. It is full of character, fine dining, shops and live music, and includes a subsection named “Alphabet City.” East Village culture ranges from tattoo parlors and “dive bars” to some of New York City’s nicest hip and trendy hotels.
Each of these neighborhoods is tiny in size, but jam-packed with so much to do, so please see our separate guides for the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village & NoHo and the West Village.
Things to Do and See in the East Village NYC
Blue Man Group (Astor Place Theater) or STOMP (Orpheum Theatre, 126 2nd Ave, 7th/ St. Marks Place/ 8th Street) – both interactive off-Broadway shows. Stomp is great for kids, both fun and creative music.
St. Mark’s Place (E 8th Street) – souvenirs, tattoo shops, clothing, nightlife, college NYU crowd.
Curry Lane – east 6th St. NYC’s Little India, with dozens of Indian Restaurants.
Tompkins Square Park (9th St at Ave B)
Alphabet City
East Village Visitors Center (61 E.4th, Bowery/2nd Ave) – Tues-Sat, 1:00 – 6:00pm. Walking Tour is Tuesday – Sunday 11 am, Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. (check for prices, abt $15 pp)
The Ukrainian Museum (222 East 6th Street, 2nd/3rd Aves) – open Wed-Sun. Collections of Ukranian folk art, fine art and an extensive compendium of archival materials. Afterwards, browse the small area of "Little Ukraine" on 6th and 7th Streets b/w 1st and 3rd Aves. Visit Veselka or Streecha restaurants or the East Village Meat Market.
Greenwich Village NYC Tours
New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
This best-selling 6 hour New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour departs daily from Times Square. You'll pass by most major attractions, landmarks and neighborhoods on bus, but the stops include: Strawberry Fields (Central Park), Madison Square Park, 9/11 Memorial and the Fulton Market for lunch. After lunch, you'll hop on the Staten Island Ferry with your tour guide to see Lady Liberty & Ellis Island from the water, before bussing back to Times Square.
More NYC One Day Tours
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East Village NYC Neighborhood Guide Sightseeing Passes
NY Sightseeing Pass, New York Pass, NY Explorer Pass, CityPASS Compared
- Sightseeing Pass - Unlimited Hop on Hop off Buses, One World Observatory, Edge
- New York Pass - 80+ tours and attractions, Choose 1-10 Days
- Explorer or Go Select - Choose from 55+ sights or Build your Your
- New York CityPASS - 6 top attractions, good for 9 days from first use
See All: NYC Attractions Pass Comparison Chart
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East Village NYC Restaurants
S’MAC Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese (345 East 12th, 1st /2nd Aves) All about Mac and Cheese. Casual, great for kids and students.
Veniero’s Pasticceria and Cafe – (342 E 11th St @ 1st Ave)- Italian bakery/cafe famous for pastries and desserts since the late 1800s.
Momofuku Noodle Bar (171 1st Ave, 10th/11th Sts) – David Chang. Next to Milk Bar, famous Asian dessert place and his “impossible to get into” Momofuku Ko. All celebrity favorites.
Pommes Frites – moved to 128 Macdougal St, Greenwich Village
Cacio e Pepe (182 2nd Ave, 11th/12th Sts) – Sicilian food, great outdoor garden, excellent service, romantic.
Beetle House (recommended for ages 10+) – a year round celebration of Halloween with an artistic and thematic atmosphere inspired by the works of Tim Burton, Alfred Hitchcock, Bram Stoker, Washington Irving, Edgar Allen Poe and many more.
Death and Co (433 E 6th St, 1st/A Aves) – dark, cozy speakeasy vibe with unique and exotic cocktails, some served for groups in Punch bowls. Eclectic food, small plates.
Local 92 (92 2nd Ave) – casual Israeli/Mediterranean tapas style restaurant with hummus people rave about. The blue door takes you to their secret Blue Quarter NYC, Tues – Sun, 5pm-12am for tea-inspired cocktails.
Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette St @ at Astor Pl) – awesome for live music fans, one of the city’s top spots.
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East Village Neighborhood Guide Shopping
Kiehl’s Flagship Store (109 3rd Ave, 13th St) – known for their lotions and potions sold in stores and boutiques globally, this is the original “chemist lab” opened in 1851
Lots of little boutiques on the numbered streets carrying clothing, vintage and accessories. Great place for the shopping “hipster.”
Toy Tokyo (121 2nd Ave at 7th St) – specializing in Japanese imports and collectibles: Samurai guys, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars; hand-painted porcelain miniatures of the Simpsons, Smurfs, and the Pink Panther; Transformers; Muppets; Totoro figures; Japanese “candy toys,”
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East Village Hotels
Moxy NYC East Village
The Moxy NYC East Village offers 286 rooms, restaurants by TAO Group, free bikes, a fitness center and co-working spaces. It is a block from where I lived for 10 years, so you KNOW it’s a perfect location, right off Union Square, near all the subways, by NYU and Strand Bookstore. The East Village is a mecca of amazing restaurants, bars, small shops and where authentic New Yorkers live and play. Conceived by Rockwell Group as a vertical timeline, each floor of the hotel draws inspiration from a different era in East Village history.
- Discount Rates: Moxy NYC East Village
- 112 East 11th Street, East Village
Hotel on Rivington
The Hotel on Rivington treats guests to floor-to-ceiling glass walls, offering stunning views of Manhattan in every room. Imagine watching the entire city skyline from your bed or tub. The vistas aren’t the only thing that will appeal to amorous guests. As one traveler notes, “From the unconventional layout, to the glass curtain walling, to the voyeuristic shower walls, everything about this place screams hedonistic pleasure.”
- 107 Rivington Street
- See Also: Boutique Hotels, Romantic Hotels, More New York City Hotel Deals
Bowery Hotel
The Bowery Hotel NYC consistently receives rave reviews and is a top choice for locals when they go on a "staycation." The lobby bar is a hip destination spot (saw Jake Gyllenhaal last time I was there) and the patio has leather club chairs and a fireplace in winter with an outdoor patio for summer.
- Discount Rates: Bowery Hotel NYC
- See Also: New York City Boutique Hotels, Hotels with Free Bicycles
- Favorites: Free Bicycle Rental, Cozy Fireplace Lobby
Blue Moon Hotel
Visitors love The Blue Moon Hotel since the rooms are huge by NYC standards. The staff is great and it is surrounded by some of the city’s best dining and nightlife in a historic, yet trendy, area of NYC cannot be beat. The hotel is located along cobble stone streets once occupied by push cart vendors, pickle packers, butchers, and bakers. Now, New York City’s historic past has come to life in the authentic yet
- Discount Rates: Blue Moon Hotel
- See Also: Lower East Side
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East Village Subways
- N, R, Q, W to Union Square-14th Street
- 4/5/6 to Union Square-14th Street
- 6 to Astor Place
- L Union Square-14th Street
- F/V along 2nd Avenue
- General Address: 61 E 4th St, NY, NY 10003
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East Village NYC Printable Map
East Village NYC Map
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NYC Insider Printable Guides
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NYC Neighborhood Guides
Harlem
Our Harlem neighborhood guide will show you the wonderful cultural, food, music and historic value of this landmark area, which has long, strong and proud NYC roots. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s began the golden age of African-American culture, literature, music, artists, theater and art, which continues to strengthen today. If you want to eat authentic soul food, hear mind-blowing jazz and gospel and clothing shop with Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, then Harlem is on your bucket list!
- Explore: Harlem Neighborhood Guide
- To Do: Apollo Theater, Striver's Row, National Jazz Museum
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is a residential neighborhood filled with young professionals and families. It is a great place to stay if you are looking to avoid the heavy crowds of Midtown, explore Central Park, The Museum of Natural History, the Beacon Theatre, Lincoln Center, the West Side Highway and still be about 20 minutes from most of Manhattan.
- Explore: Upper West Side Guide
- To Do: American Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, Beacon Theatre, Lincoln Center, Time Warner Center
Central Park
Central Park offers 843 gorgeous acres to explore and 100s of things to do, which is why we consider it an unofficial neighborhood. Central Park draws 38 million visits a year and is home to the Central Park Film Festival, SummerStage, Shakespeare in the Park, Ice Skating, Central Park Zoo, Bow Bridge, biking, playgrounds, the Carousel and much more.
- Explore: Central Park Guide
- To Do: Central Park Zoo, Carousel, TV and Movie Sites, Ice Skating, Loeb Boathouse
Times Square & Broadway
Times Square New York and the Theater District are some of New York City's most popular tourist attractions. Of course, Broadway, also known as the Great White Way, is most definitely for locals as well. Spend a bit of time here and make sure to see the lights at night, the Hershey's and M&M Stores, as well as catch a great Broadway Show.
- Explore: Times Square & Broadway NYC Guide
- To Do: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Broadway Shows NYC, Times Square Ball Drop New Years, M&M World & Hersheys Chocolate World
Midtown West, Koreatown, Hell's Kitchen
Midtown West is a huge tourist area with great neighborhoods like NYC's famous Diamond District, Hell's Kitchen and Koreatown. Hell's Kitchen, is the most western section and an "up-and-coming" residential area of New York City with new shops and restaurants opening often. Koreatown, just a block from the Empire State Building, is known for their restaurants and karaoke bars and clubs.
- Explore: Midtown West NYC Guide
- To Do: Empire State Building, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Madison Square Garden, Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Javits Center
Garment District / Fashion Center
The Garment District, also called the Fashion District or Fashion Center, is home to many of the world's most famous fashion designers and showrooms. The area is an amazing resource for fabrics, beads and trims, however, unless you are trade, don't expect to walk in off the street to designer showrooms. The best way to possibly get access to private showrooms is through a private tour or a NYC Sample Sale.
- Explore: Garment District Guide
- To Do: Fashion Walk of Fame, Museum at FIT, Parsons School of Design
Chelsea & Hudson Yards
Chelsea NY is known for art galleries, nightlife and gay-friendly culture. It is a lively, vibrant neighborhood with some of New York City's top restaurants, clubs, art and things to do outdoors and along the Hudson River. While Chelsea boundaries are West 14th-34th Streets, from 7th Ave to the Hudson River, the new Hudson Yards occupies it's most North and West streets, West 30th to 34th Streets between 10th and 12th Avenues.
- Explore: Chelsea & Hudson Yards Guide
- To Do: The Highline, Art Galleries, Chelsea Market, Chelsea Piers, Little Island, Edge, The Vessel, The Shops at Hudson Yards
Meatpacking District
The Meatpacking District, also known as the Gansevoort Market, is only a few blocks, so you cannot get lost, but it is packed with upscale restaurants, night clubs and designer shopping. Like many NY neighborhoods, the MP District retains it's historical architecture, as it is lined with cobblestone streets and old warehouses, but, today, these same buildings house very modern shopping and dining. The heart of the Meatpacking District is Little West 12th Street.
- Explore: Meatpacking District Guide
- To Do: The Highline, Restaurants, Clubs & Rooftops, Little Island, Upscale Shopping
Greenwich Village & NoHo
Our Greenwich Village NYC Guide provides insight into one of NYC's most cherished neighborhoods. The Village is full of history, celebrity, politics, landmarks and so much more. The NYU campus, Washington Square Park, gorgeous brownstones and cobble stone streets, amazing restaurants, tons of trees and much more make this area a local favorite.
- Explore: Greenwich Village & NoHo Guide
- To Do: Washington Square Park, NYU Campus, Astor Place, Shopping, Restaurants
West Village
The West Village is filled with tree-lined streets, beautiful old brownstones and hundreds of shops, restaurants and cafés. It is truly a quintessential NYC neighborhood, inhabited by locals and celebrities who can afford to live anywhere they choose. If you're a Friends or Sex and the City fan, then you are already quite familiar with the West Village...now it's time to come experience it!
- Explore: West Village Guide
- To Do: Restaurants, boutique shopping, gorgeous brownstones
SoHo
SoHo (SOuth of HOuston - pronounced How-ston) is another NYC neighborhood filled with the best shopping and restaurants. Traditionally known as a haven for artists and their lofts, it has become more upscale over the years and a much sought-after place for New Yorkers to live.
- Explore: SoHo Guide
- To Do: New York Fire Museum, Shopping, Art Galleries, Brunch & Restaurants, Broken Kilometer & Earth Room
Tribeca & The Battery
Tribeca Tribeca (TRI-angle BE-low CA-nal) NYC, is home of the namesake Film Festival, Robert De Niro’s pet project, created to promote commerce downtown after 9/11. He also owns several hotels and restaurants in the area and is spotted quite frequently. Tribeca was also the home of JFK Jr and Caroline Bessette Kennedy before their tragic death in 1999 and is filled with old warehouses, now converted into lofts, beautiful views of the Hudson River and Statue of Liberty along the West Side Highway, excellent restaurants, families, parks and NYC history.
- Explore: Tribeca & The Battery
- To Do: Hudson River Park and River Promenade, Statue of Liberty Views, Upscale & Casual Dining
Financial District and Wall Street
The Financial District (FiDi), at the southern tip of NYC, is one of NYC's most bustling business and tourist areas, from Monday to Friday and is near dead on the weekends. Sights include the 9-11 Memorial & Museum, Wall Street, One World Observatory, The American Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull, the Fearless Girl and views of the Statue of Liberty.
- Explore: Financial District Guide
- To Do: One World Observatory, Staten Island Ferry, 9-11 Museum, 9-11 Memorial, Charging Bull & Fearless Girl, American Stock Exchange, The Oculus, Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport and much more.
Upper East Side NYC
The Upper East Side is an upscale, residential neighborhood and home to Museum Mile, some uber-upscale shopping and Gracie Mansion. The homes on Fifth Avenue, along Central Park, are some of the most exclusive in all of Manhattan. You've likely seen the Upper East Side on Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, The Real Housewives of New York, I Love Lucy, Breakfast at Tiffany's and dozens of other times on your screens.
- Explore: Upper East Side
- To Do: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Museum Mile, Central Park, Gracie Mansion, Upscale Shopping
Midtown East
Midtown East is a huge tourist, commercial and residential area. Around 5th Ave, the neighborhood is home to many tourist attractions, such as St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock and Radio City Music Hall. Bryant Park, the New York Public Library and Grand Central Station are close together just south. Moving towards 3rd Ave and further east, the area is more residential, and generally, the restaurants are better and more affordable, with the UN being the only attraction in that part of the neighborhood.
- Explore: Midtown East Guide
- To Do: The Plaza Hotel, Upscale Shopping, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock, Radio City Music Hall, Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, Summit One Vanderbilt, New York Public Library, United Nations
Union Square, Flatiron, NoMad, Gramercy
Union Square (my hood!), the Flatiron District and NoMad all have a mix of residence and business tenants. Additionally, colleges such as NYU, The New School and FIT dominate the area, making it very fun and lively. It is one of the best dining and nightlife areas in Manhattan, with something for every palate and budget and offers fabulous hotels of all kinds.
- Explore: Union Square, Flatiron, NoMad, Gramercy
- To Do: Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, Eataly, Union Square Park & Greenmarket, Harry Potter Wizarding World
East Village
While originally part of the Lower East Side, an immigrant neighborhood, the East Village, has separated itself and become home to some of the City’s best restaurants, shops and nightlife. It is full of character, diversity, fine dining, shops and live music, and includes a subsection named “Alphabet City.” East Village culture ranges from tattoo parlors and “dive bars” to some of New York City’s nicest hip and trendy hotels.
- Explore: East Village
- To Do: Blue Man Group & Stomp, St. Mark's Place, Nightlife, Speakeasies, Curry Lane
Lower East Side NYC
Traditionally, the Lower East Side was a working class immigrant neighborhood (think “Gangs of New York”). Today it is a wonderfully ethnic and diverse neighborhood and serves as a shopping, dining and nightlife destination for many NYC locals. Even with all its modern upgrades, the LES retains a large amount of its history, especially it’s Jewish, Polish, Irish and Italian cultures. The LES also has one of the best selections of hotels in NYC - tons of boutique hotels with amenities, rooftops, skyline views and seconds from 1000s of cool restaurants and hot spots.
- Explore: Lower East Side
- To Do: Tenement Museum, Museum at Eldridge Street Synagogue, Food Tours, Nightlife, great Hotel selection
Chinatown NYC
Chinatown NYC is a small, but very densely packed area of shops and restaurants. It is really fun to walk around, enjoy the culture, pick up some souvenirs, and most definitely, eat some delicious and affordable Dim Sum, dumplings, pork buns and other amazing Chinese cuisines.
- Explore: Chinatown NYC Guide Guide
- To Do: Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), Mahayana Buddhist Temple, Dim Sum & Dumplings
Little Italy NYC
Little Italy NYC Guide is a just a few blocks, with tons of outdoor restaurants and owners promising free wine and sangria to lure you in. Puglia is a favorite restaurant for families with their live singing and kids standing on their chairs waving napkins. Visit the new Italian American Museum, which tells the story "from Columbus to Cuomo," the original Old St. Patrick's Church and NYC Police Headquarters.
- Explore: Little Italy NYC Guide
- To Do: Feast of San Gennaro, Old St. Patrick's Church, Food Tours, Italian American Museum
NYC Boroughs
Explore the diverse neighborhoods of NYC Boroughs with our comprehensive guide to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. New York City is a melting pot of cultures and neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. Whether you're a local or a visitor, exploring the five boroughs of NYC is a must-do experience.
- Explore:NYC Boroughs Guide
- To Do: Williamsburg, Park Slope, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Museum, Barclay's Center, Brooklyn Flea, Coney Island, Dyker Heights, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Unisphere, Citi Field, US Open, Mets, MoMA PS1, Yankees, Bronx Zoo, NY Botanical Garden, Staten Island Ferry
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