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New York City
CHINATOWN. The area between Canal and Worth streets
to the north and south and between the Bowery and Lafayette
Street to the east and west. Highlights include shopping along
Canal Street and a meal at one of the neighborhood's more
than 200 restaurants.
CHELSEA. Within Chelsea's boundaries (29th Street to
the north, 14th Street to the south, Sixth Avenue to the east
and the Hudson River to the west), you'll find the Joyce Theater,
a mecca for dance; the Hotel Chelsea (222 W. 23rd St.), former
home of O. Henry, Thomas Wolfe, Arthur Miller, Sarah Bernhardt
and Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols; the Chelsea Piers Sports
and Entertainment Complex (at the Hudson River between 17th
and 23rd streets) with a driving range, indoor ice-skating
and outdoor Rollerblading rinks, and a gymnasium; and the
Empire Diner (210 10th Ave. between 22nd and 23rd streets),
a fun 24-hour Art Deco eatery.
EAST VILLAGE. East of Broadway, turns funky and hard-edged
in the East Village. An unknown rock-star wannabe named Madonna
once lived in the East Village, and singers such as Iggy Pop
and Lou Reed still frequent the neighborhood. Tompkins Square
Park is its hub and St. Mark's Place its main street. Experimental
theatres, far-out clubs and quirky, even kitschy shops help
make this area one of the most electric in town. The East
Village is also a stomping ground for NYU students.
GREENWICH VILLAGE. The western sector of Greenwich
Village, which is bounded by 14th Street to the north, Houston
Street to the south, the Hudson River to the west and Broadway
to the east, is homey and intimate, a small town that is loved
by artists, writers, actors, and a sizable gay and lesbian
population. Coffeehouses and jazz clubs are staples of the
easy-going West Village lifestyle. Along Bleecker Street between
Christopher and Bank streets, you will find antiques and book
shops, clothing boutiques and small cafes where locals gather
to schmooze.
LITTLE ITALY. The first foreign explorer to set eyes
on the island of Manhattan was an Italian-Giovanni da Verrazano.
Since that day in 1545, Italians have made their mark here
in everything from the construction industry to politics.
The heart of the Italian presence in New York is Little Italy,
which is located along and around Mulberry Street from Spring
Street to just north of Canal Street. This is a neighborhood
of tenements, familiar to moviegoers from "The Godfather"
films, and restaurants by the score featuring the food of
every Italian region.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER.
Rockefeller Center is a midtown complex of 18 buildings including
Radio City Music Hall; the street-level NBC News Window on the
World studio, where the "Today" show is broadcast live seven
days a week; the Rink at Rockefeller Center, an outdoor restaurant
in summer and an ice-skating rink from October through April;
the Rainbow Room on the 65th floor of the GE Building, a restaurant
with a view; and as many as 35 shops. Across the street from
Rockefeller Center is St. Patrick's Cathedral (Fifth Avenue
at 50th Street), the 11th largest church in the world, while
nearby is the Museum of Modern Art. Rockefeller Center is located
in the heart of the fashionable Fifth Avenue shopping district.
SOHO. A downtown neighborhood with a vibrant artistic
life is SoHo. Within only a quarter of a square mile, there
are an estimated 250 art galleries and five museums in addition
to approximately 188 restaurants, 30 antiques shops, 17 furniture
emporiums and 100 retail stores. The neighborhood's name, by
the way, comes from its location SOuth of HOuston Street. Note:
the neighborhood is not an early-morning port of call; arrive
after noon.
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT. The South Street Seaport, which
lies between Fulton Street and the East River and Fletcher and
Dover streets in Lower Manhattan. Within its 11 cobblestone-paved
blocks, the atmospheric district contains a maritime museum,
the Fulton Fish Market and more than 100 cafes, restaurants
and shops.
THEATRE DISTRICT. The Broadway Theatre District stretches
from Times Square to 57th Street and from Sixth to Eighth avenues.
Known as the Great White Way, the district houses more than
30 playhouses.
TIMES SQUARE. Known as "the crossroads of the world,"
Times Square includes the area bounded by Broadway and Seventh
Avenue and 42nd and 47th streets. The Virgin Megastore, the
world's largest music and entertainment emporium, is in Times
Square; so, too, the Official All Star Cafe, a theme-park restaurant
owned by Andre Agassi, Wayne Gretzky, Joe Montana and a host
of other sports luminaries
TRIBECA. TriBeCa is an industrial district that has lately
been populated by artists and kindred spirits who prize its
vast lofts and easygoing ambience. The neighborhood's name is
an acronym derived from its location: the TRIangle BElow CAnal
Street south of Chambers Street and between the Hudson River
and Broadway. There's no shortage of famous restaurants in TriBeCa
including Bouley (165 Duane St.), New York's No. 1 restaurant
according to the 1996 Zagat Survey; TriBeCa Grill (375 Greenwich
St.); and Nobu (105 Hudson St.). TriBeCa is also a shopping
and antiques mecca.
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