West Village / Greenwich Village

 

The West Village is a beautiful area of New York City with picturesque, tree-lined cobblestone streets and brownstones. It is featured in countless movies and television series, so it may feel familiar, even upon a first visit. With a chic vibe, the West Village is relaxed, warm, and unpretentious with quiet sophistication.

 

Greenwich Village is home to high-rises and luxury condominiums, many with 24-hour concierge services. The brownstones are renovated and luxurious. Greenwich Village is known as the birthplace of the Beatnik generation in the 1960s, and today, artists are still attracted to the area. Washington Square Park is the heart of the community and is a constant hub of activity, with people playing chess, live music, and pop-up performance artists.

 

• Brownstones and leafy, tree-lined streets
• Lively, artistic atmosphere
• Washington Square Park
• Balanced living with busy days and relaxed evenings

 

The West Village has quiet residential streets, and residents enjoy sitting on the patio at their favorite cafe, often with their dogs. West Village is the relaxed and laid-back part of New York City that is never dull. Greenwich Village has a constant scene of people in the community, walking or biking to work or heading out to a fun venue. It is a bustling hub of activity during the day. At night, the bars are casual and relaxed, and the activity on the streets quiets down.

 

There are quite a few fun and interesting shops unique to the West Village. Magen H Gallery has innovative and contemporary high fashion for the home, while Wagwear is a fun store for fashion-minded dogs and their owners.

 

The West Village is known for its history of bookstores. A section called Book Row once consisted of nearly 50 shops. Only one of those remains today: The Strand. This store has over 2.5 million new and used books, along with fun gift items. Idlewild Books specializes in travel literature and offers language classes.

 

There is a wonderful selection of restaurants in the West Village and Greenwich Village. Pastis and Buvette are popular French restaurants in the area. King serves southern Italian, and Carbone puts a uniquely modern spin on Italian cuisine. Little Owl is known for its romantic atmosphere and great Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

 

If you’re a jazz fan, the West Village is undoubtedly the place to be, as it is home to two world-renowned jazz clubs: the Village Vanguard and the Blue Note. You can also grab a meal at the Blue Note, which serves burgers, steaks, and pasta. The West Village is also home to the well-known Comedy Cellar, which features famous and perhaps soon-to-be-famous comedians several nights a week.

 

West Village has one of the premier museums in the country, the Whitney Museum of American Art. It has more than 25,000 works by American artists from the early 20th century to today. Because they specialize in living artists, their exhibits often showcase art by up-and-coming artists.

 

Washington Square Park is the center of the community. It covers 10 acres and is a hub of activity with walking and jogging trails, seating areas, and plenty of great play areas for kids and dogs. Plus, there’s that iconic and Instagrammable arch, which dates back to 1895. Hudson River Park is another lovely spot, and there are always events taking place throughout the year.

 

Schools in the West Village and Greenwich Village are part of Manhattan Community District 2. Noteworthy schools in the area include:

 

• Grace Church School