Greenwich Village is a trendy bohemian neighborhood surrounding leafy Washington Square Park on the west side of Manhattan. This intimate community has a rich history as a hotbed of NYC’s influential counterculture. Artists, writers, and musicians have made their mark on world culture while living in Greenwich Village’s lofts and apartments. Even the neighborhood’s layout is off-beat, eschewing the grid system that defines much of Manhattan.
This vibrant neighborhood features lots of protected historic architecture. Here, you’ll find 19th-century rowhouses and brownstones alongside mid-rise apartment buildings, pre-war co-ops, and stunning mansions. Greenwich Village is a distinctive and captivating corner of Manhattan featuring numerous independent businesses, vintage clothing stores, and hip restaurants and nightlife spots.
What to Love
- Trendy bohemian vibe
- Revered jazz clubs
- Hip independent businesses
- Washington Square Park
People & Lifestyle
Greenwich Village has been home to a litany of influential cultural figures. Residents have included artists such as Jackson Pollack and Andy Warhol, writers like Jack Kerouac and Norman Mailer, and musicians, including Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. The neighborhood’s artsy reputation and cultural pedigree have made it a highly sought-after location in the 21st century. Affluent urban professionals and A-list celebrities live in the neighborhood. Other residents include professors and students at New York University, the main campus of which is adjacent to Washington Square Park.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Greenwich Village’s characteristic streets are dotted with a great selection of places to shop, dine, and drink.
The Spaniard is an inviting gastropub serving classic American eats alongside a great selection of cocktails and over 100 varieties of whiskey.
The Village Vanguard has been a stalwart of the Greenwich Village nightlife scene since the 1930s. Legendary performances from John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and many other jazz greats made the Village Vanguard a must-visit in the 1950s and 60s. The Village Vanguard is the oldest continuously operating jazz club in NYC and continues to attract visitors from around the world with its virtuoso performers.
The Comedy Cellar has a similarly important place in NYC’s influential stand-up comedy scene, hosting shows from almost every major comedian in the United States since it opened in 1983. Blue Hill is an upscale dining hotspot that has earned a Michelin star for their sublime farm-to -table cooking. Guests at
Blue Hill can choose between a four-course Daily Menu and a six-course Farmer’s Feast. Both of these tasting menus feature sublime dishes prepared using the freshest and finest seasonal ingredients. Greenwich Village is also a haven of boutique shopping.
Rag & Bone sells trendy contemporary fashionwear for both men and women. The chic apparel on sale here is heavily influenced by classic British styles.
Strand Book Store is a landmark independent retailer selling every kind of book imaginable. Both new and used copies fill the Strand’s shelves, and the store’s inventory of books would stretch for 18 miles if laid out end-to-end! The store opened in 1923 and has been a cornerstone of the famed Greenwich Village literary scene ever since.
Things to Do
The Cage at West Fourth Street Courts is a street basketball mecca that regularly hosts amateur streetball tournaments. The Cage is famed for its fierce competition and physically tough style of play.
Washington Square Park is the centerpiece of Greenwich Village. This 9.75-acre public park hosts street performers, chess games, avant-garde artists, and many colorful characters that make it one of NYC’s liveliest public green spaces. The Washington Square Arch marks the entrance to Washington Square Park, and there’s also a fountain within the park.
Le Poisson Rouge is an innovative music venue and multimedia cabaret that was created in 2008 to bring classical music into a new contemporary setting. They host a diverse lineup of music and other events, ranging from indie rock and jazz to burlesque performances and stand-up comedy.
Blue Note Jazz Club hosts concerts every evening as well as a special brunch performance on Sundays. Acts such as Dizzy Gillespie, Carmen McRae, and Ray Charles have played at Blue Note since it opened in the 1980s, and it is widely-regarded as NYC’s premier jazz club.
Schools
Greenwich Village is served by the New York City Public Schools District.
- Melser Charrette School, Public, K-5
- Greenwich Village School, Public, K-5
- Baruch Middle School, Public, 6-8
- New York University, Private, Higher Education
