Greenwich Village/West Village

Welcome to Greenwich Village and the West Village

Where bohemia meets bright lights in the heart of lower Manhattan.

For history with a hip vibe, Greenwich Village and the West Village deliver in spades. This is the place for anyone who wants to soak up that undeniable urban verve while feeling like they’re living in a quaint European village where your favorite barista knows your order (and your dog’s name). With its chic character and unpretentious sophistication, Greenwich Village and the West Village have long been the center of bohemian culture in the city. This is where the beatnik generation thrived in the 1960s and Allen Ginsberg would show up spontaneously at Cafe Reggio, where you could catch Bob Dylan playing live or admire the artwork of Diane Arbus.

With easy access to Union Square, Midtown, and Soho, this beloved corner of lower Manhattan is generally expensive but offers a diverse range of real-estate options. Choose from pre-war walk-ups and brownstones on quiet side streets and luxury doorman buildings on Park and Fifth avenues. Most residents value location over space, so take the time to explore and feel the vibe to find your perfect spot. Wander the cobblestone streets of adjacent West Village, as laid-back and bohemian as Greenwich, with a larger collection of stunning brownstones, co-ops, and condos — all ensconced by towering trees that make it feel like you’re walking around a New York City film set.

What to Love

Laid-back lifestyle, with plenty going on
Blend of historic housing and luxury high-rises
Centrally located neighborhood
Lively Washington Park
Ample dining and nightlife choices

Local Lifestyle

Life in Greenwich Village and the West Village is quintessential New York City. For those seeking a well-balanced lifestyle with a down-to-earth atmosphere and plenty to choose from for dining and nightlife, this is the place. Join your creative neighbors for performance art, live music, and friendly chess games at Washington Park. Discover your favorite coffee shop or pub along the tree-lined streets or head to a local comedy club with friends. Learn to salsa at Pier 45 or celebrate LGBTQ history at Julius' bar. Whatever mood you’re in, you’ll find a way to express it in the Village.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Just below Washington Square, Greenwich Village and the West Village come to life. Whether you’re joining friends at a pub on Bleeker or MacDougal street, grabbing a slice at Joe’s Pizza, or shopping for vintage clothing at a pop-up boutique, the pulse is just busy enough to keep things lively but without the oppressiveness of the urban jungle.

Foodies find it all here, from boozy brunches to gourmet dinners by up-and-coming chefs. Grab a table at Via Carota, a West Village trattoria by cherished downtown chefs Jody Williams and Rita Sodi. The communal tables are set on reclaimed wooden floors, lined with chapel chairs from England, and set with heirloom china. Can’t get enough Italian? Savor the Italian specialties at Don Angie, named by Esquire as one of the best new restaurants in America.

Tacos, guac, queso fundido, and seasonal veggie dishes are served in a comfortable neighborhood setting at Empellon Taqueria in the heart of the West Village. The drink menu is fantastic, with margaritas and cocktails crafted with artisanal Mexican spirits. When you dine at Jack’s Wife Freda, you’re celebrating an immigrant love story twice over — Freda and Jack, as well as their grandson Dean from NYC and his wife, Maya. The all-day bistro beautifully executes breakfast, lunch, brunch, cocktails, and dinner through a menu influenced by Israel, South Africa, and New York’s Jewish food and culture. Finish off a fab meal at Big Gay Ice Cream, with soft-serve treats ranging from a strawberry shortcake sundae to a Mexican Coke ice-cream floats to delightfully creative creamy concoctions served in a cone or a dish.

Follow up dinner with a few hours at the Blue Note, which considers itself to be the “jazz capital of the world.” Appreciate the lively notes of the genre’s greats, from Chick Corea to Ron Carter, complemented by the sounds of on-the-rise talent. Or, stop by Village Vanguard, another jazz hot spot.

Things to Do

Rain or shine, winter or summer, Greenwich Village, and the West Village bloom with family-friendly activities and cultural gems. Simply strolling through your neighborhood reveals a number of landmarks and historic townhomes.

Take a guided tour of one National Historic Landmark that stands out in the Village — the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street. This bar is considered to have spurred the modern LGBTQ+ movement back in 1969 and remains one of the highest-energy nightclubs in the West Village. Continue your homage to true self at The Center, home to NYC’s LGBTQ+ community with programs for health, wellness, and community connection. From figurative drawing classes to writers’ groups to temporary art exhibits, there’s always something engaging happening here.

Spend the day in one of the Village area’s top museums, including The Whitney Museum and the AIA Center for Architecture. At the Museum of Illusions, trick your senses and confuse your mind through interactive exhibits about vision, perception, and the human brain.

From outdoor theater and tossing a frisbee in Washington Park to shopping for everything from antiques to homewares to trying out a new restaurant, Greenwich Village and the West Village offer a rare blend of small-town conviviality and convenient city life.