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Greenwich Village Walking Tour

by Bruce Scher Tour Guide

As a native New Yorker I can unequivocally state this is my favorite neighborhood in the City of New York. There are many reasons why I love it, and I’m sure if you come down here for a visit, you’ll most certainly want to return too.

The neighborhood is residential with no large office buildings or mega hotels clogging up its sky, giving you a sunnier and open feel as you walk its streets. Even on a weekend when many visitors frequently the area, the side streets feel quiet and peaceful, not crowded and overwhelming like Times Square and SoHo.

There is much to do so I will break it down into categories of places to see, shopping areas to visit, and eateries and bars for consumption.

Cup of Coffee – Stumptown

Great cup of coffee newest location in New York City for the Portland roaster.

30 West 8^th St, corner Macdougal St.

Shopping – Bleecker Street

You won’t chain stores here but individually-owned smaller shops offering exclusive fashions. It’s an 8 block stretch from 7^th Avenue to Eighth Avenue.

Sightseeing – Washington Square Park

A small urban city park, getting a mix of locals, New York University students, and tourists. Very good for people watching, and always have entertaining musicians,

dancers, artists and jugglers to amuse. Lots of benches good resting spot.

Enter on Fifth Avenue and Waverly Place, 1 block south of 8^th St.

Highline Park
Very cool site to visit, was an elevated freight train line that was closed down, and reopened as a park 3 years ago. Great views of the Hudson River, plus food carts.

Enter on West 14^th St bet. 9-10 Avenue.

Glass of Wine/Cocktail

Café Reggio, great little outdoor café, with limited seating. Lively block excellent people watching.

119 Macdougal St, bet. Bleecker & West 3 St.

Fat Black Pussycat Bar

Great spot for happy hour crowd and late nite night cap.

130 W 3rd St, bet. 6^th Avenue & Macdougal St.

Places to Eat

Sunday Brunch – Blue Note Jazz Club

Great spot to enjoy brunch with live jazz.

131 West 3^rd St, bet. 6^th Ave. & Macdougal St.

Sunday Brunch – Tavern on Jane

Local crowd offering an excellent brunch

31 8^th Avenue, corner of Jane St.

Cheap Bite

Joe’s Pizza
In the neighborhood since 1975, thin-crust, fresh sauce, fuhgetabouit.
7 Carmine Street, off 6^th Avenue.

Burger Joint

Newest location of the famed spot in the Parker Meridian Hotel.

33 W 8th St, corner Macdougal St.

Mid-priced Cafes

Westville

Fresh ingredients American/comfort food.

210 West 10 St, bet. Bleecker & West 4^th St.

Da Silvano

Very good Italian with outdoor seating.

260 6th Ave. bet. Bleecker & West Houston St.

Expensive

Minetta Tavern

Former speakeasy now serving excellent food, very comfortable surrounding and helpful staff. Tough reservation to secure, check menu first.

113 MacDougal St, corner of Minetta Lane

Blue Hill

Very small and charming, President Obama took Michelle here for their evening out.

75 Washington Place, bet. 6^th Ave, & MacDougal St.

Desert

Payard Bakery

I saved the best for last. Great French pastry chef shows his stuff.

116 West Houston St, bet. Thompson & Sullivan.

Dominick Ansel Bakery

This shop started the cronut craze, half croissant half donut.

If you’re after lunch or dinner the cronuts will be sold out, a great place to see, and try another delicious desert.

189 Spring St, bet. Thompson & Sullivan St.

Editors Note: Technically this shop is in SoHo.

Written by Bruce Scher, owner of Walking Tours Manhattan, native New Yorker, and licensed tour guide, in business since 2008.

Food tours are a perfect way to walk around great neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, SoHo Little Italy, or the Brooklyn Bridge, and eat in iconic New York shops and restaurants. All tours visit famous landmarks and historic points of interest.

Written up by the New York Times, CBS New York, and Time Out New York. Receives 5 stars from Trip Advisor. Member New York City Tourist Board.

If you’re interested in a Manhattan walking tour;

Please visit our website: http://walkingtoursmanhattan.com