One of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Lower Manhattan is Greenwich Village, often referred to as simply “the Village”. It’s a beautiful part of New York City to explore, with a wide variety of quirky cafes, jazz clubs, historic monuments, and picture perfect streets to wander down. Greenwich Village stands in stark contrast to the rest of the city, giving off more of a relaxed, European vibe that you won’t find anywhere else in Manhattan. There’s no shortage of things to do in Greenwich Village at any time of the year.
Greenwich Village is well known for its Bohemian roots, and it’s long been a popular spot for artistic innovation and progressive thoughts. In the 1950s it was the centre of the Beat Generation, and in 1969 Greenwich Village saw the start of what became the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement (Stonewall Riots).
This neighbourhood in Manhattan has an interesting past to uncover, so it’s definitely worth spending at least half a day here. And, if you have time, it’s never a bad idea to take a walking tour of Greenwich Village either.
What is Greenwich Village known for?
Greenwich Village in New York City is known for a number of things, including the above mentioned artistic and literary movements, and being the starting point of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. But beyond these movements, Greenwich Village has a lot of other things going for it.
Washington Square Park is perhaps its most lively area, with its iconic arch and street performers playing throughout the day and into the evening. There’s also plenty of unique architecture to admire that’s reminiscent of European villages rather than the skyscrapers that Manhattan is known for.
Anyone who enjoys off-Broadway theatres will also find some fantastic shows taking place here, in venues such as The Public Theater and Cherry Lane Theatre. And the cafe scene in Greenwich Village is unmatched too, so there’s something for everyone in this vibrant part of New York City.
Best things to do in Greenwich Village, NYC
Take a Greenwich Village food tour
If food is your thing, then you can’t miss the chance to take a food tour in Greenwich Village. This is the best and easiest way to fill your stomach while learning all about the history and culture of this neighbourhood. We took the Original Greenwich Village Food Tour which is run by Foods of NY Tours.
This guided walking tour lasts for 3 hours, and during this time you’ll stop off at several locally run restaurants and shops while discovering hidden gems and historic homes. It includes 8 stops in total, which are a mixture of seated tastings and on-the-go ones. One of the stops even includes a slice of pizza from Joe’s Pizza, which you may recognize from Spider-Man 2. My favourite location has to be Tacombi though, where you’re given a refreshing watermelon fresca and a delicious crispy fish taco.
You can view all of the tasting stops on their website to see if this food tour in Greenwich Village is right for you. They do have several other food tours available in different parts of Manhattan too which might also interest you and your taste buds. However, their West Village tour is easily one of the top things to do in Greenwich Village so it shouldn’t be missed.
Find some filming locations
Did you know that Greenwich Village is home to several filming locations? One of the most popular things to do in Greenwich Village is to visit the places in the neighbourhood that have acted as backdrops in TV shows and movies. Places such as the Friends apartment building, Carrie Bradshaw’s home in Sex and the City, and Washington Square Park, which has been used in movies such as When Harry Met Sally, are all spread out around Greenwich Village.
If you want to get a photo in front of the Friends apartment building, I’d recommend arriving earlier in the day if you can. It’s a very popular photo spot in Manhattan, so it can be difficult trying to get photos without people in them. The same goes for Carrie Bradshaw’s front doorstep.
Walk around the historic streets
The vibe of Greenwich Village is completely different from the rest of Manhattan. It feels more like you’ve stepped back in time and are traipsing around Europe rather than walking the streets of New York City. The historic streets here are lined with beautiful 19th century buildings, with hidden courtyards and townhouses surrounding them.
Each street has its own unique character, and you’ll find that many have interesting stories behind them or celebrities that have lived nearby. One of the best things to do in Greenwich Village on a budget is to walk around the historic streets. If you decide to take a guided walking tour of this neighbourhood, you’ll be able to learn more about the Village’s unique history and culture too.
Take a photo in front of Taylor Swift’s old apartment
Any fan of Taylor Swift will know that she lived in Greenwich Village while her Tribeca apartment was being renovated. 23 Cornelia Street is a must-see for Swifties, and during the springtime the entire street is filled with beautiful blossoming trees which makes it even more picturesque. The residence is situated inside a historic carriage house, and it features a 30-foot indoor pool, a private garage, and a rooftop terrace. It’s located only a few minutes away from Washington Square Park, so it’s easy to add to your list of things to do in Greenwich Village.
Enjoy the cafe scene
Greenwich Village is a very lively neighbourhood, and you’ll come across many trendy espresso bars and cafes that reflect its artsy energy. Of course, some spots are more popular than others, but as a rule of thumb I wouldn’t recommend wasting your time lining up outside cafes as there are a lot to choose from. For example, Bedford Studio is a charming coffee house that doubles as an event space, so you may find that there are small art shows happening or artisans selling their goods here too. It’s quite intimate inside, but it’s a great spot to come if you want to take a break from walking.
Washington Square Park
The historic and cultural heart of Greenwich Village is Washington Square Park. It’s well known for its iconic marble arch but it’s also a place that regularly sees musicians and artists from all stages of life performing for the public. You may even find a celebrity doing a pop-up concert if you’re lucky!
Washington Square Park started out as a burial ground in the 18th century and it later became a military parade ground. In 1826 it was transformed into a public park and at the end of the 19th century the Washington Arch was constructed to commemorate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration. It’s a beautiful park to walk around, and in terms of things to do in Greenwich Village, visiting Washington Square Park should be high on your list.
Find the oldest building in Greenwich Village
The oldest building in Greenwich Village is often overlooked due to its location directly opposite the Friends apartment building. The Isaacs-Hendricks House sits on the corner of Grove St and Bedford St and it was built in 1799. It was originally a wooden structure surrounded by open land, and the facade wasn’t added until a few decades later. The house has retained much of its original architecture, making it one of the only surviving structures in Manhattan from the post-colonial era.
Learn about LGBTQ+ culture and history
Greenwich Village is often referred to as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. It became a refuge for the queer community in the early 20th century, and its most famous moment came in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, where the Stonewall Riots started. This sparked nationwide activism and it started the Pride movement that’s so well known today.
The Village is a very vibrant hub for the LGBTQ+ community. It’s worth visiting the Stonewall National Monument during your time here too, as it was the first national monument in the US to be dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights.
Where to eat in Greenwich Village
Tacombi
One of the best things to do in Greenwich Village is eat. I’d recommend taking a food tour, as I mentioned earlier, but if you don’t have time for that then there are a few spots you shouldn’t miss. Tacombi offers an authentic Mexican dining experience, with a variety of tasty tacos and other dishes featured on their menu. The crispy fish taco is phenomenal, topped with pico de gallo and served in a warm corn tortilla.
I’d suggest pairing their tacos with a refreshing watermelon fresca, especially if it’s a warm day. Tacombi’s laid back atmosphere and flavourful food is what makes it such a great place to eat in Greenwich Village.
Pasticceria Rocco
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, a trip to Pasticceria Rocco is a must. This Italian bakery was founded in 1956 by an Italian immigrant, and it’s been a family-run business ever since. They use traditional recipes and baking techniques to make Italian classics such as hand-roll cannoli and sfogliatella. They also offer savoury items, but it’s their desserts that everyone comes for. There’s quite a bit of room to sit inside and enjoy your snack before continuing your tour of Greenwich Village.
Murray’s Cheese
What started out as a butter and egg shop in 1962 has evolved into a popular destination for cheese enthusiasts. Murray’s Cheese has their flagship store at 254 Bleecker Street, and inside you can find a wide offering of artisanal cheeses and specialty foods. On one side of the store you can find a tasty mac and cheese bar where you can choose from a selection of flavourful cheesy dishes to indulge in. Their traditional mac and cheese is very popular, but you may want to try other flavours such as Cacio e Pepe mac with Pecorino.
Joe’s Pizza
Joe’s Pizza was founded in 1975 and it quickly became popular due to its classic New York-style slices. These slices are thin, crispy, and foldable, with a high-quality tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella. If you order a full pizza to share, be prepared for huge slices to come out! This iconic pizza spot in Greenwich Village is popular with both locals and tourists, and it became even more famous when it appeared in Spider-Man 2 in 2004. Eating a slice from Joe’s Pizza is one experience in Greenwich Village that you need to have at least once.
Is Greenwich Village worth visiting?
There’s a big variety of things to do in Greenwich Village, from walking the historic streets of the neighbourhood to indulging in delicious locally crafted food and enjoying its cultural scene. It feels much more like a European village than it does a part of Manhattan, with its beautiful historic homes and cozy coffee houses lining almost every street. It’s also a fantastic area to visit at night in Manhattan when you’ll come across live jazz acts, theatre performances, and plenty of bars and restaurants open late into the evening. So, is Greenwich Village worth visiting? Absolutely.
If you have any questions about things to do in Greenwich Village, or you have some recommendations to add, please let me know via email or by filling out the contact form on my website. You can also reach out through Instagram or TikTok where you’ll come across more helpful travel tips about visiting New York City.
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