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Greenwich Village is a quirky, bohemian neighborhood in Manhattan, New York, and is often also referred to as Midtown New York or West Village.
Although 75 hectares in size, there are tons of things to do in Greenwich Village NYC, that you could spend a full day wandering its streets and still not see it all.
Every time we visit the Big Apple, we find ourselves venturing here because it has some of the best food in the city, excellent shopping, a few quirky attractions, and a fun vibe with an artistic feel to it.
In this guide, we share some of our favorite things to do in the Greenwich Village neighborhood, including some of our fav restaurants and eateries, and hidden gems!
Things to Do in Greenwich Village, NYC
See Taylor Swift’s former digs at Washington Square / Cornelia St
Walk down to 23 Cornelia Street in West Village to see where Taylor Swift once lived and where she wrote a song about (Cornelia Street).
Although you cannot go inside the house, you can still admire the eye-wateringly expensive apartment she rented for a few months in 2016, costing her $38,000 per month!
As well as being a former home for Taylor Swift, who my daughters are huge fans of, it also has beautiful architecture. The townhouse was built in 1870 and was originally used to store horse-drawn carriages, but was renovated into a swanky home worth $17 million dollars!
Seeing Swifty’s former home was one of our teens’ favorite things to do in NYC.
Do a Greenwich Village Food Tour
We love going on a food tour of NYC, and Greenwich Village is one of the biggest foodie neighborhoods in the city!
This area in NYC is famous for its high-class restaurants and boutique eateries, and one of the best ways to experience the best of the best is on a food tour with a knowledgeable local.
On the Greenwich Village food tour, you visit three pizza stops, Molly’s Cupcakes (more on that later), and a chance to try the best falafel in NYC at Mamoun’s Falafel.
Some other stops include Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, Pommes Frites, Bleecker Street Pizza, and Faicco’s Italian Specialties!
The tour also passes by the Friends Apartment and other famous landmarks.
Check out the Greenwich Food Tour here! We have also done the Greenwich Village cupcake tour and loved it.
Enjoy cupcakes from Molly’s Cupcakes
Every time I go to New York City, I go to Molly’s Cupcakes because they have the most delicious gluten-free cupcakes!
It’s not just me who thinks Molly’s Cupcakes is a winner, they have also won several notable accolades such as the “Absolute Best Cupcakes in America” by Fox News, the “Best Cupcakes in New York” by Voice, and they also won the season finale of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network.
Some of the most popular flavors are creme brulee cupcakes, Boston creme, and peach cobbler!
On a side note, we first discovered Molly’s Cupcakes on the Greenwich Village Food Tour mentioned earlier, so if you’re thinking of heading on this tour, you’ll be able to tick off two birds with one stone!
Visit the Original Location of Magnolia Bakery
Another noteworthy bakery in Greenwich Village worth stopping by and stocking up on is Magnolia Bakery.
They first opened their doors in 1996 in Greenwich Village, and quickly rose to fame for having some of the most delicious cakes, cookies, and pies in NYC!
They are particularly famous for their red velvet cupcakes and banana pudding.
Now, Magnolia Bakery has gone global, opening stores in India, Jordan, Kuwait, The Philippines and more! So why not head to the original location and see what started it all?
Explore the Nightlife
Greenwich Village is well known for its vibrant nightlife scene. Having famously been the haunting grounds of creatives and artists alike, you can expect this neighborhood to come alive after the sun goes down.
The neighborhood boasts a diverse array of places to soak up the nightlife from, from intimate cocktail bars to lively music venues! Here are some popular places to check out:
- A popular spot for cocktails is Employees Only, which offers expertly crafted cocktails in a speakeasy-style setting, complete with a lively atmosphere.
- The Village Vanguard is a popular jazz club where some of the greatest names in jazz history have performed.
- Blue Note is another iconic venue, offering world-class performances in an intimate setting.
- For a more eclectic mix of music, head to The Bitter End for live bands in a variety of genres. It has been a launching pad for many famous artists.
- For something unique, look for Bathtub Gin, a quirky 20s-inspired speakeasy where you can enjoy a GNT whilst sitting in a bathtub.
- For dancing the night away, Le Poisson Rouge (LPR) is a popular choice to dance to live music, DJ sets, and multimedia art.
- Cafe Wha? has been one of the most well-known music venues in NYC since 1959. IT’s the place where young performers like Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, and Richard Pryor got early chances to hone their talents.
Take a selfie with the Friends Apartment Building
Did you know the Apartment Building which appeared on the TV show Friends is located in Greenwich Village?
Although exterior shots of the building itself were rarely shown in the series if you head to
90 Bedford Street, die-hard fans will instantly recognize the corner building with its iron fire escape and arched windows.
You must remember this is an actual residential building, so you cannot enter. The inside of the building wasn’t used in the show anyway, so just stand on the corner and take a selfie!
To see the rest of the Friends set, the Friends Experience is not too far away near the Flatiron Building.
Sit on the steps of Carrie Bradshaw’s House From Sex And The City
Fans of Sex and the City will love exploring Greenwich Village, as many notable scenes were shot in this neighborhood (and in West Village).
Most iconic of all is Carrie Bradshaw’s house, which can be found on 64 Perry Street. See the legendary steps that Julia Roberts ran down numerous times in the show and snap some photos of yourself sitting on them!
You may like this Sex and the City filming location tour (perfect fun for a NYC girls’ trip)
Admire the architecture of Washington Mews at NYU
Washington Mews in NYU is a cute privately owned street with heritage homes built from a row of old stables in the 1950s.
The stables are now used as housing and offices for New York University and make for a lovely backdrop for photos.
Wander down Gay Street
Another iconic street in Greenwich Village is Gay Street, which although many believe is dedicated to the LGBTQ community of New York City, might also have been named after a former resident, Gay, who lived there during colonial times.
Either way, the street has been adopted by the community and is also connected to Stonewall National Monument (a U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBT-rights), and is characterized by its Federal houses built in the early 1800s.
It has also been featured in the movie A Night to Remember and the opening shots of the “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” music video by Cyndi Lauper!
Enjoy Mexican Meals at Tacombi
Tacombi on the corner of Bleeker St and Cornelia Street is a fantastic restaurant serving up authentic Mexican meals in a casual, non-fussy dining space.
The fish tacos were so fresh and flavorful, and the guacamole had the perfect taste and texture.
For comfort food that doesn’t eat into your wallet, this is a great place to fuel up.
Go shopping in Greenwich Village
If you’re ever stuck for things to do in New York City, you can always go for some retail therapy!
We love shopping in Greenwich Village because it’s mostly made up of boutique stores and independent shops, rather than big chain brands. It’s right on the edge of Soho as well, so easy to enjoy the similarly great shopping. Our daughter loves shopping along Lower Broadway in Soho.
For shopping, I love wandering down Bleeker Street which has lots of unique stores and independent businesses.
One of my favorite stores in Soho is Bibliotheque NYC, a cool bookstore with a cafe a wine bar, and ambient lighting.
I also love Housing Works thrift store in the West Village for mission-focused shopping!
Get the best cookies in NYC at Levain Bakery in NoHo
On my recent weekend trip to NYC with our teen, we had to visit Levain Bakery on the border between Greenwich Village and NoHo for some of the best cookies in NYC.
This bakery rose to fame on TikTok, and while I’m not a cookie lover at all, their famous gooey, oversized cookies were divine!
They also have gluten-free and vegan options as well.
Explore the Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is another popular place for foodies to hang out. It’s world famous for its grocers and food stalls, and has such a diverse array of food options there, that even the pickiest eaters will find something for them.
From tacos to lobster rolls to Taiwanese noodles to Pad Thai, no one will ever leave hungry. Kalyra loved her Taiwanese bowl of noodles from Very Fresh Noodles. The line is equally as long at Los Tacos No. 1.
After eating, wander around the boutique stores. Our favorite is Artists & Fleas, a thrift/vintage store.
Walk to Times Square via The Highline
The High Line is a scenic walkway on an old railway line that’s been transformed into an urban park and space for artistic expression.
It starts at Chelsea Market and heads all the way into Lower Manhattan towards Times Square.
As you walk along, notice the street art and art installations along the way. There are plenty of green spaces where you can sit and enjoy some respite from the traffic for a while, or stop to admire views of the Hudson River.
Eat your way around Union Square Market
If you’re visiting on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, then you are in town for the Union Square Market, a farmers market where you can pick up fresh produce, see cooking demonstrations, attend book signings, and meet the farmers.
The Union Square Greenmarket has been taking place here since 1976 and features around 140 regional farmers, fishers, and bakers.
It’s estimated that 60,000 market shoppers come to the market each day!
The market is open from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm all year round, though farmers may close their stalls due to poor weather conditions.
Also close by Union Square that’s worth checking out is Tompkins Bagels, which has been approved by Timothy Chalamet, and Ariston Flowers Cafe, a cute coffee shop in the back of a flower shop.
Whitney Museum of American Art
For those who prefer to get cultured on their trips to NYC, head to the Whitney Museum of American Art.
The museum, founded by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney in 1932, is a place that showcases American art from across the nation, featuring primarily modern and contemporary art, as well as a few performance pieces.
There are around 3,900 artists showcased in the collection, and they regularly hold special exhibitions and events.
Top tip: Plan your visit for Friday evening or the second Sunday of the month between 5pm and 10pm where the museum is free to enter! (though you still need a ticket).
Watch a stand-up performance at Comedy Cellar
If you’re wondering what to do in Greenwich Village at night, you can’t go wrong with a night of stand-up comedy from one of the most renowned venues in NYC!
The Comedy Cellar is where some of the biggest comics in America first tested their material. Over the years, names such as Chris Rock, Louis CK, and Jon Stewart have started out performing here.
With performances happening every night of the week, you may just discover a new star talent!
Relax in the Hudson River Park
The Hudson River Park is an urban grassy area that spans along the Hudson River all along the West Side of Manhattan. It’s the place to go for relaxing, events, and views overlooking Jersey City.
Don’t miss Little Island, a new public park, located in Hudson River Park, where you can experience nature and art in a unique urban oasis on the Hudson River. This award-winning park was created to revive a pier destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.
If you have kids, the playpark at Pier 51 is considered one of the top 5 playgrounds in the city, and during summer in New York City, the turf lawn is often used for outdoor cinema.
Washington Square Park
It’s no secret that New York can feel chaotic at times, so take some TLC time in Washington Square Park, a vibrant park known for its fountain and iconic arch.
It’s also right by NYU and has lots of students taking their class breaks here, giving it a young and energized atmosphere. It’s a great place to sit and enjoy a sweet treat from one of the bakeries mentioned above and watch the world go by!
You may want to grab a coffee from one of the Greenwich Village cafes that made our best Aussie coffees in NYC.
Final Thoughts on Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village is one of my favorite neighborhoods in New York City. I love walking the same streets of famous poets, musicians, writers, and artists.
Where else can you see the homes where Bob Dylan lived, Taylor Swift’ rented a home’s former residence, the Mamas and Papas wrote California Dreaming (on a winter’s Day) where Louisa May Alcott completed Little Woman in one small area?
I also love it as it’s not as hustle and bustle as other areas in New York. You can really relax here, amble slowly, soak in the bohemian vibe, and linger in your favorite places. It’s a place I’ll definitely keep returning to when I visit NYC. Tell me in the comments, what I should see and do in Greenwich Village next.
