Welcome to The West Village
A lively neighborhood with outstanding arts, culture, and hidden gems
The West Village stretches from the Hudson River eastwards to Sixth Avenue and Fourteenth Street southward to Houston Street. Historically it was an enclave for artistic and counter-culture types, including Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol. It has always been the epicenter of the avant-garde. Today the West Village has progressed into one of the trendiest and most expensive neighborhoods in New York City. But it remains a haven for artists, musicians, and theater actors and still attracts many ultra-famous celebrities. Numerous luxury condominiums have been home to Hugh Hackman, Nicole Kidman, and Hilary Swank, to name a few.
Upscale boutiques, trendy restaurants, and chic nightclubs line other streets. Famous Bleeker Street is the quintessential one, and it can get crowded with barhoppers and late-night clubbers on nights and weekends. On the north side of the West Village, Jane Street's row of 19th-century brownstones makes it one of the most picturesque streets in the neighborhood.
What to Love
- Vibrant arts and culture scene
- Upscale dining and nightlife
- Historic and well-preserved architecture
- A haven for musicians, artists, and theater actors
Local Lifestyle
The West Village is a small neighborhood with an eclectic mix of residents. It has always been home to artists, musicians, and all kinds of creative types, so it's full of creative vibes. It's super trendy and upscale, therefore also attracting celebrities and socialites. You'll find some people rushing to and from along with those just leisurely walking their dogs. It's a truly cosmopolitan area with plenty to do and see.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Despite it being a cozier neighborhood, the West Village has an upscale dining scene full of many amazing restaurants. Cowgirl serves authentic Texas-style barbeque, Tex-Mex favorites, and other Southern staples, such as fried chicken, Kentucky whiskey pork chops, and chili. It's decorated to go with the rowdy western theme, and the jukebox is full of country music selections.
The original and flagship
Magnolia Bakery is on West 11th Street and Bleecker Street. Their red velvet cupcakes and banana pudding became quite famous, drawing lines of customers around the block. New Yorkers and tourists flock to this bakery for cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. And they're also an excellent choice for customized birthday and wedding cakes.
L'Artusi opened in 2008 to great acclaim. Even though the West Village has an overabundance of fantastic restaurants, L'Artusi remains a local favorite, and their sumptuous pasta also remains highly rated. Other menu highlights are the wagyu carpaccio and veal chop marsala.
For live music,
Smalls Jazz Club is another neighborhood landmark and quintessential dive jazz bar. The classic, dimly-lit space has been a gathering place for up-and-coming as well as established musicians since the 1990s.
One of the original acting studios in New York,
HB Studio puts together classic plays, staged readings, and numerous other productions throughout the year. They provide classes and full-time training to actors and theater students.
Things to Do
A New York landmark, the
Whitney Museum of American Art moved to its current location in the West Village in 2015. The Renzo Piano-designed building has a collection of over 25,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, and multimedia artwork by 3,500 artists.
Always crowded with New Yorkers and tourists,
The High Line is an elevated public park set on a former railroad. It's designed to meld art, nature, and public space together, with installations, gardens, and plenty of seating areas.
Another great attraction is
Little Island, an artificial island park suspended above the Hudson River. It has beautiful flower beds, art installations, and a waterside amphitheater that hosts both free and ticketed shows.
If you want something less touristy,
Pier 63 at Hudson River Park is a popular spot for jogging and people-watching. It's also a favorite place for many New Yorkers to watch the sunset.
Annual events not to be missed in the West Village are the Halloween parade and the NYC Pride, one of the largest pride parades in the country.
Schools
The West Village has schools and studios catering to different interests, including:
Real Estate & Homes for Sale
