SoHo NY Guide

SoHo (SOuth of HOuston - pronounced How-ston) is another NYC neighborhood filled with the best shopping and restaurants. Traditionally known as a haven for artists and their lofts, it has become more upscale over the years and a much sought-after place for New Yorkers to live.

Things to Do

New York Fire Museum (278 Spring & Watts St) - renovated 1904 firehouse, with fire-related artifacts: painted leather buckets, helmets, parade hats and belts, tools, hand pumped fire engines. $5 adult/$1 children (suggested donation)

New York Earth Room (141 Wooster, Houston/Prince) – Free. Many NY-ers consider this a hidden gem. Called an “installation,” or exhibit, 140 tons of sculpted soil (22 inches deep) filling 3600 sq ft of a 2nd floor gallery. No photos allowed. Wed-Sun, 12-6pm (closed 3-3:30pm). Around the corner is the...

Broken Kilometer (393 W Broadway, same artist). Ask kids to guess how many brass rods they see lying on the floor.

Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MOCCA, 594 Bway, Houston/Prince) – Adults $5, kids under 12 free

NOW CLOSED! - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex (76 Mercer, Spring/Broome) - $22 Adults, $13 9-12, under 12 free. New in 2010, the Michael Jackson Memorial Wall

Scholastic Book Store (557 Bway, Prince/Spring) – publishers of Clifford the big red dog and Harry Potter. Great place for kids to play indoors.

Recommended Restaurants

Balthazar (80 Spring St, Bway/Crosby) – French bistro, great for brunch, lunch, dinner. Authentic French décor and a city hot spot.

Dos Caminos SoHo (W Bway/ W Houston) – Mexican, outdoor patio for people watching and homemade guacamole and delicious margaritas.

Lure Fishbar (142 Mercer and Prince) – Nouveau seafood. Décor is very well done and you feel like you’re on a yacht or cruise ship at sea.

Barolo (398 West Broadway, Broome/Spring) - Italian with the best outdoor garden in nice weather. Large restaurant, good service. Same owner as Revel (Meatpacking District), another favorite.

Downtown Cipriani (376 W Broadway, Broome St) – Italian. Go for the scene and atmosphere, not really for the food. Great heated outdoor sidewalk for people watching and upstairs, is a hot bar/club that looks like an exclusive ski-resort lounge.

SoHo Park (62 Prince St, Lafayette) – outdoor, casual restaurant/garden perfect for drinking a few beers with old friends.

Antarctica (287 Hudson St, Spring) - dive neighborhood bar with pool, cheap drinks and an unpretentious crowd.

S.O.B.'s (Sounds of Brazil, 204 Varick Street at W Houston) - night spot, club, live music for samba and salsa.

Ken’s Broome Street Bar (363 W Bway, Broome St )– laid back scene, closest to a dive bar in SoHo, know for their burgers served on pita bread.

Shopping

There is no way to list the hundreds of stores, but for shopaholics, just weave the streets bound by Broadway, Grand, W Bway and W Houston. Those quaint streets have more stores than most cities.
Upscale - Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Catharine Malandrino, Coach, Burberry, Kate Spade, Jill Stuart, John Varvatos, Ben Sherman.
American Chains - H&M, J. Crew, Banana Republic, American Eagle, Bloomingdales (not the main store), Steve Madden (say “hi” to the manager, Mike, for me).
Apple Store (Prince St.) – famous hip interior and sleek layout.
Athletic/Casual - Patagonia, Burton Snowboards, Diesel Denim Gallery
House/Home Stores – Armani Casa, Room and Board, Bo Concept
Pearl River Mart (477 Broadway, Grand) - everything Oriental. Housewares, clothing, home décor.