Shopping, Stores, Art Galleries & Restaurants
SoHo (SOuth of HOuston – pronounced How-ston) is a 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.
SoHo NYC 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. Open Wed – Sunday.
Museum of Ice Cream – Insta-worthy photos await you at this spot with plenty of colorful interactive installations, including a giant rainbow sprinkle pool, a pink subway ride, and a three-story slide.
Color Factory – this museum has a ton of interactive exhibits, great online reviews from all ages, photo opps, and celebrates the many shades of the city – from the bright yellow of a taxi cab to the creamy brown of a street pretzel.
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. It’s basically an apartment filled with dirt – and some people love it.
Broken Kilometer (393 W Broadway, same artist). Ask kids to guess how many brass rods they see lying on the floor. Hint: it’s composed of 500 highly polished, round, solid brass rods, each measuring two meters in length and five centimeters (two inches) in diameter.
Children’s Museum of the Arts (103 Charlton Street) – unites children and artists to create and share ambitious works of art with their communities and the world.
Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art (26 Wooster St) – the only dedicated LGBTQ+ art museum in the world with a mission to exhibit and preserve LGBTQ+ art and foster the artists who create it.
Nearby Tours & Activities
Chinatown, Little Italy & SoHo Tours
Ahoy New York Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest Tours
Ahoy New York Food Tours takes locals and visitors alike on a cultural walk of Chinatown and Little Italy. Taste delicious foods, while learning about the culture and history of these unique New York City neighborhoods. Eat ethnic foods, like homemade fresh mozzarella and authentic Chinese dumplings, while seeing some of New York City's hidden gems and historical landmarks.
- Compare Rates: Chinatown and Little Italy Food Tours
- NYC Insider Guide Discount: NYC Insider Guide visitors receive 20% off tours with our special discount code at Ahoy New York Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest Tours!
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SoHo NYC Sightseeing Passes
NY Sightseeing Pass, New York Pass, NY Explorer Pass, CityPASS Compared
- Sightseeing Pass - Unlimited Hop on Hop off Buses, One World Observatory, Edge
- New York Pass - 80+ tours and attractions, Choose 1-10 Days
- Explorer or Go Select - Choose from 55+ sights or Build your Your
- New York CityPASS - 6 top attractions, good for 9 days from first use
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SoHo NYC 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, tableside 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.
Raoul’s (180 Prince St) – casual and elegant French, adorable outdoor garden, great date place
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 and with picnic style tables, great for kids.
S.O.B.’s (Sounds of Brazil, 204 Varick Street at W Houston) – night spot, club, live music for samba and salsa.
Kenn’s Broome Street Bar (363 W Bway, Broome St) – laid back scene, closest to a dive bar in SoHo, known for their burgers served on pita bread.
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SoHo NYC Shopping
There are hundreds of fabulous stores winding the streets of SoHo. 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.
- 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
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SoHo Hotels
Boutique Hotels SoHo NYC
SoHo Grand Hotel NYC
Luxury, style, class, and a touch of old fashioned New York chic are standard in every guest room at the SoHo Grand Hotel. Perks include free bicycles, wireless internet access, silk bedspreads, private CD libraries, 24 hour room service, business and fitness facilities. Check out the Grand Bar & Lounge (year round), The Yard (May-Sept) with outdoor chaise lounges, cocktails, beautiful trees and foliage.
- Discount Rates: SoHo Grand Hotel
- 310 W Bway, Grand/Canal
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Mercer Hotel NYC
The Mercer is Soho’s foremost luxury hotel – offering 75 guest rooms on six floors of a landmark Romanesque revival building in one of New Yorks most exclusive neighborhoods. The first hotel to offer an authentic taste of loft living, the Mercer is both home and hotel and offers an extensive list of luxurious guest services.
- Favorites: Mercer Kitchen Restaurant, Lobby Bar
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The Dominick, Terrace on 7
The Dominick boasts unrivaled views of the city’s spectacular skyline, the Hudson River, Statue of Liberty, One World Trade, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and its surrounding neighborhoods. With 391 residential-style guest rooms, The Dominick offers some of the city’s most spacious accommodations each featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. Terrace on 7 is an indoor-outdoor bar, restaurant and lounge with poolside spa services, located adjacent to the hotel’s seasonal, 6,000 square-foot pool. The venue also offers an abundance of outdoor space with cabanas, loungers and plenty of room to splash and cool off from the summer heat.
- 246 Spring Street, SoHo
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ModernHaus SoHo
The new ModernHaus SoHo (formerly The James Hotel) is packed with amenities including their lush Urban Garden, all-glass Sky Lobby and very exclusive rooftop deck and pool with river-to-river Manhattan views, rooftop yoga, free bicycles, a kids program and just about anything else you might want.
- Discount Rates: ModernHaus SoHo
- 27 Grand St
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Nolitan Hotel SoHo – Complimentary bikes, skateboards and gym membership
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Cheap Budget Hotels SoHo NYC
SoHo 54
The SoHo 54 (formerly the Hampton Inn Soho) offers well appointed and spacious rooms, flat screen TVs, comfy beds, amazing views from some rooms, a gym and garden. The hotel went through some serious upgrades since it was a Hampton Inn, so it’s less budget than it used to be, but a great value for a prime location like SoHo.
- Discount Rates: SoHo 54
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11 Howard – a 207-room boutique hotel, combines cutting-edge Scandinavian design with very casual luxury. Their guest accommodations feature light oak floors, custom-crafted furniture, and high ceilings, as well as natural bamboo area rugs, double-weave wool bed throws, and ceramic wall sculptures by Taiwanese artist Katie Yang. They have an infrared wellness spa, free wifi, flat-screen TVs in the rooms and an onsite Rrench restaurant. 11 Howard Street, SoHo.
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Subways to SoHo NYC
- C, E to Spring St
- B, D, F, V to Broadway-Lafayette
- N, R, W (yellow) to Prince
- 6 to Bleecker
- General Address: 139 Spring St, NY, NY 10012
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SoHo Printable Map
SoHo NYC Map
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NYC Insider Printable Guides
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NYC Neighborhood Guides
Harlem
Our Harlem neighborhood guide will show you the wonderful cultural, food, music and historic value of this landmark area, which has long, strong and proud NYC roots. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s began the golden age of African-American culture, literature, music, artists, theater and art, which continues to strengthen today. If you want to eat authentic soul food, hear mind-blowing jazz and gospel and clothing shop with Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, then Harlem is on your bucket list!
- Explore: Harlem Neighborhood Guide
- To Do: Apollo Theater, Striver's Row, National Jazz Museum
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is a residential neighborhood filled with young professionals and families. It is a great place to stay if you are looking to avoid the heavy crowds of Midtown, explore Central Park, The Museum of Natural History, the Beacon Theatre, Lincoln Center, the West Side Highway and still be about 20 minutes from most of Manhattan.
- Explore: Upper West Side Guide
- To Do: American Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, Beacon Theatre, Lincoln Center, Time Warner Center
Central Park
Central Park offers 843 gorgeous acres to explore and 100s of things to do, which is why we consider it an unofficial neighborhood. Central Park draws 38 million visits a year and is home to the Central Park Film Festival, SummerStage, Shakespeare in the Park, Ice Skating, Central Park Zoo, Bow Bridge, biking, playgrounds, the Carousel and much more.
- Explore: Central Park Guide
- To Do: Central Park Zoo, Carousel, TV and Movie Sites, Ice Skating, Loeb Boathouse
Times Square & Broadway
Times Square New York and the Theater District are some of New York City's most popular tourist attractions. Of course, Broadway, also known as the Great White Way, is most definitely for locals as well. Spend a bit of time here and make sure to see the lights at night, the Hershey's and M&M Stores, as well as catch a great Broadway Show.
- Explore: Times Square & Broadway NYC Guide
- To Do: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Broadway Shows NYC, Times Square Ball Drop New Years, M&M World & Hersheys Chocolate World
Midtown West, Koreatown, Hell's Kitchen
Midtown West is a huge tourist area with great neighborhoods like NYC's famous Diamond District, Hell's Kitchen and Koreatown. Hell's Kitchen, is the most western section and an "up-and-coming" residential area of New York City with new shops and restaurants opening often. Koreatown, just a block from the Empire State Building, is known for their restaurants and karaoke bars and clubs.
- Explore: Midtown West NYC Guide
- To Do: Empire State Building, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Madison Square Garden, Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Javits Center
Garment District / Fashion Center
The Garment District, also called the Fashion District or Fashion Center, is home to many of the world's most famous fashion designers and showrooms. The area is an amazing resource for fabrics, beads and trims, however, unless you are trade, don't expect to walk in off the street to designer showrooms. The best way to possibly get access to private showrooms is through a private tour or a NYC Sample Sale.
- Explore: Garment District Guide
- To Do: Fashion Walk of Fame, Museum at FIT, Parsons School of Design
Chelsea & Hudson Yards
Chelsea NY is known for art galleries, nightlife and gay-friendly culture. It is a lively, vibrant neighborhood with some of New York City's top restaurants, clubs, art and things to do outdoors and along the Hudson River. While Chelsea boundaries are West 14th-34th Streets, from 7th Ave to the Hudson River, the new Hudson Yards occupies it's most North and West streets, West 30th to 34th Streets between 10th and 12th Avenues.
- Explore: Chelsea & Hudson Yards Guide
- To Do: The Highline, Art Galleries, Chelsea Market, Chelsea Piers, Little Island, Edge, The Vessel, The Shops at Hudson Yards
Meatpacking District
The Meatpacking District, also known as the Gansevoort Market, is only a few blocks, so you cannot get lost, but it is packed with upscale restaurants, night clubs and designer shopping. Like many NY neighborhoods, the MP District retains it's historical architecture, as it is lined with cobblestone streets and old warehouses, but, today, these same buildings house very modern shopping and dining. The heart of the Meatpacking District is Little West 12th Street.
- Explore: Meatpacking District Guide
- To Do: The Highline, Restaurants, Clubs & Rooftops, Little Island, Upscale Shopping
Greenwich Village & NoHo
Our Greenwich Village NYC Guide provides insight into one of NYC's most cherished neighborhoods. The Village is full of history, celebrity, politics, landmarks and so much more. The NYU campus, Washington Square Park, gorgeous brownstones and cobble stone streets, amazing restaurants, tons of trees and much more make this area a local favorite.
- Explore: Greenwich Village & NoHo Guide
- To Do: Washington Square Park, NYU Campus, Astor Place, Shopping, Restaurants
West Village
The West Village is filled with tree-lined streets, beautiful old brownstones and hundreds of shops, restaurants and cafés. It is truly a quintessential NYC neighborhood, inhabited by locals and celebrities who can afford to live anywhere they choose. If you're a Friends or Sex and the City fan, then you are already quite familiar with the West Village...now it's time to come experience it!
- Explore: West Village Guide
- To Do: Restaurants, boutique shopping, gorgeous brownstones
SoHo
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.
- Explore: SoHo Guide
- To Do: New York Fire Museum, Shopping, Art Galleries, Brunch & Restaurants, Broken Kilometer & Earth Room
Tribeca & The Battery
Tribeca Tribeca (TRI-angle BE-low CA-nal) NYC, is home of the namesake Film Festival, Robert De Niro’s pet project, created to promote commerce downtown after 9/11. He also owns several hotels and restaurants in the area and is spotted quite frequently. Tribeca was also the home of JFK Jr and Caroline Bessette Kennedy before their tragic death in 1999 and is filled with old warehouses, now converted into lofts, beautiful views of the Hudson River and Statue of Liberty along the West Side Highway, excellent restaurants, families, parks and NYC history.
- Explore: Tribeca & The Battery
- To Do: Hudson River Park and River Promenade, Statue of Liberty Views, Upscale & Casual Dining
Financial District and Wall Street
The Financial District (FiDi), at the southern tip of NYC, is one of NYC's most bustling business and tourist areas, from Monday to Friday and is near dead on the weekends. Sights include the 9-11 Memorial & Museum, Wall Street, One World Observatory, The American Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull, the Fearless Girl and views of the Statue of Liberty.
- Explore: Financial District Guide
- To Do: One World Observatory, Staten Island Ferry, 9-11 Museum, 9-11 Memorial, Charging Bull & Fearless Girl, American Stock Exchange, The Oculus, Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport and much more.
Upper East Side NYC
The Upper East Side is an upscale, residential neighborhood and home to Museum Mile, some uber-upscale shopping and Gracie Mansion. The homes on Fifth Avenue, along Central Park, are some of the most exclusive in all of Manhattan. You've likely seen the Upper East Side on Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, The Real Housewives of New York, I Love Lucy, Breakfast at Tiffany's and dozens of other times on your screens.
- Explore: Upper East Side
- To Do: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Museum Mile, Central Park, Gracie Mansion, Upscale Shopping
Midtown East
Midtown East is a huge tourist, commercial and residential area. Around 5th Ave, the neighborhood is home to many tourist attractions, such as St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock and Radio City Music Hall. Bryant Park, the New York Public Library and Grand Central Station are close together just south. Moving towards 3rd Ave and further east, the area is more residential, and generally, the restaurants are better and more affordable, with the UN being the only attraction in that part of the neighborhood.
- Explore: Midtown East Guide
- To Do: The Plaza Hotel, Upscale Shopping, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock, Radio City Music Hall, Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, Summit One Vanderbilt, New York Public Library, United Nations
Union Square, Flatiron, NoMad, Gramercy
Union Square (my hood!), the Flatiron District and NoMad all have a mix of residence and business tenants. Additionally, colleges such as NYU, The New School and FIT dominate the area, making it very fun and lively. It is one of the best dining and nightlife areas in Manhattan, with something for every palate and budget and offers fabulous hotels of all kinds.
- Explore: Union Square, Flatiron, NoMad, Gramercy
- To Do: Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, Eataly, Union Square Park & Greenmarket, Harry Potter Wizarding World
East Village
While originally part of the Lower East Side, an immigrant neighborhood, the East Village, has separated itself and become home to some of the City’s best restaurants, shops and nightlife. It is full of character, diversity, fine dining, shops and live music, and includes a subsection named “Alphabet City.” East Village culture ranges from tattoo parlors and “dive bars” to some of New York City’s nicest hip and trendy hotels.
- Explore: East Village
- To Do: Blue Man Group & Stomp, St. Mark's Place, Nightlife, Speakeasies, Curry Lane
Lower East Side NYC
Traditionally, the Lower East Side was a working class immigrant neighborhood (think “Gangs of New York”). Today it is a wonderfully ethnic and diverse neighborhood and serves as a shopping, dining and nightlife destination for many NYC locals. Even with all its modern upgrades, the LES retains a large amount of its history, especially it’s Jewish, Polish, Irish and Italian cultures. The LES also has one of the best selections of hotels in NYC - tons of boutique hotels with amenities, rooftops, skyline views and seconds from 1000s of cool restaurants and hot spots.
- Explore: Lower East Side
- To Do: Tenement Museum, Museum at Eldridge Street Synagogue, Food Tours, Nightlife, great Hotel selection
Chinatown NYC
Chinatown NYC is a small, but very densely packed area of shops and restaurants. It is really fun to walk around, enjoy the culture, pick up some souvenirs, and most definitely, eat some delicious and affordable Dim Sum, dumplings, pork buns and other amazing Chinese cuisines.
- Explore: Chinatown NYC Guide Guide
- To Do: Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), Mahayana Buddhist Temple, Dim Sum & Dumplings
Little Italy NYC
Little Italy NYC Guide is a just a few blocks, with tons of outdoor restaurants and owners promising free wine and sangria to lure you in. Puglia is a favorite restaurant for families with their live singing and kids standing on their chairs waving napkins. Visit the new Italian American Museum, which tells the story "from Columbus to Cuomo," the original Old St. Patrick's Church and NYC Police Headquarters.
- Explore: Little Italy NYC Guide
- To Do: Feast of San Gennaro, Old St. Patrick's Church, Food Tours, Italian American Museum
NYC Boroughs
Explore the diverse neighborhoods of NYC Boroughs with our comprehensive guide to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. New York City is a melting pot of cultures and neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. Whether you're a local or a visitor, exploring the five boroughs of NYC is a must-do experience.
- Explore:NYC Boroughs Guide
- To Do: Williamsburg, Park Slope, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Museum, Barclay's Center, Brooklyn Flea, Coney Island, Dyker Heights, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Unisphere, Citi Field, US Open, Mets, MoMA PS1, Yankees, Bronx Zoo, NY Botanical Garden, Staten Island Ferry
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