Chelsea NYC Neighborhood Guide

Nightlife, Gay-Friendly, Art Galleries

Chelsea NY is known for art galleries, nightlife and gay-friendly culture. Traditionally, it was a very industrial area, near the Hudson River and above-ground railroad tracks, now the Highline Park, and famous for exporting food and manufactured goods. Today it is a lively, vibrant NYC neighborhood with some of New York City’s top restaurants, clubs and art.

Things to Do | Printable Map | Hotels | Recommended Restaurants

From the High Line NYC Art Exhibit – (c) Ellen Bradshaw

Things to Do

Chelsea Museum of Art (556 W 22nd St, near 11th Ave) – closed Sundays. $8 adults, $4 students and seniors. A new, but thriving, lesser known Museum, focusing on niche and under-exposed art worldwide.

Chelsea Art Galleries (20th to 28th/ 7th to 10th Aves) – over 200 art galleries line these streets. Some of the most famous include Gagosian Gallery (W 24th St), Matthew Marks Gallery and Sonnabend (W 22nd St).

Chelsea Historic District (20th to 22nd Sts/ 8th to 10th Aves) – a nice walk with a lot of architecture from the 1800’s. These preserved brownstones and buildings, become even more interesting, when seen just a few blocks from some of NYC’s newest construction, such as the 9-story glass office building further west designed by Frank Gehry. The historic district is designed to protect the West Chelsea Arts district and encourage the development of world class architecture nearby.

Chelsea Market (75 9th Ave, 15th/16th Streets) – a huge, converted warehouse space with hundreds of take out gourmet foods and restaurants. Hot spot for many famous TV shows and Film , especially those about cooking and restaurants.

Chelsea Piers – NYC’s best playground for adults and kids. Golf range, rock climbing, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, ice skating, batting cages. Probably more for locals than visitors, but great if your kids want to do something athletic with NYC as the back drop. All services have a fee, as CP is private and not a public park.

Chelsea Hotel (222 W 23rd St, 7th/8th Aves) – a bohemian landmark and former home of many famous artists such as William S. Burroughs, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. Some people love to stay here, and some love just to see it for the character and history.

The Highline (see Meatpacking District)

The Vessel and Hudson Yards – new in 2019!

Hudson Yards is a new development and destination in NYC that runs from W 30-34th Streets and 10-12th Avenues. It offers shopping, residences, parks and The Vessel.

The Vessel is an art-sculpture-park-excercise combination open to the public with 2,500 steps, 154 flights of stairs and wonderful NYC views.

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Recommended Restaurants

Frying Pan (Pier 66, W 26th St, Hudson River) – casual, on the water, boat turned restaurant/bar. High drink prices, but lovely scenery, if you don’t get seasick.

Co. (230 9th Ave/ 24th St) – great pizza, a little more upscale than a typical pizza joint, but still casual. Perfect for a lunch or snack.

Empire Diner (210 10th Ave/ 22nd St) – casual 24 hour diner that looks like it is in an old train car. Order just about any kind of food here.

The Red Cat (227 10th Ave/ 23rd St) – nice Mediterranean/French spot right in the middle of the art galleries. Service can be spotty, but food is reliable.

Chelsea Brewing Company (in Chels. Piers) – home-ade brews overlooking the River, with an outside deck in summer right next to the golf driving range.

Nightlife – a great nightlife area, much of which is very upscale (you might have to be on a “list”). One way to get in is to go early and eat dinner at a club. Celebrity sightings almost guaranteed.

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Shopping

Metropolitan North Pavilion (110 W 19th St, 6th/7th Aves). Sample sale location, dates/times vary. Check the NYC sample sale page.

Fisch for the Hip (153 W 18th, 6th/7th Aves) – high end designer resale. Best selection of used Hermés bags in NYC.

More upscale shopping is in Meatpacking District.

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Chelsea Hotels

Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards

Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards, opened August 2019, is NYC’s newest hotel in our newest neighborhood, Hudson Yards. Next to The Vessel, The Highline and The Shed, Equinox promises, “a seamless extension of a life well-lived, elevating fitness, culture, and community for those who rest and play as hard as they work.” The 212 rooms are dark, quiet and cool with over 60 healthy food mini bar options, face masks, sleep supplements and much more. As usual, Equinox offers the ultimate fitness experience in their 60,000 square foot club in the hotel.

• Discount Rates: Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards
• 33 Hudson Yards, Hudson Yards

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Moxy NYC Chelsea Hotel

The Moxy Hotel Chelsea, by Marriott, features a 37th floor spectacular glass-enclosed rooftop lounge that transforms into an alfresco veranda. You enter the hotel through an oversized flower garden (it is in the Flower District) and activities like DJ appearances, a made-for-Moxy bocce drinking game on the terrace, rooftop meditation, reiki classes, floral workshops, and pizza-making classes await you. Moxy’s focus is on the millennial traveler, who understands style can be delivered at attractive prices.

• Discount Rates: Moxy NYC Chelsea Hotel
• 105 West 28th St, Chelsea

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Hotel Hayden Chelsea

• Discount Rates: Hotel Hayden
• 127 West 28th Street (6th and 7th Aves), Chelsea

With one of our favorite New York City Hotel Rooftops, the Hotel Hayden is a buzz-worthy boutique for trend-setters, stylists and sophisticates. At the intersection of the Fashion District, Flower District and the eternally trendy Meatpacking District, it’s a modern boutique gem just steps from world-famous local landmarks. Formerly the Hotel Indigo Chelsea, the new hotel welcomes you with 122 stylish guest rooms and suites, crave-worthy Greek cuisine at Mykonos Blue.

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More Chelsea Hotels

• Chelsea Pines Inn – rated best value hotel in NYC!
• Courtyard New York Manhattan/Chelsea
• Comfort Inn Chelsea
• Chelsea Savoy Hotel
• Chelsea Inn – 17th Street
• Cambria Hotel & Suites New York Chelsea
• Colonial House Inn
• Wyndham Garden Hotel Manhattan, Chelsea West

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Subways

• A, C, E to 14th Street
• L to 8th Ave
• F to 23rd Street
• General Address: 75 9th Ave, NY, NY 10011

Chelsea NYC Printable Map

Chelsea NYC Map
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