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)
Private Contemporary NYC Art Gallery Tours – The Two Percent Gallery Tours connect small private groups to the most incredible artwork in the world today. Through an experience as unique as the art itself, uncover five breathtaking museum-rivaling exhibitions while learning about the surprising neighborhood history and innovative architecture along the way.
Montserrat Gallery
547 W 27th Street, NY, NY 10001 (212) 268-0026
Rossella Mocerino, the artist who deals entirely with masked figures, is exhibiting her paintings at Montserrat Gallery. If you would like to meet the artist at the gallery, call 212-242-7014 for appointment. Gallery Hrs: Tues. – Sat. 12 – 6 PM, please call to confirm, 212-268-0026
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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
Hotel Hayden Chelsea
- Discount Rates: Hotel Hayden
- Compare 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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