Updated November 21st, 2018

ESPAÑOL

Welfare and fashionable are words that describe why the once dangerous and seedy Manhattan in the 80s and 90s has become a modern, alternative and upscale place. These two districts are an example. They are located immediately southern of the penultimate trendy sector, Chelsea and The Meatpacking District. They offer a full range of varied cuisine, with multiple terraces. They are quiet neighborhoods, with young and carefree mood and modern look. You can feel the good atmosphere, so it is a delight to explore them at a slow pace, but make no mistake, they lack of major tourist attractions, so the average tourist who goes to New York for a week, barely go lunch or dinner at one of their restaurants. These are areas more to live and enjoy than to visit as a tourist.

TRIBECA

Its name comes from the abbreviation “Triangle Below Canal”. Is the latest fad among celebrities and wealthy people, all of them seem to want a penthouse in Tribeca. On the west is the Hudson, on the north are Greenwich and SoHo (Canal Street is the limit), on the east is the City Hall area and on the south is the World Trade Center.

The truth is that, after going there several times, I must say that this neighborhood has almost no interest for tourists, but:

• For those whose dream is bump into a celebrity in the sidewalk among the doorway of her building and the open door of his car.
• And for those who want to take a picture in the small fire station where the movie Ghostbusters (14 North Moore Street, TriBeCa) was filmed.

Ghostbuster’s fire station

• We also want to point out that the Hudson River Greenway, which runs until the end of Chelsea, begins here.

It is true that there are many interesting restaurants, but as far as Tribeca is a small neighborhood, you will find not even half of the ones in its northern neighborhood  the Greenwich, or the Upper East and West Sides.

I’m sure it’s a great neighborhood to live for the upper class, since the intense renovation of buildings has led to a proliferation of huge luxury apartments, but that would not be interesting for the average tourist.

View of Manhattan Borough President’s Office from the beginning of Hudson River Greenway

GREENWICH VILLAGE

I must say that I much rather like this area. The atmosphere is not as exclusive as in Tribeca, but still cozy and relaxed. Prices for apartments to rent are much more affordable and seems to have more restaurants than anywhere else in the city. Moreover, its location is at walking distance from many other interesting areas. Because of all of these things, it is in our opinion ONE OF THE BEST AREAS IN MANHATTAN FOR TOURIST TO STAY. It’s so much like that, that next time we go, me and my wife are planning to stay here. Tribeca is on the south, Soho on the east, the Hudson on the west and Chelsea on the north.

The main tourist attraction is the Washington Square Park. Usually full of young people and families.

On the west, the Hudson River Greenway continues.

For those big fans of Carrie Bradshaw, the house which was his home in the TV series is at 66 Perry Street. Be careful, because the neighbors are more than fed up with fans and are not friendly at all to tourists.

And for fans of Friends, the building where they supposedly lived is on the corner of Bedford and Grove Street. Unfortunately the restaurant on the ground floor is not the Central Perk, but still we love it, The Little Owl.

Friends’ Building. I admit I am real freak of this sitcom

We insist that the best of Greenwich are not the monuments but the bars and restaurants. There are all kinds, from 1 $ pizza slices to those with exorbitant prices. We simply adore Bleecker Street and around.

MORE ON NEW YORK CITY:

<DOWNTOWN AND BROOKLYN BRIDGE

CHINATOWN, LITTLE ITALY, EAST VILLAGE, SOHO, NOHO AND NOLITA>

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