West Village

Welcome to West Village 

A quintessentially Manhattan neighborhood with a picturesque appeal

Feel like you’re on a movie set as you stroll along tree-lined, cobblestone streets past 19th-century Brownstone and Federal-townhouses. This is the epicenter of social and cultural movements throughout the decades, including the national gay liberation movement. Still today, you can see firsthand the neighborhood’s welcoming, diverse ambiance. 

West Village residents appreciate the exclusive, yet mellow vibe of the area, where it’s easy to find your people at a cozy coffeehouse or stylish cafe. Real estate is notably expensive and the vacancy rate is quite low, driving up the demand for brownstones, mid-rise co-ops, and walk-ups in this beloved lower Manhattan neighborhood. After all, this is the early 1900s haunt of Allen Ginsberg and Diane Arbus, who was inspired by its bohemian personality. It’s little wonder others want to feel their own muse here.

What to Love 

• Quiet and laid-back 
• Cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings
• Foodie destination 
• Great parks and good schools

Local Lifestyle

Days are blissfully quiet in the West Village, where a low number of offices keep the streets peaceful midweek. Stroll over to your favorite coffee shop, say good morning to your neighbors (which may include actors, designers, fashion gurus, and musicians), then attend a yoga class or head to the market. Join friends at a local jazz club, hideaway in an independent bookstore, or peruse the goods at a trendy boutique. The communal feel of the neighborhood gives the West Village an intimate feel, and yet you’re just a quick commute to the heart of Manhattan. 

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

When you call the West Village home, you won’t want for fabulous food, whether it’s brunch, a leisurely lunch, or a late-night snack. Do the brunch thing with your favorite people at Sotto 13. The prix fixe family-style weekend meal is a hot ticket. Who doesn’t want to indulge in black-currant French toast, a savory omelet, or a sweet and spicy waffle BLT — all complimented by a bellini or champagne mule. 

Head to Mamoun’s Falafel for dinner or order in. However you get it, you’ll love the meat kebobs, baba ganouj, hummus, tabbouleh, and, of course, falafel — plus some pretty outstanding desserts — at this highly lauded Middle Eastern eatery.

It’s 1 AM and you’re craving … cookies. In the West Village, pull up Insomnia Cookies’ website and order anything from classic chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin to vegan double chocolate chunk and confetti deluxe. Could there be anything more satisfying than milk and cookies before bedtime? Just another perk of living in the West Village. 

Shop at Bookmarc, where you won’t be able to resist the Marc Jacobs trinkets, eclectic coffee-table books, and glossy international fashion and design magazines. Lose yourself in the floor-to-ceiling wooden bookshelves of this beloved corner bookstore.

Things to Do 

Whatever you’re in the mood for, it’s readily available in the West Village. A day at the park? Head to Washington Square Park, with play areas for both dogs and kids, outdoor chess, and an iconic fountain.

Family day out? Bend your mind at the Museum of Illusions, where kids of any age (and their parents) are awed by interactive, immersive tricks of vision and perception. Then, head to Pier 45, with its pretty promenade, spray and splash pads and an expansive green lawn for lounging and picnicking. Take a free salsa class or enjoy a Sunset on the Hudson concert.

Go back in time at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar and recreational tavern that is a National Historic Landmark and site of the 1969 riot focused on the interactions between the police and the LGBTQ community. Or delve into musical history at the Village Vanguard, one of the most renowned and oldest jazz clubs in the West Village, which is already known for its many famous 

jazz artists. Whether you picture yourself a Carrie or a Monica — both Sex and the City and Friends used this enclave as a backdrop for their upscale residences — the West Village offers an exclusive appeal with a distinctive sense of place.