Manhattan Attractions

China Town

Chinatown is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Manhattan , which is probably because once you step into the neighborhood , you feel as if you have stepped into a different country entirely. The atmosphere and sounds change and you feel as if you really are in mainland China. China Town is littered with street markets, music, and fine Chinese cuisine.

Greenwich Village

The locals refer to Greenwich Village simply as “The Village”. This area has been known to attract many of the creative minds that have resided in New York City , including such famous names as Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman and Mark Twain. Quite a few famous people can be linked to Greenwich Village. Not only those who have made their marks on the arts, but also those who have made permanent marks on society. There are many beautiful parks located in The Village, including Washington Park , which is right in the heart of The Village.

Harlem

Known for being the home of blues and jazz, Harlem was once seen as the rough side of town. Today, the face of Harlem has changed and many people are choosing to move their homes into the area. The area now known as Harlem began as a Dutch community . It then transformed between 1919 and 1929 , the period known as the Harlem Renaissance, to become the largest African American community in New York City. Harlem is also home to the famous Apollo Theater. Amateur Night at The Apollo was the start for many famous musicians including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and The Jackson Five. Buddy Holly and his band were the first white performers to play at The Apollo.

SoHo

SoHo is an artistic neighborhood that is home to many art galleries and restaurants. In fact, there are over 250 art galleries and 200 restaurants that make their home in SoHo . Some of the more famous landmarks include the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art and the New York City Fire Museum. SoHo is also known for great shopping .

Union Square

Union Square is located between Broadway and Bowery, an area is known for its historical significance in New York City. It was in the 19th Century that the two streets came together , and today Union Square is bounded by 14th, Union Square East, 17th and Union Square West. In 1986, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was added to the southwest corner of the park, and other famous statues, such as the equestrian statue of George Washington and statues featuring Abraham Lincoln and the Marquis de Lafayette, all make their home in Union Square. Union Square has also been the site of many political and social demonstrations. In 1976, the Council of the Environment of New York City established the Greenmarket program, which Union Square takes a part in. This program provided regional small family farmers the opportunity to sell fruit, vegetables and other farm products in open air markets in the city. The Union Square Greenmarket is held on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., all year round.