Manhattan/Soho
From Wikitravel
- For other places with the same name, see Soho (disambiguation).
Soho (or rather capitalized as SoHo) is a diverse neighborhood in Manhattan in New York bounded roughly by Houston Street to the north, Lafayette St. to the east, Canal Street to the south, and the Hudson River to the west. The name for the area derives from its supposed similarities to the London Soho and the fact that it is "South of Houston". SoHo used to be a bohemian quarter of artists subsisting in lofts which weren't at first recognized as legal housing, and teeming art galleries. By now, the neighborhood has become so expensive that the art galleries have been generally priced out and have moved to the far west of Chelsea, while the struggling artists have had to move further and further into the "Outer Boroughs" to find affordable places to rent. Now, this is a neighborhood of expensive boutiques, but its narrow cobblestoned side streets retain their charm, and even if the crowding on Broadway between Houston and Spring Sts. can be draining, this is still a good neighborhood to walk through.
[edit] Get in
There are numerous subway lines serving the neighborhood, and which one you use depends on which part of the neighborhood you wish to access. The 1 line runs under Varick Street, stopping at Houston and Canal Streets. The A, C, or E run under 6th Avenue and stop at Canal Street, with the C and E also stopping at Spring Street. The N, R, and W run under Broadway, stopping at Prince and Canal Streets. The B, D, F, and V serve the Broadway-Lafayette station at Houston Street. The 6 runs under Lafayette Street, stopping at Spring and Canal Streets, and the J, M, and Z lines stop at Canal Street under Lafayette.
There are also several city bus lines which serve the neighborhood. Take the M1, M6, or M20 bus for uptown/downtown (north/south) service. The M21 runs crosstown but traffic on Houston St. often makes for slow service.
If you are coming from a nearby neighborhood, walking is the best way to get into SoHo.
[edit][add listing] See
It's best just to walk around, look at the pretty old buildings on Broadway and the cobblestoned side streets, and if you like, shop at clothing stores and such on Broadway. West Broadway is another interesting and very upscale shopping avenue in the neighborhood.
- Children's Museum of the Arts, 182 Lafayette Street (between Broome & Grand), ☎ +1 212 274-0986, [1]. W, F-Su 12PM-5PM, Th 12PM-6PM. Art and interactive exhibits geared towards children. $10. edit
- New York City Fire Museum, 278 Spring Street (between Varick and Hudson Streets), ☎ +1 212 691-1303 (director@nycfiremuseum.org), [2]. Housed in a restored 1904 firehouse, the NYC Fire Museum covers the history of fire-fighting in the United States from the 18th Century to the present. Displays include antique aparatus, uniforms and equipment, as well as an apartment fire simulator. Adults: $5, Seniors/Students: $2, Children under 12: $1. edit
[edit][add listing] Do
[edit][add listing] Buy
SoHo is a prime shopping destination, especially on the weekends, when the sidewalks of West Broadway, Prince Street, and Broadway become almost impassible. Be warned though that the boutique stores have mostly been replaced by high-end chain stores.
- McNally Jackson Booksellers, 52 Prince Street (between Mulberry and Lafayette Streets), ☎ +1 212 274-1160, [3]. M-Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 10AM-9PM. Formerly McNally Robinson Booksellers, this independent bookstore features an extensive collection of magazines, fiction, and nonfiction. The store also features a cafe, as well as a number of ongoing events, signings, book clubs and discussion groups. edit
- Pearl Paint- 308 Canal St (across from Mercer and between Broadway and Church) is considered by many artists to be the best and least expensive art supply store in New York.
- Pearl River Mart, 477 Broadway (between Grand and Broome), ☎ +1 212 431-4770, [4]. Daily 10AM-7PM. Vast store of Chinese and other Asian goods: kitchenware, traditional clothing, home furnishing, tea. edit
- Uniqlo in Soho is a Japanese clothing store for men and women. This location is the retail chain's only North American store.
[edit][add listing] Eat
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- 60 Thompson, 60 Thompson St, ☎ +1 212 431-0200, [5]. A 100 room luxury-driven lifestyle hotel by famed designer, Thomas O'Brien. The rooftop "members" lounge, and Kittichai, an upscale Thai restaurant, complement the modern and chic sensibility of the hotel. $450-$550. edit
[edit] Contact
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