New York City is home to dozens of vibrant, community-driven neighborhoods that make our fair city the wonderful place that it is. Some neighborhoods, such as Chelsea, date back centuries, while others, such as Hudson Yards, are just a few years old. There’s something to love about each in every neighborhood in NYC, whether it be fabulous museums, teeming nightlife or relaxing parks.
We firmly believe there’s no such thing as a bad NYC neighborhood, so we’ve created guides to some of the city’s most well-known districts to highlight just a few of the businesses and places that make Empire City so special. We focused on where to eat, stay, relax, shop, have cultural experiences, grab a few drinks, hit the town and more to provide you with everything you need for the perfect day in NYC’s most famous neighborhoods. We hope you enjoy, and as always, happy exploring!
See also: The 25 Best Things To Do In New York City
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One of the oldest neighborhoods in Manhattan to still bear its original name, Chelsea is full of beloved NYC history and thriving businesses. The author of “The Night Before Christmas,” Clement Clarke Moore, is considered the founder of the neighborhood. Between the picturesque brownstones, beautiful High Line, incredible restaurants and tons of cultural activities, there are tons of things to love about Chelsea.
See the full guide here.
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Whether you love it or hate it, you’ve definitely at least heard about New York’s East Village. As one of the most iconic neighborhoods in the whole city, the East Village inevitably draws strong opinions. Home to great bars, tons of young people, creativity galore and excellent food, there’s tons to love about this sprawling neighborhood.
See the full guide here.
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Charming cobblestone streets, waterside views and now, some of the hottest culinary destinations in the city are just a few of the many reasons that the Financial District is having a major moment. As the oldest neighborhood in Manhattan, this area founded in 1624 dates back to the days of Dutch New Amsterdam but is bursting with a flurry of modern marvels today. From Jean-Georges Vongerichten's ultra-buzzy Tin Building to Vinyasa on a vessel, this historic neighborhood has something for everyone.
See the full guide here.
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Between the central location, abundance of restaurants, notable architecture, neighborhood feel and proximity to Madison Square Park, there’s a lot to love about Manhattan’s Flatiron and NoMad neighborhoods. While Flatiron and NoMad have storied pasts full of historic buildings and old-world luxury hotels, a recent boom in new restaurants and businesses continues to breathe new life into the neighborhoods.
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One of the most idyllic neighborhoods in all of New York, there’s lots to love about Gramercy Park. Picturesque brownstones and tree-lined streets abound, all anchored by the famous private park we all wish we had a key to. We’ve rounded up the best businesses and experiences in Gramercy Park for the perfect day in the iconic NYC neighborhood.
See the full guide here.
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As one of Manhattan’s newest neighborhoods, Hudson Yards is a teeming hub of activity and calls itself home to more than 100 businesses, restaurants and shops. Whether you’re headed to the Edge to watch a gorgeous sunset over the Hudson, dropping by a quick pop-up shop, spending the afternoon at The Shed to enjoy some music or shopping til you drop at the Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, there’s always something to do in this vibrant sect of the city.
See the full guide here.
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With old-time neighborhood favorites, beloved nightlife, tons of local businesses and rich history, the Lower East Side is a staple of New York City life. The neighborhood has born many names, such as “Little Germany” in the 1800s and “the world’s largest Jewish city” in the early 20th century. This vibrant neighborhood is constantly evolving, making it one of our favorite areas to spend time exploring the city.
See the full guide here.
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At the very heart of Manhattan lies the land of historic hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and an abundance of riches. After a brief blimp due to the pandemic, the Old World glamour of Midtown is back thanks to a flurry of new openings. With plenty of new things to discover around every corner, there are tons of reasons why this iconic neighborhood has not lost its luster.
See the full guide here.
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Chances are you’ve heard the near-endless stereotypes about Murray Hill and Kips Bay, such as that they’re full of guys who work in finance, recent college graduates and rowdy 20-somethings up drinking beer until the morning. But the truth is, there’s lots to love about Murray Hill and Kips Bay, including safe, clean streets, great real estate, excellent bars and restaurants and a convenient location.
See the full guide here.
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Soho is one of the city's hottest shopping destinations, but this high-profile neighborhood is also home to some of NYC's best restaurants, hotels and more. Whether you're just in town for the weekend or call this area home, there’s plenty to love about this iconic NYC neighborhood.
See the full guide here.
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Long ago farmland owned by Dutch settlers, Tribeca is now an iconic NYC neighborhood famous for celebrity residents and many appearances on the silver screen. The name Tribeca is actually a syllabic abbreviation for “Triangle Below Canal,” referring to the coveted cobblestone streets that make up the neighborhood. Nowadays, we love Tribeca for its incredible restaurants, sceney nightlife and picturesque streets.
See the full guide here.
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Known for being upscale, picturesque and dare we say a bit posh, the Upper East Side is undoubtedly one of NYC’s most iconic neighborhoods. It has served as background to many a movie and TV show and is home to the city’s Museum Mile, which includes icons such as The Met and the Guggenheim. Whether you choose to indulge in high-end shopping or to eat your way through the UES, time in this neighborhood is always well spent.
See the full guide here.
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Ah, the Upper West Side. One of NYC’s most iconic neighborhoods, the UWS is full of culture, old-world charm and a relaxing, residential feel. Don’t let the neighborhood’s family-oriented charm fool you; this locale has plenty of bustling businesses and sceney restaurants to offer.
See the full guide here.
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Gorgeous real estate, lines for brunch wrapping around the block, Washington Square Park and well-dressed New Yorkers are just a few of the things that come to mind when we think of the West Village and Greenwich Village. These neighborhoods are home to some of the city's hottest restaurants, top shops and best-kept secrets, meaning you truly can’t go wrong with a day on the west side.
See the full guide here.
Photography by: Sen Li / Getty Images
