West Village - Rich with diversity, the West Village is a neighborhood in the western section of the larger Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan. The charming 19th-century townhouses, winding cobblestone streets and towering trees that comprise the neighborhood have seen it through of some of history’s most influential social and countercultural movements, including the breakthrough of experimental theater and beat literature, the fight for housing preservation and the national gay liberation movement.
Today it’s winding picturesque streets, which are outside Manhattan’s grid system, encourage strolling to immerse yourself in the neighborhood. It’s nooks and crannies are dotted with inspiring bookstores, quaint cafes, cozy restaurants and boutique shops which reside beside historic taverns, piano bars and long running Off-Broadway theaters.
Notable venues include the Village Vanguard jazz club and the Stonewall Inn bar, site of the 1969 riots that launched the gay rights movement. The famous Washington Square Park is a wonderful spot for people watching and Hudson River Park offers magnificent waterfront views, a lovely backdrop for a leisurely walk along the neighborhood.