MANHATTAN

Greenwich Village Neighborhood Guide

Greenwich Village is a historic Manhattan neighborhood home to some of the most popular landmarks in the city. Located on the west side of Manhattan, between Chelsea and Soho, the area is in a convenient location with Lower Manhattan and Midtown easily accessible. Tucked neatly beside the West Village, Greenwich Village is a small but mighty New York neighborhood, famous for its rich culture. The neighborhood carries its history along the charming cobblestone streets where the LGBTQ+ sign is located, throughout many restaurants and cafés that display fun facts along their walls, and in Washington Square Park admiring the art, music, and culture from people all over the city. Greenwich Village also serves as the main sight of the Pride Parade every June, bringing thousands of people together in the community to celebrate the freedom of the LGBTQ+ community.

Greenwich Village is known for its idyllic walk-ups, quaint buildings, cafés, and world class dining. Partake in fine dining at one of the many Michelin rated restaurants in the neighborhood and admire the history and culture of Greenwich Village at the 9/11 Tiles for America Memorial and the Stonewall Inn. Greenwich Village neighborhood residents describe the area as having a vibrant sense of community and a lively nightlife.

Greenwich Village Real Estate Stats

An Abbreviated History of Greenwich Village

The history of Greenwich Village began in the 1660s when the Lenapes lived in the area. In the 1630s, the Europeans moved to the neighborhood. Greenwich Village is famously known for its rich history surrounding the LGBTQ+ community. The Stonewall Inn, one of the first gay bars in New York, located in the heart of Greenwich Village on Christopher Street was a popular destination for the gay community in the late 1960s. On June 28, 1969, the bar was shut down by police for serving gay patrons. This led to the Stonewall Riots, a six-day protest along Christopher street, starting the uprising of the Gay Rights Movement. Now, located across the Stonewall Inn, there is the Stonewall National Monument which honors the events that occurred that day and celebrates the gay community that exists in New York today. Greenwich Village is also home to the NYC Pride Parade. In addition to its LGBTQ+ history, Greenwich Village has a strong musical history. In 1925, the Cherry Lane Theater was opened, New York’s oldest off-broadway theater. World-famous musicians Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendricks, and James Taylor all found fame in Greenwich Village in the mid-1900s. Today, Greenwich Village continues to be a thriving NYC neighborhood for people of all cultures and identities.

Residents Love This Neighborhood Because

What to expect

Greenwich Village Landmarks and Cultural Institutions

A NEIGHBORHOOD TOUR

Washington Square Park is one of the most lively parks in NYC. Filled with musicians, artists, kiosks, and more, the park is the perfect place to go for a stroll and admire the diversity of the city. Washington Park is famous for the Washington Arch, built in 1895, and the lively water fountain that lies in front of it.

One of the first libraries in New York City, the Jefferson Market Branch was built in 1877 and houses a Victorian Gothic style of architecture. Beginning as a courthouse, the building did not become a library until 1967 and has now been serving the community for over thirty years.

Next to the Jefferson Market Library, this garden has been preserved through the care of community members since 1974. Originally filled with star and saucer magnolia trees, Yoshino cherry trees, American yellowwoods, honey locusts, crabapple trees, fairy hedge roses, pyracantha, and holly bushes, the garden has since added tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and dahlia.

One of the most picturesque streets in NYC, Gay St. is lined with charming Federal and Greek-Revival style homes. Though it is not confirmed how the street obtained its name, it pays homage to the history of the neighborhood and the struggles for freedom among the LGBTQ+ community.

Located on Gay St, the LGBT sign is a symbol of the acceptance of the gay community and the identities of the people living there. The sign nods to the history of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community while acting as a signifier of hope and freedom for the future. 

Beginning as a small venue with sometimes only one person in the audience, the Comedy Cellar has transformed into a world-class comedic hot-spot. Nowadays, this intimate, popular, exposed-brick venue hosts regular performances from famous comedians such as Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Ray Romano, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Louis CK, Dave Chappelle, and many more.

The Stonewall National Monument was accepted as the 412th unit of the National Park system on June 24th, 2016. It is located in Christopher Park, right across the street from the Stonewall Inn, where the historic events in June 1969 took place.

On September 12th, 2001, families hung pictures of their late loved ones on a chain-linked fence in Greenwich Village. The community placed ceramic angels and hand-printed patriotic symbols around the pictures, creating a mosaic memorial. This tile memorial can be found today in Mulry Square, located at the southwest corner of Greenwich Avenue and Seventh Avenue South.

All Notable New Yorker photos courtesy of Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons. Photo of Anderson Cooper by Gage Skidmore; Photo of Anna Wintour by Myleskalus; Photo of Julia Roberts by David Shankbone; Photo of Leonardo Dicaprio by Georges Biard; Photo of Marc Jacobs by  Ståle Grut/NRKbeta; Photo of Robert De Niro by Georges Biard; Photo of Robert Downey Jr. by Gage Skidmore;