Gramercy / Union Square, New York, NY

A New York landmark and important social hub, Union Square draws a daily mass of people looking to simply hang out or play chess along the concrete walkways, or even join a yoga class on one of the grassy areas that make up the central square.

The area is often packed with young sunbathing artists, business types on outdoor lunch breaks, goths hunched over their comics from nearby Forbidden Planet, and NYU students who call the West 4th Street subway stop home.

Nearby mainstream shoe and clothing warehouses like Nordstrom Rack attract hordes of shoppers looking for designer deals, while those looking for fresh sushi and organic groceries hit the multilevel Whole Foods or peruse the Greenmarket held on the perimeter of Union Square four times a week.

By night, the local bars, theaters, and diners light up as crowds of dressed-up rockers and semi-hipsters show up for some loud pre-gaming at their favorite dive before heading to a show at Blender Theater or Irving Plaza, or moving on to the clubs and student bars in Greenwich Village and NoHo.

Laid-back types in the mood for a more upscale experience can head to the more luxurious Gramercy neighborhood, whose pre-war townhouses and swanky apartment buildings form a fortress around the private Gramercy Park, a secret garden accessible only by local residents.

Although not known for its nightlife scene, Gramercy does offer plenty of dining options and a smattering of bars to get the evening started, but those looking for a wilder night on the town usually head south to the East Village or back over to Union Square.