West Village

Less intense than its eastern counterpart but equally madcap, the West Village is a bohemian enclave set against the Hudson River and home to younger creative professionals, successful entertainers, and artists from the Westbeth housing complex.

During the day, groups of artsy non-conformists settle in at the small sidewalk cafés and restaurants on Hudson Street for a relaxing lunch break, while laid-back free spirits and curious tourists push through cramped local staples like Magnolia Bakery and Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

The raucous but good-natured West Village night scene finds groups of students, hip young New York couples, and crowds of party-hungry gay men wandering along Christopher Street in search of small wine bars or bustling gastropubs.

Though its cobblestone streets and winding alleys can confuse weary travelers, the West Village provides an avant-garde warmth where both the unconventional and the straight-laced can enjoy creative conversation and conventional drinks.