NYC: Soho and trendy places
Jan 20th, 2005, 06:59 AM
#1
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NYC: Soho and trendy places
I am returning to NYC for a long weekend in Feb. (Yea!) This time I want to skip the sightseeing and do a litle more shopping. The only time I have been to SoHo was on a Sunday, and it seemed that most of the trendy shops I wanted to go into were closed, so I am guessing that I should go on a weekday. I never really got the hang of where the best streets/locations were to find eclectic shops and fun places to browse around for clothes, home accessories, gifty stuff and the like. I am also interested in Greenwich Village.
Any suggestions for me? I'd love to know which streets or blocks I should go to first. I plan to spend a half a day or so in each place (SoHo and Greenwich).
Also, I plan to see shows at night. We have always done TKTS before; this time we'd like to get tickets before we go. Where is the best place to purchase tickets in advance online (decent seats for a decent price)?
Thanks in advance.
Any suggestions for me? I'd love to know which streets or blocks I should go to first. I plan to spend a half a day or so in each place (SoHo and Greenwich).
Also, I plan to see shows at night. We have always done TKTS before; this time we'd like to get tickets before we go. Where is the best place to purchase tickets in advance online (decent seats for a decent price)?
Thanks in advance.
Jan 20th, 2005, 07:08 AM
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For the West Village - a small stretch of Bleeker by Hudson is fantastic. Marc Jacobs is located at, I believe, 403 Bleeker. Other great store located close by. Also, 14th Street between 9th and 10th Ave has some great stores -- Stella McCartney, Jeffrey's, etc. While there, you can go up to the Gansevoort Hotel and have a drink. Other options for drinks in the area are One Little West 12th, Pastis and Spice Market (fantastic food as well). Hope this helps.
Jan 20th, 2005, 07:15 AM
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FOr advance purchase discounted theater ticket, check out Broadwaybox.com, playbill.com, hitshowclub.com, and theatermania.com. There are others, but for the most part they all have the same or similar deals.
Jan 20th, 2005, 07:22 AM
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barmakelly: If you're looking for "trendy" I would say SoHo isn't where you need to be. Much of SoHo is now chain stores (from Anthropologie to H&M to Banana Republic, etc). Nice if you want that, but if you're after something you can't get other places, I'd go straight to NoLita, which is just east of SoHo--particularly Mulberry and Mott streets. That's where loads of hip, young, trendy boutiques are located. If you do want chains, I think lower 5th Ave (between 23rd and 14th) is more interesting (and there are many of the same stores there). SoHo is sooo crowded with tourists that it is more like Times Square than the "real" NYC.
As for the Village, I'd first focus on the west end of Bleecker, which is where Marc Jacobs (three shops), Cynthia Rowley, and several others are located. Also, Magnolia Cupcakes, which isn't a clothing store, but is a fantastic bakery, with lines out the door (it was featured in Sex & the City). The East Village has loads of hip, trendy boutiques as well, and you'll find more eclectic stores than you can imagine. I'd focus on St. Marks (east of 2nd Avenue it's much less touristy), Avenue A, and any other street below 14th east of 2nd Avenue.
Lastly, the Lower East Side has loads of shops worth visiting. Go to Allen and Houston (Allen is called First Avenue above Houston St.) and walk east--take a right on any of the first few blocks you see and you'll find some great places. You can't miss.
As for tickets, I'd wait until you are in NYC and visit the TKTS location at South Street Seaport (and NOT the location in Times Square). You can get tickets for something that night with a very short wait (waaaay more quickly than going to Times Square). I have found getting them when you're here is more fun, as you can figure out exactly what you're in the mood for (and you can compare prices).
Enjoy!
As for the Village, I'd first focus on the west end of Bleecker, which is where Marc Jacobs (three shops), Cynthia Rowley, and several others are located. Also, Magnolia Cupcakes, which isn't a clothing store, but is a fantastic bakery, with lines out the door (it was featured in Sex & the City). The East Village has loads of hip, trendy boutiques as well, and you'll find more eclectic stores than you can imagine. I'd focus on St. Marks (east of 2nd Avenue it's much less touristy), Avenue A, and any other street below 14th east of 2nd Avenue.
Lastly, the Lower East Side has loads of shops worth visiting. Go to Allen and Houston (Allen is called First Avenue above Houston St.) and walk east--take a right on any of the first few blocks you see and you'll find some great places. You can't miss.
As for tickets, I'd wait until you are in NYC and visit the TKTS location at South Street Seaport (and NOT the location in Times Square). You can get tickets for something that night with a very short wait (waaaay more quickly than going to Times Square). I have found getting them when you're here is more fun, as you can figure out exactly what you're in the mood for (and you can compare prices).
Enjoy!
Jan 20th, 2005, 07:25 AM
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NY Magazine has some shopping maps for different areas. Their website is nymetro.com, then look under shopping and fashion.
For theater tickets, go to playbill.com to see what's playing. If you register for free you'll also have access to some discount codes for certain shows. Then you can buy ahead either online or on the phone and still get discounts to certain shows for certain performances (doesn't usually include Sat. night). There are also links there (on playbill) to buy regular priced tickets for shows not being discounted. Several of us has noticed though that you don't always get the best seats buying online. If you phone and speak to someone, they can give you good info on location of seats, with or without discount codes.
Playbill also has links to seating charts for most theaters. Once you decide what you want to see, it's useful to print out the seating chart before you phone for tickets.
Broadwaybox.com is a website that doesn't require registering but lists discount codes from playbill and several other websites like theatermania.com
For theater tickets, go to playbill.com to see what's playing. If you register for free you'll also have access to some discount codes for certain shows. Then you can buy ahead either online or on the phone and still get discounts to certain shows for certain performances (doesn't usually include Sat. night). There are also links there (on playbill) to buy regular priced tickets for shows not being discounted. Several of us has noticed though that you don't always get the best seats buying online. If you phone and speak to someone, they can give you good info on location of seats, with or without discount codes.
Playbill also has links to seating charts for most theaters. Once you decide what you want to see, it's useful to print out the seating chart before you phone for tickets.
Broadwaybox.com is a website that doesn't require registering but lists discount codes from playbill and several other websites like theatermania.com
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Jan 20th, 2005, 07:46 AM
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MichelleNYC: DO TELL about the shoe stores!!!
Gummo: this chain store idea is exactly the problem I ran into when I was there before. I thought it was just me. I guess I was in the wrong part of town altogether. The areas you described sound more like what I am looking for. Thanks for the TKTS tip too!
McLaurie: as always, your advice is so helpful. Will look into all of the websites. I like the NY Magazine site and have used it several times before, but it is a little overwhelming. Now that I have more info to narrow my search, I can follow up there.
Thanks so much! Now I am really excited about my trip!
Gummo: this chain store idea is exactly the problem I ran into when I was there before. I thought it was just me. I guess I was in the wrong part of town altogether. The areas you described sound more like what I am looking for. Thanks for the TKTS tip too!
McLaurie: as always, your advice is so helpful. Will look into all of the websites. I like the NY Magazine site and have used it several times before, but it is a little overwhelming. Now that I have more info to narrow my search, I can follow up there.
Thanks so much! Now I am really excited about my trip!
Jan 20th, 2005, 08:08 AM
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Ok... here are my faves (and where I've lost my mind and dropped SERIOUS cash):
Edmundo Castillo: 219 Mott Street
Sigerson Morrison: 28 Prince Street
Hollywould: 198 Elizabeth Street
Marc Jacobs: 403 Bleeker Street
Manolo Blahnik: 31 West 54th Street
Jimmy Choo: 645 Fifth Avenue
Tods: 650 Madison Avenue
Christian Louboutin: 941 Madison Avenue
I've GOT to go and get a pair of shoes now!!
Edmundo Castillo: 219 Mott Street
Sigerson Morrison: 28 Prince Street
Hollywould: 198 Elizabeth Street
Marc Jacobs: 403 Bleeker Street
Manolo Blahnik: 31 West 54th Street
Jimmy Choo: 645 Fifth Avenue
Tods: 650 Madison Avenue
Christian Louboutin: 941 Madison Avenue
I've GOT to go and get a pair of shoes now!!
Thank goodness I limit my handbag purchases to basically Marc Jacobs or I'd be heading toward complete financial ruin.
Jan 20th, 2005, 09:32 AM
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Only the two main SoHo avenues have seen an influx of chain stores (Broadway and West Broadway). There are still many amazing places to shop on the less-tourist-traveled streets (such as the Kate Spade boutique).
As noted, NoLita is also good hunting grounds.
Enjoy!
As noted, NoLita is also good hunting grounds.
Enjoy!
Jan 20th, 2005, 09:35 AM
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One more shoe recommendation:
Otto Tootsi Plohound is located at Lafayette and Prince, and at 5th and 20th (in the lower 5th Ave area I mentioned before). The Lafayette location is kind of between SoHo and NoLita (closer to SoHo but a 2 min walk from the heart of NoLita). It's a good location because you're largely away from tourists and crowds of SoHo, and you're also near a small group of hip stores (like Label, which is highly recommended) that are just below Prince on Lafayette.
Otto Tootsi Plohound is located at Lafayette and Prince, and at 5th and 20th (in the lower 5th Ave area I mentioned before). The Lafayette location is kind of between SoHo and NoLita (closer to SoHo but a 2 min walk from the heart of NoLita). It's a good location because you're largely away from tourists and crowds of SoHo, and you're also near a small group of hip stores (like Label, which is highly recommended) that are just below Prince on Lafayette.
Jan 20th, 2005, 09:56 AM
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I don't know why I keep forgetting this but go about 14 blocks North of Houston Street to Chelsea (or Meat Packing, I get them confused) and hit Jeffrey. Very trendy and hip. He's like his own exclusive department store with the designer wattage to back it up. Look for the usual (Gucci, Manolo, Versace) along with Balenciaga, Dries Van Norton, DeSquared, Immitation of Christ, etc.
Jan 20th, 2005, 10:30 AM
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Dries Van Noten ;-) I think it's much more fun to go to the boutiques themselves than just seeing the few pairs at Bergdorf. And, oh the selection at Manolo and the service... My heart is palpitating just thinking about it...
