Among the neighborhoods of New York Manhattan is known around the world as the heart of the big apple. It is the richest district of New York City in which one of the largest financial centers in the world is located, but also the headquarters of the United Nations, many corporate headquarters, large universities ... mostly tourists who want visit New York even if it is actually only one of the 5 boroughs of New York City!
How to find your way around the streets of Manhattan?
It is very easy because the organization is simple. In fact, Manhattan is a small, long island located between the Hudson River and the East River. Its avenues all follow a north-south axis and all the streets are numbered from 1st street to 220rd.
Note that 5th Avenue separates Manhattan into 2 zones: East (E) and West (W) and that Broadway draws a diagonal across the city.
How to locate neighborhoods in Manhattan?
I will not detail all the many neighborhoods / districts of Manhattan :
TriBeCa, SoHo, Chinatown, Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, East Village, Chelsea Garment District, Meatpacking, Theater District, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Harlem, Upper Manhattan ...
It would be too long and too complex!
Coco's quote: Smart Ant always seeks simplicity and efficiency!
To better understand, I will schematize by saying that Manhattan is divided into 3 large sectors: Downtown, Uptown and Midtown.
"Downtown" means "south" and includes the districts south of 14th Street:
"Uptown" means "north" and includes the districts north of 59th Street:
"Midtown" means "around the center" and is located between 14th and 59th Street / Central Park. :
Now you are going to tell me: “OK, but what are the tourist, residential, safe, chic, lively, where to eat, where to sleep… ??? "
Coco's quote: Ant who wants to be loved always shares his ideas!
And to visit New York, here is my article that could inspire you: Walking routes to visit New York in 2 days
Manhattan neighborhood map
Here is the Google Map which allows you to locate the different Manhattan neighborhoods.
Which Manhattan neighborhood to choose to visit?
Let's start with one of the most famous:
Times Square in the Midtown area of Manhattan
It is the most touristic district of Manhattan. You have to walk there while raising your head and putting earplugs! But it is the most lively and iconic square in New York! Shopping, bars, restaurants, theaters where the biggest musicals are played (and even more on Broadway)… everything is there for the entertainment! This is a centrally located location to be close to all of Midtown's sights. So many tourists stay there… despite the very high prices!
For all those who want to have fun, to be accommodated in the heart of Manhattan, a stone's throw from the main tourist sites and metro stations, this is the hotel for you: CitizenM New York Times Square. It will take a little more than 300 Euros per night but he is WOW !!!
Hell's Kitchen in Midtown Manhattan
Just a little further north of Times Square, Hell's Kitchen is also a bustling and touristy area. This is where you will have to go to find good restaurants. A little further from Times Square, this area is also a little quieter and a little cheaper.
Herald Square in the Midtown area of Manhattan
It is one of most expensive neighborhoods in Manhattan. This is where you have to go to visit the Empire State building, stroll down 5th Avenue, shop on 34th Street and especially at Macy's or stroll towards Madison Square Garden ...
It is therefore an ideal neighborhood for shopping in New York. I have a good hotel address to combine a tourist stay and shopping:
Midtown East
Very close to Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Station, so it is a New York tourist district but also financial. There are modern skyscrapers with large bay windows but also old buildings and red brick buildings. This district is mainly occupied by offices and shops and turns out to be a very expensive district!
Which Manhattan neighborhood to choose for a chic stay?
Upper West Side - Area north of Midtown Manhattan
This district is crossed by Broadway and is located west of Central Park. It's a Residential area very very chic and rich. And if the atmosphere is bourgeois, it is still relaxed! This district is full of beautiful Art Nouveau buildings and also has a large number of very nice restaurants. There is no insecurity and we walk around quietly without being wary without stopping ...
It was in this beautiful neighborhood that I had my hotel during my 1er stay in New York (February 2010) and I just loved it!
My experience :
I confirm that this hotel is very well located on BROADWAY and that it is really a nice neighborhood to visit New York. Indeed, it is located 5 minutes walk from the 1-2-3 metro, in the street of mythical theaters, near Central Park and in front of a FAIRWAY supermarket (useful for small errands). The studio that we had was immaculate, very comfortable and practical. It was clean, fully equipped and I enjoyed the great view from the 19th floor!
Upper East Side - Area north of Midtown
Just like his neighbor, he is a New York residential neighborhood. We can even say that it is the chicest and richest in New York. It is therefore obviously an ideal district to stay in peace in a place without any insecurity!
Museums are also numerous: The Museum of modern art (MOMA) is a must with its paintings by Van Gogh, Chagall, Pollock… just like the no less famous Guggenheim Museum!
Which Manhattan neighborhood to choose for a trendy stay?
I present below the vibrant and trendy Manhattan neighborhoods. They are less close to tourist sites than the previous ones but more attractive for their authenticity and character. You have to go there for a drink, a walk, shopping and going out at night!
Neighborhoods Soho - Nolita - Tribeca - Downtown Manhattan area
Those are the New York's coolest and most vibrant neighborhoods !
We are in the lower part of Manhattan. On the east side of these districts, many bars, restaurants, nightclubs have settled there and attract a lot of people. But the further you go towards the Hudson, the safer, quieter, quieter and more residential the neighborhoods become.
Chelsea / gay friendly district - Midtown Manhattan area
Located in the heart of the city, Chelsea is undoubtedly one of the most artistically interesting districts of New York. Its location is ideal for tourists because it is close to the main sites to visit in Manhattan!
In this district is the most famous gay area in New York. It is located between 23rd and 30th streets. It is here that you will find many gay bars and also some beautiful, upscale and luxurious hotels and restaurants.
Chelsea is therefore a very good compromise for those who wish to both stay in a quiet area and at the same time in a lively and trendy area with good places to eat and go out at night.
What are the bobos neighborhoods in Manhattan
Greenwich Village - Downtown Zone
Often called "the Village", this district has multiple identities: trendy, bobo, student, intellectual ... You will find many restaurants and small cafes, tea rooms, wine bars ... affordable although there are also some bourgeois and more expensive restaurants.
Lower East Side - Zone downtown
This is where the New York clothing industry started. The district has kept its reputation as a place where you can do good business and where there are beautiful clothing creations ... This district is a mix of old and new, chic and bohemian and is becoming very trendy. fashion. There are trendy bars and concert halls and everything you need to party!
Dangerous Manhattan neighborhoods?
Manhattan is one of New York's 5 safest boroughs (see Neighborhoods to avoid in New York). However, without being dangerous, there are 2 neighborhoods in Manhattan that are less safe than the others:
East Harlem and Upper Manhattan - Uptown area of Manhattan
These two neighborhoods are located in the far north of Manhattan.
Upper Manhattan runs from 125th Street to Inwood Hill Park in the west and 96th to the north on the east side. It is an area not frequented by tourists. The same is true of Harlem, which extends this district ...
If before, these neighborhoods were "dangerous", this is no longer the case. But reputation is an evil that hangs on and lasts ...
Me, I think that Harlem definitely worth a little detour. It is the cultural and economic heart of the black-American community but also an important Hispanic cultural center (East Harlem or “Spanish Harlem”) and many other communities.
This is where the legendary is located Apollo theater. Artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Michael Jackson have performed there! For lovers of Gospel, Jazz or hip hop, Harlem turns out to be a district of New York very interesting for its musical culture.
Lucid Ant does not care about reputations because she knows that they are not always founded!
So for those who want to visit outside the classic circuits and immerse themselves in the real New York in the middle of a cosmopolitan population, I know a nice hotel:
4 minutes from the 125 Street subway station, you'll be in Central Park in 6 minutes and Times Square in just 20 minutes.
But ant is not content with little and always wants more:
For other great tips in Manhattan, have a look at the following article: New York City Cheap Hotels
What to see in Manhattan?
You want a list of all the places to see, all the addresses, prices, times, etc… I don't have the skills to give you all this information because the list is long! I must admit that tourist guides are very practical and much more complete than information from bloggers ...
If I have one piece of advice, it's simply to take the Lonely Planet which is the reference tourist guide! This is the one I usually use for all my trips and I have never been disappointed (useful, reliable information and lots of good restaurant addresses…).
However, I can tell you how and what itineraries to visit New York on foot in 2 days !
And to make it practical and quick, you can opt for a Manhattan neighborhood tour.
And if you are looking for an inexpensive hotel in Manhattan:
