Barrow St, West Village

While some of the streets of the tree-lined, charming West-Village can seem a bit twee, with their Georgian townhouses and leafy overhead, Barrow Street - by contrast - maintains a clear sense of historical charm. Home to a number of artistic ventures, including the famous Barrow Street Theatre, the Barrow Street poetry journal/centre, and the nearby Cherry Lane Theatre, this area is an ideal venture for the savvy theatregoer looking for something beyond the blockbusters of Broadway or the avant-garde experimentalism of the outer boroughs. It's also a paradise for foodies: while Barrow Street itself has few restaurants, side-streets offer a wealth of options (rendering Barrow Street more pleasantly quiet than its neighbors) including Yakiniku Takashi Restaurant, the charming Petite Abeille Bistro, and new American Commerce Restaurant. Or head to the Barrow Pub to drink a pint with the locals. While the area can be a bit touristy, it's far less so than midtown, and while its vibe isn't quite alternative, it's nevertheless pleasantly artistic.

Although it is probably more commonly used by tourists on their way to other places and locations within the city, Barrow Street has a beauty and relevancy of its own that should be worth stopping to check it out. The church looks impressive and it’s a good place to hang out and people watch so if you have some time to kill, there are worse places you could be than here.

The Ale House on Barrow Street has been one of my favorite stops since I started venturing that far south into Manhattan. The feel is really cozy and comfortable much like the rest of Barrow Street. It sounds odd that a road can put you at easy but Barrow Street does. It has the perfect mix of action and quiet.