It was different from the start , a crazy pattern of streets that broke from the city’s grid plan, reflecting the boundaries of a rural village. As a bohemian haven, the leafy lanes of the Village have been home to artists and writers. Jazz musicians, beat poets, and performers like the young Bob Dylan found their places here. Later it became popular with gays, and today cafés and funky shops attract the young from all over the city. The village really comes to life at night, when cafés, theaters, and clubs beckon at every turn.
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Ever quirky, New York’s narrowest home, just 9.5 ft (3 m) wide, was built in 1893 in a passageway in the Village. Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay lived here, as did actors John Barrymore and, later, Cary Grant. No. 77 Bedford Street is the oldest house in the Village, dating from around 1799, and at No. 103 is the house known as “Twin Peaks,” an 1830 structure remodeled in 1925 by Clifford Reed Daily to house artists and writers, who would presumably be inspired by the whimsical architecture.
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Morning
Begin at Washington Square and the elegant townhouse row where Edith Wharton and Henry James once lived. Find the charming houses of Washington Mews and MacDougal Alley , then follow 6th Avenue, past the Jefferson Market Courthouse, to West 10th Street.
Stroll down the passageway at the front of the Alexander Onassis Center for Hellenic Studies. This walkway once led up to the Tile Club, a gathering place for the artists of the Tenth Street Studio, where Augustus Saint-Gaudens, John La Farge, and Winslow Homer lived and worked. Continue along Waverly Place, Grove Steet, and Bedford Street, each with its share of prize townhouse architecture. Have lunch at a typical Village bistro like Café Loup .
Afternoon
After lunch, why not while away a few hours browsing in the local shops? Vintage clothing can be admired at specialty shops such as Cheap Jack’s, 841 Broadway between 13th and 14th streets, while just across the street at No. 840 you’ll find Forbidden Planet, a nirvana for comic book fanatics.
West 8th Street and West 4th Street are also crammed with shops, and several coffeehouses are great for people-watching. Try Caffe Reggio, 119 MacDougal Street, where the literary lights of the beat generation used to read their poetry.
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An attractive setting and the inventive Italian fare created by TV chef Mario Batali make this a very popular spot. Reserve in advance to ensure a table.
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The present line-up of ordinary shops and restaurants belies the history of this street. James Fenimore Cooper lived at No. 145 in 1833, Theodore Dreiser stayed at No. 160 when he came to New York in 1895, and James Agee lived at No. 172 from 1941 to 1951. The café at No. 189, the corner of Bleecker and MacDougal, was the San Remo bar, the favorite gathering place for William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, and Jack Kerouac, leading lights of the beat generation.
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Highly praised New American fare that uses local, seasonal ingredients, served in intimate, elegant surroundings.
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A casual Village favorite with an enormous, eclectic menu that includes everything from croissants and caviar to the signature fried chicken.
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Mussels and frites can’t be beat at this comfortable restaurant. Don’t miss the impressive selection of Belgian beers either.
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An agreeable French bistro, where favorite dishes include tuna carpaccio, steak, and roast chicken. The setting is romantic, but there’s also a funky bar.
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In 1924, a warehouse was converted into one of the first Off-Broadway theaters and showcased plays by the likes of Edward Albee, Eugene Ionesco, David Mamet, and Harold Pinter. Today, the “Cherry Lane Alternative” uses established playwrights to mentor talented newcomers.
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Book covers of Steinbeck, Hemingway, Faulkner, and others who drank here adorn the walls of this prohibition-era speakeasy.
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Restaurant price categories
For a three-course meal for one with a glass of house wine, and all unavoidable charges including tax.
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