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What to do in Greenwich Village

2017.08.21

Here at Faviana, we are inspired by all things NYC, the city where our first collection started just about 30 years ago. Even today, we love the city’s energy and refined elegance, which is always a big component of all our collections, our mission, and our vision. That is why we decided to create a weekly series in which we showcase all the best that New York City has to offer. Whether you live in the city or want to visit sometime, we hope our list of the best things to do in some of the most exciting neighborhoods and boroughs gives you plenty of options to have fun and new adventures. 

We hope you enjoyed last week’s post about what to do in Astoria! Make sure to check out our posts about Coney IslandBelmontCoronaDUMBOChelsea, and Midtown

With its charming 19th century townhouses and cobblestone streets, it’s not a mystery why the West Village (or “the Village” as most locals call it) is a NYC favorite. This neighborhood is rich with history: from the Beat literature poets of the ’50s; the fight for housing preservation in the ’60s, and the Stonewall Riots (called like that for the iconic and still operational Stonewall Inn Bar) where the national gay liberation movement started, there is no doubt that Greenwich Village is the place to be if you are interested in  getting to know of the most historically and currently diverse, inclusive, fun, bohemian and inspiring places in the city. So if you want to know what to do in Greenwich Village, keep reading!

Morning in Caffe Reggio

What to do in Greenwich Village Faviana caffe reggio poets
ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com

If you are a coffee lover you can’t miss having breakfast or late brunch at Caffe Reggio, the first coffee shop in America to have an authentic espresso machine from Italy. The shop has been a Village staple since 1927, enchanting locals and outsiders alike with its old-school Bohemian atmosphere. And if you are also a late Renaissance art fan, know that they have at the center of the store a painting from the school of Caravaggio and an antique bench which used to belong to the Medici family!

After drinking your espresso or creamy hot chocolate, you should visit the poet houses. Edna St. Vincent Millay, E.E. Cummings, W.H. Auden, Dylan Thomas, Mark Twain, Edgar Poe ― and so many others, really― created some of their most sublime works in the streets of this historic neighborhood. The home of Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women is also here. What do you think of beat poetry and folk music? Bob Dylan made his New York debut in Cafe Wha? Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, authors of Howl and On the Road, also performed there.

Afternoon Thrift Shopping

What to do in Greenwich Village Faviana thrift shopping
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We are not gonna lie: one of the most fun activities you can do while you are at the Village is shopping. More specifically, if you also love to thrift, you won’t many places with as many cool options as this neighborhood. If you are looking for awesome vintage clothing finds try Vintage Thrift West and Star Stuck Vintage Clothing, which has a fantastic selection of old-school band t-shirts (think Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd) and authentic designer accessories (Yves Saint Laurent, Pucci, Givenchy? Yes please).

If music is your thing, you need to pay a visit to Generation Records. They have a huge selection of Heavy Metal and Punk, but really they cater to most tastes and have amazing music recommendations as well as new and used records and original vinyl.

Evening in Washington Square Park

What to do in Greenwich Village Faviana Washington Square Park
Curbed NY

End your day taking a stroll or hanging out at Washington Square Park. This is the perfect place to relax and people-watch, enjoy the live music performances, maybe buy a cookie at Insomnia Cookies and enjoy it while you see the beautiful arch get illuminated and frame the Empire State Building perfectly. If you want to go a little earlier you might even be able to see the fountain on and enjoy a few splashes, or even get your chest game on with some of the local players (they are pros, truly, some of the best chess stores in the city are also located in the Village). If you want to have dinner here The Spotted Pig is one of our favorite places, but options here are endless and incredibly good!

 

Hopefully, now you know what to do in Greenwich Village! What is your favorite neighborhood in the city? Is there a place you are dying to go? Let us know which other places we should cover by tagging us on Instagram @glamandgowns, and Faviana’s Instagram @Faviana_NY and Twitter @FavianaNY. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel for more fun vlogs @FavianaNYC!

xo,

Andrea

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