East Village: New York’s Rebellious Neighborhood
East Village is a New York neighborhood you'll either love or hate! One thing's for sure: the vibe here is radically different from the rest of New York.
What to Know About the East Village in New York
- The East Village is a New York neighborhood just north of the Lower East Side, along the East River and east of Greenwich Village. You’re right in the heart of Manhattan. But forget Manhattan’s grid of numbered avenues and streets running in straight lines.
- The vibe is completely different from Greenwich Village, New York’s other “village.” The East Village is the heart of counterculture, with punks, rock and roll, vintage thrift shops, and tattoo parlors. The neighborhood is also home to many engaged artists. It’s a world away from the refined atmosphere of Park Avenue.
- Don’t be intimidated by the skulls and zombies you’ll see in record store and clothing shop windows: the East Village is a safe and peaceful neighborhood. You’re still in Manhattan, after all. That said, the area is gradually changing due to real estate pressure.
What to See in the East Village
- The best way to explore the East Village is to arrive at the Astor Place subway station (Line 6). Astor Place is the heart of the village. Take a look at the Cube, a striking sculpture that’s become the neighborhood’s iconic landmark.
- Just steps from Astor Place, on Lafayette Street, you’ll find Colonnade Row, an unusual building constructed in the early 1830s in Greek style. Originally called “La Grande Terrace,” it was the gathering place of the city’s elite and the most sophisticated address in the United States at the time. Only 4 of the 9 mansions built in 1833 remain today. The marble columns are still visible.
- Where Bowery Avenue begins, you’ll spot a strange structure: the Elephant Building. Its distorted iron facade is truly striking. Across the street, Cooper Square is a handsome building made of rosy-brown sandstone and steel beams, completed in 1859. It was a remarkable innovation for its time. Lincoln delivered his speech on the rights of Black Americans in this building.
- Head up St Marks Place and you’ll arrive directly at Tompkins Square Park, the East Village’s main park. Opened in 1870, it’s a very peaceful spot. You’ll notice a small area reserved entirely for dogs—a rare amenity in Manhattan.
- At Tompkins Square Park, you’ll notice something unusual: the avenues are no longer numbered but lettered—A, B, C, and D. Welcome to Alphabet City. This working-class neighborhood is home to many community gardens. Head to the corner of Avenue C and 9th Street to see some of the nicest ones.
- Passing Theatre 80 at 80 St. Marks Place, you can also spot a few inscriptions on the sidewalk, just like in Hollywood. Celebrities like Myrna Loy and Gloria Swanson (Sunset Boulevard) made their early appearances here and left their handprints forever.
- North of the East Village, on Stuyvesant Street, don’t miss Saint-Mark-in-the-Bowery, a church built in 1795 on the site of an earlier chapel. The main draw: Pieter Stuyvesant, the last governor of New Amsterdam, the young Dutch colony founded on Manhattan, is buried here. He signed the document that handed New Amsterdam over to British troops in 1664—the birth of New York.
Visitor Reviews
- Elvire Pumpkins: “My favorite neighborhood with great shops. I got a tattoo here and shopped at Trash and Vaudeville, the store that dressed the Ramones, Iggy Pop, Blondie and more. I had the privilege of being served by the owner himself, Jimmy, Iggy’s good friend—really nice guy.”
- Micheline C.: “The East Village, like its counterpart on the other side with West Village and Greenwich, is a magical place you have to visit to soak in the local character. New York and its skyscrapers are great, but New York’s soul is even better. Spend time here and you’ll discover charming little corners with warm, friendly vibes where you can eat and drink without spending much.”