

On most days, the corner of Bedford and Grove Streets in Greenwich Village is bustling with groups of people taking selfies and staring up at the mostly nondescript 6-story building that was completed in 1899. The show famously showed exterior shots of the building before cutting to the action inside. Today, the building at 90 Bedford Street at the corner of Grove and Bedford Streets is still recognized as the Friends apartment building.
Nyc things to do this weekend tv#
While the popular TV show was filmed on a Warner Brothers sound stage in Burbank, CA, Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey lived in Greenwich Village and drank coffee at the cleverly named Central Perk. See the Friends Apartment Building.įor 10 seasons, the comedy sitcom Friends entertained millions of fans with endless laughs as we watched six twenty-something friends living in the big city, trying to make it through all that NYC life threw at them.


Along the way, stop to play a game of chess with a friendly stranger or take a seat with something to drink and enjoy the sights and sounds of this famous Greenwich Village park. On hot summer days, it’s a popular spot to dip your feet and cool off.īut anytime is perfect for a stroll around the park to take in the Greenwich Village vibe. If you’re looking for something spooky, try the Ghosts of Greenwich Village tour.ĭepending on the time of year, you may see a crowd gathered at the park’s fountain. “The Hanging Tree” which still grows today, is believed to be the oldest tree in Manhattan at 300+ years old. Starting in the late 1790s, up to 20,000 bodies were buried here and are still resting in peace below the park’s soil.Īdd this to the park’s legend of the Hangman’s Elm. This made the land where Washington Square Park is today perfect for a potter’s field. New York City grew outward from what is now Battery Park and the Financial District, and Greenwich Village was considered a rural retreat north of the city.
Nyc things to do this weekend full#
This Greenwich Village park also has a fascinating history! Before there were park benches and dog runs, this area was fertile farmland surrounded by woodlands and a stream full of fish. If you’re heading south on NYC’s famous Fifth Avenue, you’ll ultimately head right into the Washington Square Arch. The Arch was built in 1892 for the 100th anniversary of George Washington’s inauguration, which happened at Federal Hall in Lower Manhattan. To the north is Waverly Place, the south is West 4th Street, to the east is University Place, and to the West is MacDougal Street.Īt the northern point of the park is the Washington Square Arch. We prefer to use popular Greenwich Village street names instead. But if you ask a local for directions, don’t be surprised if you hear different street names. The rectangle-shaped park is bordered by straightforward street names, Washington Square North, South, East, & West. On any given day, you’ll see artists, musicians, chess players, families, NYU students, poets, and pets all bringing the park to life. However, size doesn’t define Washington Square Park and the impact it’s had not only on Greenwich Village but all of New York City. It’s easy to walk the park from end to end as part of a Greenwich Village visit. Rich with an abundance of history, no trip to New York City’s Greenwich Village is complete without a visit to Washington Square Park.Ĭompared to the 840-acre Central Park, Washington Square Park is tiny at just under 10 acres. Visit Washington Square Park.Īt the heart of Greenwich Village sits one of New York City’s most beloved city parks. Let’s get away from the towering skyscrapers of midtown and wander off the grid street pattern to discover the history, culture, and vibe of the Village. These broad boundaries also include the West Village and the Meatpacking District.įor that reason, the best things to do in the West Village, for example, overlap with what to see in Greenwich Village. The neighborhood is bookended by the Hudson River to the west and Broadway to the east. Specifically, the Village, as the locals like myself call it, is on the lower westside of Manhattan between 14th street to the north and Houston Street to the south. But, if you want to experience New York City like a local, then head south to Greenwich Village.

Yes, iconic sights like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building should be part of your NYC itinerary. No trip to New York City is complete without some time in Greenwich Village. Save this guide for later? Pin it! 15 Things to Do in Greenwich Village NYC
