West Village, Manhattan Guide
Located on the Hudson River in Lower Manhattan, West Village is a historic district with a modern vibe. This neighborhood boasts waterfront greenways, piers, and promenades that offer relaxation and recreation. Some notable attractions that are located in or near the district include the Whitney Museum of American Art and Stonewall Inn. Additionally, West Village hosts New York City’s largest Halloween parade.
Attractions and Sightseeing
Extending hundreds of feet into the Hudson River, Pier 40 is one of the premier waterfront attractions in West Village. This public space includes wide promenades and grassy lawns that overlook the skyline of Hoboken and Jersey City in NJ. The smaller Pier 46 offers a quieter and more intimate space for relaxation along the river. Both of these riverfront installations are popular spots for watching the sunset. The Hudson River Greenway connects these piers and all other waterfront streets in West Village. Lined with beautiful trees, this paved trail is exclusively designed for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Straddling the northern border of the district, the Whitney Museum of American Art boasts an extensive collection of modern artwork by America’s greatest masters. After a successful decades-long run in the Upper East Side, the institution relocated to Lower Manhattan as part of an expansion initiative. Designed by the acclaimed Italian architect Renzo Piano, the multi-level museum presents paintings and sculptures by the greatest artists from the United States. The multiple terraces at the Whitney Museum of American Art offer breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the surrounding skyline.
Nested in the heart of West Village, the Stonewall Inn stands as an important marker in the history of LGBT rights. In the late 1960s, riots relating to gay rights broke out near this lodging facility. Today, the property celebrates the widespread success of gay movements in North America and all over the world. In fact, the Stonewall Inn has been a popular gathering place for rallies and protests relating to gay rights on local, national, and international scales.
Since 1973, West Village has hosted New York’s Village Halloween Parade, one of the largest parades of its kind in the United States of America. Each year, huge crowds in costumes, masks, and other interesting accessories joyfully walk through the streets of the neighborhood. In some years, the parade has attracted more than 2 million visitors, including tens of thousands of participants. Beautiful floats, giant puppets, inflated balloons, and other mobile artistic displays are often featured in this vibrant Halloween Parade in the heart of Lower Manhattan.
Location and Directions
West Village occupies more than a dozen blocks along the eastern banks of the Hudson River. Running parallel to the shores of the river, West Street offers convenient access to various points in the neighborhood. Connecting Manhattan with New Jersey, the Holland Tunnel carries vehicle traffic just south of the district. Accommodating vehicles heading Uptown, 6th Avenue marks the eastern boundary of West Village.
You can also reach the neighborhood by using rapid transit services that stop at underground stations on Christopher Street. New York City Subway and PATH trains provide express service at these rail stations. Subway trains also drop off and pick up passengers at various points on West 14th Street.
More than a dozen Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) buses are scattered in this historic district. Citi Bike and licensed taxis are readily accessible in this neighborhood that’s located only minutes away from some of Manhattan’s most famous landmarks and attractions.