Folded into Lower Pacific Heights, Japantown is an enclave of history and culture. The five-tiered concrete Peace Pagoda towers over the Japan Center–an indoor shopping mall brimming with specialty shops. The nabe buzzes during the Cherry Blossom Festival, a yearly springtime tradition celebrated by the local population. Japantown is
The Lower Haight is a nabe where a bohemian aesthetic rubs shoulders with post-punk. Situated east of Divisadero along Haight Street, the nabe is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants and watering holes that draw crowds from all over the city. Considerably grittier than its more famous counterpart,
While the name suggests otherwise, Inner Sunset sits in a perennial layer of fog, keeping residents happy and visitors a bit chilly. Extending south from Golden Gate Park and just above lovely Forest Hill, the nabe sees steady foot traffic from visitors to the park. The intersection of Ninth
Wrapping around the northeastern edge of the city, Embarcadero is a waterfront boulevard that runs from the Bay Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf, passing through South Beach. The product of a concerted effort by the city to beautify what was once considered an urban eyesore, the Embarcadero now shines as
Fort Greene is a tree-lined neighborhood in northwest Brooklyn in between Clinton Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Home to many cultural landmarks–such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music–Fort Greene is a place rich with culture. The nabe borders the Atlantic Avenue Terminal mall, which provides plenty
A clearly incongruous outcropping of coastal culture, City Island is located on the Bronx's eastern side. City Island is populated by bungalows, beachfront houses, marinas, and yacht clubs. It's also established itself as the de facto capital of New York seafood restaurants. Residents commuting to Manhattan, when not driving,
Tribeca, also known as the “Triangle Below Canal” is located southwest of SoHo and is one of the most highly-desired nabes in the city. Once an industrial nabe, Tribeca experienced a flux of artsy folk back in the 70s and has since transformed into a hip Manhattan hotspot with
An iconic NYC nabe, Little Italy is composed a few bustling streets packed to the brim with colorful decorations, vendors toting their wares, and tons of authentic restaurants with a slightly kitschy vibe. Little Italy certainly is a little nabe–its borders have been shrinking lately, giving way to Chinatown
Nolita, short for “North of Little Italy,” is a small, downtown nabe that blends relatively seamlessly into neighboring SoHo and the Lower East Side. The nabe is most well known for its designer boutique shopping. While not as touristy and hectic as SoHo, Nolita is still a
SoHo, short for “South of Houston Street,” has long been transformed from an historic warehouse district into the city's destination for high-end shopping and residential lofts. SoHo is home to celebrities and because of this reputation and the shopping, the streets are packed with tourists on the weekend. However,
Half seedy and half chic, Polk Gulch is a distinct nabe that buzzes day and night. Mainly commercial in nature, the nabe is centered around Polk Street with its northern end being far more upscale than its southern reaches. Wine bars and boutiques share the blocks with dives
The East Village has long been a destination for American Bohemia. Recently, it has acquired a hefty downtown price tag but still retains its eclectic and creative roots. Every New York subculture–from yuppie to punk and hipster to hip hop–is celebrated in this inexhaustible grid of drinking, dining,
Lodged between Soho, NoLita, the East Village, andGreenwich Village is NoHo, which stands for “North of Houston.” NoHo is full of little lofts, great shops, and some of the best cafes in New York. NoHo is a tiny, expensive neighborhood with some great early 20th century architecture. Many