See SoHo
(New York, N. Y.)
Many tour participants on WalkingToursManhattan.com love visiting SoHo, they want to spend more time exploring the neighborhood, after the tour, or want to come back on another day. I have listed more attractions to see that are not on our walking food tour.
This neighborhood is a wonderful mix of residential loft living, cobblestone streets, art galleries, boutique hotels, historic buildings and one of the best designer shopping areas in the city.
Historical Building – E.V. Haughwout
The charming cast iron buildings give this area a distinctive look that is unmatched in beauty and numbers anywhere else in Manhattan. These buildings were put up in the 1850’s through the 1890’s as a cheaper replacement for stone construction. A magnificent example is the five-story HaughwoutBuilding built in 1857 in the city's first fashionable housewares district. The Haughwout Emporium was world famous in its day as manufacturers and purveyors of cut glass, porcelains, mirrors and chandeliers. Located at 488 Broadway corner of Broome Street.
Shopping Therapy – Bloomingdale’s and Top Shop
After Macy’s there is no other retail store as well-known. A smaller version of the 59th Street Store, located on Broadway between Spring and Broome. A few steps away is Top Shop, the British fashion retailer which recently opened its first store in the U. S.
Gallery Viewing – DiaCenter
Check out Walter DeMaria’s The New York Earth Room, the longest running art show opened in 1977. For over 30 years this exhibit has brought a quiet oasis from the tuml of city life. Located at 141 Wooster Street, between Houston and Prince.
Lunch/Dinner – BalthazarRestaurant
A French brasserie offering the look and quality you’d come to expect in SoHo.
Open for 15 years this pricey classic is always busy, and their eggs benedict is only available on the breakfast menu. Visit their bakery next door for the chocolate chip cookie. 80 Spring Street, between Broadway and Crosby.
Best Real Estate – 190 Bowery
Struggling photographer Jay Maisel in 1968 bought this abandoned Germania Bank, built in 1898 complete with working safe in basement for $102,000. Yes its completely covered in graffiti but fits into the neighborhood’s artistic lifestyle on the Bowery. The 72-room mansion today is worth upwards of $40 million.
Coffee Break – Dean & Deluca
Great people watching spot with good coffee and sweets. Watch models running down Broadway late for photo shoots, to beautifully dressed European travelers
clothes shopping. Corner of Broadway and Prince.