1
Magnolia Bakery, Bleecker Street
1
401 Bleecker St.
Magnolia Bakery, the West Village institution that began the country's cupcake craze (thanks in part to cameos on Sex and the City and Saturday Night Live) whips up banana pudding and Instagram-worthy pastel cupcakes.
2
Hudson River Park
2
Hudson River Waterfront
Covering 550 riverside acres along the western edge of Manhattan, Hudson River Park runs from West 59th Street in Midtown all the way down to Battery Park in the Financial District. Along the way, New Yorkers and visitors can enjoy a jogging and biking path, waterfront benches and tables, snack stands and free entertainment all summer long, like film screenings and live music.
3
Via Carota
3
51 Grove St.
Via Carota is a joint venture between West Village power couple Jody Williams (Buvette) and Rita Sodi (I Sodi). All three of their restaurants are in a charming West Village enclave near Sheridan Square and attract a strong following of locals and restaurant-industry types. It's hard to imagine anyone who wouldn't want to hang out in the welcoming, glass-fronted 75-seat space. The food is spectacular too. Salt cod fritters, black kale with pork sausage, gnocchi bathed in gorgonzola and fried rabbit with rosemary and garlic toast barely scratch the surface of the delights found here. Risotto and pasta specials are also good.
4
Zoomies
4
434 Hudson St.
This boutique pet shop has everything a dog or cat could want: one-of-a-kind toys and accessories, an all-natural biscuit bar and an extensive collection of dog coats (just to name a few). The shop specializes in New York–focused toys (like a squeaky Statue of Liberty), and your pooch can sample treats at the biscuit bar so he can find his favorite.
5
Rag & Bone - West Village
5
104 Christopher St.
Rag & Bone is known for producing understatedly fashionable, utterly wearable and very well-made clothing. According to lore, the brand launched in 2002 when two British ex-pats, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright, grew frustrated with the lack of good jean options available in New York City. Since then, it's expanded from menswear into designs for women and children along with accessories. Consider the look a seamless blending of clean silhouettes and unruffled stylishness.
6
Bond No. 9
6
9 Bond St.
An olfactory extravaganza dedicated entirely to the city of New York, this perfume house is named after its first home at 9 Bond Street in NoHo. Scents have been dedicated to neighborhoods across the City including Riverside Drive, New Harlem, Wall Street, and Chinatown. Their latest is My New York, featuring notes of ginger, sandalwood and patchouli, among others. From October 15 to 29, 10% of online sales of My New York on bondno9.com will benefit Robin Hood's Rise Up New York!, which assists in pandemic recovery efforts.
7
James Perse - West Village
7
368 Bleecker Street
Los Angeles–based designer James Perse has thankfully brought his sumptuous, well-tailored clothing to New York City. At his corner shop in the West Village, shoppers will find a decidedly minimalistic atmosphere, where the designer's upscale casual duds dot the shelves and racks. Clothing and accessories for men and women are presented by store associates who excel in customer service, so expect only the best when you arrive.
8
Bar Pisellino
8
52 Grove Street
Bar Pisellino is not just any corner spot in the West Village. Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, of the across-the-street megahit Via Carota, are behind it. The all-day Italian café is geared toward locals stepping up to the oak-paneled bar for coffee and moist olive-oil cake in the morning, panini and cacio e pepe potato chips later in the day, and Aperol spritzes on tap whenever the mood strikes. It’s mostly standing room (no reservations), but see if you can score a sidewalk table.
9
The Gardens at St. Luke in the Fields
9
487 Hudson St.
The Gardens at St. Luke in the Fields comprise more than two-thirds of an acre of walks, lawns, and a fine collection of garden standards, rare hybrids and native American flora.