O Chelsea viu muitas transformações em seu tempo. A partir do final dos anos 1800, o principal objetivo do bairro do lado oeste era de natureza industrial. A Nabisco abriu sua primeira fábrica aqui em 1898, apenas algumas décadas após a primeira ferrovia elevada nos EUA começar a percorrer o distrito. As ferrovias extintos e os antigos armazéns foram reaproveitados e incorporados à existência moderna do Chelsea: um lar eclético para arte e cultura, bem como um dos lugares mais procurados para se viver na cidade. Veja como conhecer as galerias, a cena gastronômica e a vida noturna em apenas um dia.  

Start your morning with coffee and freshly made doughnuts on West 23rd Street, the neighborhood’s main east-west thoroughfare. The Doughnut Plant is known for its quirky flavors, including unusual takes on classics: the Manhattan cream is a dark chocolate version of Boston cream, and the signature crème brûlée doughnut riffs on that beloved French dessert. 

This elevated railway, which sat abandoned for decades, is now one of the City's most successful and unique restoration projects—a public park 30 feet above street level. Starting at Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District, it runs alongside Tenth Avenue through most of Chelsea; you'll find crowds of locals and visitors enjoying the public art, ever-changing gardens and unparalleled views year-round.

Another art-world heavy hitter with multiple neighborhood locations, David Zwirner represents more than 40 artists and estates in contemporary art. Big names like Chris Ofili and Jeff Koons have shown here, and both Chelsea galleries feature in-store bookshops. 

A great place for browsing and buying, this nonprofit store stocks artists' books, including hard-to-find titles old and new. The store maintains an inventory of nearly 40,000 publications and supports the artists by hosting exhibitions, talks, performances and book launches. 

If you need to please a variety of tastes for lunch, this food hall is it. Along its city-block length are outposts of Sarabeth’s, Los Tacos No. 1, Fat Witch Bakery and a few dozen other spots to pick up a meal. There’s also a shopping mall and production facility inside this building, which once served as the National Biscuit Company complex (where Saltines and the Oreo cookie were produced). 

Looking for something fun and physical to do in the afternoon? This complex, which stretches for six blocks along the Hudson River, plays host to sports of all stripes: baseball, rock climbing, beach volleyball, yoga, golf and even ice-skating and bowling. Or you can simply take a stroll along the piers with scenic views of the Hudson and the city skyline.

Billy’s Bakery has been making an assortment of delicious baked goods, such as their famous cupcakes, since 2003. The owners got their start working at the West Village’s Magnolia Bakery before venturing up to Chelsea. Come to the homey store for an afternoon pick-me-up, pairing your sweet treat with a coffee or tea. 

This ever-changing store offers an unusual shopping experience: a space where an overarching theme dictates the items for sale and and the decor. Past versions of this Chelsea pop-up, which changes every couple of months, have included “Love,” “Fresh,” “Beauty” and “Disrupt,” as well as an annual holiday edition at the end of the year. 

This local nightclub and concert venue hosts a wide range of events just about every night of the week. So spend a night in Chelsea checking out one of their eclectic shows, which might feature rock bands, jazz ensembles, drag queens or dancing (and sometimes a combination of the above).