Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Manhattan

Manhattan is one of New York City’s five boroughs and is divided into the Lower, Midtown and Upper areas. There’s a lot to enjoy in this densely-populated borough (population density of 72,918 people per square mile), right from the bustling Wall Street financial hub to the vibrant Times Square and Central Park. Many of the best neighborhoods to stay in Manhattan are home to several important administrative and economic hubs of the city. At the same time, they also have unique cultural, dining, and entertainment options on offer for residents.

If you’re looking to visit New York anytime soon, Manhattan is undoubtedly one of the top places to stay in the city. Here’s a guide that will help you choose the top locality to stay during your trip.

Here’s Taking a Closer Look at 11 Manhattan’s Top Neighborhoods for Enjoyable Stays in the Big Apple

1. Upper Manhattan

Also known as Uptown, this is one of the best places to live in Manhattan, offering diverse sub-localities like the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and more. You’ll love the generous sprinkling of cultural and historical sites here along with the friendly and tight-knit local communities. The area is dotted with independent restaurants and businesses along with amazing outdoor zones and parks.

The best part is that there are multiple subway lines catering to residents, which include people from diverse ethnicities and ages along with creative professionals like musicians, artists, and actors. There’s also an opportunity to find quality accommodation here at reasonable prices for your stay, which makes Upper Manhattan a favorite for a large number of visitors every year.

Places to Visit:

• Apollo Theater
• The Met Cloisters
• Lincoln Center
• Central Park 
• Riverside Park 

Places to Eat:

• Bar Boulud
• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
• SottoCasa Pizzeria
• Sylvia’s Restaurant
• Sushi Nonaka
• Baazi 

  Red Building in East Side of Upper Manhattan, New York

2. Lower Manhattan

Fancy a trip to the Statue of Liberty or the iconic Ellis Island by ferry? Staying in Lower Manhattan gives you a chance to do just that and more! This is one of the best Manhattan neighborhoods for families, particularly for its proximity to Chinatown, Greenwich Village, Tribeca and more. You’ll find plenty of serviced apartments here, with easy access to subway and ferry lines along with popular bus routes.

Lower Manhattan is where New York City began its journey back in the 1600s. You’ll love the amazing skyline with its huge skyscrapers, cultural sites, and plenty of attractions like the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Simply walking around Lower Manhattan will give you rich insights into the history of NYC like never before.

Explore the fascinating Seaport District with its ancient architectural wonders while hopping over to one of the many walkways and parks in the area. View thought-provoking public art and taste the cosmopolitan flavors of the neighborhood at local eateries. Lower Manhattan promises to be a fabulous experience if you’re planning to stay here.

Places to Visit:

• One World Observatory 
• Federal Hall National Memorial 
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum 
• Trinity Church 
• The Seaport

Places to Eat:

• Sami & Susu
• Dirt Candy
• Dhamaka
• Kisa
• Cibao
• Kiki’s 

Lower Manhattan

3. West Village

From dining at some of the best restaurants in New York to taking leisurely walks along the cobblestone streets, West Village offers an exciting line-up of experiences for residents.

Accommodation options are plenty here, including affordable yet luxurious serviced apartments in prime zones, condos, and lot more. You’ll fall in love with the 19th-century classic townhouses dotting the area along with the greenery all around. This is a relaxed yet hip neighborhood that offers cute cafes at almost every intersection along with cozy gastropubs that are a hit with the locals.

It’s almost like spending time in a picture-perfect European town, while you’ll always be connected to the rest of the city via multiple subway lines and other transportation networks. And there’s a strong cultural undercurrent to the neighborhood- this was once the hub of the LGBTQ+ rights movement nationwide and played a role in the struggle for housing preservation as well. It also has a bohemian and creative past, having been home to icons like Diane Arbus and Allen Ginsberg in the old times.

Places to Visit:

• Washington Square Park 
• The Village Vanguard
• Bleecker Street
• Comedy Cellar 
• Stonewall National Monument

Places to Eat:

• Jack’s Wife Freda
• Buvette
• Jeffrey’s Grocery
• Joseph Leonard
• Le B. 
• Café Cluny
• Sotto 13

 West Village in Manhattan, New York

4. Chinatown

No Manhattan neighborhood guide is complete without a mention of Chinatown, one of New York City’s most interesting and unique localities. Of course, you’ll find affordable accommodation here for your trip, while enjoying easy proximity to prime zones like Little Italy, Tribeca, and Lower Manhattan without difficulties. At the same time, the charm of the neighborhood lies in its diverse demographics, including the highest concentration of Chinese individuals in the entire Western Hemisphere (yes you read it right)!

From hidden speakeasies to lovely buildings with pagoda-style roofs, you’ll find an eclectic mix of properties in the area. Wander through the colorful Doyers Street here, which still has the old tenement homes and plenty of mom-and-pop stores to keep you busy. Discover a bustling food market with irresistible goodies and dine on authentic Chinese and other Asian delicacies rustled up by street vendors. Nothing really matches up to the festive feel of Chinatown and it’s also well-connected to several city locations, which is a big plus.

Places to Visit:

• Museum
• Sun’s Organic Garden
• Mahayana Temple Buddhist Association (16-foot Buddha)
• Museum of Chinese in America
• Confucius and Lin Zexu Statues
• Church of the Transfiguration

Places to Eat:

• Nom Wah Tea Parlor
• Joe’s Shanghai
• Jing Fong
• Golden Unicorn
• Joe’s Steam Rice Roll 
• Peachy’s

Chinatown in Manhattan

5. Harlem

Harlem is one of the most unique neighborhoods you’ll find in New York City. It has been the cornerstone of Black culture for decades now while gentrification has also transformed the locality in recent years. The area is still identified with the Harlem Renaissance of the early-20th century. This had a transformative effect on disciplines like music, dance, art, and literature. Nowhere is this best visible than The Apollo, which has hosted performances by Lil Wayne, Salt-N-Pepa, and countless other stars.

The population here is diverse, while some icons from the neighborhood include illustrious names like poet Langston Hughes, pianist Duke Ellington, civil rights leader Malcolm X and the country’s first self-made female millionaire, Madame C.J. Walker. There are also numerous accommodation options in terms of serviced apartments while public transportation is also readily available. The area extends from Central Park North to West 155th Street and from Fifth Avenue to Morningside and St. Nicholas Avenues westward. Of course, there are plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment choices to keep you engaged.

Places to Visit:

• Studio Museum
• National Black Theater 
• Abyssinian Baptist Church
• Harlem Meer 
• Apollo Theater 

Places to Eat:

• The Edge Harlem 
• Red Rooster Harlem 
• Aunt Jake’s Pasta Experience 
• Ruby’s Vintage Southern Breakfast
• Amy Ruth’s Chicken & Waffles

Harlem in Manhattan

6. Soho

A magical artistic community and fabulous shopping opportunities define Soho, arguably the best neighborhood to live in Manhattan for visitors. Accommodation is never an issue, with plenty of serviced apartments and other properties available for you to choose from. South of Houston Street, as the area is actually known, has always been a chic locality right from the 1970s and 80s. It still has several plush boutiques and art galleries today, along with independent designer stores and numerous restaurants and hotels.

Soho is a shopper’s paradise, home to leading names like Alexander Wang, Saint Laurent, McNally Jackson, Miu Miu, Chloe, Prada, and more. That’s not all there is to it; Soho is also where you’ll find some of the best cast-iron structures in the world, built between the 1870s and 1890s as warehouses and factories. In fact, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated a large chunk of the neighborhood in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District in 1973. Living here promises to be an unforgettable experience if you’re an architecture and shopping lover!

Places to Visit:

• New York City Fire Museum 
• The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art 
• Hauser & Worth
• Fanelli Café 
• Sloomoo Institute 
• Elizabeth Street Garden

Places to Eat:

• Raoul’s
• Pera SoHo
• Lure Fishbar
• Shuka Restaurant
• Balthazar Restaurant
• Sadelle’s

Historic Building in Soho, Manhattan

7. East Village

How does living in the birthplace of punk rock (in America) sound? The East Village has a rich legacy of music and creativity, home to iconic Beat poets, filmmakers, and bohemian artists over several decades. There’s no death of accommodation (you’ll find multiple serviced apartments at reasonable rates here) and the nightlife of the area is something that you should experience without fail.

The East Village offers classic retro bars, tons of music venues and live performance spaces, cocktail lounges, and fabulous restaurants. There’s also a fair number of vintage stores, boutiques, and tattoo parlors, along with cute cafes that you can stop by. St. Mark’s Place is the epicenter of the neighborhood, home to souvenir stores, eateries, and more (once the hub of punk music in America). Of course, there are other perks that you will also appreciate, including the waterfront views, quiet streets during the day, and delicious local cuisine.

Places to Visit:

• The Public Theater
• The Hole
• Anthology Film Archives
• Orpheum Theater
• Tompkins Square Park 

Places to Eat:

• Veselka
• Frank
• Joe’s Pub
• McSorley’s Old Ale House
• Indochine 

Winter scene in the East Village of Manhattan New York City

8. Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village is one of the best places to live in Manhattan for young professionals, offering great serviced apartments and boutique properties, along with being a popular hub for bars, cafes, restaurants, and jazz clubs. If you love theater, there are plenty of off-Broadway places that you’ll discover here as well. The heart of the locality is the iconic Washington Square Park and its central plaza where you can hang out with your friends and family, while rainbow flags dot the place, testifying to its LGBTQ+-friendly atmosphere.

Once known for 1960s counterculture, Greenwich Village is now a hip locality with tree-lined avenues and lovely brownstones. It is an expensive neighborhood that houses NYC A-listers and has moved on stunningly from its past history of diverse protests and underground movements. With New York University and several other historic structures creating a wonderful backdrop, living here promises to be truly exciting for any visitor. And if you ever need travel across the city, there are train/subway lines from the West 4th Street, Bleecker Street, 8th Street-NYU, and Astor Place stations nearby.

Places to Visit:

• Washington Square Park 
• Patchin Place Gaslight 
• IFC Center
• The Whitney Museum
• AIA Center for Architecture

Places to Eat:

• Caffe Reggio
• Minetta Tavern
• Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant
• Olio E Piu Restaurant 

Sunshine on the Street in Greenwich Village New York City

9. Fashion District

With trendy high-rises, luxurious and newly-converted lofts, co-ops, condos, and serviced apartments for visitors, the Fashion District is one of the top places to stay in New York City. In fact, locals also call it the Garment District, nestled in the heart of Midtown and still laying claim to being the epicenter of fashion in the country. You’ll love the creative energy of this area that covers 24 blocks housing almost 6,500 businesses (collectively employing 75,000 people and counting).

The biggest symbol that defines the Fashion District is the Big Button or Button & Needle sculpture at 39th Street and Seventh Avenue. This locality is for those who appreciate a quick, urban lifestyle with high footfall on the streets on weekdays. You’ll also enjoy the easy commute to Midtown and major transportation zones like Penn Station, Port Authority, and Grand Central. There are several cultural zones that are also worth visiting here, right from Herald Square to Bryant Park.

Places to Visit:

• Houdini Museum
• The Big Button 
• Bryant Park 
• The Shinnyo Center
• ChaShaMa

Places to Eat:

• The Skylark
• Wichcraft
• Culture Espresso
• Parker & Quinn 

 

10. Midtown East

One of the best neighborhoods to stay in Manhattan, Midtown East has its own signature appeal, home to iconic structures like the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building nearby. Of course, there are plenty of places for you to stay as well, including some pretty serviced apartments and other accommodation. There are plenty of places to explore once you’re here. 5th Avenue is the luxury shopping hub of NYC where you’ll find all the leading luxury brands and a decent crowd of affluent shoppers. Then there are landmarks like the Grand Central Terminal station and the building that houses the headquarters of the United Nations.

Several businesses also occupy a large part of the neighborhood, including the trendy Madison Avenue which houses leading advertising and media companies. One of the best parts about this location is that you can enjoy amazing views of the East River and the majestic NYC skyline. There are quite a few parks and green spaces where you can relax, while the nightlife circuit is also vibrant enough. Perhaps the biggest perk of living in Midtown East is the sheer glamour that is associated with one of the city’s most famous areas (even Marilyn Monroe lived here once).

Places to Visit:

• Grand Central Station and Whispering Gallery 
• Chrysler Building
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral 
• The New York Public Library 

Places to Eat:

• Trattoria Dell’Arte
• Peter Luger Steak House
• Le Bernardin
• Alcala
• Aquavit
• Smith & Wollensky  

Midtown Manhattan Buildings as Seen from East River

11. Murray Hill

Murray Hill is a delightful fusion of the old and new, represented through 19th century structures and marvelous skyscrapers and condos respectively. If you’re looking to stay here, then you’ll easily find top-class accommodation in contemporary apartment buildings and even townhouses. Back in the late-1800s and early 1900s, Murray Hill was the preferred location for NYC’s rich dwellers and it has plenty of attractions to interest you even today.

Young professionals, families, college-goers, and business travelers greatly appreciate this area for its fabulous Curry Hill blocks that are filled with Indian restaurants. At the same time, multiple cafes and restaurants draw sizable crowds in addition to the bars dotting the Third and Lexington Avenues. If you’re a culture lover, don’t miss the prewar townhouses all around along with the Beaux-Arts mansions which have a thousand stories to tell! There’s more, including art galleries, museums, and several unique shops where you can pick up interesting souvenirs. It’s no surprise that the zone between the 35th and 38th Street has been designated as a historic district by the City of New York Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Places to Visit:

• Scandinavia House
• Morgan Library & Museum
• Dover Street Market 
• Grand Central Terminal

Places to Eat:

• 2nd Ave Deli
• Atomix
• The Flatiron Room 
• Hole in the Wall 
• Banter

Skyscrapers of Murray Hill, Manhattan, NYC

Conclusion

These are some of Manhattan’s finest neighborhoods, offering cosmopolitan and welcoming communities and multiple landmarks. Each of them offers a unique experience, depending on what you prefer. All of these neighborhoods have accommodation options suited to almost all budgets, while offering excellent connectivity to public transport, dining, entertainment, shopping, and business areas nearby.

So, take a closer look at this guide and browse serviced apartments in Manhattan before finalizing your booking. Here’s looking forward to a wonderful trip to New York City!