SoHo
- For other places with the same name, see Soho (disambiguation).
SoHo, short for "South of Houston" and a reference to its supposed similarities to the London Soho, is a diverse and increasingly upscale neighborhood of Manhattan. SoHo used to be a bohemian quarter of artists who subsisted in lofts, which at first weren't recognized as legal housing, and teeming art galleries. By now, the neighborhood has become so expensive that the art galleries have been generally priced out and have moved to the far west of Chelsea, while the struggling artists have had to move further and further into the other boroughs to find affordable places to rent. Now it is a neighborhood of expensive boutiques, but its narrow cobblestone side streets retain their charm, and even if the crowding on Broadway between Canal and Houston Streets can be draining, it is still a good neighborhood to walk through.
Get in
There are numerous subway lines that serve the neighborhood, and which one you use depends on which part of the neighborhood you wish to access. The 1 line runs under Varick Street in the quieter western part of the neighborhood, stopping at Houston and Canal Streets. The A, C, and E run under Sixth Avenue, also fairly far to the west, and stop at Canal Street, with the C and E also stopping at Spring Street. The N, Q, R, and W run under Broadway; the R and W stop at Prince and Canal Streets, while the N and Q express trains skips Prince and stops at Canal. The B, D, F, and M serve the Broadway-Lafayette station at Houston Street in the northern reaches of SoHo, with a free transfer available to and from the downtown 6 train at Bleecker St. The 6 runs under Lafayette Street, roughly the boundary between SoHo and the Lower East Side, stopping at Spring and Canal Streets, and the J (and during rush hours, the Z) stop at Canal Street under Lafayette.
There are also several city bus lines that serve the neighborhood. Take the M1, M6, or M20 bus for uptown/downtown (north/south) service. The M21 runs crosstown, but traffic on Houston Street often makes for slow service.
If you are coming from a nearby neighborhood, walking is the best way to get into SoHo.
See
It's best just to walk around, look at the pretty old buildings on Broadway and the cobblestoned side streets, and if you like, shop at clothing stores and such on Broadway. West Broadway is another interesting and very upscale shopping avenue in the neighborhood.
- 1 The Wall (Gateway to Soho), 599 Broadway. A 1973 piece of minimalist artwork - actually, ranging for 8 stories, quite large rather than minimal - by Forrest Myers graces the blind wall of the building at 599 Broadway. It has actually been removed and rebuilt in the 2000s because of its impact on the wall it is placed on, placed higher to allow for street-level advertising below it. Because of its prominent location at the intersection of Broadway and Houston Street, it is often referred to as marking the Gateway to Soho.
- 2 E. V. Haughwout Building, 488-492 Broadway (corner with Broome Street). One of the finest examples of the cast-iron-facade buildings that SoHo is famous for. Built in 1857, it is considered as one of the first buildings where the cast-iron structure was left uncovered and rather shaped into the ornamental form replacing a traditional brick, stone or plaster facade. Mr Haughwout ran a tableware emporium sprawling over the building's five stories, famous far beyond the city to the extent that it was there where Mary Todd Lincoln purchased new china for the White House. The emporium also provided customers with a convenience that was a world first - a passenger elevator by Elisha Otis, soon to become a de rigeur amenity of all new buildings in New York.
- 3 Children's Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St (between Hudson and Greenwich; Subway: 1 to Houston St), ☏ +1 212 274-0986. W,F-Su noon-5PM, Th noon-6PM. Art and interactive exhibits geared towards children. $10.
- 4 New York City Fire Museum, 278 Spring St (between Varick and Hudson Sts; Subway: C E to Spring St), ☏ +1 212 691-1303, director@nycfiremuseum.org. Housed in a restored 1904 firehouse, the NYC Fire Museum covers the history of fire fighting in the United States from the 18th century to the present. Displays include antique aparatus, uniforms and equipment, as well as an apartment fire simulator. Suggested admission $7 adults, $5 seniors/students/children.
- 5 Sonnabend Gallery, 420 W Broadway, ☏ +1 212-627-1018, info@sonnabendgallery.com. M-F 10AM-6PM; by appointment only. Specializes in contemporary art including paintings, sculptures, and photography by American and European artists. Past artists have included: Lawrence Beck, Robert Feintuch, Jeff Koons, Grazia Toderi, Philip Haas, Barry Le Va, Anne and Patrick Poirier, and more.
- New York Earth Room, 141 Wooster St. 12-3 PM, 3:30-6 PM; Wednesdays through Sundays; Closed during summer. Designed by Walter De Maria for the Dia Art Foundation, the Earth Room is a whole floor filled with 250 cubic yards of dirt.
Do
- 1 Film Forum, 209 W Houston St (between 6th and 7th Aves; Subway: 1 to Houston St), ☏ +1 212 727-8110. A stylish theater that runs two programs—contemporary independent releases and classic repertory films. While the current releases are almost always interesting and worth seeing, it's the repertory programming schedule that filmlovers anticipate eagerly.
- 2 Here Arts Center, 145 6th Ave (at Dominick; Subway: C E to Spring St), ☏ +1 212 647-0202. Performing arts venue.
- 3 The Performing Garage, 33 Wooster St (between Broome and Grand; Subway: A C E to Canal St), ☏ +1 212 966-9796. Off-Broadway theater that is the permanent home of experimental theater company the Wooster Group.
Buy
SoHo is a prime shopping destination, especially on the weekends, when the sidewalks of West Broadway, Prince Street, and Broadway become almost impassible. Be warned though that the boutique stores have mostly been replaced by high-end chain stores.
- 1 Kee's Chocolates, 80 Thompson St (Between Spring and Broome Sts; Subway: C E to Spring St), ☏ +1 212 334-3284. M-F 9AM-7PM, Sa-Su 11AM-7PM. Kee is widely considered by chocolate-lovers to be one of the best artisanal chocolatiers in New York. Anyone who likes chocolate will find some of her creations interesting and enjoyable. Among her truffles are balsamic, fennel, smoked salt, and Thai chili, as well as less unusual flavors like almond and hazelnut praline. Chocolates are $2.45 each. Macaroons are $2.55 each.
- 2 Pearl River Mart, 477 Broadway (between Grand and Broome), ☏ +1 212 431-4770. 10AM-7PM daily. Vast store of Chinese and other Asian goods: kitchenware, traditional clothing, home furnishing, tea.
- 3 Uniqlo, 546 Broadway (at Spring St; Subway: R W to Prince St or 6 to Spring St), ☏ +1 917 237-8811. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-8PM. A Japanese clothing store for men and women. This location used to be the retail chain's only North American store.
- 4 LF Stores, 149 Spring St (Subway: C E to Spring St), ☏ +1 212 966-5889. LF Stores is not very big or well known, but it carries some unique items, such that celebrities have shopped here. The prices are a little bit on the high side, depending on the item - for example, shirts cost about $50-$200. The service is wonderful, and the staff is very helpful. Aside from clothing, there are such accessories as jewelry, scarfs, hats, and shoes. The outside of the narrow building is tan, and there is a doorman.
- 5 Topshop, 478 Broadway, ☏ +1 212 966-9555. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Topshop is a women's clothing store that carries all types of clothing. It carries maternity clothing, designers, boutiques, and all sizes. The clothing is really fashion forward, and there have accessories. The main warehouse is in England. You can buy online or go to the store, which has two floors and an escalator. The prices vary, but they tend to run a little bit more on the high side. Items mostly vary from around $50-$90.
Eat
- 1 Balthazar, 80 Spring St (between Broadway and Crosby; Subway: 6 to Spring St), ☏ +1 212 965-1414. M-Th 7:30AM-5PM and 5:45PM-midnight, F 7:30AM-5PM and 5:45PM-1AM, Sa 8AM-4PM and 5:45PM-1AM, Su 8AM-4PM and 5:30PM-midnight. Balthazar has the feel and quality of a good Parisian brasserie. Though informal and relaxed in feel, it is not inexpensive; however, many New Yorkers and visitors alike find it a worthwhile experience. Brunch is especially popular there, so unless you plan to show up for an early breakfast, make sure you make reservations; you don't want to be one of the people waiting on line for an hour or more, just to get in.
- 2 Dos Caminos, 475 West Broadway (at Houston Street), ☏ +1 212 277-4300. M-W 11:30AM-10PM, Th 11:30AM-10:30PM, F 11:30AM-11:30PM, Sa 11AM-11:30PM, Su 11AM-10PM. One of four up-market Mexican restaurants in Manhattan by the same name and under the same ownership (the other's are in Gramercy, Chelsea, Midtown East) Sticky, saucy ribs and guacamole. $12-$36.
- 3 Famous Ben's Pizza, 177 Spring St (at Thompson St; Subway: C E to Spring St), ☏ +1 212 966-4494. M-Th 11AM-11:30PM, F-Sa 11AM-12:30AM, Su noon-10:30PM. Famous Ben's Pizza is one of the oldest and best pizza places in SoHo. Some people get taken on a pizza tour here. It is a small place with few tables, but the environment fits New York perfectly. You can watch as they make the pizza, and lines are usually out the door. Their pizza doesn't cost a lot. If you are just looking for a quick and simple meal while you are out shopping, Famous Ben's is a great place to consider. They deliver, too.
Drink
- 1 The Ear Inn, 326 Spring St (between Greenwich and Washington), ☏ +1 212 431-9750. Noon-4AM daily. Located on the ground floor of the James Brown House, the Ear Inn is one of the oldest bars in New York.
Sleep
- 1 Soho Grand Hotel, 310 West Broadway (between Canal and Grand; Subway: A C E to Canal St), ☏ +1 212 965-3000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 1PM. The Soho Grand Hotel is a pet-friendly boutique hotel, featuring 353 guest rooms, ten suites, and two sprawling penthouses. $250-$550.
Go next
| Routes through SoHo |
| Theater District ← Greenwich Village ← | N  S |
→ TriBeCa → Financial District |
| Midtown East ← East Village ← | N  S |
→ Chinatown → Financial District |
| Theater District ← Greenwich Village ← | N    S |
→ TriBeCa → Financial District |
| Midtown East ← Greenwich Village ← | N   S |
→ Chinatown → Downtown Brooklyn |
| Midtown East ← Greenwich Village ← | N   S |
→ Lower East Side → Downtown Brooklyn (F) / Williamsburg (M) |
| Midtown East ← Greenwich Village ← | N     S |
→ Chinatown → Downtown Brooklyn |