'''Soho''' (or rather capitalized as '''SoHo''') is a diverse neighborhood in Manhattan in New York bounded roughly by Houston Street to the north, Lafayette St. to the east, Canal Street to the south, and the Hudson River to the west. The name for the area derives from its supposed similarities to the London Soho and the fact that it is "'''So'''uth of '''Ho'''uston". SoHo used to be a bohemian quarter of artists subsisting in lofts which weren't at first 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 "Outer Boroughs" to find affordable places to rent. Now, this is a neighborhood of expensive boutiques, but its narrow cobblestoned side streets retain their charm, and even if the crowding on Broadway between Houston and Spring Sts. can be draining, this is still a good neighborhood to walk through.
Get in
Subway
Depending on which part of the neighborhood you wish to access, you can take the R or W to Prince St.; the 6 to Spring St.; the D, F, or V to Broadway-Lafayette; the C or E to Spring St.; the 1 to Houston or Canal St.; the A, C, or E to Canal St.; or the R, W, N, Q, 6, J, M, or Z to Canal St. Note that some stations with the same street name are not very close to one another. You may access subway and bus maps online [http://mta.info/]. Maps can also be obtained at most MTA ticket booths.
Bus
Take the M1, M6, or M20 bus for uptown/downtown (north/south) service. The M21 runs crosstown but traffic on Houston St. often makes for slow service.
Foot
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.
New York City Fire Museum. 78 Spring Street. etween Varick and Hudson Streets. 1 212 691-1303. irector@nycfiremuseum.org. ttp://www.nycfiremuseum.org/. dults: $5, Seniors/Students: $2, Children under 12: $1. 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.
Do
Buy
McNally Jackson Booksellers. 2 Prince Street. 212) 274-1160. ttp://mcnallyjackson.com. Formerly McNally Robinson Booksellers, this independent bookstore features an extensive collection of magazines, fiction, and nonfiction. The store also features a cafe, as well as a number of ongoing events, signings, book clubs and discussion groups. Located between Mulberry and Lafayette Streets. Hours: Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. through 10 p.m.; Sun, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
'''Pearl River Mart''', 477 Broadway, 212-431-4770, [http://www.pearlriver.com], Broadway between Grand and Broome. 10AM-7PM, daily. Vast store of Chinese and other Asian goods: kitchenware, traditional clothing, home furnishing, tea.
Eat
Drink
Sleep
'''60 Thompson''' 60 Thompson St, (212) 431-0200 [http://www.60thompson.com/index.php?page=60thom]. A 100 room luxury-driven lifestyle hotel by famed designer, Thomas O'Brien. The rooftop "members" lounge, and '''Kittichai''', an upscale Thai restaurant, complement the modern and chic sensibility of the hotel.
Contact