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Due to its proximity to Midtown, Chelsea is the perfect spot to visit rooftop bars. There are several buildings from which you can marvel at the precious Empire State Building. You don’t have a choice but to include rooftop bars on your ‘things to do in Chelsea NYC’ -bucket list.
Daytonian in Manhattan
It is also possible to pop in the lobby for a minute or two in order to absorb some of the hotel’s legendary energy – before being kicked out by the security guard. Other famous Poe haunts include Mount Tom on 83rd Street and Claremont, where Poe would look out over the Hudson, and the Edgar Allen Poe cottage in the Bronx. For a more in-depth look at Poe’s journeys in New York City, check out this article. Contributing Editor William Li is the founder of art consultancy Armature Projects and the Emmy-nominated co-host of Lucky Chow, a series about Asian food and culture on PBS. The Junior Balcony Suite is our most requested room as it is one of two room categories that provides access to the iron balconies that overlook West 23rd Street and a view of the famous neon “Hotel Chelsea” sign. The Junior Balcony Suite also features a deep soaking tub, spacious room with living area, and many feature original stained glass windows and decorative fireplaces.
Hell's Kitchen
1950s poet Frank O’Hara developed the New York School movement, and many of his poems directly reference the culture and character of the city. O’Hara spent time working at the Museum of Modern Art, where he wrote his “Lunch Poems” on his lunch break and befriended Jackson Pollack and Joni Mitchell, among others. Read on to discover various places these poets spent their time and mined for inspiration, and to find quotes and poems that mention places in New York where you can go in order to feel like you yourself are part of a network of rich literary history. It is also one of the largest neighborhoods, so put on your comfy sneakers and start exploring!
Look out for Street Art (e.g. at the Empire Diner)
Perhaps you will be inspired to leave the city for good in order to experience true solitude, like Thoreau; perhaps you will fall even more in love with its chaos and energy, like Whitman. The neighborhood, which is bound by Sixth Avenue to the east and the Hudson River to the west and about 20 blocks from about West 14th to 34th streets, has only recently become a renowned cultural hub. It started as a Native American trading post, then it became an industrial hub with the Hudson River Railroad, and with the eventual abandonment of warehouses and lumberyards, it became a hotspot for punk music and art and would welcome the LGBTQ community, too.
At the nearby Tompkins Square Park, Ginsberg would hang out with other Beat poets and figures such as Bob Dylan, often playing music, having discussions, and reading poetry late into the night. Today, many of these writers are honored by plaques bearing their names outside the church and by trees planted in their honor. Undoubtedly its history and the impact the hotel has had on New York culture.
Home to The Poetry Project, this church has boasted readings from countless illustrious literary figures, from Eileen Myles to John Ashbery. Perhaps its most famous reader was the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, who was instrumental in its founding it in 1966. Later attendees would include Patti Smith, Robert Mapplethorpe, Andy Warhol, and others. Under the guidance of hospitality impresario Sean MacPherson, the Chelsea has undergone a recent renovation, blending its historic charm with amenities like multiple dining options including the new Café Chelsea and a light-filled spa.
The 29 Best Things to Do in Midtown Manhattan
The menu is quite expansive so it was a little tricky narrowing down what to order (foodie problems). If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. For Thoreau, New York was a toxic environment that embodied all of his frustrations with consumerism and overcrowding – and soon after his first visit to the city, he absconded from civilization and moved to Walden Pond. He was it as a reflection of the perfectly imperfect chaos of the self, a chaos that he fully embraced in his seminal work, Song of Myself. During his residency at Fordham in the mid-1800s, Edgar Allan Poe often took long, contemplative walks, but not across the High Bridge that connects Washington Heights to the Bronx, as it has widely been reported.
She wrote about love, death, depression, and disillusionment, always with New York as her backdrop. When you visit Gotham, you should ride out the Fifth Avenue, as far as the distributing reservoir, near forty-third street, I believe. The prospect from the walk around the reservoir, is particularly beautiful. You can see, from this elevation, the north reservoir at Yorkville; the whole city to the Battery; with a large portion of the harbor, and long reaches of the Hudson and East rivers. Perhaps even a finer view, however, is to be obtained from the summit of the white, light-house-looking shot-tower which stands on the East river, at fifty-fifth street, or thereabouts.
Many of the places di Prima blazed through have since closed, but the apartments she stayed at still stand. She lived in five apartments throughout her time in New York – one at Cooper Square, one at East Houston St., one at East 4th St., one at East 5th St., and one in Hell’s Kitchen. Today, visitors can pay homage to Leonard Cohen, Arthur Miller, and more by observing some of the plaques that bear their names outside of the Chelsea.
Discover the city’s most unique and surprising places and events for the curious mind. The White Horse Tavern can be found at 567 Hudson Street, between West 11th Street and Perry Street. St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery in Greenwich Village was and is a cornerstone of New York City’s poetic landscape.
The completion of the High Line and the addition of Little Island have brought verdant, elevated promenades with great views of the neighborhood—a mix of industrial landmarks and gleaming new structures—which are just a few minutes' walk from the eateries and shops of the beloved Chelsea Market. For more than 130 years, Chelsea has been New York City's arts district attracting culture hounds from all over the globe. It started with the opening of the famous Chelsea Hotel that was meant to bridge class divisions and to "value the arts" and is now home to hundreds of art galleries that showcase the most iconic and innovative works in the world. Untapped New York unearths New York City’s secrets and hidden gems.
While wandering through the artsy streets of Chelsea, you will discover that it’s full of little unique stores. One book store we found is called 192 Books (192 10th Ave) and sells a variety of books ranging from poetry and art to history and fiction. The store has gained enough popularity for many authors to come and have their readings take place here. Chelsea is a very cosmopolitan district with a large gay-friendly community. That’s because you will find a handful of gay bars, restaurants and clubs in the area. People are very open-minded and easy going which leads to a noticeable relaxed atmosphere.
New York seeks proposals transforming Chelsea prison into affordable housing - 6Sqft
New York seeks proposals transforming Chelsea prison into affordable housing.
Posted: Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Located in the midst of repurposed warehouses and some of the tallest skyscrapers in New York, you will find Chelsea. Thanks to its art scene, classy night life and great restaurants, Chelsea is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city. Chelsea has consistently served as the setting for iconic pop culture moments with artists like Andy Warhol and Patti Smith living and working in the neighborhood. Now, Chelsea is home to world-famous retrofit architecture and some of the finest art galleries in the city. Martinson opened the brewery in 2012 in downtown Chelsea’s clocktower complex as the city’s only microbrewery then, and it has since become known for serving craft beers, offering a variety with its pub food, and hosting events.
Yet, despite its transformation into a luxury hotel, it has never lost its sense of community, with long-time residents still calling it home. The Hotel Chelsea, an enduring presence in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood since 1884, has always been more than just a hotel—it's a symbol of New York City's vibrant culture. From its striking Queen Anne Revival and Victorian Gothic architecture to its storied history as a sanctuary for creatives, the Chelsea has stood as a beacon of cool from day one. At night you’ll notice the liveliness and energy of this neighborhood.
If you are done exploring and you think you got a good coverage of all things to do in Chelsea NYC, you can visit other unique neighborhoods such as Midtown, Meatpacking District, Hell’s Kitchen or Flatiron District. In the northeastern part of Chelsea, you’ll find Manhattan Mall (100 W 33rd St). This conventional mall hosts many famous brands like Victoria’s Secret and H&M.
We debunked that myth when we discovered that the walkway was completed after he died. Where he did amble was on the top of the Croton Distributing Reservoir which once stood where Bryant Park and the New York Public Library are today, bounded by 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. The service was great and the food was good along with the drinks.
