Off the beaten path reccommendations

Looking to visit NYC next spring. An ideal area would be one with many ethnic restaurants, funky boutiques, bookstores, safe, walking distance to subway, somewhat quiet, an area with a nieghborhood feel. Not really interested in shows, department stores, Gucci, chain restaurants, hoity toity restaurants or places with kids running all over the place. Am I being too unrealistic to believe such an area exists? I have consulted with some books, but I want opinions from the REAL EXPERTS! If such a utopia exists, any lodging suggesions would be greatly appreciated. I know this is a busy forum, thanks ahead for any input.

Off the beaten path reccommendations

Sounds like you would like the East Village. It is a funky area, with lots of interesting shops, ethnic restaurants, music venues, bars %26amp; theatres. A place to stay that comes recommended is Second Home on 2nd Avenue. The subway is a few blocks away and there are bus routes too. It is a short walk to the Lower East Side, which you would like, too.

Off the beaten path reccommendations

';Am I being too unrealistic to believe such an area exists?';

Yes, NYC prides itself on being like every other part of the world.

Hello?

OK, sorry to be rude, but OF COURSE New York is jam packed with things you describe - both the parts you like and the parts you dislike.

Here is a good post about places off the beaten path.

http://tinyurl.com/cjmgl

More to come...

Another post - this one%26#39;s about the Village, Meatpacking District, etc.

http://tinyurl.com/dazgy

For shopping:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k247256-鈥?/a>

I love the Gotham Book Mart in the Diamond District, Chan Noodle in China Town and for me, anyway, Gramercy Park, the most exclusive neighborhood in the city. They even have their own private park (the only one in the city) for residents and they%26#39;re home to the ultra-exclusive National Arts Club, a place mere mortals are not allowed membership. There is a woman who arranges a very small, discreet lunch and tour of this mysterious club.

Check out the ';Soundwalks'; website if you want a really offbeat audio touring opportunity. You get to sample the voices of your ';guides';. The Chinatown tour is a little creepy; Little Italy hilarious. You%26#39;d swear you were a member of Tony Soprano%26#39;s crew.

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions! I went to the other links suggested by Queensblvd and love the idea of the Mojitos. Sounds like some cool areas to walk around.

NYCgirl, Thanks for the suggestions. The Second Home lodging is actually quite reasonable. I was suprised. The photos of the place look great. Wingman, I loved the Soundwalks website. Too funny, especially the Little Italy one. Now I am intrigued about Gramercy Park. Perhaps they will let me into their private park with my knockoff Kate Spade purse;)

Here%26#39;s another post - this one%26#39;s about Chelsea

http://tinyurl.com/bfbmv

Here%26#39;s another good general post about nabes:

http://tinyurl.com/daenu

OK, I%26#39;m losing track now with all this cutting, shrinking and pasting! I hope I didn%26#39;t post a duplicate!!

BTW, what guide books are you using? Lonely Planet? Frommers?

OK, one more....

http://tinyurl.com/b74t7

This has good info, too, even though it%26#39;s mostly about shopping with a young girl.

http://tinyurl.com/bnlap

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