Playlist: Your Favorite Christmas Songs Covered by Greenwich Village Artists
No one can deny Greenwich Village is a place with a unique and cool history. Especially in the 60s, our little neighborhood was known as home to many great musical (and not so musical) artists—each valuing a specific uniqueness to their bold voice. You might’ve read our piece on artists discovered in Greenwich Village, but […]
7 of the Most Uniquely Beautiful Buildings & Streets in Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village certainly has a unique charm. It’s an area famous for its role in what many call the Bohemian Revival of the 50s and 60s. The nice thing about The Village is that it’s managed to keep the unique charm from that time—from the jazz clubs to the old-timey restaurants and buildings, it’s all […]
3 Places to Visit With a Spooky History in Greenwich Village
When it comes to a city that has been established as long as New York City, we can expect to hear stories of the past. The history of New York City shows a city that is inventive, adaptive, and pioneering—a place that draws people in from all over the world for an endless variety of […]
Meet the Neighbors
If you want to understand why we love our neighborhood so much, meet Ricky and Doris. Doris is a long-time activist. Ricky is a musician and marionetteer. Their friendship makes us smile. Enjoy their story in the video below. Would you find folks like this any place else? We doubt it. Image via Teri Tynes/Flickr
5 Blogs That Will Help You Discover NYC Like a Local
Whether you’re in for a visit, or locals like us, just looking for some new things to do or see around the City, you must know: there’s always plenty to be enjoyed on this beautiful Island of ours. And this short list of blogs in the know, focusing on different NYC neighborhoods, has got you […]
Museums For Free, People!
This Saturday, September 24th, is free museum day for many of the museums in New York City. In order to participate, you must send an email to this link stating your name, address and museum of your choice. The nice folks on the other end will send you a link to your downloadable ticket for […]
Navigate Central Park Like A Local
Maneuvering your way around Central Park can be tricky for visitors…and native New Yorkers too! I personally can only tell east from west solely by what side of Fifth Avenue I’m on. I needed a way to navigate Central Park like the local I am. The secret to navigating the Park So when I read about […]
Opera For Nothing!
This series is the coolest thing for opera lovers …and probably even cooler for those that are interested in opera, but may not have the cash to plop down on tickets. Or even those who want to see what all the fuss is about. You can experience opera for nothing, courtesy of the Met, who […]
Take A Tour Of Central Park!
While we love our own Washington Square Park to bits, we have to admit that Central Park is also stunning…and chock-full of history. New York would be a very different city without the foresight of building a central park for its residents and visitors. Taking a Tour of Central Park opens its secrets The City Parks […]
10 NYU Welcome Week Activities For You And Yours
The school year is just around the corner. I know—we can’t believe it either. But with the buying of backpacks and books also comes New York University’s well known Welcome Week! 5 days of new, eager students and excited, albeit likely nervous, parents, all coming together in the heart of this great city. What more […]
LinkNYC: What You Need To Know
In April 2014, the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications had the idea to convert over 7,000 obsolete payphones in NYC into something modern and effective. This system is now operational, so here’s LinkNYC: what you need to know. Fast-forward two years and voila: LinkNYC. LinkNYC is designed to cover New York City […]
7 Unique Museums to Visit in Manhattan
New York, New York. With the number of people and sheer size of this city, there’s bound to be a special amount of uniqueness to it. Sometimes, with all the hustle and bustle of a city as big as New York, the spots that make it so different can be easily overlooked. That’s why we’ve […]
5 Stores to Visit for the Ultimate New York City Shopping Experience
Television series like Sex and the City or Gossip Girl have introduced us – the unfortunate who didn’t grow up in the city – to shopping opportunities that provide the unique New York City experience. For many visitors, shopping is an essential point on the To-Do list. We have put together a list of 5 […]
Our Favorite Must-Visit NYC Movie Theaters
These movie theaters all offer something a little different—not the usual action hero films. Offbeat, Indie documentaries and films are a specialty in these theaters. Here’s a list of our 5 favorite NYC movie theaters nearby. Sunshine Cinema 143 E Houston Street, New York, NY 10002 Sunshine is one of the more modern you’ll find […]
What Are You Up To This Weekend, Ronnie?
What the locals are doing this weekend There’s one thing that everyone’s favorite Washington Square employee, Ronnie Jenkins, is not going to do tonight, and that’s going to the Bernie and Hilary debate in Brooklyn, about seven blocks from his home.”Too crowded!” Smart man. Ronnie will be seeing family. “My niece is about to graduate […]
5 Record Stores in Lower Manhattan to Celebrate Record Store Day
There was a brief time between the 1980s and early 2000s during which one might have argued, “Record stores are dying.” Lucky for people who appreciate the experience of listening to an album, new or old, on vinyl, record stores still exist! Here are 5 record stores in lower Manhattan where vinyl still reigns supreme. […]
51 Years Ago, This Happened
Bob Dylan’s first real gig happened here 51 years ago According to the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, Bob Dylan played his first professional gig at the beginning of April, 1961 at Gerde’s Folk City, a popular folk music hangout on West 4th Street. This was not only a key moment in his music […]
Take A Bite Out Of The Lower East Side
Every year, North Square and Chef Yoel Cruz participate in Taste of the Village, an event which gathers chefs from the finest restaurants the Village has to offer. (And there are many, And yes, they are fine. Very fine.) This year, Taste of the Lower East Side showcases the yummy grub that our neighbors to […]
Manhattan Jazz Clubs and the Washington Square Hotel
New York, 1920s, was the beginning of a revolution in music, and Jazz clubs in Manhattan were beginning to spring up. The boys were coming home from the First World War, the skyline was rising, and midtown Manhattan was quickly turning into an economic epicenter. New York was experiencing expansion—not only in terms of buildings […]
How To See A Celebrity On Your First Trip To NYC
You might be surprised to know it’s incredibly likely that you’ll see a celebrity when walking the streets of New York City. You can pretty much bet that unless they’re in LA or filming someplace around the world, they’re probably someplace around The City That Never Sleeps. Crossing paths with a celebrity can, for those […]
Your Guide to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
As they say: “Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.” One of New York City’s most beloved celebrations is the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Drums and marching bands gather from all around the US to perform in the annual festivities. The first procession was on March 17, 1762 — a full 14 years before the signing of […]
Announcing The Artist Room Project at the Washington Square Hotel
We’ve always been fans of the arts. Did you know that one of our owners is a talented painter? Mrs. Paul is responsible for the beautiful artwork dotting the walls of the hotel. So to honor the spirit of creativity that’s resided here and frankly, the entire Village, we’ve put together an Artist In Residence […]
MoMA and Music
We love MoMA and apparently, they love us right back because they’re presenting new music in the Sculpture Garden throughout the summer. The Summergarden series will feature jazz and classical performers from the Juilliard School and Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the program is described as “adventurous contemporary music”–most pieces will be original. Shows begin […]
Coney Island Mermaid Parade
Helloooo Summer! We know it’s officially our favorite season because the Coney Island Mermaid Parade takes place next Saturday, June 20th, at 1 pm. This beloved Brooklyn tradition began in 1983, and enthusiasm for the event has grown exponentially through the years. The cool thing about this procession? It’s not celebrating any one person, ethnicity […]
Time To Make Plans For Summerstage!
The Central Park Summerstage lineup has just been announced! This year–the festival’s 30th–you can expect over 300 performers to grace the stage. Here are a few that I’m personally looking forward to: On June 6th from 2 to 7 pm, check out the Blue Note Jazz Festival with Meshell Ndegeocello, trumpeter Roy Hargrove and singer, […]
Meet Ronnie Jenkins
At The Washington Square Hotel, our people are what we value most. Our staff is not just here to help you with your bags. They understand visitors may be visiting New York and our hotel for the first time, and always make you feel welcome. There is one employee of the hotel that is mentioned fondly with more frequency on […]
The Village Halloween Parade: What You Need To Know
There are Halloween parades, and there are Halloween parades. The annual Greenwich Village march is in the latter category. It’s not merely a procession, people…it’s a party! Here are the details: If you choose to join in on the fun and stroll along with all the other revelers, you must be in costume. And no […]
Jake’s Rooftop Garden
You know all about Jake’s Rooftop Garden, right? Tommy Benedict, an urban landscaper, (who, by the way, creates those beautiful flower arrangements that you see around the hotel and restaurant) had the brilliant idea to create a garden around the edges of the building on top of the hotel. He is the one who nurtures […]
The Rolling Stones At Washington Square?
The Rolling Stones landed on our shores in 1964 for their first US tour and our hotel was their home base. Can you imagine Keith Richards hanging in the lobby bar? Charlie Watts getting hot sauce advice from Ronnie? Ooh, what I would give to see Mick busting out his Tina Turner-like moves in the […]
Mamas and Papas and Alleys
In 1963, 18-year-old Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas co-wrote California Dreamin’ and Creeque Alley with her then-husband John, while living right here at the Washington Square Hotel. We’ve played host to hundreds of artists of all types over the years…something that we’re quite proud of. Isn’t it nice to think that the […]
SummerStage: What You Need To Know
One of the highlights of summer in the city is the wonderful SummerStage series of concerts. The shows have been going on since the 80’s and never disappoint. SummerStage in Manhattan takes place at Rumsey Playfield: enter Central Park on 69th and 5th Avenue and follow the crowds…you’ll be sure to find it. (There are […]
Apples and Pumpkins and Kale…Oh My!
Chef Yoel has created North Square‘s new fall menu, featuring the produce of the season…hearty fare to keep us warm and cozy during the cooler months. Here are a few highlights: Great product for daily use. Cialis pill. When you order drugs online from our shop you can be assured that you’re ordering the very […]
What’s So Funny?
Life can be tough, my friends, and sometimes we all need a giggle, a loud snort or a good old-fashioned guffaw. We need to laugh, my friends. Every single day. So it’s important to remember that when you’re staying with us, a hearty chuckle can be guaranteed a brisk five-minute walk away. The Comedy Cellar […]
A Night at the Museum
If you’re traveling here to New York City with your little ones, why not make it a trip of a lifetime? We’re here to tell you that there is nothing more exciting for them to do here in the city than spend a night at the museum. The American Museum of Natural History has designated […]
Welcome, Daylight Savings Time!
Sunday was the first day of daylight savings time and the official beginning of the end of our winter doldrums. Tonight, the sun won’t set until 6:59 pm, people, and nothing, but nothing makes us happier than that extra hour of sunshine. Those 60 sun-filled minutes means that we have more time to get to […]
Street Fairs!
In the spring, summer and fall there are dozens of street fairs all around our fair city. Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Midtown…you name a neighborhood and you’ll find a fair. Our own West Village and its sister hamlet in the East have a bunch coming up in the next few months. Snacks, rugs, […]
