Jefferson Market Library
Greenwich Village isn’t really a secret. It can’t even be called an off-the-beaten-path area of New York City. But on a visit to Manhattan, baby boomer travelers will find tree-lined streets, a secret garden and respite from the chaos of Times Square. At least that’s what this boomer discovered on a summer visit to the Big Apple when I attended the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX10) conference.
My first introduction to the former Bohemian enclave was during a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour around Manhattan. When the bus pulled up to a stop on Becker Street in Greenwich Village, four starving travel writers, including me, hopped off to find lunch. Afterward, we went our separate ways.
Jefferson Market Community Garden
On the walk back to my accommodations at the Chelsea Pines Inn in Chelsea, I embarked on an unplanned, self-guided walking tour. Arriving at the Jefferson Market Library, a circa 1883 red brick building that’s included in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, I rounded the corner that leads behind the historical edifice. What did I discover? A pocket of New York City peacefulness. Actually it was the Jefferson Market Garden. Short paths meandered beside rose beds and around hydrangea bushes dripping with big globes of blue flowers. Book-reading patrons sat on benches tucked here and there in the community garden. Eventually, I wandered by a water feature that provided cool relief on a hot June day.
Brownstones line this residential street
Later, I turned down a side street that led in the direction of Chelsea. Taking my time, I walked on the shady street, admiring the old brownstones. It seemed that the busyness of Manhattan was miles away.
The impromptu walking tour of Greenwich Village introduced me to a part of New York City that I had not explored before. But there is another way. I could have downloaded a walking tour app from GPSmyCity.com onto my iPhone or iPad. The Greenwich Village Music Tour in New York by Eric Kraft, leads visitors on a walking journey that explores 12 venues that are significant in the history of Greenwich Village’s music scene. Covering the West Village, the tour offers a map plus detailed description of each site, including hours of operation, history of the club, type of music and contact information. But baby boomer visitors won’t have to stop on every corner to read about the tour. Instead, put in your earphones and listen to the audio description.
Greenwich Village not on your boomer destination list? GPSmyCity.com offers a variety of downloadable tours from around the world. Be sure to check out the details before downloading the tour app of your choice. Not all of the tours include audio; however the site offers a detailed description of each tour so that you know what you’re getting.
Are you a Greenwich Village insider? Post a comment to offer your choices on a self-guided walking tour. Have you used a GPSmyCity.com tour app? Post a comment to share your experience. Before our next trip, Alan and I will be checking to see if there’s an app for our destination.
Disclosure: GPSmyCity.com provided a copy of the Greenwich Village Music Tour in New York for this review.
If you like to walk as much as I do, be sure to read Terry Trucco’s guest post about New York City Walks.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Great! thank you for this. Last time I was in NY I wasted so much time because I only have a vague idea of where I wanted to go! Saving this for my visit this Fall :=)
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 15, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Thanks for commenting, Islandmomma. Enjoy your visit to NYC and
Greenwich Village.
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 15, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Thanks for commenting, Islandmomma. Enjoy your visit to NYC and
Greenwich Village.
Great! thank you for this. Last time I was in NY I wasted so much time because I only have a vague idea of where I wanted to go! Saving this for my visit this Fall :=)
I loved your walking tour. One reason Manhattan is so awesome is these little pockets of surprise everywhere–so many gardens and parks and surprisingly peaceful places to sit and contemplate. I love the history-soaked Village, and also the very southern tip of Manhattan with cobblestone streets.
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 15, 2011 at 9:13 pm
I agree, Vera. And your comment is making we want to return to
Greenwich Village, pronto.
NYC is a great city for walking. Another idea would be to join in a guided walking tour. There are many offered throughout the city and are a great way to discover a neighborhood. My favorite was a walking tour of Revolutionary War NYC. Can’t recommend this enough!
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 15, 2011 at 9:13 pm
A walking tour of Revolutionary War sites in NYC sounds awesome!
Thanks for the suggestion, Debbie.
Twitter: ottsworld
February 15, 2011 at 10:09 pm
I still consider NYC my home – and simply getting lost wandering is the best way to see it! Glad you enjoyed it! The music tour sounds interesting – however I much prefer the food tours of Greenwich village!
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 15, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Hi Sherry. Thanks for the food tours of Greenwich Village suggestion.
Another one to add to the list.
Twitter: kerrydexter
February 15, 2011 at 10:39 pm
for me, part of being in a place is hearing what it sounds like, so I tend not go for audio tours (or guided tours either). you story of your walk in Greenwich Village makes me want to go back there again, though.
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 15, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Very interesting, Kerry. I hadn’t thought about missing the real noise
of an experience if you are on an audio tour. Something to think about.
NY is my top favorite city in the whole world. I will be back in April and follow your walking tour.
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 16, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Have fun in NYC, Inka.
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