Greenwich Village: Tours and Guided Visits

Greenwich Village is New York’s most Bohemian neighborhood and home to the 1960s counterculture movement. Its tree-lined streets are brimming with creative energy, where New Yorker creatives ascend to Washington Square Park each day to share their art and music with passers-by and locals while away their hours at gorgeous cafés.

On a tour of Greenwich Village, you can experience the neighborhood as the locals do. Come with an empty stomach and an open mind you’re bound to have a good time.

You will find below all the information you need about Greenwich Village tours, one of the most popular sightseeing experiences in New York City.

How do I get to Greenwich Village?

You’ll find Greenwich Village on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. The neighborhood is bordered by 14th street to the north and Hudson River to the west.

It’s easy to arrive at Greenwich Village anywhere in New York City. For reference, it is around a 15-minute drive from Brooklyn Bridge.

Once in the neighborhood, the best way to explore Greenwich Village is with a knowledgeable guide who will show you the hidden gems only locals know about.

What are the highlights in Greenwich Village?

Greenwich Village is a fascinating neighborhood to explore, home to an LGBTQ+ friendly vibe and a bustling creative community where food, art, and music are at its core. The culture here is progressive and enchanting, where comedy clubs and world-class restaurants make this a fantastic destination to visit day or night.

Here are some of the highlights you’ll want to experience:

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is Greenwich Village’s unofficial town square. A popular meeting place for NYU students and a center of creative activity where street performers play their tubas, there’s plenty to keep you entertained at one of New York City’s most famous public parks.

Many guided tours include a stopover at Washington Square Park, which is an enjoyable experience during the balmy summer months.

High Line Park

Stroll the scenic High Line Park for breathtaking vistas of Chelsea, the Meatpacking district, and the Hudson River below. Home to over 225 species of plants, this is New York’s best-loved botanical garden in the clouds.

Visitors flock here to take a pleasant walk, sit and picnic 30ft above New York City and simply enjoy the romantic ambiance.

The live jazz scene in Greenwich Village

If you’re a jazz enthusiast or yet to be converted, then Greenwich Village’s jazz scene will surprise you. On some tours and guided visits to the neighborhood, you can catch a live jazz performance at the array of jazz clubs scattered across town, where you’ll discover what all the razzmatazz is about.

What are the most popular Greenwich Village tours?

There’s a lot of variation when it comes to Greenwich Village tours. Foodies will love tasting all the culinary treats on offer, while creatives will enjoy discovering the alternative side of Greenwich Village.

Greenwich Village walking and food tasting tour

Gorge to your heart’s content on this two-hour organized walking and food tasting tour.

Your knowledgeable guide will show you the district’s top-rated eateries as you sample a variety of New York specialties, including pizza, artisanal cupcakes, and bagels, before making a stopover at the famous Friend’s apartment.

Alongside its foodie offerings, you’ll pass the Stonewall Inn for a history lesson on the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Alternative Greenwich Village guided walking tour

Discover why a pool of artists call this neighborhood home on an alternative guided walking tour. Your expert guide will tell you secrets about famous artists and musicians from the present and past who once lived here.

You can also expect to visit some of Greenwich village’s most popular landmarks and learn how it became the birthplace of counterculture and Beats movements.

Ghost tour in Greenwich Village

Choose a guided ghost tour at night to experience Greenwich Village from a spooky perspective. Your expert guide will tell you spine-chilling tales of the neighborhood’s most haunted jaunts’ mysterious past.

During your excursion, you’ll visit the infamous Hanging Tree – the oldest known living tree of Manhattan that once acted as the sight of executions, and the haunted Church of the Ascension, among others.

Private walking tour in Greenwich Village

If you’re looking for a more tailored and intimate experience, you can’t go wrong with a private tour of Greenwich Village.

You’ll take a step back into the 20th century as your knowledgeable guide shows you the district’s most Bohemian enclaves, including trendy cafés that launched the career of a string of famous artists and musicians.

You can also expect plenty of tips on where to grab the best cappuccino or pizza in town from your expert guide.

What are the prices of Greenwich Village tours?

Greenwich Village tours and guided visits vary in price depending on what type of tour you book and the duration of your trip.

Guided walking and food tasting tours start at US$80 per person and include a local guide, refreshments and a lunch meal.

The alternative guided walking tour costs US$40 per person and comes with an entertaining expert guide and a two-hour sightseeing tour of New York’s most Bohemian hub.

Guided ghost tours cost around US$35 per person, and include access to Lower Manhattan and Washington Square Park, as well as a live, knowledgeable guide.

Private walking tours start at US$85 per person, and include a 2-hour personal sightseeing tour and a local guide.

Where do Greenwich Village tours start?

The meeting point of your excursion will vary depending on the tour you have booked. The majority of tours in Greenwich Village start in and around 6th avenue. However, the guided walking and food tasting tour start at Molly’s cupcakes on Bleecker street.

When should I visit Greenwich Village?

Summer and Spring are the best seasons to visit Greenwich Village. During these periods, the weather is usually pleasant, and there is plenty of entertainment and life to experience at the neighborhood’s top sights on a warm sunny day.

Travel tips

• Bring bottled water with you on your tour, as this isn’t always provided.
• Wear comfortable footwear for strolling along Greenwich Village’s winding streets.
• If you choose to visit during the cooler months, make sure to wrap up in warm layers.