NYC Greenwich Village Walking Tour (Self Guided), New York

Once the delta of a river, this friendly town square-cum-park has adapted to the many needs of New Yorkers over the decades and is still one of the most frequented meeting points for many in New York City – from students to nearby residents to tourists. Whether it be sketch artists, quirky street performers, seasonal events (like the Halloween Parade), chess hustlers or would-be social media models, it's always rife with energy and activity – a physical and spiritual heart of Greenwich Village.

Aside from the human aspect, the scenery is superb. Aside from manicured plants and trees, there's the triumphal European-style Memorial Arch (built for the centennial of George Washington's 1789 inauguration) and giant fountain, which make for top-notch photo-ops. There are plenty of places to kick back and relax, sunbathe on the grass, listen to music, or cool off in the tall fountain spray. Due to its smaller size, however, Washington Square also feels somewhat less overwhelming than Central Park which, of course, is spectacular in its own way. Take advantage of taking it all in, and make sure to explore the surroundings – the essence of romantic 19th-century NYC!

Tip:
The areas close to the park are also good for shopping and – in some cases very cheap – eating, as many students are both foodies and on a budget.

Located close to Washington Square Park, the Mews is one of those unusual spots that you'd want to discover during a walk in the huge city of New York. A small cobblestone street (or more like an alley) closed by two gates at both ends and lined on each side with vine-covered two-story houses, it seems to have been transported into the modern city from another age. The place actually has a long historical legacy since it housed the stables servicing the wealthy 19th-century elite's Greek revival rowhouses on Washington Square North. For the last seven decades, however, the converted staples have been used as private residences, offices, and NYU facilities.

An icon of the neighborhood, it has an amazingly peaceful atmosphere and is a great place to go for a stroll, contemplate the facades and colorfully painted door – and, of course, take a few pictures. The gates are always unlocked during the day, so you shouldn't run into any trouble accessing it.

Currently a NYC public library, the odd but interesting red-brick building on the West side of 6th Ave goes way back to 1833 when it was the location of a country market fitted with a wooden fire watchtower and a bell weighing 9,000 pounds. Fishermen, hucksters, and poulterers populated it until 1877 when it was all erased to make space for the Jefferson Market Courthouse. In a 1885 national architectural poll, the High Victorian Gothic-style building was voted among the 10 most beautiful in the U.S.

It's a must-stop for any architecture/history buff, and by getting a guest pass, one can roam around inside for free, going up and down the spiral staircase. When open, the upper floor is a magical place to read, surf through the wi-fi, or perhaps get some work done for a few hours.

If you're looking for a lush retreat, ask for directions to the library garden – a little bastion of greenery that can be enjoyed by everyone. With just a bit of forward planning, it can be the perfect spot for a self-catered lunch, coffee, or reading on a bench.

Though newer LGBT generations have taken their business to places like Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen, and parts of Brooklyn these days, Christopher Street continues to be the symbolic heart of NYC's lesbian and gay community, having played host to an influential and sexually permissive bohemian scene.

Here, among the cafés, leather and adult shops, is the site of the formerly Mafia-run Stonewall Inn (now a gay-pride-flag-waving karaoke bar with the same name) and of the eventual Stonewall Riots of 1969 – a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations described as "one of the most, if not the most, pivotal event leading to the liberation of queer rights". Just across the street, the gated triangle known as Christopher Park is where commemorative statues of four life-size white-painted figures (a gay couple and a lesbian couple) have posed for pictures since their unveiling in 1992, joined by two monuments to Civil War heroes.

Down Christopher St, at No. 121, you'll find the historic Lucille Lortel Theatre – one of Off-Broadway's most notable showplaces for new work and revivals by both established and up-and-coming playwrights, where major figures like Eugene Ionesco and Edward Albee have their name engraved into the sidewalk's solid bronze stars.

Albeit very short, covering a span of only five blocks, Grove Street retains a rustic, old-world, greener feel, complemented by some of the most quintessential bistros, restaurants and cafés in Greenwich Village.

At No. 59, MARIE'S CRISIS (partly named after Thomas Paine's masterful essay, "The American Crisis") has been around forever and is definitely a good place for both locals and tourists, who will be made most welcome. Characterful, totally NYC, and inexpensive, this piano bar offers a wonderful chance to belt out show tunes – old and new – with the resident pianist. The crowd itself mostly consists of Broadway artists who want to chill off doing what they know to do best: sing!

Also brimming with character is the 1822 wooden frame house – one of the most complete such in the city – at 17 Grove Street, as well as the highly exclusive Grove Court, a gated alleyway hidden between No. 10 and 12 (you'll have to peer through the gate!) with a cluster of strongly attractive brick townhouses from the 1850s.

Grove St intersects Bedford St, one of the oldest Greenwich Village byways. Right on the corner (above the Little Owl) you will always see a flock of people taking pictures of the building that served as the exterior for Monica's apartment in "Friends", though the TV sitcom was shot entirely in L.A.'s Warner Bros studios.

Nearby at 102 Bedford St is the original 'Twin Peaks', designed in 1830 as an artists' residence, with two peaks in its gabled roof, while at No. 86 is the unheralded entrance to CHUMLEY'S (Mon-Sat: 5:30–11:45pm) – one of NY's classic Prohibition-era bars (definitely take a peek inside!).

A legendary slice of New York nightlife, MacDougal Street was the dynamic heart of Greenwich cultural life from the 1920s to the '70s, and though it remains clogged with cafés, dives and delicious restaurants (plus interesting record stores), its current patrons are more likely to be students looking for variety, than aspiring artists.

The spirit of rock 'n roll is alive at CAFE WHA? (Sun-Thu: 8pm–2am; Fri, Sat: 8pm–3:30pm), a former haunt of famed poets and musicians, where Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix used to jam. With their own fusion of rock, soul, and reggae, the house-band are an absolute joy, and if you stay long enough, you will hear something that you like. The servers are quick with the drinks; as for the food, it's probably better to eat before going if you're hungry.

Check out the variety of mouth-watering eateries on MacDougal St, like MAMOUN'S FALAFEL (11am–5am), renowned for its tasty, inexpensive Middle-Eastern fare (priced for college kids but of the highest quality) or, if you're looking for delicious authentic Indian street food, THE KATI ROLL COMPANY and/or THELEWALA. Family treats include the MINETTA TAVERN, a welcoming upscale bistro with a menu based on top tier ingredients. If lucky enough to score a reservation, you'll get an opportunity to eat the perfectly crafted hamburger prepared with two different types of meat – one very expensive and the other extraordinarily expensive, but both worth it.

Reservation is the key to the COMEDY CELLAR, also. Neither the fare or the drinks are particularly noteworthy, but that's really not why folks go there. A world-renown comedy club with a top-notch show, the venue has a good intimate feel to it, and you never know who could spring up and drop a quick 10-15 minute set. Great talents such as Jerry Seinfeld, Louis CK, Aziz Ansari, or Dave Chapelle come here spontaneously to entertain the crowds. Don't plan on taking photos, recording video or audio.

With a claim to being the cafe that introduced America to the cappuccino (the original 1902 La Pavoni "Ideale" coffee machine – still looking brand new – is in a corner to prove it!), this spot has lots of old-world charm and a serene/relaxed atmosphere with classical music piped at just the right volume. Add in the huge Italian Renaissance paintings, solid-wood benches, antique clocks, and dim lighting, and you've got the perfect setting for a more intimate afternoon.

Order a cappuccino or a pot of tea and indulge in Italian desserts such as the chocolate cannoli or the pecan pie. The tables are mostly a bit too small for dining unless you are lucky to take the few large ones they have. It's definitely a good place to work, chat with a friend or read a good book, however – and not super pricey.

Tip:
Sit near the window in the evening or get a sidewalk table and 'people-watch' at night!

A former main stomping ground of the Beatniks, the '60s Folk music revival, and the off-Broadway movement, Bleecker Street is still in business: home to TERRA BLUES, THE RED LION, and THE BITTER END (NYC's oldest rock'n'roll club), which are must-visits for live music lovers. A lazy afternoon here may consist of browsing through record stores, sampling some of NYC's best pizza, grabbing an espresso, and soaking up the downtown fashion scene, especially at the shops/boutiques west of 7th Ave.

Foodies love Bleecker for MURRAY'S CHEESE (No. 254; 8am–9pm) – offering every kind of temptation associated with cheeses, deli meats, and specialty foods – and the popular MAGNOLIA BAKERY (No. 401, at the corner of West 11th Street), the cupcakerie that launched Manhattan's minicake trend.

At the corner of Bleecker and Carmine streets is the unmistakably Renaissance-style church OUR LADY OF POMPEII (free admission), where you can witness classical Italian touches everywhere: in the mosaics on the walls, the beautiful paintings on the dome, the elegant altar and the gracious marble floors.

Is Bleecker Street one of New York's most vibrant and eclectic arteries? Undoubtedly so. It's also bisected by some of the prettiest thoroughfares, such as the particularly scenic Bank Street, lying in the center of the Greenwich Village Historic District's finest 19th-century architecture.