If you’re planning a weekend in SoHo, New York, there’s almost a million things within the 26 blocks to do. The name itself, SoHo, refers to “South of Houston Street”. This area is home to many museums, cafés, and boutiques. The ideal way to enjoy the atmosphere is to grab a cup of coffee, visit a gallery or two, and window shop. Using Instagram to find frequented and popular locales, here are a few of the most popular places as dictated by the public. They will make you feel more at ease while exploring within SoHo.
1. Housing Works Bookstore Café
First, stop at Housing Works Bookstore Café, 126 Crosby Street, grab a nice, hot coffee or tea to accompany you as you traverse the concrete jungle. You may not think about helping locals while exploring a new city, but this is a fantastic way to give back to the community as Housing Works is a NYC non-profit, and all profits go to fighting AIDS and homelessness.
2. The New York Fire Museum
The New York Fire Museum features many firefighting artifacts, memorabilia and equipment, some of it dating back to the early 1650s! Here, you can learn about the history of firefighting practices in NYC dating back to colonial times. Located at 278 Spring Street, it features many permanent and rotating exhibitions. Among other exhibits, the museum features a somber 9/11 Memorial featuring pictures of the brave firefighters lost in the attack.
3. Olde Good Things SoHo
Update: This location is now closed.
Just a ten-minute walk from the museum, make your way to 424 West Broadway, where you’ll find many stores worth entering. One of the many that stand out is a pop up antique shop, Olde Good Things. The building, located directly across from the Alex And Ani store, may be small, but inside you’ll find some of the best reclaimed antiques, many of them local to New York City. With a range from farm tables, altered antiques, and tin mirrors, there’s something that’ll certainly catch your eye. Browse through our selection of tin panels, which make amazing wall décor. Or perhaps pick up salvaged items from the historical Waldorf Astoria Hotel, some pieces date back to the 1930s when the hotel was first built on Park Avenue.