Chambers St, Tribeca

Chambers starts in Tribeca at West Street and there are two massive schools right on the corner. One is a public school for creative types and the other is a massive community college. There are about 30,000 students at this college which is quite a lot for one building in any city. There's a performing arts center attached to the college and a park right next to that. So, this is a really arty block which is great: Tribeca lacks a bit as far as the art and community feeling of New York neighborhoods go.
The block at Greenwich is a great residential block. There are a couple of apartment buildings, a yoga studio, a wine shop and a few eateries and shops. I tend to think of Tribeca as more of the massive building / no quaint factor neighborhood. But, this little stretch has more of a village vibe which is great. The little neighborhood vibe continues down until Church street with a few cast iron apartment buildings, some great little bars (Mudville 9 is fantastic), and little mom and pop shops. This really is a cool few blocks as far as Tribeca goes.
Once you cross Church, Chambers starts to take on a more downtown sort of aesthetic and energy. The buildings are bigger and more commercial, there's a lot of traffic and really no energy. It's not as bad as the Fidi, but it's not charming by any stretch of the imagination. The architecture of some of the buildings is lovely, but the flow leaves much to be desired as far as neighborhoods go. Chambers is a big and pretty busy street so I wouldn't necessarily want to live on it. But, if you must, I would definitely look into living as close to West as possible for more of a real neighborhood vibe.

One of New York's historic streets, filled with landmarks, Chambers Street should make the Top 10 List for any prospective visitor to New York. Visit the charming 19th-century castiron building at 105-7, designed by John Kellum in 1857, as well as the tall Renaissance revival Broadway Chambers building at 277. Also be sure to check out 274 Broadway, built in the style of an Italian palazzo in 1846. Formerly a department store, the building was later used as the offices of the New York Sun, and is currently the New York State Office Building. Stop by to enjoy the greenery in front of City Hall Park, one of the city's more charming "mini-parks", and don't miss the Beaux Arts Masterpiece at 31 Chambers Stree: the Surrogates' Court. With stunning statues representing Justine, Authority, Law, and Philosophy, the building is a must-see (and must-photograph). The area is less appealing for residents, however; its restaurant and residential building offerings are minimal, and much of the street is taken up by municipal buildings. New Yorkers, therefore, may only end up on Chambers Street if they have legal business to attend to - a pity, as it's one of the city's most picturesque.

One of the best things about Chambers Street is walking down towards the eastern end and seeing the Manhattan municipal Building open up in front of you, standing proud and looking majestic in its white glory. That’s not to say that Chambers Street doesn’t have a presence of its own but its dominated by this amazing looking building at one end.

Chambers Street is most notable for the schools that are here-both Stuyvesant High School, and the college next door. West Side Highway lets the cars fly by, but don't be afraid if you have small children-the enormous bridge created for the high-schoolers to get to their trains isn't limited on access. You too can use it to get to the park on the other side. This street definitely targets their audience-small bookstores and places to buy candy and school supplies war with pizza joints and fast food restaurants. A wall on the other side of the bridge is home to stoners and rarely visited by police. I'm not sure who would want to live there, or even if there is residential housing. Maybe college students!

After around 5-6PM on weekdays the street does quiet down some though, once the students have gone. But it's a cacophony while school is entering, midday, and while it's letting out.

Chambers street is located in Greenwich Villiage and is a great place for shopping and dining. Be sure to grab a bite to eat at A Cappella Italian Ristorante. For some great buffalo wings, try Mudville 9 Saloon. I like this area of town because of its laid back casual environment, a release from the hubub of midtown. If you stay on Chambers Street you’ll run into City Hall Park, a wonderful place to relax and take in one of the many sights in the city. You can also get married at City Hall if you want to, as I saw several doughy eyed couples on their way in to get hitched. All in all, this is a wonderful street for those looking to get immersed in all the West Village has to offer.