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This charming, tiny street in the heart of the West Village packs a lot of attractions in its narrow frame. While the street is by no means crowded - rather, like many streets in the area, it features historic town houses (although the ones here are slightly more modern, reminiscent of Lower East Side tenements rather than the 19th century brick of elsewhere in the Village) and a dearth of chain stores - it nevertheless offers plenty of dining and shopping choices. On the street itself, you can check out local favorite Cornelia Street Cafe, nearby Home - with an excellent wine list - the Pearl Oyster Bar if you're feeling decadent, or Sushi Mambo if you're in the mood for some Asian cuisine. A wealth of other restaurants, including Burrito Loco, Tio Pepe, and Risotteria, are all a few moments away, right off the street itself. With the Akira Ikeda art gallery located right on Cornelia Street, and the IFC film centre around the corner, culture vultures will find more than enough to keep them occupied here.

The tree-lined streets of this historic, bucolic block are among the city's most scenic. With elegant brownstones and red-brick townhouses, this largely residential street manages to combine a village-like feel with the vibrancy of The Village. Spend the afternoon sitting with friends on the iconic stoops of Perry Street, then head to nearby Bleecker or Hudson Street to visit a French bistro or lively cocktail bar. Try the trendy Italian Spasso, on Hudson just off Perry, or nearby Casa La Femme for delectable Moroccan fare. If you're in the mood for a night out, head to the other room (no capitals), a comfortable yet stylish bar right on Perry Street itself. Other recommended venues on or near Perry Street include the art gallery and cafe Doma, popular brunch spot Extra Virgin, and restaurant St. Ambrosius. While this area can be pricey, even for New York City's high standards, it's nevertheless one of the most pleasant spots in New York: a perfect balance of beauty and activity

Want a discount on a radio or TV monitor? Then you've come to the right place - West 27th Street is full of discount outlets and chains, including a branch of the Payless shoe store and a Sleepy's mattress stop. But if you're not bargain-hunting, there's little to do here, although tourists may be drawn to the raunchy-but-interesting Museum of Sex further east. Dining options are pretty limited around this parts: chains, Asian take-out, and happy-hour-joints abound, although a recommended option for those looking for something with a little more personality is Rooftop Garden Bar at 230 Fifth Avenue, which offers stunning panoramic views of the Empire State Building and the rest of downtown New York. The Fashion Institute of Technology is here, attracting an arty crowd, but the neighborhood doesn't have nearly the boho cachet of the blocks surrounding parts of the NYU campus. This area is serviceable, but in a city with so much character, it seems a bit basic and lacking in personality.

While not as cozy as Carnegie Hill, this stretch of the Upper East Side is nevertheless pleasant and comfortable. Home to a number of good, popular restaurants further east, such as Mediterranee, Orsay, and the charming tea house Alice's Tea Cup a couple of blocks south, this district is family-friendly but nevertheless sufficiently "adult" to provide some entertainment for the grown-ups, in the forms of a couple of more upmarket bars like Vino, as well as more relaxed places like watering hole Phoenix Park. However, the area is primarily residential, and real night owls might want to consider a place further downtown.

Medical facilities are particularly strong here, with Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital, one of the nation (if not the world's) best cancer research centres, and New York Presbyterian Healthcare Centre, and the Hospital for Special Surgery. Hunter College is also close by for those wishing to enroll or even take courses on a by-interest basis, while nearby high schools include St. Vincent Ferrar and Talent Unlimited High School, and the prestigious Catholic Dominican Academy.

Eat your heart out, Gossip Girl! Few visitors to New York, particularly those with a fashionable bent, will escape the city without a visit to Fifth Avenue in the 50's, home to some of the most elegant design houses in the world. From Bergdorf Goodman to Saks Fifth Avenue, Bendel to Armani and Prada, this district is filled with high-end labels taking up some very high-end real estate. The area lights up at Christmastime as stores strive to outdoor each other with elaborate window displays (although pedestrian travel can verge on the unbearable). Head further east, however, and the vibe gets more relaxed. While Sutton Place all the way to the East marks one of the city's most prestigious old-money enclaves, 56th Street between these two poles of elegance is more relaxed, with local restaurants, shops, cafes, and galleries. The original P.J. Clarke's on 55th and 3rd has been made venerable with age.

Less crowded with shoppers and out-of-towners than the East 30's, and less sedate than the East 50's, this district is perfect for well-heeled, international diplomatic types looking to live around the U.N. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan yet subdued - there are plenty of elegant cocktail bars here, but few raucous dive bars. If you can wrangle an invitation, visit one of the elegant, London-style clubs for Manhattan's elite - the Yale Club and Harvard Club are two favorites. Also worth a look is the Yacht Club and the Algonquin Hotel - former home of the Round Table at which famous wit Dorothy Parker presided. Further east there's a wealth of restaurants and clubs catering more specifically to the U.N. set. Recommendations include the Overlook Lounge, laid-back Ben and Jack's Steak House, and charming Catalyst, a bookstore and cafe for all the neighborhood's bibliophiles. Elegant yet not snobby, and closer to the theatres and concert halls of midtown than the Upper East Side, East 44th Street is a fine choice for a couple or family (the United Stations School is very nearby!). Grand Central Terminal makes for easy transportation.

Like much of the Upper East Side, East 78th Street works best for families. Its nightlife is limited to a few frat-boy and preppy pubs on 2nd and 3rd Avenue (often visited by finance-dads seeking to recapture their glory days over beer pong), while playgrounds (in Central Park) and good schools (Chapin, Brearley, Birch Wathen Lenox, etc., all nearby) abound. While the restaurants and cafes around Madison Avenue give the adults something to do - there's great shopping here, especially for haute-vintage aficionados (Michael's and Encore, both on Madison and 77th, are dream-spots for fashionistas looking to buy second-hand), as well as fine established UES restaurants like Candle 79 one block north. Lexington Avenue is also a lively "hub" for this area, with All Soul's Church serving as a social focal point for many of the families in the area. Not great for 20-somethings looking to party, but for well-heeled older couples looking to start a family, this is a great place to settle down.

A bit removed from the town's commercial center, which is based around Water Street, this elegant residential promenade passes through the central campus of prestigious red-brick-and-ivy Phillips Exeter Academy, one of the best (some would argue the best) schools in the country. Yet this is decidedly not a "campus" street - there are in fact relatively few commercial buildings on the street: rather, the street is lined with gorgeous, 19th century houses (one of which, Browning House, an Academy Property, is a dead ringer for Disneyland's Phantom Manor). While many of the houses here are faculty or student housing, there are a few available for non-affiliated families, and these are all eminently worthwhile. With the exception of a glut of pedestrians holding up traffic at 8 am when students file across the street to their classes, the Academy presence is rarely problematic for residents, and for families with children, the location can in fact be a great boon for parents looking to send their children as "day students."
Bucolic charm, historic pedigree, and five minutes' walk to shops and restaurants? This street is a New England paradise.

Less picturesque than the historic, colonial heart of Exeter, Railroad Avenue can at times feel a bit depressing, especially when compared the the town's lovelier centre. Conveniently located next to the Downeaster Amtrak Rail Service (which is regular, but not often enough for the noise to be too annoying), the area around the train station is home to Romeo's, one of the town's more popular pizzerias (on Lincoln Street) as well as to a general store that also operates an authentic, down-home "truck style" cafe (expect coffee served in mugs, seats at the counter, and plenty of pie). Walk closer into town along Lincoln Street and the buildings steadily grow more historic. A popular bakery here is worth a stop for some delectable cakes and biscuits. But for livelier activity, and more New England charm, consider living closer to the centre of town, although such quaintness comes with a price tag.

Like its neighbors Orchard Street and Ludlow Street, Elridge Street is a "standard" Lower East Side Street - pleasant, if not beautiful, with remnants of the Lower East Side's historic tenement culture alongside a wealth of more contemporary cultural outfits: poetry readings, literary cafes, galleries, and bars. Lively but not overcrowded, this street is home to the Museum at Elridge Street, an insightful look into the Jewish history of the region, as well as to a number of Chinese restaurants - a spillover from nearby Chinatown. Visit Best Fuhzhou, Prosperity Dumpling, or Hing Shing Seafood store for a nice meal or take-away, or party the night away at Inhibit Karaoke Lounge. The blend of LES and Chinatown culture makes for a lively, if sometimes noisy, street culture. The north end of the street has less of a Chinese influence, and is home to the James Fuentes, Woodward, and Lmak Projects art galleries.

Clarkson Street has good bits and bad bits. When it's nice, it's really nice: the eastern end of the street, where Clarkson turns into Carmine Street, is home to charming cafes like Tanti Baci and Cafe Espanol, plenty of green space at the James J. Walker Park, art galleries like Gran Enzo Sperno, and plenty of boutiques and chocolatiers. The prestigious City as School is here, as is the Carmine Street Pool. But while proximity to the West Side Highway is a plus for plenty of athletes, who use the running and bike paths obscured from traffic by a wall of foliage, on Clarkson Street the atmosphere gets a bit sketchy: this place is home to Mystique Gentleman's club, a seedy strip joint, Hot 97, the hip-hop radio station that has seen shootings and violence as late as 2006, and a pornographic video/gaming store - none of which are places many New Yorkers would feel comfortable walking past on their way home at night. A great street - but make sure your building is on the eastern side of it.

With its Greek Revival house (one of which was the home of Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Gray), Bethune Street is a classic example of the quiet, tree-lined historic streets that are characteristic of this neighborhood. Its historic pedigree is impeccable: famous art photographer Diane Arbus committed suicide on this street at number 77, a former artists' colony, and Kurt Vonnegut's character Howard Campell (from novel Mother Nights) also lived on this street. Today this street is peaceful and pleasant, with plenty of greenery near Beeker Playground and the Hudson River Greenway, which also offers a bicycle path and river views. While this street's not known for its lively nightlife, there's nevertheless plenty to do: visit nearby Bank Street Theatre for some off-off Broadway productions, or dine at the charming vinoteca Entwine, Mexican Tortilla Flats, or charming French bistro Le Recette. Just avoid the party-hardy crowd of the nearby Meatpacking District!

Not as historic or as pretty as the West Village, not as lively as Chelsea, West 15th Street is a largely commercial area with little distinctive character or charm. It has its perks - it's close to several 14th Street/Union Square subway stops for a variety of subway lines - and the convenience of Union Square, with its myriad cafes, bookstores, and record shops (not to mention a pleasant picnicking park). But West 15th Street itself is little more than a basic shopping destination. Nearby high-street options include Pier 1 Imports, Foot Locker, Urban Outfitters, and Staples, while dining choices tend to be of the equally chain variety: there's a Subway, and a nearby Starbucks. Further west, however, choices get more interesting - visit the Chelsea Market for some local finds, or try trendier dining options like Le Gamin Cafe, La Taza Deora, or the Chelsea-fied Vynl. Avoid the Port Authority building at night - it's a bit sketchy.

This short stretch of Tribeca, located just steps from the Washington Market Park and Tribeca Performing Arts Centre, is dense indeed when it comes to attractions-per-foot . With an easy-to-reach subway stop (serving the A,C,E,F,N, and R trains), it's ideal for active types looking to get in and out of the city centre at a moment's notice - but the attractions here are numerous enough to entertained even the most seasoned New Yorker. Visit galleries like Ethan Cohen Fine Art, Artflag, Pelavin Editions, or nearby Michael Perez Gallery, or indulge in the cafes a mere stone's throw from the street. Nearby dining options include health-fan-favorite Viet Cafe, laid-back Gloria's Restaurant, Dean's Pizzeria - for those who prefer their pies upmarket - Zutto Japanese, and trendy speakeasy-style bar Hideaway. While the area's dense, it's not crowded - these bars are populated without there being ten-mile-long queues: the area's bars have a largely well-heeled, yet "local" feel: a perfect balance of elegant and comfort.

After the devastating attacks of 9/11 nearly ten years ago, Vesey Street - one of the streets adjacent to the World Trade Centre city - was decimated right along with the centre itself. But just as reconstruction of the trade centre site has at last begun, with a new tower in the works, so has Vesey Street worked to build itself up again. There are a few restaurants in the vicinity - Au Mandarin provides quick and simple delivery for office workers looking to eat in - and offices like Verizon and American Express are located here. Regardless, however, this street is somewhat dismal and depressing, even for a commercial street, given its location and the still largely-empty construction site: a literal void in the centre of downtown Manhattan. Tourists may wish to visit Ground Zero - although for some New Yorkers the idea of turning this painful memory into a tourist attraction is an anathema - but unless you're working here, there's little to bring you in this direction.

Just south of Confucius Plaza, Division Street marks the gradual merging of Chinatown proper with the housing projects and low-income-developments that dot the very eastern section of the Lower East Side. Division Street is just a stone's throw from the lower/middle-income development Knickerbocker Village. It's not exactly ugly, although it's a far cry from the charming historical town houses of Greenwich Village. Yet Division Street, as its name implies, suffers from being the border of two neighborhoods. There's not much to do here, although the Museum at Elridge Street is an insightful look into the history of the Lower East Jewish community. Dining options are plentiful in Chinatown - Fuleen Seafood is right on Division Street itself - or try some non-Asian dining on the eastern end of the street at Bacaro or Les Enfants Terribles. Seward Park is the area's closest patch of greenery, and is of a relatively decent size.

Dominated by the campus of NYU, which is dotted all around this area, the small, little-known Great Jones Street is an ideal destination for artistically-inclined 20-somethings, whether NYU students or no, looking to get involved in the city's hipster-lite nightlife. With a massive NYU development at one end of the street, Great Jones Street is not the place to go to if you want to avoid noise or fake-IDs, but there's plenty of options if you're willing to join in the fun: check out the oddly named Chinatown Brasserie, or go low-key with the West 3rd Common. Le Basket is also popular for its French delicacies. One of the city's most popular brunches is at nearby Five Points, so gear up for an afternoon of mimosas and lox. There's also an enormously high number of art galleries, craftsmen, and vintage boutiques on the block, including Michael Andrews Bespoke and retro-types' dream Screaming Mimies, delivering high-class vintage gear. A lovely, lively street.

This scenic slice of SoHo, with picturesque red brick town houses and plenty of green foliage, is among downtown's more pleasant streets. With its wooden facades - home to plenty of arty boutiques and all-organic restaurants - it is a welcome respite from the all-too-modern concrete blocks that fill up some nearby streets. There's plenty to do and see here: the Thompson Cafe is a popular spot for locals to drink lattes or cappuccinos and people-watch, while the French-Moroccan Country Cafe is an elegant piece of cross-cultural fusion. Shops and boutiques along this street include the delectable Kee's Chocolate, the Meg Cohen Design Shop, L'Artisan Parfumeur, Cartesian Graphics, and more. The end of the street provides some welcome parkland in the form of Juan Pablo Duarte Square, but the major attractive of this charming, if pricey, street is its "village" feel - it combines the elegance of New York's best with some much-needed peace and quiet in the big city. At least until the lights go off...this area's nightlife can prove hectic if unmanaged.

Not quite the posh tree-lined enclave of the Upper East Side, not quite the buzzing commercial area of midtown, the East 50's are one of the rare parts of New York City to lack a distinct neighborhood character. Around 5th Avenue, the area is gorgeous and elegant - here is the shopping capital of the world, where Bergdorf's and Bendel's are populated by an international jet-setting (and jet-shopping) elite. But head further east and the landscape changes, transforming into a largely sedate area filled with office buildings and their attendant amenities (plenty of Starbucks and sandwich delis). By the time you reach the East River, however, you've found your way to another up-and-coming neighborhood: the stunning river-views in these modern developments have attracted a number of young professionals drawn by the low prices and picturesque panoramas, and the far East 50's have a decidedly "young" vibe. Hit up some up-and-coming-bars like the River Club, Mimi's, Travis, and the perennially popular Le Perigourd, popular with the uber-posh old money Sutton Place set located just a few blocks to the north.

Just one block south of the crowded, cramped 42 Street, here on East 41st Street the density has already dissipated. Grand Central, for easy transport access, is but a short walk away, as are the oft-packed theatres of Midtown and Broadway. But this street, largely commercial, is far calmer. The vibe here is "seasoned professional" rather than "eager tourist," and the restaurants, cafes, and nightlife reflect the needs of the white-collar workers who spend their days at the Art Deco office skyscrapers that are so common in this part of midtown. Popular eateries in this district include popular Mexican restaurant Sinigual Contemporary, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, and the Tuscan Cibo. If you head even further East, close to the river, you reach the picturesque Tudor City development, a quiet, middle-class village in the heart of an otherwise buzzing commercial area. One of the rare really residential parts of Midtown, it's ideal for diplomats or other international types looking to be close to the U.N.

The West 40's have Broadway, theatre, and pizazz. The West 20's have the haute-elegance of Chelsea. But somehow the West 30's have managed to skip neighborhood categorization altogether. This area is an eclectic collection of streets that never seems to find its character. Crowded, tourist-driven, and at times sketchy (the area around Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, while less dotted with sex clubs and strip joints than it used to be, still has a decidedly lascivious feel), this area doesn't have much to offer besides easy Long Island transport and the big-budget MSG entertainment. There are a few restaurants in this area - Garage Cafe and High Line Cafe are some examples - but they are, alas, vastly outnumbered by the chain fast food joints. Not a place to wander alone at night, although the area is more creepy than it is dangerous proper.

While more famous streets like Canal, Mott, and Mulberry Streets are immediately associated with Chinatown, few have heard of Howard Street, a tiny street just north of Canal. But for potential movers into the Chinatown area, Howard Street represents a relative hidden gem - a quieter back-street in a neighborhood not often known for its peaceful ambiance. It's a bit of a hub for clothing stores - there's an American Apparel and a Vogel Boots on this block - although the restaurant choices (many good ones, most of them Chinese or Asian-fusion) tend to cluster on nearby streets. Also located near here is the Museum of Chinese America, a worthwhile tourist destination for anyone with a special interest in the subject. It may lack the liveliness and character of Canal Street, but for some, particularly potential residents, this may in fact prove preferable. Transport is easy - the Canal Street subway stop is a stone's throw away.

As with much of the Upper East Side, East 74th Street passes through a variety of iterations as it stretches east from Central Park. West of Lexington Avenue you find the "Upper East Side" proper, with grand mansions, elegant boutiques (and even a hint of haute couture on Madison Avenue), and the doormen-attended co-ops lining Park Avenue, one of the city's oldest and most prestigious districts. Go further east, however, and the vibe is more laid-back and approachable - the eastern stretch of E 74th Street is home to casual, preppy, even a little dive-y (ironically) sports bars and places like Iggy's Karaoke (on 72nd). If Madison Avenue is staid, 2nd Avenue is decidedly laid back. "Posh" venues include Italian restaurant Caravaggio, located in a townhouse between Madison and Fifth, as well as Cafe Boulud, located two blocks uptown, but further east you'll find more relaxed eateries like JC Mellon's and Mezza Luna. While the eastern stretch of this street may not be as swank as Park Avenue, it's certainly nice enough - with a young professionals vibe that may suit some better than the staid family-feel of the UES proper.

Neither too trendy nor too downmarket, too busy nor too quiet, too artsy nor too bourgeois, the West 80's represent one of Manhattan's few truly balanced areas. While many family-friendly areas are either so dull and residential as to be unliveable, or gather their "safe" atmosphere by raising prices to the level of over the top exclusivity, the Upper West Side is family-friendly yet unpretentious, with a thriving restaurant scene that, though tables may not be booked months in advance, nevertheless offer good and often great food for reasonable (for New York) prices. Some family-friendly restaurants on or around West 85th Street include the relaxing brunch place Popovers, hearty Italian trattoria Nonna's, and Bar Luna, although Celeste is another popular choice. There's plenty of greenery around - with Riverside Park on one side of this not-too-long crosstown street and Central Park on the other. Pet owners will be glad to hear that it's also near the 87th Street Dog Run in Riverside Park, a popular community meeting point. This lively neighborhood is a must-consider for New York families looking for a comfortable place to put down roots.

If your idea of fun is going out every night to a play, classical or jazz concert, or civilized meal, then East 62nd Street might just be your ideal New York City street. Catering to a more mature crowd than do the dive bars of the East Village, the meat markets of SoHo and the Meatpacking District, but nevertheless attracting a less staid set than the elegant Upper East Siders, this district is ideal for older men and women of means (it ain't cheap) who enjoy the lively spirit of this crowded district even as they want easy walking access to all New York has to offer. Lincoln Square and Water Reade are two of the city's best art-house cinemas (while Lincoln Plaza is one of the city's largest for blockbusters), while Lincoln Square and the Time Warner Centre between them offer a host of nightly cultural activities - from dancing in summertime's Midsummer Night's Swing to the New York City Opera. Excellent dining choices - often on the pricier, more-established - end of things abound: try the pizzas at Fiorello's, and don't skimp on the excellent bread basket at Josefina's.

The West 40's are a curious collection of streets in Manhattan. On the one hand, they're jam-packed with tourists (and the attendant ills - crowds, noise, backed-up streets) staying at any one of the number of midtown business and leisure hotels located in this district. They're far from charming - no pre-war co-ops, Art Deco skyscrapers, or tree-lined brownstone streets here - and yet somehow West 40th Street has a certain charm. Is it the proximity of Broadway, which even in the most "touristy" shows still preserves a degree of energy unseen in most other theatre districts of the world? (Nearby theatres include the New Amsterdam, New Victory, New 42nd Street, and Foxwoods Theatre, among others) Is it the presence of the faded grandeur at some of the most elegant gentlemen's clubs (as in London-style clubs, not strip joints) of yesteryear, like the Algonquin? Is it the collection of dark-wood steakhouses - alongside chain restaurants like Red Lobster unheard of elsewhere in New York? The juxtaposition of the derelict Port Authority with the lively Times Square? Good, bad, or ugly - (and usually all three at th same time), there's something special about this area.

You just might not want to live there.

While the rumblings of Chelsea only really get started in the West 20s, West 18th Street is nevertheless a lively commercial area stretching out from popular arty hangout spot Union Square. The NYU vibe is still in full force here (as opposed to the largely gay, late-20's population that dominates Chelsea), with a number of studenty, divey joints to accompany the elegant restaurants and chiseled-abs-nightclubs that begin to proliferate in greater measure a few steps further north. Check out Del Posto for a hearty Italian meal, or begin to enjoy the Chelsea feel with higher-end La Gascoigne or Eighteenth and Eighth Restaurant. Meanwhile, NYU students have a wealth of cheaper eats to choose from, including outlets of all the major fast food chains, a number of local pizzerias, and popular Thai Galanga Gardens. Hudson Square Park provides a welcome splash of greenery in an otherwise dense urban area. There's a wealth of good shopping here - mostly chains like Urban Outfitters appealing to hip 20-somethings

Located in Greenwich Village, Abingdon Square Park is one of those valued, all-too-rare patches of greenery in the urban jungle that is New York City. Only a quarter acre (1000 sq. m) in size, the park is nevertheless pleasant for a morning coffee or afternoon wrap. The street surrounding it, large Abingdon Street, is well-located in the heart of the West Village - a location filled with trendy boutiques, arty galleries, and vegan, gluten-free, and otherwise hyper-healthy eateries. Recette is one popular French bistro in the neighborhood, while other locals swear by the vaguely named "The Place." (Cafe Cluny is also popular). Nightlife tends to be civilized - bars and pubs like the Tavern on Jane are the norm, rather than the dive-y joints of the East Side or the crowded meat market clubs of the Meatpacking district. Ideal for sensible singles looking to combine character with quiet, or for young families not ready to give up a world of granola and free-range eggs ust yet.

While the houses on the eastern end of this slender Greenwich Village Street are beautiful in the traditional Greenwich village manner - nineteenth-century brick, wrought-iron balustrades, trees shading these out-of-the-way blocks - the charm factor of the neighborhood drops precipitously as you head further west, approaching the blare and bustle of the West Side Highway (although cyclists will find much to enjoy on the riverside bike path - if they can brave the traffic and find a way across!) . In the eastern end of the street, you're near the popular (and historic) Cherry Lane Theatre, lovely dining venues like the Cornelia Street Cafe, Snack Tavern, and the Hudson Clearwater Restaurant, the scene dries up just a few minutes' walk west. Overall this is a great street if you're in the "Greenwich Village" part of it, but gets less pleasant the closer you are to the highway. It's still only a few minutes' walk of a difference overall, though - so even at its worst Morton Street has a fabulous location.

In the heart of the city's bustling, downtown financial district, this tiny street flows easily into some of its larger neighbors, among them William Street and Water Street. This largely commercial neighborhood attracts a number of banking and other companies; on or nearCedar Street, you'll find the Jennifer Temps temping agency, the famous Cryos sperm bank, China American Insurance, the American International Group, and Harold T. Marcus and Company. As you might expect, the vibe here is largely office-based - there's little dining or night-life here, but plenty of delis and lunchtime takeaways. Aside from the expected chains like Chipotle, there's the vegan-friendly Just Salad and the aptly named Financier Patisserie, as well as a couple informal work-lunch and happy-hour joints: check out Ise Retaurant, Sophie's, the Italian trattoria Harry's Italian. The Pearl Street diner is a popular joint for locals. a fine place to work

This picturesque street in the heart of Greenwich Village has been popular with artists and filmmakers alive, and is still a popular filming location for NYC-based dramas, among them Law & Order, The Job, Autumn in New York, and Wait Until Dark. The period red-brick houses, with wrought-iron balustrades and charming verdant ivy, are some of the most beautiful in Manhattan, rendering this historic neighborhood one of the city's most scenic. Luckily, scenic doesn't entail stagnant: there's plenty to do here in the heart of the West Village. Pay a visit to the homes of jazz age mayor Jimmy Walker and novelist Sherwood Anderson at numbers 5 and 12, respectively (though don't ask to go inside!), or check out Edgar Allan Poe's old haunt: the Trinity Parish Cemetery. Locals as well as tourists will find much to keep them here: while the street itself is largely residential, nearby side-streets offer plenty of dining and nightlife fare. Visit nearby Japanese restaurant "EN Japanese Brasserie," or have an old-fashioned romantic date at the Lelabar. Out of the Kitchen is another popular choice among locals.

Leading into TriBeCa's main recreational park, the Washington Market Park, with its charming gazebo and tennis/baseball facilities, Reade Street is a pleasant enough stretch of TriBeCa. The feel is classic TriBeca - arty in a minimalist, loft-studio fashion that doesn't seem to have gone out of style since the early 90's, but without the relentless come-and-go trendiness that dominates so many of Manhattan's neighborhoods. The Meatpacking District may have come and gone, but among a certain set, TriBeCa abides. The area around Reade Street itself is home to a number of attractions, among them a fair few art galleries: visit KS Art on Leonard Street or SoHo photo gallery on White Street . For a quick coffee, visit the Espresso Lounge, or grab tea at the Chinese Pak Tea House, washed down with a scrumptious pastry from TriBeCa treats. For a more substantial meal, try any one of the Asian restaurants on the block (there are many, representing a variety of countries), or down a delicious dollar taco at perennial favorite Taco House. Easy subway transfer from Chambers Street

Manhattan can be a busy bustling place - an urban jungle rather than a verdant one. So the few acres of green parkland spread out over the city can often feel like tiny refuges: escape from the hustle and relentless energy of the big city. St. John's Park in the heart of Tribeca is seemingly one such place. This tiny stretch of greenery is relatively large - but while it's pretty to look at, it's less pleasant than it could be; the streets surrounding the park have been transformed into a circular road leading to the Holland Tunnel, cutting pedestrians off from the inner circle. However, while the parkland can only be viewed from a relative distance, there are other attractions in the area: the district is filled with arty boutiques like Wetlands and the Behr Thyssen Gallery, as well as a number of trendy dining joints. Hit up the relaxed Moomah Cafe just over on Hudson Street, on the other side of the Park or visit the upscale Brandy Library Lounge one block south of Ericcson. Not terribly much to do - but a pleasant enough place.

While the South Street Seaport no longer emits the same wafting smell of fresh (mostly) fish that it once did, Front Street nevertheless isn't quite the charming historical street it could b, given its location to the Seaport, as well as other historical areas like Wall and Pearl Street. It's an efficient commercial street, with several high-rise office buildings looking out over the water, as well as a couple of hotels. Dining is largely limited to business-friendly takeaways, such as Starbucks and a local sushi joint, although nearby South Street Seaport offers plenty of fine restaurants (if you enjoy seafood, that is). While it's interestingly located and perfectly decent, overall there's little to particularly this area. If you work here - fine - if you don't, there's little reason to come here. But nearby South Street Seaport is nevertheless a highly worthy touristic destination

With its tree-lined streets and period wrought-iron balustrades, Brooklyn Heights seems more like New Orleans than it does New York City. The most elegant of Brooklyn's many, myriad neighborhoods, Brooklyn Heights is an upscale district for the family-oriented New Yorker looking to balance proximity to New York's central attractions with a bucolic, peaceful environment - a relative rarity in hustle-and-bustle Manhattan. Yet while peace and quiet is certainly Water Street's strong suit - it looks over a pleasant patch of greenery, leading to stunning river views of Manhattan beyond - it has plenty to offer by means of local amenities for when you're not in the mood to drive across the Brooklyn Bridge. Enjoy a delicious chocolatey treat at Jacques Torres Chocolate or the Amandine Bakery, or dine friendly at Ignacio's pizzeria. If you're looking for an upscale romantic night out, hit The River Cafe, one of the city's most delightful restaurants, with stunning views very nearly matched by a terrific pan-American menu. With a number of galleries, among them the DUMBO arts centre, to choose from, this street is an ideal family nest for an artistically-inclined menage.

East 105th Street is a mixture of two worlds. Just north of the elegant tree-lined streets that make up Carnegie Hill, one of New York City's smartest (and swankest) family neighborhoods, East 105th Street hasn't quite been subsumed into either Spanish Harlem or Harlem proper. The vibe is very much dominated by nearby Mount Sinai, whose myriad doctors, nurses, attendants, and patients all make up the bulk of the area's dining and nightlife scene even as its long-term residents are largely composed of middle-class locals, many of whom represent the southernmost reaches of Spanish Harlem (the El Barrio Museum, a paean to American Hispanic culture, is on this street). Dining here is largely Hispanic-inspired as well - try nearby La Fonda Boricua and El Caribeno, as well as the El Paso Tacqueria, for burritos and tacos far more authentic fare than you'll find elsewhere in the city. Nightlife is limited, although there's a steady supply of happy-hour venues for exhausted doctors; try Milk Lounge for one such outing. Much cheaper than the rest of the UES, while still conveniently located (a subway at 103rd street for the 6-train).

Sandwiched between the Museum of Natural History (and its attendant Rose Planetarium) and Riverside Drive Park, West 78th Street can seem like a paradise for kids. Steps from Collegiate School, one of the best K-12 private boys' schools in Manhattan, as well as from the Tecumseh Playground and, of course Central Park, this street is an ideal family neighborhood. Yet it's far from quiet. The bustling tourist trade around the Museum of Natural History keeps things lively, as does the burgeoning restaurant scene, which while not "trendy," nevertheless is more active than in other similar "family-oriented" neighborhoods. Try the colorful Nice-Martin, a French restaurant that eschews dark wood and Parisian zinc in favor of a brighter decor reminiscent of the South of France, or have a family brunch at the Amsterdam Avenue outlet of Upper East Side brunch standby Sarabeth's. Isabella's Restaurant, on Columbus Avenue, also offers a highly tasty brunch. Public transport is highly convenient, with a number of north-south subway stops on 79th Street, and the crosstown bus on 78th/9th.

The Upper West Side north of 96th Street but south of the Columbia campus is a somewhat peculiar, highly distinctive area. The feel of the Upper West Side (middle-class/laid-back, family friendly, filled with charming family-owned bistros and trattorias, plus plenty of organic grocers) begins to meld with the campus feel of Columbia: cheap dive bars, studenty "arty" cafes, and an overall much younger feel. This small street begins to reflect this change in feel. Brasseries like Alouette represent a classic "Upper West Side" feel (as does the requisite neighborhood Whole Foods), and Regional Restaurant offers an elegant mimosa brunch, but already evidence of the Columbia bubble has begun to creep in: Cafe Viva Gourmet Pizza-Pasta is an inexpensive student-style takeout joint, while nearby Lenny's Bagels and Malecon offer hearty, good food at college-student prices. The proximity of charming Riverside Park, with its adjacent 19th century buildings on Riverside Drive, is another plus.

With tree-lined green streets and charming brownstone town houses, this street - starting at Carnegie Hill and making its way east into Yorkville is an ideal, if somewhat pricey, neighborhood for families. The westernmost parts of the street (i.e., Fifth, Madison, and Park Avenues) are on the swanker side: the co-ops and brownstones here are very expensive, but Carnegie Hill is the closest thing New York City has to Disneyland: from old-school bookstores like The Corner Bookstore on Madison Avenue, to the playground at Hunter College High School, to high-end children's clothing sellers like Jacadi, Bonpoint, and Magic Windows (not to mention fantastic family-friendly eateries like Island, Bar 92, Bistrot de Nord, and Table d'Hote, all on or just off Madison Avenue), this is a paradise for parents. (The proximity of schools like Hunter, St. Bernard's, Spence, Nightingale, and - in the east - Chapin and Brearley doesn't hurt). While the further east you go, the less expensive (and oh-so-precious) the neighborhood becomes, Yorkville still has a lot to offer: buy organic groceries and tasty takeaways at the Vinegar Factory, or take the family to a day at the pool at the Asphalt Green. Or enjoy a picnic on scenic Carl Schurtz Park.

Located way up in Hamilton heights, West 150th Street isn't exactly an area that comes to mind when considering the variety of options available in New York City. For all too many New Yorkers, the city ends at 125th street, and the over one hundred blocks to the north are easily dismissed as "slums" or "out of the way". This is less true now than ever, as housing costs are skyrocketing and new northbound neighbors are ever more gentrified. While West 150th Street is far from charming - a conglomeration of modern tenement-style houses and gas stations - it's not blighted, either, and in fact represents a reasonably safe, if slightly unfashionable, family neighborhood for would-be Manhattanites lacking the funds to move closer to Central Park. Restaurants and nightlife scenes here are relatively basic - a few "locals" combined with plenty of fast-food chains - but there are worse places to live in Manhattan.

An ideal family neighborhood, this stretch of street through Yorkville is located close to a number of desirable spots, including posh girls' schools Chapin and Brearley (both around East End Avenue), the shopping centre of East 86th Street, with its myriad chain stores and cinemas, and the charming Carl Schurz Park, located near Gracie Mansion along the East River. The buildings here may not be as swank as they are in Carnegie Hill, or along Park Avenue, but these brownstones and reasonably small brick apartment blocks, are perfectly serviceable. The area has a comfortable "neighborhood" feel, with plenty of coffee shops, diners, frozen yogurt shops, and a few standout restaurants, such as French Quatorze Bis on 79th Street and Demarchelier on 86th.

Water Street - Exeter, NH
The centre of this small town, Water Street is popular with students, parents, and tourists alike, although the somewhat over-the-top "Ye Olde" feel may isolate some locals, Filled with charming craft shops and refurbished eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings, this street is extraordinarily picturesque. Stop by popular eatery The Baker's Peel for a fresh-from-the-over breakfast, indulge in delicious sandwiches alongside students at The Green Bean, or spend hours on the free wireless at "bakery." If nature's by your thing, head down to the banks of the lake, and enjoy a glimpse of the Academy's famous crew team practicing by the boathouse. For a swank romantic meal out, the Inn by the Water is a gourmet's paradise with stunning river views, although for a more affordable shot at the same view, Penang Tokoyo has a more laid-back (largely studenty) atmosphere. Nightlife is largely limited to the Ioka, a renovated music hall that is now a combined cinema-events hall.

While locals might find the emphatic historical charm (and inflated touristic prices) of the city's main street a bit twee, they often flock to the attractions along this busy highway. While the strip-mall feel is decidedly less charming than the atmosphere city's colonial centre, it's nevertheless a very useful street - one of the town's few local grocery stores, the organic take-out venture Off the Vine, provides excellent soup, salad, sushi, and groceries, while the enormous Stop and Shop is home to the town's only Starbucks. While this area is functional more than aesthetic, it's nevertheless a good place to shop at "local" rather than "proud Academy parent" prices. Plenty of chain restaurants, including Denny's, have outlets here, as do a number of the town's delivery pizzerias. There's also a Staples, a sport shop, and plenty of similarly useful stores. Pad Thai, just at the beginning of Portsmouth Avenue, is very popular with students and locals

Baxter Street is famous among New York historians (and armchair historian) as the site of the Baxter Street Dudes, a teenaged street gang that ran the Grand Duke's Theatre with an iron fist. Today, Baxter Street is a curious blend of SoHo, Chinatown, and Little Italy. While the street is a stone's throw and a corner away from one of the city's most mouthwatering restaurants, former speakeasy (and Sex and the City set) O'Neals Grand Street, it's also home to a mix of Asian and old-school Italian restaurants: the Vietnamese New Pasteur stands alongside the traditional Forlini, nearby the Museum of Chinese in America vies for your attention alongside the Most Precious Blood Church, consecrated to Neopolitan patron Sn. Gennaro (of the feast day festivities). While there's little that's "trendy" here - you're more likely to sit next to geriatrics than Gen X-ers, this historical street is nevertheless a welcome, if somewhat cramped and crowded, reminder of old New York.

Much has been said in recent years about life in Murray Hill While the Murray Hill nightlife scene may be tempting to recent graduates, who want to recapture the fraternity life after coming home from swank finance and banking jobs, for plenty of twenty-somethings and older residents alike the scene can be sterile - a collection of upper-middle-class prep school types who prefer knocking back shots in semi-dive bars like Margarita Murphy's or 515 or pubs like Patrick Kavanagh to the city's trendier cocktail joints. If beer pong doesn't sound like your idea of fun, there's little to do in this neighborhood - just and a couple of basic restaurants with an All-American/sports theme, like the cholesterol-busting Duke's New York or Black Sheep (although the occasional vegan can scrounge out some sustenance at Josie's East Side). You'll be able to eat and drink in this neighborhood, but the venues by and large lack the charm that seasoned New Yorkers have come to expect from their locals.

There's nothing particularly wrong with East 37th Street - a collection of increasingly modern high-rises just south of post-collegiate party town Murray Hill - but there's not terribly much right with it either. This neighborhood seems to have curiously forgotten to acquire a "scene" - striking in a city where every patch of land becomes a TriBeCa or a NoLiTa, or another trendy acronym. Rather, this part of Midtown East is terribly basic - you can find basic wings-and-sports bars like the Rodeo or the slightly more interesting Mad Hatter's Saloon, watch sports at McCormacks, or dine at basic Japanese, Italian, and French restaurants, but it all feels very by-the-numbers for this often vibrant city. (Although Turkish Kitchen, on 3rd Avenue, is a charming and homey exception.) The only real entertainment in this area is the Kips Bay Cinema, located at the street's Eastern end. While the high rises in this district may offer tenants stunning city views, unfortunately there's really not much to see here.

Any self-respecting intellectual in New York City probably associates at least one venue with Crosby Street: the Housing Works bookstore. More intimate than The Strand, this charity used-bookstore also hosts a number of literary events, including readings and speakers (the cafe is also a prime spot to meet other would-be-Ginsbergs scribbling away at their novels). But this street has far more to offer than lattes and literature. It's a gorgeous, period street that offers a wealth of stunning, if pricey, lofts overlooking the numerous cafes, bars, and boutiques dotting the sidewalk. Check out nearby Amarcord vintage fashion, and pick up an amuse-bouch at Balthazar Bakery. Popular dining spots include two French bistros: Sur La Table and l'Orange Bleue. While the place can fill up on weekends with camera-sporting tourists, it's a pleasant - if pricey - location during the week, when the buzz is only mild (and still just enough to be trendy)

Located along the side of Sarah Roosevelt Park, across from Forsythe Street, Chrystie Street is a rarity in New York City: an urban street located along a patch of green. While the green in question may be relatively small, it's still quite a bonus in a city not known for its wide open spaces. Chrystie Street is also easily accessible by public transportation: the F train is a step away at 2nd Avenue and East Houston, while the Grand Street subway stop (at Chrystie Street) services the B and D trains. (Frequent travelers to the Boston or DC area will be pleased to note that Chrystie Street is also about five minutes from the Fung Wah Bus). The street itself is relatively quiet, although a quick walk towards the bottom of the Bowery yields a wealth of trendy cocktail bars, although Home Sweet Home on Chrystie Street itself is a nice local cocktail bar. Other streetside eateries include the wildly popular Sammy's, and the low-key Freeman's! But this street is far quieter than others in the Bowery area, which - combined with its park proximity - makes it better-placed for families than some of the other LES streets.

Anyone who still associates the Lower East Side primarily with tenements and immigration will be surprised to see the changes that have been wrought on the so-called "LES" over the past few decades: this isn't your history class's Lower East Side. While the district's ethnic, working-class, and Jewish roots are still partially evident: there are still the weekend sales of cloth and linens at Orchard Street, and the occasional pastrami sandwich is to be had at one of the neighborhood's holdout delis (or Norfolk Street's Remedy Diner). But kosher delis are far less common on the ground than trendy cocktail bars: Norfolk Street's The Back Room, a 1920's-style "hidden" speakeasy is emblematic of the realm, as are more visible next door neighbors The Tonic and Nurse Betties. Likewise, Norfolk Street is short on tenement housing, but long on style: the Blue Condominium at number 105 is one of the city's most prestigious addresses, with an architecturally inventive blue-glass building that plays host to several of the city's arty intelligentsia. Not as inexpensive - or as homey - as it used to be, but the LES still manages to maintain a decidedly authentic vibe.

While this street is technically not the city's main thoroughfare, it might as well be. Lined with gorgeous historic buildings and home to some of the city's greatest restaurants (grab a bite to eat at Martin's Cafe for a long, luxurious brunch or breakfast, enjoy pub-style fare and rich desserts at 20 Railroad Street, or go upscale with splendid Italian Allium (formerly Verdura). Nearby club Helsinki, located in the gallery mall parallel to Railroad Street, has great jazz, and the cinema is intimate and warm: a perfect small-town venue. There are also a few boutiques and shops, mostly with a souvenirs/"outdoorsy" theme (ie, mugs with moose and bears painted on them, adarondacks-style flannel), although this street is also home to a toy store and Crystal Essences, an incense-scented New Age book and crystal/incense/etc stop. Hit up nearby Baba Louie's for out of this world sourdough pizza. The highlight of any visit to picturesque, charming Great Barrington.

Right in the heart of this once-great neighborhood, whose swish black-turtleneck elegance has rather declined with time, West 20th Street is a veritable cacophony of New York culture. Trendy gays in line at fading nightclubs, over-eager twenty-somethings from the suburbs, and a fair few tourists all mingle in this crowded nightlife scene. While nearby Gotham Comedy Club, Joyce Theatre, and similar venues provide a cultural outlet, the scene here is largely bar and club based. Check out the Chelsea Wine Cellar for a slightly posher night on the town, or get drunk and dance all night at the seedy 40/40. Star Lounge Chelsea has a long pedigree; the Chelsea Hotel once hosted the likes of Dylan and Hendrix. That said, however, you may find the meat market and shots-downing a bit scuzzier than you'd like. Hit up some of the more low-key restaurants, like The Basil, a popular Chelsea Thai, the hilariously named Cafe Grumpy, or do some shopping at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, one of Manhattan's few remaining finds. Transport is at 18th Street for the 1 and 2 trains, or at 23rd for the F and M.

This attractive, historic street in the heart of SoHo has plenty of attractions on offer for the savvy culture vulture. With the attractions of the SoHo Playhouse and the National Theatre Workshop right on the street, and a number of trendy boutiques and galleries like Compleat Sculptor and Frog Designs, this area is a pricey yet elegant slice of downtown culture. Hit up one of the well-known bars in the area, such as Greenhouse New York, City Winery, and Club Shelter. Transport is easy from here - just take the A, C, or E trains to Spring Street and walk 30 seconds north. The scene here can be snobby and exclusive, but it's far less "current" than some other areas - the elegance is more likely to be Upper East Side than Williamsburg, despite the downtown address. Vandam Street may no longer be the place "of the moment," but for those in the know, it's still a place to see and be seen.

Stretching from the Meatpacking District in the north all the way down to Tribeca, Hudson Street is one of downtown's biggest (and widest) streets - somewhat jarring in a section of the city known more for its winding side-streets and cobblestoned blocks of townhouses than for its boulevards. Yet Hudson Street is a useful place - if not the city's most charming. Boutiques and counter-cultural bookstores are in short supply here (although Cherry Lane Theatre is a short walk away), but there is a thriving restaurant scene. Check out Le Petite Abeille, a tiny French bistro, or go for an equally low-key romantic dinner at Little Owl or a trendier night out at Centro Vinoteca nearby. There's also an equally lively bar scene, although it lacks the real character of some more "neighborhoody " places (the Barrow Pub being an exception) Plenty of delis abound if you're just looking for a lunchtime snack...

Not really a residential area, West 37th Street lies in the busy heart of the Garment District, a once-thriving neighborhood that now exists more as an afterthought for wholesalers and a few inventive Halloween-costume-makers. While fashionistas can still get their designer duds tailored and fitted here, the liveliness and sense of style that once dominated the scene here is not quite evident in the Garment District of today. Dining options here are limited - although the Dining Club of New York is located here. If you're not a member, though, stick to one of the several decent-to-good Indian restaurants lining this strip, among them Kashmir and a Touch of India. Transport is easy here - just take the A, C, and E, train to Penn Station, or the 1, 2, 3 , B, D, F, M, N, Q, or R trains to Herald Square. But while shopping might bring you to the area (conveniently, too), there's little to make you stay.

Just a few blocks south of the United Nations, this street gets increasingly residential as you head towards the East River, with the western end of the street clustered with office and commercial buildings. The atmosphere is laid-back, with plenty of preppy bars to appeal to the Murray Hill set, (check out Better Burger and Margarita Murray's or two places to reminisce with old Deerfield buddies), as well as slightly classier venues designed to appeal to the diplomatic types hanging about the UN, such as the Wharf Bar and Grill. The atmosphere here is, by and large, not family-friendly, although the United Nations International School is popular with diplomats' kids. Rather, you're more likely to find young twenty-somethings who all know (and have hooked up with) each other, living on a cushy combination of finance-job bonuses and parental support. It can be fun, for those into the lifestyle, but those seeking either Old World elegance or arty bohemia would be advised to look elsewhere.

East Harlem has become increasingly gentrified over the years, especially on those streets adjacent to or near Central Park. Just north of the park, East 111th street is an "up and coming" neighborhood for middle class families looking for access to Upper East Side amenities - like schools, parks, restaurants, and playgrounds - at decidedly not-UES prices. Located a block from a metro stop (the 110th Street and Lexington Avenue stop, served by the 4,5, and 6-trains), this street is a couple of stops away from the heart of Manhattan, making it an excellent choice for the morning commute. The nightlife and dining scene on this street reflects the area's origins as Spanish Harlem: check out Amor Cubano on Third Avenue, or walk down the street to low-key Samana. Of course, chain options like Domino's Pizza and KFC also abound, as they do in most NYC neighborhoods. Not the most charming place to be, but overall, East 111th St. offers good value for money.

While the touristy heart of midtown - along 5th Avenue - is bustling with out-of-towners, especially during Christmastime, this part of East Midtown is surprisingly staid. It's not quite the Upper East Side, with its pre-war co-ops and picturesque brownstones, but it's nevertheless a pleasant area, a combination of swank residential areas (such as Sutton Place, nearby, one of the city's most prestigious addresses), the beginnings of the diplomatic/UN scene that really starts to thrive in the East 40's, and a number of office buildings. This mix of residential and commercial renders the area a lively one, although families will be pleased to learn that East 54th Street is near two well-regarded schools: the HIgh School for Art and Design and the Cathedral School. Transport is also good here, with the E and M trains stopping at Lexington Avenue and 51st Street, and the 4 and 6 trains stopping at 51st Street. Check out legendary diners PJ Clarke's and Johnny Rocket's for some relaxing grub, or head upscale at one of the city's most famous Chinese eateries, Shun Lee Palace on 55th Street.