West 4 St, Greenwich Village

Your average logically-minded out-of-towner might assume, quite rationally, that West 4th Street is - according to New York street-naming conventions - located immediately west of East 4th Street. Your average logically-minded out-of-towner, however, would be wrong. This quirkily located (running into West 10, 11, 12th, and 13th streets) diagonal street is as eclectic in its layout as it is in its atmosphere. The historical centre of the Greenwich Village scene of artists, writers, and other assorted bohemians, West 4th Street today is home to a number of historic sites of literary, artistic, and musical interest, including the former sites of Bob Dylan's hangout venue Gerde's Folk City, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney's Whitney Social Club, where artists like John Sloane, Edward Hopper, and Isabel Bishop premiered their work, and Eugene O'Neill's famous watering-hole the Golden Swan. Also worth seeing is the "Peace Church," the marble Washington Square Methodist Church famous for its role in pacifist campaigns during the 1960's, as well as for its support of other more radical activists, including the Black Panthers. Today, the street is perhaps best-known as a tourist destination (although it's far from "touristy" in the Times Square sense), and while it's perfectly pleasant for a stroll or for entry into the West Village, it no longer possesses the same free-wheeling spirit that may have inspired Bob Dylan's "Positively Fourth Street." It's a worthwhile destination, however, and like the rest of the West Village, a fine, if pricey, choice for families looking to bring culture to their family life.

West 4th is just about as West side as a street can possibly get. First of all, it's pretty much The street that makes the West Village confusing as hell. It changes directions and intersects with streets like West 10th. Secondly, it's got a lot of trees, a lot of restaurants and a lot of hustle and bustle to it. As far as activities, it's the most all-around street on the west side of Manhattan.
The Corner Bistro at west 4th and Jane is probably the best burger spot in the city. It's very old school-- it has been a bar since the 1870's and was disguised as a butcher shop during Prohibition. It is still quite inexpensive and very cozy. They serve McSorleys ale and you can sit at the bar, drink beer and eat a burger over the course of a very long afternoon; and only spend about 20 bucks. That is quite a feat for anywhere in NY, let alone the West Village.
Cafe Cluny (at 12th) is another great place to eat on West 4th. This place is always packed, and I mean ALWAYS. I have walked past this place at 8 am on a Wednesday, and there are people in there eating breakfast. Weekend brunch? Forget about it. The food is great, the room always has a bustle and the place is really cute. So, I can see why you can almost never get a table. It's also very hip with the west village set to be seen here. It's pretty much the polar opposite of Corner Bistro.
Right at West 4th and Perry are two Italian joints that I basically live at: St Ambreous and Extra Virgin. They are both a little overpriced, they both have lovely outdoor seating on a beautiful intersection, and they are both quite popular. I have spent many afternoons out at the corner table of St Ambreous with wine and friends. I would say, for my money, though, if you want to try both, do Ambreous for brunch and Extra for dinner -- not the other way around. But, both are worth doing just for the outdoor ambience. The corner of Perry and West 4th just can't be beat.
Another great restaurant, Sevilla, (at Charles) has been around forever. They have pretty incredible paella and the interior is darling.
There's a plaque at the corner of 4th and 7th ave that is the last remaining little chunk of private property that the Hess family maintained when their land was taken to build the Avenue. I find it pretty funny. It's this tiny piece of sidewalk that basically says, "if you stand on this, I will have you arrested for loitering." Ahhh, New York.
Once you get east of 7th ave, West 4th starts looking very Greenwich-y. Tourists don't understand that, I guess, but you'll notice how grubby the street starts to become. And, how all of the old federal style houses are no longer houses on tree-lined streets. They are now "houses" that have bars on the ground floor such as Down the Hatch. What used to be the parlor of a grand old home is now a college bar with beer pong in the back. Unreal. There is a marked difference in the street as West 4th turns from tree -lined with uppity restaurants to trash lined with Benny's Burritos and bars with names like The Slaughtered Lamb -- not that that bar isn't great. But, a lot of the others are just way too rowdy.
The rest of the street is pretty much Washington Square Park and NYU stuff peppered with some hole in the wall restaurants and bars that I don't set foot into because I'm not 20 years old. If you're a college kid: West 4th at 6th ave is your spot. If you're old and like to relax, West 4th West of 6th is the place. Either way, West 4th has something for pretty much everyone.

I am writing specifically about the area of W 4th street and 6th ave. This might be one of the hippest areas in NY, especially if you're into novelty sex shops, sushi, and good vegetarian food. Right off the corner of 6th ave, there are two delicious vegetarian restaurants, "Vegetarian's Paradise 2" and "Red Bamboo" The difference between the two of them is that Vegetarian's Paradise 2 serves more comfort food type meals with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and soyburgers. Meanwhile, Red Bamboo offers up an Asian twist, and has some of the best soy shrimp I've ever had! Both of these restaurants are cozy, comfortable, but usually quite crowded, it is better to go during off-peak hours, or just be prepared to rub elbows with fellow animal lovers. Otherwise, this area is never boring, even if you don't go into one of the shops or restaurants, the people on the street are a treat on their own. It is a friendly area, and definitely worth a stroll.