Key takeaway:
- SoHo, short for "South of Houston Street," has the greatest collection of cast-iron architecture in the world.
- Its art history lives on in long-running installations like The New York Earth Room and The Broken Kilometer, and in galleries such as the Drawing Center.
- Shopping runs from upscale boutiques to national and international chain stores, and the dining includes Balthazar and Dominique Ansel.
SoHo is a Lower Manhattan neighborhood that runs from Houston Street south to Canal Street. Sources disagree on the east and west edges, but the area is usually described as running from West Broadway or Sixth Avenue east to Crosby Street or Lafayette Street. The name was coined in 1962 by urban planner Chester Rapkin, and it also recalls Soho in London's West End.
Since the 1970s SoHo has been known for artists' lofts, galleries and art installations, and later for its shops. A visit here is mostly a walk: cast-iron facades overhead, storefronts at street level and a few rooms of art that have stayed in place for decades.
Explore the vibrant art scene in SoHo
Art galleries in SoHo
In the 1960s, artists were drawn to the tall ceilings and many windows of SoHo's empty manufacturing lofts, and since the 1970s the neighborhood has been known for artists' lofts and galleries. In the mid-1990s many galleries moved to Chelsea, but SoHo still has galleries and art spaces worth a stop. The Drawing Center is one of the best known. Check what is showing before you go.
Long-running installations
Two works by artist Walter De Maria are among SoHo's most unusual sights:
- The New York Earth Room, at 141 Wooster Street, is an indoor sculpture installed in a loft since 1977. It fills 3,600 square feet of floor space with 250 cubic yards of earth, about 22 inches deep.
- The Broken Kilometer, from 1979, fills a street-level storefront with 500 solid brass rods, each 2 meters long, laid on the floor in rows. It is two blocks from the Earth Room.
Both are quiet, simple rooms, and that is the point. Check opening days and hours before you go.
Indulge in delicious food and dining experiences
SoHo restaurants and trendy cafes
- Balthazar, at 80 Spring Street between Broadway and Crosby Street, is a French brasserie that opened on April 21, 1997. It is owned by restaurateur Keith McNally.
- Dominique Ansel has a SoHo bakery.
- Fanelli Cafe and The Musket Room are other well-known neighborhood restaurants.
- Lombardi's, which bills itself as America's first pizzeria, dating to 1905, is just east of SoHo in Little Italy.
Unique dining experiences
SoHo's dining ranges from French brasseries to bakeries to tasting menus. For popular spots, book ahead or go early.
Engage in shopping adventures in SoHo
Designer boutiques and boutique stores
SoHo's shopping ranges from trendy upscale boutiques to national and international chain stores. The best approach is to walk Broadway, Prince Street, Spring Street and the side streets between them, where smaller boutiques sit inside the old cast-iron buildings.
Chain stores and luxury items
Expect a mix: national and international chains sit a few doors from smaller boutiques. Give yourself time to wander rather than heading for a single store.
Experience exciting entertainment and nightlife in SoHo
SoHo is busiest during the day, when the shops are open. In the evening, the restaurants and bars take over. Make dinner reservations if you plan to stay into the night.
Immerse in the history and architecture of SoHo
Cast iron architecture and historical facts
SoHo has the greatest collection of cast-iron architecture in the world. About 250 cast-iron buildings stand in New York City, and most are in SoHo. Almost all of the neighborhood is part of the SoHo–Cast Iron Historic District, designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1973, extended in 2010 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1978.
These buildings were originally used for commerce and industry. Many now hold lofts, offices and shops, with the original facades intact.
Walking tour of SoHo
A simple route covers the highlights:
- Start at Houston Street and walk south on Broadway, looking up at the facades.
- Turn west on Prince Street and walk south on Greene Street and Wooster Street.
- Stop at The New York Earth Room on Wooster Street.
- Continue to Spring Street for coffee or lunch.
- Finish at Canal Street, the neighborhood's southern edge.
Visit unique attractions and hidden gems in SoHo
Museums in and near SoHo
The New York City Fire Museum is in a renovated 1904 firehouse at 278 Spring Street, between Varick and Hudson Streets, just west of SoHo. It is a good stop with children.
Hidden art galleries and quaint cafes
The side streets hold smaller galleries and cafes that are easy to miss. Wander off Broadway and take your time.
Getting to SoHo
SoHo is well served by the subway: the A, C and E trains to Spring Street, the 1 and 2 to Houston Street, the N, Q, R and W to Prince Street, and the 4 and 6 to Spring Street.
From JFK or Newark, BLADE offers helicopter flights between Manhattan and both airports in about 5 minutes, from $195 per seat. BLADE Downtown, at the Wall Street heliport, and BLADE Lounge West, at the West 30th Street Heliport, are both a short car ride from SoHo.
FAQs about Fun Things To Do Near NYC's SoHo District
What are some fun things to do in SoHo, NYC?
Walk the cast-iron blocks, visit The New York Earth Room, see what is showing at the Drawing Center, shop Broadway and the side streets, and eat at Balthazar.
What does SoHo stand for?
"South of Houston Street." Urban planner Chester Rapkin coined the name in 1962.
What are some family-friendly activities in SoHo?
The New York City Fire Museum on Spring Street is a favorite with children, and the neighborhood's bakeries make an easy stop.
Where can I find famous pizza near SoHo?
Lombardi's, which bills itself as America's first pizzeria, is in Little Italy, just east of SoHo.
Why is SoHo known for its buildings?
It has the greatest collection of cast-iron architecture in the world, protected by the SoHo–Cast Iron Historic District.