Walking Route Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown & Little Italy in New York

For me, the most beautiful walking route in New York is this one through Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown and Little Italy. If you enjoy walking, this tour will take you through four neighbourhoods that blend seamlessly into one another: from the quiet streets of Greenwich Village to the bustling Chinatown. I created and photographed this route myself, and I walk it regularly to ensure everything remains up to date. You can find the route in my Eric’s New York App and walk it whenever you like, at your own pace.

Download the app and buy your walking route for New York here

Highlights of Greenwich, SoHo, Chinatown & Little Italy Route

The walk starts at West 4th Street subway station, right in the heart of Greenwich Village. This is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in New York. This is where I had my first flat, and every time I’m walking around Greenwich Village, the memories come flooding back.

Film buffs will be in their element on this part of the route, walking Greenwich Village. You’ll walk past places you’ll recognise from television, such as the Friends apartment, the lively Washington Square Park and Carrie’s house from Sex and the City. And while you’re out and about, be sure to treat yourself to a cupcake from the famous Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker Street or one of the other eateries.

The route then takes you past the cast-iron façades and shops of SoHo, where you’ll probably want to take a photo in every corner. Nowhere else in the world will you find so many of these cast-iron buildings clustered together, and it’s a delight to wander amongst the shops and galleries.

In Little Italy, you’ll find the Italian restaurants and espresso bars for which this neighbourhood has been famous for over a hundred years. And in Chinatown, it feels as though you’ve stepped into a different city: Chinese shops, food stalls and market stalls are everywhere, selling products you wouldn’t normally come across.

As we go along, I’ll tell you the story behind what you’re seeing at each stop. Sometimes it’s useful to know, sometimes it’s just fun, but in any case, you’ll see the city in a different light than if you’d just walked past it on your own.

A Route for Everyone

Anyone who can comfortably walk about 4.3 miles (7 km) can do this self-guided tour of Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown and Little Italy. You’ll be walking along the city’s pavements; the route is flat and there’s no need to climb any hills. There are plenty of opportunities to take a break along the way, and you can set your own pace. The walk is also suitable for children, as there’s always something to see and plenty of tasty treats to sample.

Practical Information

• Starting point: West 4th Street subway station
• Distance: 7 kilometres (4.3 miles)
• Duration: approximately 2 hours
• Price: from £2 as part of a package
• Best time: This walk is lovely to do at any time of day. My favourite time is 10:00, so I can round it off with a nice lunch.

Pairs well with:
The great thing about the package is that the different routes complement each other well. For example, after this neighbourhood tour, you can walk the Lower East Side route. The starting point for that route is right near the end point of this one. Alternatively, you could combine this walk with the evening route through Greenwich, Meatpacking & the High Line and see The Village both by day and by night.

How does the walking route work in the app?

You’ll follow the tour on your own using my Eric’s New York App. The route works entirely offline, so you won’t need an internet connection whilst you’re out and about. Here’s how it works:

1. Download the free Eric’s New York App from the App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Tap the ‘Routes’ icon at the bottom, or the menu button in the top right-hand corner of the home screen.
3. Select the Greenwich, SoHo, Chinatown & Little Italy walking route.
4. Tap ‘Buy route’ and complete the payment.
5. You’ll now see the full route in the app, with all the points you’ll pass. At each point, you’ll find my stories, tips and photos.
6. On the map, click on the green figure to view the route and your own location. That way, you won’t get lost along the way.

You can buy the route before your trip, so you can have a look at what’s in store for you while you’re still at home. Once you’re in New York, simply follow the route on the map at your own pace. Fancy a quick coffee break or a detour? No problem, the route will simply wait for you.

If you’re on your mobile, you can open this link directly to the walking routes in the app

Tip: Budget-friendly walking routes through New York

Do you enjoy walking, or would you like to see as much of New York as possible on foot? With the package, you can make the most of your trip: a different part of New York every day. This means you’re buying several routes in one go, which is much better value than buying them all separately.

View all walking routes and packages in the app