Manhattan/SoHo

SoHo, short for "South of Houston" and a reference to its supposed similarities to the London Soho, is a diverse and increasingly upscale neighborhood of Manhattan. SoHo used to be a bohemian quarter of artists who subsisted in lofts, which at first weren't recognized as legal housing, and teeming art galleries. By now, the neighborhood has become so expensive that the art galleries have been generally priced out and have moved to the far west of Chelsea, while the struggling artists have had to move further and further into the other boroughs to find affordable places to rent. Now it is a neighborhood of expensive boutiques, but its narrow cobblestone side streets retain their charm, and even if the crowding on Broadway between Canal and Houston Streets can be draining, it is still a good neighborhood to walk through.

Get in
There are numerous subway lines that serve the neighborhood, and which one you use depends on which part of the neighborhood you wish to access. The 1 line runs under Varick Street in the quieter western part of the neighborhood, stopping at Houston and Canal Streets. The A, C, and E run under Sixth Avenue, also fairly far to the west, and stop at Canal Street, with the C and E also stopping at Spring Street. The N, Q, R, and W run under Broadway; the R and W stop at Prince and Canal Streets, while the N and Q express trains skips Prince and stops at Canal. The B, D, F, and M serve the Broadway-Lafayette station at Houston Street in the northern reaches of SoHo, with a free transfer available to and from the downtown 6 train at Bleecker St. The 6 runs under Lafayette Street, roughly the boundary between SoHo and the Lower East Side, stopping at Spring and Canal Streets, and the J (and during rush hours, the Z) stop at Canal Street under Lafayette.

There are also several city bus lines that serve the neighborhood. Take the M1, M6, or M20 bus for uptown/downtown (north/south) service. The M21 runs crosstown, but traffic on Houston Street often makes for slow service.

If you are coming from a nearby neighborhood, walking is the best way to get into SoHo.

See
It's best just to walk around, look at the pretty old buildings on Broadway and the cobblestoned side streets, and if you like, shop at clothing stores and such on Broadway. West Broadway is another interesting and very upscale shopping avenue in the neighborhood.



Buy
SoHo is a prime shopping destination, especially on the weekends, when the sidewalks of West Broadway, Prince Street, and Broadway become almost impassible. Be warned though that the boutique stores have mostly been replaced by high-end chain stores.