Manhattan/TriBeCa

A former industrial district in Lower Manhattan, TriBeCa, short for "Triangle Below Canal Street", has transformed from artist community to upscale residential district in the 21st century. Sitting on the Hudson River and sandwiched between Canal and Chambers Streets west of Broadway, the neighborhood's cobblestone streets and loft buildings give it a surprisingly quaint feel for Manhattan. Nevertheless, numerous art galleries, fine restaurants, and a growing film festival have brought an element of prestige to this old port neighborhood.

Understand
Previously farmland, TriBeCa became a central transfer point for textiles and dry goods in the mid-1800s. In the 1960s, the Washington Market Urban Renewal Project transformed the area from commercial to residential by replacing the industrial buildings with apartment houses, office buildings and schools. Between 1970 and 1980, the population of TriBeCa jumped from 243 to 5,101. Today, TriBeCa features numerous galleries, stores and fine restaurants and is home to the burgeoning Tribeca Film Festival organized by Robert De Niro to help revitalize lower Manhattan after 9/11.

TriBeCa is one of the few neighborhoods in Manhattan that embodies a sense of community. The neighborhood has that quaint, safe, and comfortable feeling which are not typical adjectives that come to mind when thinking of NYC. Although the neighborhood is transforming into more of a place for the rich and famous, you will still find the struggling artist and average New Yorkers that were there before TriBeca became one of NYC’s most desirable residences.

Another aspect that separates TriBeCa from the rest of the neighborhoods in the city is its general appearance. The neighborhood represents historic Lower Manhattan. Unlike most areas, the Triangle Below Canal street still has the cobblestone streets and loft apartment buildings that disappeared in most areas years ago.

By subway
You can get in by bus or subway. The 1 train runs through the middle of the neighborhood under Varick Street, stopping at Canal, Franklin, and Chambers Streets. You can also take the 2 and 3 trains to Chambers Street. The A, C, and E stop at another Canal Street station, with the A, C, E, 2, and 3 also stopping at Chambers Street–World Trade Center / Park Place station. A third Canal Street stop, several blocks east of the heart of the neighborhood, is served by the N, Q, R, J, Z, and 6 trains.

By PATH
The PATH stop at World Trade center is connected to the Park Place/Chambers Street Station.

Do

 * Halloween in TriBeCa is a great experience for kids. Traditionally trick-or-treating in New York City happens floor to floor in the tall apartment buildings. However, in TriBeCa, all the restaurants, stores and galleries participate in the holiday. Trick or treating outside gives kids the exciting experience that usually only happens in suburban areas.


 * The TriBeCa Film Festival is another fun activity to not miss out on. Stop by to sample some delicious food from all the nearby restaurants. There are also many fun activities and games for the younger generation, as well as some dance, instrumental, and vocal performances. It's also a great opportunity to catch some celebrity sightings, and if you're lucky enough, even snagging a ticket to one of the films participating in the festival.


 * Taste of TriBeCa is a yearly food festival that everyone should attend at least once. It takes place every year on May 16 from 11:30AM to 3PM on Duane and Greenwhich St. It was developed by parents of the children in the neighborhood in 1994. During the festival the best restaurants come together and cook their best dishes, giving visitors the ability to have six tastings for a set fee. Along with the restaurants, there are visiting corporate donors, like UNICEF, live entertainment, and some designers offering items like. T-shirts and hats. Just a few of the participating restaurants include, Acapella (Italian), Flor de Sol (Spanish), and Salaam Bombay (Indian).

Go next
Cross Canal St. to visit SoHo, another upscale neighborhood, or take a 10-minute walk east to Chinatown, a neighborhood that's quite different and features some good, inexpensive food.