Manhattan is known for its very different ethnic and economic neighborhoods. Neighborhood names are often used by New Yorkers and tour guides to identify locations. For example, directions to a restaurant may include the fact that it is located in the East Village. Neighborhood boundaries are not precisely defined. In fact, they may change along with the population of the city. China Town has grown in recent years, while Little Italy has been declining. New neighborhoods such as No Ho (North of Houston Street) and NoLiTa (North of Little Italy) have been created by realtors to give an area undergoing gentrification a certain air.

Manhattan can first be divided into several north-south sections.

• North Manhattan includes the area north of 110^th Street. It includes the neighborhoods of Harlem, El Barrio, Morningside Heights, Inwood, Fort George, Hamilton Heights, and Washington Heights.
  
• Midtown North contains the areas south of 110^th Street and north of 59^th Street. It includes Central Park, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, Lenox Hill, Lincoln Square, and Yorksville.
  
• Midtown covers all the neighborhoods bounded by 59^thStreet on the north and by 34^th Street on the south. It includes Clinton, the Theater District, Times Square, Midtown Center, and Midtown East.
  
• Midtown South contains the neighborhoods south of 34^th Street and north of 14^thStreet. It includes Chelsea, the Garment District, Hell's Kitchen, the Flatiron District, Murray Hill, Stuyvesant Town, Tudor City, Grammercy Park, Kips Bay, and Midtown South Central.
  
• The Village contains the neighborhoods south of 14^th Street and north of Houston Street. It includes the East Village, No Ho, Greenwich Village and the West Village.
  
• Lower Manhattan covers the area between Houston Street on the north and the New York Harbor. It includes So Ho, Little Italy, the Lower East Side, the Bowery, China Town, TriBeCa, the Civic Center, Two Bridges, Battery Park City, and the Financial District.

North Manhattan:

• Harlem: Location. Neighborhood map. Harlem is the name given to the areas between 151^st Street on the north, 110^th Street on the South , 125^th Street and Eighth Avenue on the west and Fifth Avenue on the east.

  Harlem was the site of the Harlem Renaissance and some landmark historic districts including Hamilton Heights and Strivers Row date from that period. Harlem is also known for the Apollo Theatre and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Most parts of Harlem are safe, but it is recommended that tourists visit only during the day.

• El Barrio (East Harlem): Location. Neighborhood map. El Barrio is the name given to the area lying between Fifth Avenue on the west, the East River on the east and 96^th Street on the south.

  The Museo del Barrio, a center of Latin American culture, is located in this neighborhood. As with Harlem, it is recommended that tourists limit their visits to the daylight hours.

• Morningside Heights: Location. Neighborhood map. Morningside Heights lies south of West 125^th Street, north of West 110^th Street, west of Eighth Avenue and east of the Hudson River.

  It is home to St. John the Divine, the Riverside Church,Columbia University, the Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Barnard College. Some guide books refer to Morningside Heights as an extension on the West Side.

• Inwood: Location. Neighborhood map. Inwood includes the area between the Harlem River and Dyckman St. It is the northernmost neighborhood in Manhattan.

  During the late ninteenth century Inwood was a popular area for the rich to build estates. Inwood Hill Park, which contains the only remaining primeval forest in Manhattan, is located in this neighborhood.

• Fort George: Location. Neighborhood map. Fort George is the name given to the area south of Dyckman St. and north of 188^th Street.

  Sights include the Cloisters and Fort Tryon Park. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's stunning Medieval collection is housed in the Cloisters.

• Hamilton Heights: Location. Neighborhood map. Hamilton Heights, also known as Sugar Hill, is located between 143^rd and 155^th streets, between St-Nicholas and Edgecombe Avenues and Striver Row (west 139^th St. between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglas Blvds). This area is known for its beautiful row houses.

• Washington Heights: Location. Neighborhood map.Washington Heights is located in the highest part of Manhattan between 155^th and Dyckman St. It is largely Hispanic, with strong Dominican presence in particular.

Midtown North:

• The Upper West Side: Location. Neighborhood map. The Upper West Side is the name for the area lying south of 110^th Street, north of West 59^th Street, east of Riverside Park and west of Central Park. According to some guides it also includes Morningside Heights (between 110^th Street and 125^th Street) and Lincoln Square(between West 72^nd Street and West 59^th Street.

  Landmarks include the Dakota, and Columbus Avenue. The American Museum of Natural History can be found on Central Park West, between West 77^th Street and West 81^st Street.

• Lincoln Square: Location. Neighboorhood map. Lincoln Square covers the area between West 72^nd Street to the north, West 59^th Street to the south, east of the Hudson River and west of Central Park.

  It is home to Lincoln Center (map), which is one of the largest cultural centers in the world. Lincoln Center is home to the Metropolitan Opera House, and the New York City Ballet. Guide books may not make any distinction between Lincoln Square and the West Side.

• The Upper East Side: Location. Neighborhood map. The Upper East Side runs south from East 96^th Street to East 72^nd Street. Central Park forms its western boundary. On the east, it is bounded by Third Avenue from 96^th Street to 79^th Street, and by the East River from 79^th Street to 72^nd Street. According to some guides, the Upper East Side includes the neighborhoods of Lenox Hill and Yorksville (mentioned below).

  The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum are just two of the many museums (pictures) that can be found on the Museum Mile (Fifth Avenue between 70^th Street and 103^rd Street) which runs through the Upper East Side.

• Yorkville: Location. Neighborhood map. Yorkville lies south of East 96^th Street, east of Third Avenue, west of the East River and north of East 79^th Street. Some guides refer to Yorkville as part of the Upper East Side.

  Yorkville is home to the Carl Schurz Park, the Henderson Place Historic District and the official residence of the mayor, Gracie Mansion.

• Lenox Hill: Location. Lenox Hill is the name given to the area that lies between East 72^ndStreet on the north and East 59^th Street on the south. Central Park forms its western boundary and the East River forms the eastern boundary.

  A portion of the Museum Mile (Fifth Avenue between 70^th Street and 103^rd Street) lies within Lenox Hill and such museums as the Frick Collection can be found there. The famous Art Deco-style Bloomingdale's Department store can be found on East 59^th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues.

• Roosevelt Island: Location. Neighborhood map. Roosevelt Island is nestled in the East River between Manhattan and Queens. It is roughly 2 miles long and 800 feet wide and was once home to an insane asylum. Today it is home to various apartment buildings, a few historic buildings and some gardens and fields. The tramway to reach the island is located at Second Ave and 60 ^th St., near the ramp to the Queensboro Bridge.

Midtown:

• Clinton: Location. Clinton runs from West 59^th Street on the north to West 42^nd Street on the south. To the east, it is bounded by Sixth Avenue from West 59^th Street to West 53^rd Street, and by Eighth Avenue from West 53^rd Street to West 42^nd Street. The Hudson River forms the western boundary of Clinton.

  Clinton was "created" in 1959 by realtors who found the original name, Hell's Kitchen, was not conducive to selling real estate. The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum is located at Pier 86 on West 46^th Street.

• Times Square: Location. Picture. Times Square runs south from West 54^th Street to West 40^th Street. The eastern boundary is Sixth Avenue and Ninth Avenue forms the western boundary. It is centered on the intersection of 42^nd Street and Broadway.

  Times Square, with its lighted signs and hustle and bustle, is the "heart" of the city. Sights include Rockefeller Center, the Times Square proper, the offices of the New York Times, and the Times Tower.

• Theater District: Location. Neighborhood map. The Theater District runs from south from West 53^rd Street to West 34^th Street. The eastern boundary is formed by Sixth Avenue and the western boundary is Eighth Avenue. It is home to the famous "Great White Way", the stretch of Broadway which runs past numerous theaters. The Ford Center for the Performing Arts, the Neil Simon Theater, the Gershwin Theater and the Winter Garden Theater can be found here. The Theater District is essentially an economic district and it is regarded as a part of Midtown West.

• Midtown Center: Location. Neighborhood map. Midtown Center is bounded by East 59^th Street to the north and East 42^th Street to the south. The eastern boundary is Third Avenue and the western boundary is Sixth Avenue. Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Grand Central Station and the Museum of Modern Art can be found here.

• Midtown East (Turtle Bay): Location. Neighborhood map. Midtown East (Turtle Bay) runs from East 59^th Street down to East 42^nd Street. Its western boundary is Third Avenue and the eastern boundary is the East River. The United Nations Headquarters is located on on First Avenue.

Midtown South:

• Hell's Kitchen: Location. What is left of Hell's Kitchen is bounded by West 42^nd Street on the north, West 34^th Street on the south, the Hudson River on the west and Ninth Avenue on the east. The Jacob Javitts Convention Center is located in Hell's Kitchen.

• Chelsea: Location. Neighborhood map. Chelsea runs south from West 34^th Street to West 14^th Street. The eastern and western boundaries, respectively, are Sixth Avenue and the Hudson River. It includes part of the Garment District. Madison Square Garden and Penn Station are located in Chelsea. Sights include the Chelsea Hotel, St. Peters Espiscopal Church, Cushman Row, the Flower Market and the Fur Market.

• Garment District: Location. Neighborhood map. The Garment District is the name given to the area bounded by West 42^nd Street to the north and West 29^th Street to the south. The eastern boundary is Sixth Avenue and the western boundary is Ninth Avenue. Below West 34^thStreet the Garment District overlaps with Chelsea.

  The Garment District is essentially an economic division. It is full of wholesale fabric stores as well as more well known favorites such as Macy's Department Store.

• Midtown South Central: Location. The northern boundary of Midtown South Central is East 42^ndStreet and the southern boundary is East 24^th Street. Park Avenue and Sixth Avenue form the eastern and western boundaries. Midtown South Central is home to the Empire State Building, the New York Public Library, and Madison Square Park.

• Flatiron District: Location. The Flatiron District covers the area south from East 23^rd Street to West 14^th Street. Park Avenue South is the eastern boundary and Sixth Avenue is the western boundary.

  The Flatiron District is well known for being home to many fashionable cafes, restaurants and nightclubs. The Flatiron Building, Union Square Park and the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site are among the many sights to be found in the Flatiron District.

• Murray Hill: Location. Neighborhood map. East 42^nd Street forms the northern boundary of Murray Hill. The southern boundary is East 34^th Street. Park Avenue and First Avenue form the western and eastern boundaries.

  Murray Hill is home to many restaurants. Landmarks include St. Vartan's Park and the Daily News Building.

• Kips Bay: Location. Kips Bay runs south from East 34^th Street to East 23^rd Street. The eastern boundary is the East River. Park Avenue South forms the western boundary.

  Kips Bay is a largely residential area but the NYU Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital are located here.

• Gramercy Park: Location. Neighborhood map. Gramercy Park is bordered by East 23^rdStreet to the north, First Avenue to the east, East 14^th Street to the south and Park Avenue South to the west.

  Gramercy Park is home to Stuvesant Square, Gramercy Park, the Police Academy Museum and the Beth Israel Medical Center.

• Tudor City: Location. Tudor City is a small area which is between First Avenue and the East River. The northern boundary is East 42^nd Street and the southern boundary is East 34^th Street.

  The buildings within Tudor City were all built in the Tudor Gothic style. Tudor City Place is a walkway which offers wonderful views of 42^nd Street and the United Nations Complex.

• Stuyvesant Town: Location. Neighborhood map. Stuyvesant Town is bounded by East 23^rd Street on the north, East 14^th Street on the south, the East River on the east and First Avenue on the west.

  Stuyvesant Town is a residential neighborhood.

The Village:

• West Village: Location. Neighborhood map. The West Village is bounded by West 14^th Street on the north, West Houston Street on the south, Seventh Avenue South on the east and the Hudson River on the west.

  The West Village is known for having an active nightlife scene.

• Greenwich Village: Location. Neighborhood map. Greenwich runs south from West 14^th Street to West Houston Street. The eastern boundary is Fourth Avenue and the western boundary is Seventh Avenue South. Be warned, Greenwich Village was built before the rest of the city so it is not part of the city grid. The streets can be a bit confusing as they wind around and come to sudden stops. It is well known for its slightly rebellious and bohemian atmosphere as well as its jazz clubs and coffeehouses. Washington Square, West Eighth Street, Christopher Street and the Jefferson Market Library are among the interesting sights in Greenwich Village.

• No Ho: Location. No Ho is a small neighborhood bounded by Astor Place to the north, Fourth Avenue to the east, East Houston Street to the south and Mercer Street to the west.

  No Ho is known for trendy restaurants and bars.

• The East Village: Neighborhood map. The East Village runs south from East 14^th Street to East Houston Street. Avenue D forms the eastern boundary and Fourth Avenue forms the western boundary. The section of the East Village between Avenue A and Avenue D is known as "Alphabet City". It is also referred to as "Loisaida" by the Puerto Rican community that resides there.Location. Neighborhood map.

  The East Village has a mix of residential areas, restaurants and shops that give it a "hometown" kind of feel. The stretch of 6^th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue is known as Little India. Sights include Tompkins Square, the St. Mark's Historic District and the St. Mark's in the Bowery Church.

Lower Manhattan:

The area south of Houston Street is known as Lower Manhattan. It includes the neighborhoods of So Ho, Little Italy, the Lower East Side, the Bowery, Chinatown, TriBeCa, the Civic Center, Two Bridges, Battery Park City, and the Financial District.

• So Ho: Location. Neighborhood map. So Ho is bounded by West Houston Street to the north, Canal Street to the south, Lafayette Street to the east and the Hudson River to the west.

  So Ho is well known for art galleries, trendy boutiques and coffeehouses. Sights include the E.V. Haughwout Building, Greene Street and the Guggenheim Museum SoHo.

• TriBeCa: Location. Neighborhood map. TriBeCa is the name given to the area that runs south from Canal Street to Vesey Street. The eastern and western boundaries are Broadway and the Hudson River.

  TriBeCa is known for restaurants and retail food stores. Landmarks include the New York Mercantile Exchange, the Western Union Building, Harrison Street Row and Washington Market Park.

• Battery Park City: Location. Battery Park City is bounded by Chambers Street to the north, First Place to the south, West Street to the east and the Hudson River to the west. Battery Park City is primarily a residential neighborhood.

• Little Italy: Location. Neighborhood map. Little Italy is a small area that runs south from East Houston Street to Grand Street. The Bowery forms its eastern boundary and Lafayette Street is the western boundary.

  Little Italy is well known for its neighborhood shops and wonderful Italian restaurants. Landmarks include Old St. Patricks Church, the Police Building, and Mulberry Street.

• Chinatown: Location. Neighborhood map. Picture. Chinatown has grown in recent years. Its current boundaries are: Grand Street to the north, Worth Street to the south, the Bowery to the east and Broadway to the west.

  Chinatown is well known for its small shops, Chinese groceries and restaurants. Sights include the Edward Mooney House (the oldest surviving row house in Manhattan, the Kim Lau Memorial and a statue of Confucius.

• Civic Center: Location. Neighborhood map. The Civic Center is bounded to the north by Worth Street and to the south by Park Row and the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. Broadway and Pearl Street are the western and eastern boundaries.

  The Civic Center encompasses City Hall, the City Hall Park, and numerous city, county and federal buildings. Sights include City Hall and the City Hall Park, the Woolworth Building, St. Paul's Chapel and Park Row.

• Financial District: Location. The Financial District is bounded on the south, west and east by the New York Harbor, the Hudson River and the East River. The northern boundary is formed by the Liberty Street and Park Row.

  Wall Street (picture) is probably the most well known street in the Financial District. The Federal Reserve Bank, the South Street Seaport, the Fulton Fish Market and Battery Park are also located within the Financial District.

• Bowery: Location. Neighborhood map. The Bowery is a small neighborhood within the Lower East Side. Its boundaries are East Houston Street to the north, Canal Street to the South, Allen Street to the east and Bowery to the west.Landmarks include the Bowery Savings Bank. There are many stores offering restaurant equipment wholesale. This area is hospitable and has many soup kitchens and homeless shelters.

• Lower East Side: Location. Neighborhood map. The Lower East Side runs south from East Houston Street to the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge. Bowery is the western boundary and the East River is the eastern boundary.

  The Lower East Side is a landmark ethnic neighborhood. There are many small shops and open-air markets.

• Two Bridges: Location. Two Bridges is bounded on the north and south by the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge and the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. St. James Place forms the western boundary and the Hudson River forms the eastern boundary.

  Two Bridges is a residential area, containing housing projects.