The Bowery’s namesake hotel embodies the ethos of the neighborhood: classic, stylish, and a little bit cooler than you. Swathed in rich velvets, crisp white linens, with complimentary bicycles and bellboys in topcoats, the Bowery Hotel offers an atmosphere that rivals the old stalwart hotels of uptown, but in a much younger, trendier hood. Take in the killer view from any room and lounge in the courtyard before exploring the historic neighborhood, and be sure to check out Gemma for brunch or dinner. The lobby bar’s after-dark scene is also not to be missed.
Neighborhood: Steps from beloved restaurants like Momofuku Ko and Bar Primi, the Bowery Hotel sits right at the intersection of the East Village and the Lower East Side. It’s the perfect home base for exploring hangouts favored by the hip downtown crowd.
Nearby:
The Tenement Museum: For the chance to tour a restored 19th-century tenement
The Wren: For Irish-inspired cocktails in a picturesque setting
Prune: For simple yet supremely satisfying fare in a tiny restaurant
Time Out tip: Some of the neighborhood’s most exciting contemporary art isn’t at the New Museum (though that’s a good way to spend an afternoon, too), but at the Bowery Mural Wall. The outdoor gallery at the corner of Houston Street and Bowery features new artists constantly, so you never know what you’re going to find.