TriBeCa (as in "Triangle below Canal")
has recently become one of the most trendy, and expensive, residential
neighborhoods in all of Manhattan. This
small area north of Wall Street is home to the "Tribeca Film Festival",
founded to contribute to the recovery of lower Manhattan (after 9/11) and to celebrate
New York City as a major film-making center. Big name actors such as Robert
DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Scarlett Johansson reside in Tribeca.
SoHo (as in
"South of Houston") features more cast-iron architecture than any other city. This is one area where it's acceptable to
slow down, look up and stare at the beautiful loft-style buildings--most of
which were built between 1840 and 1880. Many of the local artists have moved away, but numerous galleries
remain. This is a fantastic place for
window shopping & celebrity spotting.
A short stroll to the East will take you to Chinatown and Little Italy. In these small neighborhoods you'll find some of the
most authentic family-style restaurants in all of Manhattan. The shopping in Chinatown (on Canal Street) is
fantastic for bargains and knock-off brands.
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