12 Hours in SoHo, NYC
Ah, New York City. The city chock full of delicious cuisine, unmatched nightlife, incomparable designer shops and RTW retail selection and unrivaled boutique hotel lodging. Oh, and not to mention the luxury of being able to get a taste of all the city has to offer with ease.
Whether you’re headed to Fifth Ave to window shop, Rockefeller Center to watch as the Christmas tree lights up the holiday season or the High Line on a summer day to drool over views of the Hudson down in Chelsea, the list of things to do is endless.
But navigating the big city can be rough, especially if you’re trying to avoid tourists. So, allow us to do some of the work for you. Instead of traveling to all the tourist-ridden attractions, we recommend heading off the beaten path to a little neighborhood called SoHo.
Most have probably heard of this NYC gem, but if you haven’t, allow us to give you the lowdown. This trendy, up-and-coming neighborhood is located just South of Houston St.—hence the name “SoHo”. While most travel to see the dancing Rockettes in Radio City, ice skaters in Bryant Park and the beautifully adorned windows decorating Fifth Ave, others enjoy the peaceful, lesser-crowded localities. And there is truly no better place to do that than SoHo.
Famous for charming cafes, exquisite art galleries and boutique hotels, SoHo is a fantastic alternative to the hustle and bustle most commonly found in New York City. While this Manhattan district has recently begun its ascent to fame, it’s far less crowded and far more unique than historically frequented city hotspots. So, if you’re in need of a SoHo itinerary, look no further. Here are some of our favorite spots to hit whenever we’re in town for a quick visit.
Brunch o’clock
Do you like brunch? Yeah, us too. To begin the shopping-filled day ahead of you, we recommend first fueling up at our favorite local brunch spot.
Located at 224 Lafayette St., Jack’s Wife Freda is the epitome of a Sunday morning brunch spot, or—considering they’re open every day of the week—a brunch spot for literally any other day of the week. The storefront facade is lined with home-y greenery, propped-open doors and many waiting to hear their name called for a table.
Tile flooring, sweet message-adorned sugar packets, servers dressed in their favorite striped tees, romantic lights dangling from the ceiling and far too many brunch-crazed locals makes Jack’s Wife a SoHo staple. Basically, you need to visit. Oh, and tell them The Edge sent you.
Shopping ’til we drop
If you’re a big shopper (how could you not be?), we recommend allotting most of your day to see all the retail─designer fashion and casualwear alike─SoHo has to offer.
As tempting as it might be to hit every shop along SoHo’s cobblestone-lined streets, you might have to focus on a few streets. We recommend starting on Broadway and making your way toward Broome. From there, feel free to zigzag from Broome to Spring to Prince. Designer fashion comprises Chanel, Longchamp, IRO, Isabel Marant and, of course, Prada. Casualwear includes favorites Zara, Free People, lululemon and Nike.
And even if you aren’t making any splurges, just admiring the storefronts will surely make your trip well worth it. After all, SoHo is known for its artistic tendencies. Did you really think that the storefronts wouldn’t follow the trend?
Grabbing a(nother) Bite.
After all of that shopping, chances are you’ve probably worked up a hefty appetite. But don’t worry, La Mercerie has you covered. Sitting pretty on Howard Street, this French cafe is a delight to anyone who dines.
While the menu is largely inspired by French cuisine, there should be something on the menu for everyone in your shopping-fulfilled, probably hangry party. And, believe it or not, the venue is just as dreamy as the food. Adorning the front of a luxury furniture store, the aesthetic of this eatery fails to disappoint. Even the harshest art gallery critics in all of SoHo wouldn’t dare to say anything negative about La Mercerie.
We will warn you, your bill might be a little high for your liking. But between the refreshing cocktails, tasteful interior and dreamy ambience, we can assure you that a trip here is a trip worth taking.
A cinematic evening
What’s a busy day without a movie to unwind with at the end of it? If you’re really in the mood for a tourist-free evening, we highly recommend heading over to Film Forum, a.k.a. the city’s leading venue for independent films premieres. If there’s a unique place like this anywhere, we’re not surprised it’s in SoHo.
Located on W Houston Street, this 1970s cinema is the place to be if you’re trying to fit in with the locals. And, let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to give the impression that, like other SoHo locals, your go-to night spot is this exclusive venue. Whatever impression you’re looking to give off, we highly recommend a trip to FF to finish off your jam-packed day in SoHo.
Featured image found here.