Our guide to Chelsea, NYC includes the best places to eat, drink, shop and things to do in the neighborhood
Written by Shaye Weaver
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What's the deal with Chelsea?
For more than 130 years, Chelsea has been New York City's arts district attracting culture hounds from all over the globe.It started with the opening of the famous Chelsea Hotel that was meant to bridge class divisions and to "value the arts" and is now home to hundreds of art galleries that showcase the most iconic and innovative works in the world.
The neighborhood, which is bound by Sixth Avenue to the east and the Hudson River to the west and about 20 blocks from about West 14th to 34th streets, has only recently become a renowned cultural hub. It started as a Native American trading post, then it became an industrial hub with the Hudson River Railroad, and with the eventual abandonment of warehouses and lumberyards, it became a hotspot for punk music and art and would welcome the LGBTQ community, too. In recent years, its seen major architectural development and an influx of some of NYC's coolest cultural venues and restaurants.
From greatspeakeasy bars and dives toflea marketsandworthwhile gay bars, there's something for everyone, not just art fans. The completion of theHigh Lineand the addition of Little Island have brought verdant, elevated promenadeswithgreat views of the neighborhood—a mix of industrial landmarks and gleaming new structures—which are just a few minutes' walk fromthe eateries and shops of the belovedChelsea Market.
If you only do one thing
Walk the High Line (because if you haven't had you really been to Chelsea?) and stop at the Chelsea Flea Market(open weekends) to peruse its knick-knacks and snag some good deals on vintage duds.
Go off the beaten track
Dare to get high at the Trapeze School at Hudson River Park, check out Artechouse's trippy digital art show underneath Chelsea Market or get drinks at Coby Club under Elmo.
On a sunny day
Go visit the brand new Little Islandwhere you can grab a coffee and walk its gently sloping hills and ride a CitiBike through Hudson River Park and stop at Pier 52 to see the permanent water-bound art installation called "Day's End."
On a rainy day
Catch a show at the new City Winery at Pier 57, eat your way through Chelsea Market, shop the Housing Works Thrift Store andgrab drinks at Porchlight.
Get cultured
Head to the Whitney or Rubin Museums or if you want to avoid the museums, see a show at The Shed at Hudson Yards or to some of Chelsea's best art galleries like the newly reopened Dia Chelsea or the popular David Zwirner gallery.
Chill out
Check out the Starbucks Reserve Roasterywhich hasa 60-foot bar on the mezzanine, where bartenders serve co*cktails made with coffee and tea or grab drinks at Boxers NYC or Gallow Green, the rooftop bar of The McKittrick Hotel.
Nearest subway stations
Take the 1, E or F train to the 23rd Street stop and walk to Ninth Avenue.
What else is nearby?
Hell's Kitchen is to the north and Greenwich Villageis to the south—both neighborhoods have some of NYC's best restaurants and ample fun things to do.
Map of Chelsea, NYC:
RECOMMENDED: Full guide toManhattan, NY
Things to do in Chelsea, New York
From gorging on insanely delicious mac-and-cheeseto lounging outdoors atop New York’s only elevated park.
Chelsea has many excellent places to eat and drink whether you're strolling the High Line or checking out itsart galleries.
Eating and drinking options abound from theWhitney Museum of American Artup to Husdon Yards.
As one of the major art hubs in New York City,Chelsea's gallery scene certainly takes the cake for the best place to check out art.
Put yourself right in the action of several hot New York ‘hoods when you stay at the best hotels in Chelsea, NYC
The retail scene in Chelsea offers cool vintage threads, designer menswear, antiques markets and more
Whatever your poison of choice, Chelsea is brimming with quality drinking options
Everything you need to know about Chelsea Market—NY’s hot spot for food lovers and shopping addicts
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