New York’s most happening neighborhood

A jazz club in Harlem (now closed) was called The Big Apple. But the official story behind the moniker isn’t related to music, it’s about horses. In the 1920s the Morning Telegraph quoted stable hands from the South who said racing in New York was “the big apple,” a favorite treat for their thoroughbreds.

New York is the center of the universe, according to New Yorkers.  For such a small island Manhattan is brimming with art, music, fashion, curiosities, and great food. 

And did we mention the shopping? 

Ever since Sinatra’s clarion call to “start spreading the news,” New York City’s allure has beckoned visitors from around the world, many returning again and again to explore different parts of the city. 

Remember Billy Joel’s "Uptown Girl"? Did you know it was written for his girlfriend Elle MacPherson, but later dedicated to Christie Brinkley?  It’s a fun love song with a message about the social, political and economic differences between NewYorkers who lived downtown, south of about 14th Street, and “uptown.” As rents and real estate prices rose, wealthy people moved all over the city, but even today, neighborhoods have their distinct identities and experiences.

You’ll find world class museums, expense account restaurants all over; Tiffany’s, Broadway, Times Square and Rockefeller Center in midtown-ish; but downtown, away from the forest of high rise offices and hustle, it still feels like a whole different world. 

Less traffic, shorter blocks, more art, few chain retailers. With downtown’s artsy, upscale bohemian, sophisticated-without-being-pretentious vibe, it feels more like Europe. The West Village, in particular, is the perfect place for an urban vacation.

NextTribe is planning a women's weekend getaway to downtown and the West Village in June and I’m thrilled to lead this trip myself. Even though I’ve moved to Asheville, I spent my 20s in New York working in the magazine business, and I lived in the East Village for 18 months after my divorce. (I called the move my palate cleansing between life courses.)

I just can’t let it go, so I’m happy to say I’m keeping my apartment in the East Village (shared with a fellow NextTriber).

I used to write travel articles for the New York Times “36 Hours in ….” Last year, I challenged myself to set up a sterling itinerary (actually quite a bit more than 36 hours) for women to introduce them to my downtown neighborhood. This year’s itinerary is very similar to what we did last year, with the added bonus of an overnight glamping on Governor’s Island (with a great view of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan). Who else but NextTribe would invite you to New York City to go glamping???

Whether you’ve visited once or a hundred times, I think you’ll be surprised and delighted with what I have planned for this year's trip.

I know we look like we’re auditioning for A Chorus Line, but this photo was taken at the theater that featured comedy, music and all sorts of age-appropriate entertainment.

I love New York. I really do. I think you will, too.

Jeannie Ralston
Co-Founder and CEO