Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the true stories behind the legends are a great way to learn more about this incredible city. Whether you’re an avid urban explorer or just someone looking for something unique to do during your stay in New York, this Greenwich Village Ghost Tour will help you discover all of the best haunts. And best of all, you get to go at your own pace. There are so many places along the way to rest your feet, so don’t be scared to take a break, or grab a drink at one of the many bars and cafes along the way!

About the Tour

This tour starts off in the eastern outskirts of Greenwich Village and ends aptly on the north tip of the neighbourhood, just off of Greenwich Avenue. The google map below will show you all the stops along the way! The walk will take around two hours, taken at a leisurely pace. Stop in a restaurant, grab a beer in a pub or even just sit and admire the architecture. Plus, you want all the chances you can get to see if you can spot a spectre!

There are plenty of spooky and scary stories along the way, so if you’re taking this tour with little kids you might want to pre-read through some of the stories. That way, you can decide for yourself if they are appropriate for your kids.

Map of Greenwich Village Ghost Tour

When To Do the Tour

The best time to do the tour is before dusk. Remember: New York is a big city. And like any big city, you need to keep your wits about you when walking around at night. But the tour is designed around popular locations in busy parts of the city. That way, you’re not somewhere totally out of the way late at night. You don’t want to start your walk too late at night. That way, you might miss out on being able to stop in for drinks along the way.

Obviously, “spooky season” (aka September and October) are the most atmospheric times to do the tour. The leaves change and cast a gorgeous yellow and orange hue across the brick brownstones. And the crisp Autumnal air sets the scene for ghostly apparitions. But if you don’t care about the time of year, you can absolutely take this Greenwich Village Ghost Tour whenever you are in town.

Quick History of Greenwich Village

The original marshland that now makes up Greenwich Village was called Sapokanikan by the indigenous people who were the first inhabitants of New York. Sapokanikan means “tobacco field” since the indigenous people used this rich land, close to the water, for their fields and crops. Greenwich Village was also a popular spot for fisherpeople as it was located next to a populated trout stream.

When the Dutch colonized the land, they renamed it New Amsterdam, after the original capital city in the Netherlands. At the time, this little hamlet was far from the dense city centre. When the English arrived, they battled for land and won it from the Dutch in 1664. But it wasn’t until 1713 that the colony was officially designated as “Grin’wich” in the public records. It was named after a popular neighbourhood in London.

Exodus to Greenwich

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, people were trying to escape the yellow fever epidemic that ravaged the centre of New York. So they fled to areas outside the epicentre, into rural communities like Greenwich. New blocks of rowhouses began to pop along previously uninhabited farmland. These new streets were designed in the popular Federal style. Houses were simple square or rectangular boxes, only two or three stories tall. Most New York Federal-style buildings were made of brick with cast or wrought iron handrails. The brick buildings that make up this part of the city are one of the most iconic features of the area. These houses were occupied mostly by middle-class merchants and tradespeople.

In 1833 the New York City University moved its campus to Greenwich. With all these academics in one central area grew a bohemian environment. Art galleries, literary salons, and libraries swept through to match demand. This beatnik enclave was marked by cheap rent, drawing more and more artists and immigrants to the area. And drove out the upper classes.

Bohemian Greenwich

In the late 19th century, Greenwich Village saw another huge growth spurt. This was with the influx of French, Irish, and Italian immigrants fleeing Europe during World War II. Factories began to pop up around the area where large expanses of land were still available. And these factories could easily be filled with immigrant workers living in the newly created tenements housing.

This free spirit and rowdy community were rich with speakeasies in the prohibition era of the 1920s. Which ironically attracted uptown patrons who couldn’t find anywhere to drink in their upper-crust neighbourhoods. Throughout the years, the neighbourhood became known for its counterculture attitudes and was a hub for political and cultural movements. In fact, it was here that the Stonewall riots were first started. Sadly, rising housing costs in the district drove out the artists that originally made it what it was. Today the neighbourhood remains one of the most architecturally and historically rich areas of New York City.

St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery

The first stop on our tour is notoriously one of the most haunted. At the intersection of 2nd and 10th Street, walk north until you see the giant silhouette of a church in the distance. This is the old St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery. As you approach, keep your ears peeled for the sounds of an old church bell ringing in the distance.

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Petrus Stuyvesant

The site for this first church in the area was purchased in 1652 by Petrus (Peter) Stuyvesant. Stuyvesant was the first of the colony of New Amsterdam. Stuyvesant was originally a great Dutch soldier. But during a battle against the Spanish, he was badly wounded and lost his leg. It was amputated and replaced with a wooden leg, giving him the nickname “Peg Leg Pete.” Because he could no longer fight, he was selected by the Dutch West India Company to go to New York. There he would serve as governor of one of their new colonies.

Stuyvesant built a small church on the site for himself and his family. After his accident, Stuyvesant was a melancholy man. He was also a religious man, and the church brought him much peace. Stuyvesant had purchased this specific property for his dwelling because it was located far away from the hustle and bustle of the “big city.” So it was much to his dismay, as the city continued to grow, that his once peaceful neighbourhood would soon be riddled with townhouses and noisy pedestrians.

Despite all this, Stuyvesant stayed put in his home, and when he died, he was buried beneath his chapel. In 1793 the original chapel was sold off to the village. But the community built an even more impressive Episcopal church in its place in 1795.

The Ghost of St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery

But soon after building the new and improved church, people started noticing strange occurrences happening inside. One day, the villagers were awoken by the tolling of the church bell. This would usually not be a strange noise, but this bell was ringing in the middle of the night. And it wouldn’t stop!

Everyone raced to the church to see what was the matter. But when they arrived, they found the door to the bell tower locked shut from the inside. When they finally broke down the door, the noise stopped. But the room was empty. And they looked up to find the bell’s rope had been cut. The only reachable part of the rope was way too far above the ground for anyone human to reach. Everyone was perplexed as to how the bell had been rung at all, let alone for hours.

The townsfolk searched the church for clues. Finally, they found the torn part of the rope lying atop Peter Stuyvesant‘s crypt. And as they were all standing around the crypt in silent horror, they heard the sound of Stuyvesant’s wooden leg echoing throughout the halls of the church. Today many people report still hearing the ghostly footsteps of Stuyvesant’s wooden leg throughout the church. See if you can hear it for yourself.

The Body Snatchers

Another interesting story from the churchyard revolves around the stone burial vault of Alexander Turney Stewart. When he died in April 1876, Alexander Turney Stewart was America’s third-richest man. Stewart made his fortune as a retailer. He was a hugely popular figure in the city, and his funeral was packed with the city’s cream of the crop. Writers, politicians, lawyers and more all came out to St. Mark’s Church on the Bowrey to pay their respects.

In October, six months after Stewart’s burial, the church sexton noticed that doors to the vault had been disbursed. When he looked inside, he noticed several vault slabs moved, but the tombs were still in place. The sexton was immediately suspicious, with fears of so-called “resurrection men.” He made sure to a night watchmen just in case the people who broke in tried to do it again.

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Resurrection Men

In the 1780s, grave robbing was on the rise. Originally grave robbing was mainly done for doctors to get their hands on “fresh” dead bodies. They used these to practice their trade and other medical experiments. But in 1870, the sensation of grave robbing was often done in search of ransom. Even Abraham Lincoln’s body was victim to an attempted robbery. Although thankfully, that was thwarted. But it was not uncommon for the bodies of wealthy men to fetch an acceptable price. Once the ransom was paid, the bodies would be returned.

The Theft of A. T. Stewart’s Body

Unfortunately, the watchmen the section hired failed at his one duty. And on the morning of November 7th, the sexton discovered the body of A. T. Stewart had been removed from his vault. Police arrived on the scene and were horrified by the brown blotches they found around the area. These were immediately identified as “pieces” of Stewart. Stewart had been dead for more than eight months and would have been in a terrible state of decomposition. So when the criminals left with the body, they left bits of the body trailing behind them as they fled. But the trail went cold, and the police had no leads.

Media Sensation

The newspapers ate up this media sensation. A reward of $25,000 was offered to the public for any information leading to the thief’s capture. Hundreds of letters poured in with theories, but none proved to provide any actual leads. In 1879 the attorneys for Stewart received a letter from Canada claiming to be the robbers. When the lawyers asked for proof, they provided several silver pieces of Stewart’s missing nameplate, also taken during the robbery. The lawyers tried negotiating with the thieves, but the trail eventually went cold. As perhaps the thieves were getting scared off, with talk of the robbery is all the papers.

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Walling’s Confession

A very contested private memoir from the police chief Walling in 1878 claimed that he was in communication with the real thieves. And he claimed to have negotiated with the criminals. With the help of Stewart’s wife, they met up at midnight on an abandoned pathway outside the Hudson Valley. The masked men arrived on horseback with a velvet coffin cloth from the tomb. And a bag of bones they claimed was Stewart’s.

The masked men handed them over in exchange for the money and rode off into the night. Walling claims the bones were taken by Stewart’s wife. In 1885, they were laid in the Cathedral of the Incarnation, where Stewart’s wife was buried. But many have refuted this claim as gossip and a way for Walling to make a few bucks on his memoir. No one will ever know the truth, but many people have claimed that the cemetery is haunted by the ghost of Stewart. Stewart is known to roam angrily around the church, furious about being torn from his grave. Many say if you smell something awful, like the piece of his body that was trailed behind, that is a sign Stewart is just around the corner.

McSorley’s Old Ale House

Head south along 2nd Avenue, turning west onto East 7th Street. Walk west along east 7th Street until you reach #15 where you’ll find the historic McSorley’s Old Ale House. McSorley’s is Manhattan’s oldest continuously run tavern! You definitely need to make a point to stop here inside to rest your legs and admire the decor and atmosphere, and get a drink! The darkened wood of the walls is almost stained with history. Along the interior, you’ll see an authentic old wanted poster for John Wilkes Booth. The chair hanging above the bar was the one that Abraham Lincoln himself sat in when he came in for a drink. And the handcuffs on the wall were apparently worn by Harry Houdini.

But what might lurk in the shadows among the displays are the ghosts of the tavern’s past. Bar staff have frequently seen their cats arching their backs and nuzzling into invisible hands. As if the ghost that comes every night is only there to give the cats a pet. So see if you can spot any cats who look particularly happy with no living soul around to be entertaining them.

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Merchant’s House Museum

Walk south down 3rd Avenue, and turn west down 4th street. At #29 stands an old brick mansion, sitting in between two large empty lots, ripe for new constructions. But the old mansion remains, sticking out like a sore thumb. The house was once owned by wealthy merchant Seabury Tredwell. It was built in 1832, and despite its age, if you walked inside, you’d find almost the entire house unchanged.

In the 250 years since its construction, the house appears as if no time has passed. This is because the house is now a city-owned museum. It aimed at presenting to the public the personal lives of upper-class families living in New York in the 19th century. Throughout the museum are hundreds of personal objects from the Treadwell family. And supposedly, one descendant, in particular, doesn’t like when you touch her things. This would be their youngest daughter, Gertrude Tredwell.

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Gertrude’s Ghost

Gertrude was a spinster who lived out her entire Iife inside the house. She was born here in 1840 and died in 1933. Gertrude had seven siblings, two brothers and five sisters. While the rest of her family grew up and got their own families, Gertrude remained alone. Gertrude had one real chance at love, but sadly, the affair was broken up by her Episcopalian father, who refused to let Gertrude marry a poor Irishman. As she grew older and became a spinsterhood, she became more and more eccentric. She seemed to care only for the house, with nothing left in her own life to care for. She was constantly obsessing with ensuring the house maintained its elegance. Even as she herself fell into financial ruin.

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Her sad fate supposedly inspired Henry James‘ novel Washington Square Park, about a woman whose father attempts to thwart her romance with another man. After Gertrude’s death, the house was passed down to her cousin. But, knowing how much Gertrude protected the history of the house, the cousin was able to sell the house and all its contents to the city. Who saved it from foreclosure by turning it into a museum.

Since becoming a museum, the staff have seen the ghostly figure of Gertrude roaming the halls. She loved nothing more than to make loud noises whenever “her” objects were being moved. See if you can spot her in the window, peering down on the street. She is often seen looking out the window, always watching out for her beloved home.

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Furman Hall

Leaving 4th Street behind, we’ll head down to 3rd Street. Walk west down the street and continue walking until you reach the corner of #85 West 3rd Street. This building is the residence for NYU students, Furman Hall. Unfortunately for the students, we find ourselves at another haunted residence. But this building is a real literary treasure of the city. It was here where Edgar Allen Poe lived when he wrote his infamous poem, The Raven.

Preserving Poe’s House

Back then, the buildings along West 3rd Street were made up of a series of brick rowhouses. During Poe’s time in his rowhouse, he lived with his beloved wife (and cousin) Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe. Virginia suffered from Tuberculosis, but this, combined with the stress from Poe’s scandalous activities, caused her untimely death. After her death, Poe moved out of the house and to his cottage in the Bronx. Partly to escape the madness he began to suffer after her death. When the house was set to be demolished in 2001, 70 scholars from NYU fought to preserve it. They wanted to keep Poe’s legacy within New York alive for future literary fans to appreciate for years to come.

But the building was simply in too bad of a state to be restored, and even renovation would be near impossible. As a compromise, the entire front facade of the house was cut out and preserved. It was then integrated into the new building at #85 West 3rd Street. Standing opposite the new building, even those who might not know the whole story can clearly notice the rather strange-looking addition to the facade. You can really see the difference between the salmon-coloured bricks from the original facade and the deeper red-coloured bricks from the new building surrounding it. But both brick patterns were laid out in the rinning-bond pattern to create unity between the two structures. If you walk up to the small front door on the outside of the building, you can see a plaque dedicated to the famous writer explaining the whole story.

Ghost of Edgar Allan Poe

Another architectural element preserved from the original building was a wooden banister. Today, it stands in the entryway to Furman Hall. Many students have reported seeing the ghost of Edgar Allen Poe walking up and down the staircase, holding onto the railing. Often, the students report seeing him one minute and yet gone the next. Edgar Allan Poe was a deeply troubled soul, and the death of his beloved wife marred him perhaps more than all the other events in his life. So it is without a doubt that this place would be an important spot where his spectre would return. Wandering up the stairs, holding onto the railings, and looking out the windows, for that raven, nevermore.

#84 West 3rd Street

Right across the street, at #84 West 3rd Street, you can see the gorgeous facade of an old Fire House. The house has since been transformed into a grand private residence for none other than news anchor Anderson Cooper! But Anderson must be a pretty brave owner as this building is known to be haunted by the ghost of Firefighter Schwartz.

During its time as a firehouse, firefighters would constantly report seeing a man’s ghostly figure hanging from the attic rafters. The story goes that this was the ghost of a firefighter who once worked here in the 1930s. After discovering that his wife was having an affair, he hung himself from the rafters, unable to cope with the betrayal. Ever since, workers reported hearing noises and creaking coming from that attic. As if his body was still swinging from those rafters. The large windows frame the upper-level beam with light at night so keep an eye out to see if you can see the ghost still hanging from above.

Washington Square Park

Walking north, you only have to go so far before you hit Washington Square Park. This site is perhaps one of the most popular destinations for tourists coming to New York City. It’s known for its communal atmosphere, with musicians and artists surrounding the fountain at all times of the day. Entertaining the masses that collect here to sit around the fountain or relax on the benches that surround it.

Potter’s Field

But few tourists, and many locals, might not know when they are walking onto the square because below them lies over 20,000 bodies. Buried right under their feet. In the 1780s, the city purchased a parcel of eight acres of land to be converted into a large potter’s field. A potter’s field was the old term for a common grave site. The bodies buried in these types of graveyards were often those of criminals, the destitute, or even those who could not be buried in a church cemetery for religious reasons.

Yellow Fever Epidemic

But in the late 18th century, the epidemic of yellow fever hit New York City. The spread of the virus was most prevalent in the centre of Manhattan, and it claimed thousands of lives. But what to do with so many bodies? And bodies that were thought to still be infected. The answer was to bury them in graves far outside the city centre in the hopes of preventing further spread. So the potter’s field out in what is now Washinton Square Park was selected as the prime location.

Transformation into Washington Square Park

The cemetery was closed in 1825, and the ground was quickly paved to create the Washington Military Parade Ground. Seemingly overnight, the area was transformed from a haunting burial ground to a fashionable residential area. Fountains, pathways and gardens were added to the beautification of the park. And in 1889, to celebrate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration, an enormous stone Memorial Arch was built in his memory. Modelled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

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Ghosts of Washington Square Park

But despite the visual changes to the area over the years, there is no use in ignoring the fact that this beautiful parks stands atop a mass grave. And ghosts have certainly not forgotten. People have reported feeling a freezing cold chill run down their spine even on hot summer days. And if you spot a woman dressed in 18th clothes walking by, only to disappear a moment later, you surely have spotted one of the “local” residents.

Another rumour tells the story of a local store owner who would see a woman in dishevelled clothing coming into his shop, begging for milk for her child. After taking the milk, she would quickly run outside. One day, the store owner followed her out. She ran into the park, and the horrified store owner watched as she disappeared into the dirt ground below.

Hanging Tree

But it is not just the bodies of those taken by the virus that haunts the ground here. The park was also home to a great Hangman’s Elm. The old tree still stands on the northwest corner of the park. The elm tree dates back more than 300 years and is considered one of the oldest surviving trees in Manhattan. There are tales that the tree may have been used for public executions, but there is no truth to this rumour. Its spooky appearance perhaps gives it a bad reputation. Only one public execution was ever known to have taken place here in Washington Square park. And it occurred with the use of a gallows, not by the tree.

Rose Butler

The victim of this sole execution was a young woman named Rose Butler. Rose was executed in 1820 for the shockingly benign crime of arson. Rose was only 19 years old and an enslaved woman living in the household of a nearby family. Her only crime was setting fire to the wooden steps of her owner’s house.

Police claimed she had “confessed” to setting the fire in the hopes that she could trap her enslavers inside the house. And burn them alive. But many doubt the truth of this story. Rose was sentenced to death for a minor crime where no one was injured, and the damage to the stairs was barely even noticeable. The fire put out with a small bucket of water. Her unjust death, is a clear marker of the racism that black people were subjected to. And still are to this day. In 1827, slavery in New York was abolished, just seven years after Rose’s execution.

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The Ghost of Rose Butler

Rose was buried in the same spot where she was executed, the last person buried in this potter’s field. Rose’s ghost is known to haunt the park. Some claim to see her swinging from the hangman’s elm. Others have been known to see her apparition walking through the park. Often lingering under the shadow of the elm tree. If you do come across her ghost, be sure to pay her some respect. As the last person buried here she is often thought of as the proprietor of the burial grounds. And so perhaps she is still walking about, monitoring and looking after her fellow departed.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Walk through the park, east along Washington Place, to #23 where we find the Brown Building and the sight of the old Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. In this very building, the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city and one of the deadliest in U.S. history occurred.

As it was originally named, the Asch Building was constructed here in 1900 in a fabulous neo-Renaissance style. It was made in the most popular material of the time, iron and steel. These newly manufactured materials were all the rage as they were meant to be “fireproof.” Unlike the brick and wooden buildings of years past that would instantly be destroyed in a large fire, these iron buildings were thought to be able to withstand even the strongest blaze.

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Triangle Shirtwaist Company

These so-called “fireproof” buildings were very attractive to factory owners, especially those in the textile industry. Fires weren’t uncommon at the time, and the price to either rebuild or renovate after a fire was sometimes enough to bankrupt a company. The Triangle Shirtwaist Company manufactured women’s blouses and occupied the top three floors of the Asch Building. Most employees who worked here were young, Jewish, Italian, Russian, and German female immigrants. And although they came to the United States in search of a better life, they were almost immediately taken advantage of upon arrival. Even today, the garment industry’s underpaid labour is a huge ethical issue. And sadly, in the past, things were even worse.

The Life of a Factory Workers in 1911

Workers here were unpaid, overworked, and often as young as 14 years-old. But worst of all, they were subjected to awful working environments. The upper floors of the building had almost no ventilation, and the heat would have been unbearable in the summers. But worse, freezing cold in the winter. Being a textile factory, the rooms were filled with the most flammable objects you could bring together. Tissue paper, linen, cloth, and cotton cuttings were strung all over the floor and even hung from the ceiling above.

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March 25th, 1911

On March 25th, 1911, someone dropped a single match in the northeast corner of the 8th floor. No doubt, the poor freezing soul was just trying to keep warm on a cold winter’s day or perhaps lighting a cigarette as their only means of relaxation. In seconds the floor was aflame. And spread in an instant throughout the entire factory floor, igniting all the scraps that were strewn across the ground. There could be no better environment for fire to spread.

Women on the 8th floor rushed towards the exit doors. Although there were technically two exit stairwells, one was locked shut as a means to prevent theft by the workers. So only one stairwell was able to be used for escape. The remaining stairwell inside was a death trap. Since the building was always overcrowded, well past legal capacity, the escape became a log jam as people scrambled to get out. Many women were crushed to death in the stairwells, long before the fire even reached them.

Falling to their Deaths

It only took a few minutes before the fire spread to the 9th floor. But with the chaos ensuing below, no one could warn those above. When the fire erupted above, some women were able to escape using the freight elevators. But eventually, these elevators became overcrowded and the elevators unusable. When the women on the 9th and 10th floors went to use the stairwells to escape, they found them consumed with fire. The last option for survival was the fire escape on the outside of the building. But unfortunately, the outer stairs were flimsy and poorly anchored to the iron structure. So when these hoards of women tried to scramble down, the heat and extra weight caused the stairs to collapse, and about 20 women fell to their deaths onto the concrete, exactly where you’re standing below.

The women left upstairs who witnessed this horrifying scene could do nothing but wait. They saw the firefighters arrive on the scene, but their ladders could only reach the 6th floor. While they tried to use their hoses to put out the blaze, the flames were too strong to be so easily snuffed out. Many trapped women standing on the edge of the windows were forced to jump. Killed by the nine-storey fall. Many died from smoke inhalation as they could not escape from the fire.

When the fire was finally put out, there were nothing left inside but ashes. But the building’s structure was undamaged. The iron and steel were indeed “fireproof,” but sadly for the victims, this didn’t apply to them. Over 123 women and young girls died in the blaze, along with 23 men.

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The Aftermath

The owners of the factory, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, managed to escape the fire. But they were not able to escape prosecution for their negligence. After the traumatic deaths of all these women, a rush of protests occurred throughout the city. These resulted in a huge change in legalization and for better safety standards for workers. It even was the catalyst for the creation of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union.

Ghosts of the Fire

Today, students report seeing countless ghosts throughout the building. The ninth floor of the building is where the most people died and is, therefore, the most haunted. The phantom screams of women echo from the top three floors late at night. A famous ghostly couple is often seen in a final embrace beside the window. They are seen standing together before jumping to their deaths, hand in hand. There have been ghostly apparations seen fleeing down the corridors, still trying to outrun the fire.

In the stairwells where so many women were met with a locked door, the door handles still seem to shake and jiggle, as if a phantom hand is still trying to get them open. And in another stairwell, the sound of running footsteps is often heard.

Above the elevator, on the 9th floor, there is a mirror that student says reflects the living and the dead. People have reported seeing a woman dressed in Victorian garb staring back at them in the mirror. But when they turn around, there is no one there. Listen carefully as you stand outside in the dark. People say that you can still hear the ghostly crackle of the fire that burns in the memory of this place forever.

#18 W 11th St

Walk north, turning onto 5th Avenue. Continue until you reach 11th Street. Before heading to the stops on 10th Street, we’re going to make a quick stop at #18 West 11th Street. The building stands out amongst the other classical buildings due to its unique appearance. You might not notice it from far away, but as you get closer, you’ll see how the facade of the house is diagonally indented. But it’s not its architectural uniqueness that brings us here today, but the incredible events which took place in 1970.

The Weather Underground

Back then, the house was owned by James Wilkerson. But at the time, he was letting his daughter, Cathy Wilkerson, stay at the property while he was away. Little did he know that his daughter was a prominent member of the Weather Underground group. The Weather Underground was a radical left-wing militant organization. So prolific at the time, it was named as a domestic terrorist group by the FBI. They originally started as a group of students from the Democratic Society. Their goal was to create a revolutionary party to overthrow American imperialism.

But their intentions turned violent in the 70s, and the group started a targeted bombing campaign. It aimed to destroy government buildings and large banks. It was in this house that several group members were set up, building bombs in the basement. No one could have suspected such activity was going on behind an otherwise innocent-looking middle-class brownstone.

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Bomb Explosion

While assembling the bomb, it was accidentally set off, causing an enormous explosion. Two members in the basement were killed instantly, and another outside the room would die from his wounds later that evening. Cathy had just been returning home and, once witnessing the explosion, fled the scene. She avoided capture for more than a decade but eventually surrendered in 1980.

A fascinating twist to the story was that actor Dustin Hoffman lived just next door! When the explosion happened, Hoffman was captured by the newspaper, fleeing his home. Since his house was one of the adjoining houses, it also caught fire. So Hoffman was caught running in and out of his house, carrying large pieces of precious artwork in the hope of saving them from the flames.

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Restoration of the House

The house was left vacant for years, the scars of the deaths that occurred here too fresh for anyone to want to move right in. Architects went about trying to restore the damage to the home. The heritage department prevented any kind of visual renovations to all the other houses on this street as they pre-date 1845. But since this home has been so badly damaged, there was a dire need for repair. The architects didn’t want to simply restore it back to the exact design of the original home. They felt they needed to honour what happened here not just hide it all away.

So they came up with the idea to create these angular and modernist bay windows that seems to cut into the fabric of the building. Almost exploding out of the frame. It was a pretty hotly contested design, but eventually, after time passed, the house was repurchased. And people began to forget the event ever happened. But the angry ghosts of those radical victims who never got to carry out their horrible deeds are known to still wander the streets. The ghostly echoes of the explosion still reverberate in the glass. So listen closely on hauntingly dark and quiet evenings to the sounds of the house that still cries out.

Church of the Ascension

Head back to 5th Avenue and walk down to the intersection of 5th and 10th, where you’ll find the gothic revival-style Church of the Ascension. One of the church’s unique aspects is that even at night, the stained-glass windows are illuminated. Giving the building a haunting effect, glowing brightly in the darkness. But the windows are not just a beautiful aspect of the church, but the spectral reason that brings us here today.

John La Farge

The windows were designed by artists John La Farge. La Farge was an innovative American painter, muralist, and writer, but most famous for his imaginative stained glass windows. After completing the window design, the church Parish was so impressive that they commissioned him to paint an enormous arched mural. This mural would be the central focus of the entire nave. The canvas he used was enormous, almost as wide as the church itself. When he completed the painting, hanging it up inside proved to be a big challenge. According to the legend, when the installers came to hang the mural, it fell off the wall, crashing down to the floor. It’s said that the same moment the mural crashed to the ground, La Farge passed away. As if the two incidents were eerily linked.

La Farge’s Ghost

La Farge lived just down the street at Tenth Street Studio Building. Ever since his death, multiple residents have seen La Farge’s ghost wandering the down the street and into his beloved church. Lights have been turned on, and doors unlocked. Many people have seen his ghostly figure, and he even appeared to people during seances when called upon. Keep an eye out for his shadow in the illuminated stained glass windows as he is frequently seen floating past.

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The House Of Death

Across the street from the church is perhaps one of the most haunted buildings in all of New York. You’d never known it from the classical brownstone’s appearance, looking just the picture of regal New York architecture. The house was built just before the civil war in the 1850s and has barely changed since. But since it is so old, it has seen its fair share of deaths over the years. There are reports of over 22 different ghosts who are said to appear to the residents of the building. All of these chilling happenings lend to the house’s nickname, The House of Death.

Many people believe that traumatic circumstances are the cause of ghostly appearances. But sometimes, even the presence of ghosts can cause these incidents, causing a knock-on effect. Various paranormal investigators who have visited the building have seen the ghost of a young child, an aborted fetus, a gray cat and a lady dressed in white. But the most famous ghost residing here is that of famous write, Mark Twain. A small bronze plaque is located on the outside of the building to mark Twain’s official stay.

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Twain’s Ghost

Mark Twain lived here for only a year in 1900. But even in that short amount of time, he claimed to have experienced some supernatural occurrences. But Twain was a skeptic, but one night, while sitting near the fire, he saw a piece of wood kindling moving all by itself. Floating in the air. He thought it was caused by a rodent and even shot at the wooden log. Blood appeared from the bullet hole, but no rodent was ever found. Despite being a skeptic, the strange occurrences were enough to cause his quick exodus from the building. Twain died ten years later at age 74 in Connecticut.

In 1930, a mother and daughter moved into the house. They almost immediately experienced the first sighting of Twain’s ghost, sitting near the window. He turned to them and said, “My name is Clemens, and I have a problem here. I gotta settle.” Clearly, despite dying in Connecticut, something was bringing Twain back to this site. Something left unfinished.

Jan Bryant Bartell

Years after Twain’s death, the house became home to actress and writer Jan Bryant Bartell. As soon as she moved in, Bartell began to experience paranormal sightings. This includes noises in the walls, and visions of a ghostly woman in white woman seen in the windows. She also would increasingly smell putrid aromas throughout the house. And could never find the source. But worse than anything else, was this constant feeling of a presence nearby. Even when she was alone in the house, she felt like someone was watching. One day, while searching for this presence, she saw the ghostly figure of Twain himself. He was standing on the stairs, dressed in his white suit. Staring straight thru her.

The Steinberg Case

But the most horrible event inside the House of Death was the murder of a helpless 6-year-old girl. In 1987 former attorney Joel Steinberg beat his adopted six-year-old daughter Elizabeth “Lisa” so badly that she fell into a coma. Unfortunately, little Lisa died in hospital a few days later from her injuries. Despite being convicted of manslaughter, at the time in New York State, first-degree murder applied only to those who killed police officers. Or had committed murder while already serving a sentence for a previous murder. So the jury could only convict Steinberg to the maximum penalty of 8 to 25 years in prison.

Despite NEVER claiming any remorse for the murder, Steinberg was released on parole in 2004 and is still living in Harlem. The relatively short stay in prison is an unjust reality compared to the cruelty of his actions. Today, the young girl’s ghost is known to cause the lights on the floor where she was killed to go on and off at various times when no one is home. A sign that the girl is still there, waiting for real justice to be served.

Emma Lazarus House

Just two doors down, at #18, is the Emma Lazarus House. Emma Lazarus is perhaps best known for her poem, The New Colossus. The poem is emblazoned on a pedestal beneath the Statue of Liberty. The poem goes, “Give me you’re tired, your poor/ Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Emma was a talented child right from the jump. Her father, a Jewish immigrant and wealthy sugar merchant, moved into the Italianate-style residence in 1883. Emma couldn’t attend school as a girl, but she was well taught by many private tutors. And when she was just 20 years old, she began writing poems. Some of which were actually published in newspapers all around New York.

Emma was also very outspoken about the rights and struggles of Jewish immigrants. She aimed to help new immigrants when they moved to the city and immersed herself in helping others. Emma never married; perhaps she already felt like she was a mother to many other families. Sadly, she fell ill at only 38 from what we now suspect to be lymphoma. She died shortly after returning home to New York from a European trip. But she never could find a way to leave her beloved home. And her ghost is known to roam the house halls even today. Her figure is often seen walking past the windows at night, looking out at the street below.

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43 W 10th St

Continue walking east along 10th street until you reach #43. This building was the original location of the old Tenth Street Studio. The Tenth Street Studio was La Farge’s original residence. And the place from which his ghost is often thought to emerge at night. Wandering down the street, heading towards the church. So be sure to keep an eye out for him as you pass by.

The Jefferson Market Library

Stepping out from 10th Street onto 6th Avenue, you are immediately overwhelmed by the sight of the most unbelievable architectural wonders of New York City; the Jefferson Market Library. Although it might look like a church, the building was originally designed in 1870 as a Victorian Gothic courthouse. Unlike today, most courthouses of the time housed their prisons inside the same building. The basements of courthouses were where prisoners awaiting trial would be locked away.

By the 1940s, the courthouse was closed, and the building was saved from demolition by being transformed into a public library. But ever since it became a public space, people have seen the ghost of a woman roaming the library halls. Particularly, she loves to lurk around the fire watcher’s balcony windows and wave to people below. If you spot her, try waving back. Perhaps she is just lonely and yearning for someone to give her back some affection. Many people speculate that she is the ghost of a wrongly accused prisoner who may have died in prison. And who today continues to wander the building, yearning for justice.

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Gay Street

Turn down 6th Avenue, and walk south for one block until you reach Christopher Street. Head east down Christopher Street until you reach the tiny, tucked away lane marked “Gay Street.” Gay Street is one of the most iconic streets in Greenwich Village. But despite what you might immediately think when looking at a street called “gay” at the time when the street was named, the word had nothing to do with homosexuality. It was actually named after the land owner, R. Gay, who was given ownership of the land in 1775. The narrow lane was originally used as a stable alley for horses. But in 1833, the lane was widened, and houses began to be built up around it. Only by coincidence was Gay Street, located in the heart of the Gay and Lesbian neighbourhood that grew in the 1970s and 80s.

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Ghosts of Gay Street

But the haunted nature of the street dates back even before the street had a proper name. Back when the area was still a part of the Dutch Colony, it was owned by Wouter Van Twiller. Twiller built a morgue and brewery in this very spot. As it was then on the city’s outskirts, these two smelly establishments were perfectly suited to be on the fringes. But from day one, death seemed to hang heavy in the streets. With local residents claiming to see the ghosts of the corpses fresh from the morgue still wandering the streets.

The Gay Street Phantom

In the early 20th century, Gay Street became a popular spot for the city’s black residents, many of whom were musicians. And with great music came great parties! During prohibition, Gay Street was a popular spot for speakeasies, as the street was not only off the beaten path but also quite tucked away from the main roads. The parties of the 1920s roared down the narrow lane. And one of the partygoers seems to have never left. They call him the Gay Street Phantom. The Phantom is frequently seen walking down the street dressed in his dapper black cloak and large top hat.

12 Gay Street, Manhattan

The quaint brick townhouse with pale blue shutters at #12 Gay Street was once home to one of the most famous speakeasies; the Pirate’s Den. The Pirate’s Den was opened during prohibition as a theatrical buccaneer-themed establishment and a popular hang-out for then-local Mayor Jimmy Walker. Before he was a mayor, Walker actually wrote the music for broadway shows and his love for the theatre never waned. And neither did his love for chorus girls. Despite being a married man, he became so obsessed with one particular Ziegfeld showgirl, Betty Compton. He was so enamoured with her that he set her up with a small apartment inside #12 where she could live as his mistress and eventually be his wife.

Today, the house is rumoured to be home to Walker’s ghost. The ghost is known to still walks about the house, the upper levels’ floorboards creaking at night when no known is at home on those levels. His spirit must have clung to these streets, wishing to return to a better time when life was all about fun and frivolity. Walker’s time as mayor was marred with scandals and corruption. Life was easier when he was just a broadway tunes writer.

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Marie’s Crisis Café

Walking west, turn down Grove Street to #59, where we find Marie’s Crisis Café. Marie’s Crisis Cafe is a lively piano bar built atop the site of Thomas Paine’s home. Thomas Paine was an English-born political activist. Despite his English origins, he was one of the most influential writers who drove the ideals of the American Revolution into the hearts of the people of New York City. One of his most famous pieces of writing was called the “Crisis Papers,” hence the bar’s name. Shortly after the American Revolution in 1809, Paine died inside his beloved home. Despite all his work to fight for the revolution, his oppositional opinions on institutionalized religion drove him to be ostracized by his peers. And sadly, only six people attended his funeral.

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After Paine’s death, the area around the house fell into disrepute, and the home was transformed into a popular brothel. It wasn’t until the late 1850s, during prohibition, that the building served as a speakeasy. After prohibitions were dismantled, the bar continued its operations, this time more public-facing. It continues to be one of the most entertaining places in town. With hundreds of people gathering nightly to sing Broadway tunes around a grand piano. Paine’s ghost is known to still haunt the building. But happily, unlike at the end of his life when he drove everyone away, today he is surrounded by dozens of friendly faces inside Marie’s Crisis Café.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea

Walk across 7th Street, which cuts diagonally across the village. Take a turn east down Barrow street towards the restaurant named One if by Land, Two if by Sea. The building now houses one of New York’s most illustrious and elegant restaurants, but when it was first built in 1790, it was used as a horse stable. But not just any stable; it was the stable house for none other than now star of the Broadway stage, Aaron Burr. The current restaurant owners pay tribute to the American politician by hanging horseshoes, hitching posts and other antiques they found within the house on the restaurant’s walls.

Aaron Burr’s Home in New York

Aaron Burr owned a swath of land just a few streets west at #17 Commerce Street, but while that home was being built, he moved into the carriage house with his daughter after his wife died. His daughter, Theodosia, was the apple of his eye. And the two spent many good years together inside this quaint home. But sadly, after that fateful dual against Alexander Hamilton, which ended in Hamilton’s untimely death, Burr fell sharply out of the popular political circles in New York. Burr was forced to sell off much of his property, including the carriage house.

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After its sale, the house was converted into an engine house for the next-door firehouse. And like many of the buildings we’ve been to throughout our Greenwich Village ghost tour, in the 1890s, the house was (you guessed it) transformed into a brothel and speakeasy. This building was especially useful as a speakeasy because it housed an underground passageway. The passage provided access to the shores of the Hudson River. This meant it was easy to sneak in and out of illegal goods. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the home was purchased as a restaurant and opened back up to the public.

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The Ghosts of Aaron and Theodosia Burr

But even after all this passage of time and changing faces of the building, Aaron Burr and his beloved daughter are known to meet here in the afterlife. It was here that they both shared so many warm memories, and it is no surprise that they would want to return. Theodosia also suffered a terrible fate. On her way home to New York, the ship she sailed home in disappeared. Many people think pirates kidnapped the girl; others believe the ship sank in a terrible storm. Whatever the case, her body was never recovered, which drove Burr into a despair from which he could never rebound.

Theodosia’s ghost is known to wear a long black gown and stand at the top of the stair, looking down at the guests below. She is also known to go up to some women inside and pull at their beautiful earrings. Perhaps trying to acquire them for herself.

Burr, on the other hand, is perhaps slightly more angry at all these people seemingly taking up residence inside “his” house. Waiters have been known to be shoved down the stairs late at night or see plates flying across the walls as if thrown by spectral hands. Lights are known to flicker on and off after the restaurant has closed. Picture frames are often found off kilter in the morning when the manager opens the restaurants despite no one being inside.

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Chumley’s

Continue walking west along Barrow Street, turning north on Bedford Street to #86 Bedford Street. Here we find ourselves outside the blank stone facade of what was once of the most popular bars in the city; Chumley’s. Long before it hosted such notable figures as Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck and F. Scott Fitzgerald, the building served as the community’s blacksmith back in 1831. It wasn’t until 1922 that Leland Stanford Chumley converted the building into his covert speakeasy.

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86’ed

There isn’t even a remnant of any old signage indicating where the old bar once was because the original speakeasy had to be as low profile as possible. Even after prohibition was abolished, they kept up the tradition, and only those “in the know” could find the bar. It is rumoured that the term “86’ed” actually comes from life at Chumley’s. During prohibition, the speakeasies paid off police certain officers to ensure they would be informed about any raids in the areas. The officers would call the bartender and tell them to “86 your customers” as a code word to get them to evacuate the customer before police arrived. They used the word “86” since back then, the address of #86 Bedford was actually the back door to the bar. The primary entrance was located on the other side, in the Pamela Courtyard.

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The Ghosts of Chumley’s

The first person known to die inside the fabled bar was writer Clinton Curtis. He was involved in a bar brawl that resulted in his throat being cut by an angry seaman. The cause of the brawl? A rather intense game of chess, of all things! Curtis’ ghost frequents the bar, still looking for chess partners to play with.

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After Leland Chumley’s death, the bar was inherited by his wife, Henrietta. But Henrietta fell victim to the call of the alcohol that flowed so freely inside the bar. She died in 1960, sitting inside her favourite booth. Her ghost is still said to haunt that very same booth today. Still drunk as a skunk, her spirit is often heard knocking over shelves, smashing glasses and even drinking up half-empty beers left on the tables.

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Chumley’s was forced to close in 2007 after a load-bearing wall collapsed inside. After extensive renovations, it reopened shortly in 2016. But was forced to close its doors once more during the Covid pandemic. The thirsty ghosts still reside inside, awaiting Chumley’s triumphant return, when they can dine with the living once more!

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The Church of St. Luke in the Fields

Crossing over Grove Street towards Hudson Street, you find yourself face to face with the rather quaint exterior of the Church of St. Luke in the Fields. The church dates back to 1820, when it was built in the image of an old English village church by the local community around here. The church was named after Saint Luke, the patron saint of physicians and surgeons. 

Saint Luke

As mentioned when visiting Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village was a safe refuge from yellow fever that plagued the inner city. So the church was built in St. Luke’s name in the hopes he would protect this new community. Later, in the 1980s, at the height of the AIDS crisis, the church once more did right by its namesake. They created the AIDS Project, which provided Saturday dinners and weekend teas to tens of thousands of people afflicted by the disease.

Ghost of Clement Clarke Moore

The most famous ghostly resident whose grave can be found in the cemetery is of Clement Clarke Moore. You might not immediately recognize the name, but you will know the story he penned, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Moore even first read the poem to the congregation here at the church. Moore loved his church. He was the only child of a wealthy family, so he spent much of his fortune funding the church. He even used the wood from his orchard to help rebuild the church after a fire.

After his death, many claimed to see his spirit inside the church every Sunday. But Moore is the definition of a “friendly ghost.” Many liken his personality to that of Santa Claus himself. Many have seen his spectre singing here at Christmas along with the carolers, as the festive season was always his favourite time of year. People have also reportedly heard the organ being played late into the night. Moore banging out Christmas tunes which echo throughout the empty nave. So listen closely as you pass by to see if you can hear him at play.

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White Horse Tavern

Continue north along Hudson Street towards the old White Horse Tavern. The White Horse Tavern touts itself as the second oldest bar in New York, opening in 1880 under the name Longshoremen’s Bar. But the tavern wouldn’t fall into the history books until the 1950s and 60s, when it became a popular hangout for New York City’s most prolific writers and musicians. Being frequented by Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison.

The Ghost of Dylan Thomas

But most notably for our purposes, the White Horse Tavern is where people often see the ghost of poet Dylan Thomas. When Thomas was visiting New York, he came to this tavern and drank over 18 shots of whiskey. It was a triumphant record for him. He later that night returned to the Chelsea Hotel, bragging about his accomplishment at the famed White Horse Tavern.

But that would be one of the last happy memories for Thomas, as he was suffering from a severe lung infection. Only days after visiting the White Horse Tavern, he died at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Thomas’ ghost is known to return to the tavern, sitting at the bar, sneaking shots of whiskey. Perhaps trying his best to beat his own record. He even has a favourite corner table where guests have most frequently seen his spirit. This is a great place to stop in for a drink to see if you can spot him for yourself.

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Waverly Inn

The last stop on our tour can be found after a short walk east along West 11th Street. At #16 Bank St., we see the picturesque brick exterior housing the old Waverly Inn. The house was initially built in 1884 and served as a tavern and a bordello. Surprise, surprise. After the original tavern closed, the building was converted into a carriage house for the wealthy owners of the homes nearby.

But, the 1920s prohibition era brought the saloon back to life, reopening as a “teahouse.” Teahouses were the nickname many people gave to keep speakeasies a secret. It was one of the most upscale speakeasies of the time. It was even frequented by American poets Robert Frost and Edna St. Vincent May. In 2006, the restaurant was purchased by Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Graydon Carter. Carter would transform the restaurant from a classic tavern to full-on 5-star dining with a wait list full of celebrity names!

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The Firebug Ghost

But the most frequent guest at the Waverly Inn is their seasoned spectre. Many reports see the apparition of a man dressed in a 1920s-style waistcoat and black top hat. He is often seen lurking in the shadows around the inn’s many old fireplaces. But he doesn’t just like to look; many people have nicknamed the spectre the “firebug” ghost as he is known to light the tinders left in the fireplaces when no one is looking. The fire pokers are seen moving as if by phantom hands as he tends to his beloved fires around the building.

Unfortunately, he is not always so careful with the fires he lights. In 1997, a fire broke out in the middle of the night inside the restaurant. After firefighters arrived and put out the blaze, they could find no sign of accelerants to have started the fire. No electrical outlet had sparked, and there were no combustibles on the scene that could have started the fire. They were left totally perplexed, and yet to everyone who had seen the firebug ghost before, they knew it must have been him! Since 1997, more fire alarms and sprinkler systems have been installed to ensure that whatever he gets up to in the middle of the night doesn’t cause an end to this historical establishment.

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This brings us to the end of our Greenwich Village Ghost Tour. I really hope you learned something new along the way, and the stories we told sent a shiver down your spine. Please let me know in the comments if you were lucky enough to see one of the resident hauntings on your city tour. Or any other spectres you came across on your trip to the Big Apple.

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Ultimate Self-Guided Greenwich Village Ghost Tour, New York City first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

I couldn’t pass up the chance to fly down to join him over a long weekend and enjoy the free hotel room along with a weekend of sightseeing. I was blown away by just how easy it was to spend a weekend in D.C. and see so many things without ever doing any advanced planning. There are a few distinct neighbourhoods you can just wander around and stumble upon sight after sight without even knowing it.

Table Of Contents

1. When to Visit DC?
2. Day 1 – The Landmarks
   • Founding Farmers Breakfast
   • National Mall
   • Lincoln Memorial
   • Vietnam Memorial
     • Maya Lin's Design
     • Vietnam Women's Memorial
   • Lincoln Reflecting Pool
   • World War II Memorial
     • Bas Reliefs
   • Washington Monument
   • The Ellipse
   • Old Ebbit Grill
   • The White House
   • Pennsylvania Avenue
   • Choose a Museums in the Mall
   • Museum of American History
   • Air and Space Museum
   • National Museum of Natural History
   • Dinner at Succotash
   • Night Caps at Free State
3. Day 2 – Georgetown and the Arts
   • Julia Child’s House
   • Oldest Stone House in Washington
   • Baked & Wired
   • Georgetown Cupcake
   • Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
   • Exorcist Stairs
   • Georgetown University
   • GreenWorks Flowers
   • Books Hill Park
   • Georgetown Flea
   • Cafe Bonaparte
   • Library of Congress
   • Botanical Gardens
   • Hill Country Barbecue Market
   • National Theatre
   • Happy Travels Adventurers!

When to Visit DC?

We were so lucky to have lovely crisp, fall weather the entire weekend we were there. Washington is one of those cities though that lends itself to every season. If it’s too cold, too hot or too rainy simply head inside a museum! If, on the other hand, the weather is perfect and you want to enjoy the sunshine, there are so many things to see that you could spend the entire day just walking around outside. No matter what time of year you decide to visit you’ll have an absolutely fantastic time. This two-day guide can easily be adapted to different seasons throughout the year but I think works best over the weekend since many of the local activities are scheduled outside the work week.

Day 1 – The Landmarks

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States of America. It’s here where laws are passed, protests are united, and some of the greatest moments in U.S. history have happened. Washington, DC is located between Virginia and Maryland along the scenic Potomac River. On your first day, you’ll be anxious to see all those amazing sight and buildings which make this city famous!

Founding Farmers Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and to start your day off right you should definitely head over to Founding Farmers. The name itself, a riff on THE Founding Fathers, makes it such a apt starting point for your trip in this historic political township. Founding Farmers prides itself on maintaining the traditional values of the American family farmer, and all their food is sustainably grown. This results in some incredibly fresh and delicious food! This place is famous for a reason, so getting reservations are recommended if you know when you’re going to be visiting. The menu is a modern take on traditional American cuisine. Be sure to try Uncle Buck’s Beignets with raspberry, chocolate & caramel sauces as well as the cast iron baked cornbread.

National Mall

Once all filled up on breakfast, the best place to start your day in Washington is at the National Mall. The National Mall is a large public park, and in fact, it is American’s most visited national park. Here is where you’ll find some of the most incredible monuments dedicated to the American ancestors and heroes who shaped the history and face of this country. The National Mall is HUGE, and you don’t want to miss out seeing all there is to see so warms clothes (or cool ones, depending on the time of year) and comfy walking shoes are essential for making it through the entire day without getting sore feet!

Lincoln Memorial

Start your tour of the National Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial. This incredible Grecian style building is dedicated to America’s beloved 16th president, Abraham Lincoln and the race relations he helped mend. The structure was made to look like a Greek temple with 36 fluted Doric columns around the perimeter — one for each of the 36 states in the union at the time of Lincolns death.

As you walk up the steps towards the entrance, at the top facing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool are the words, “I Have a Dream” etched into the stone. On these stones is where Martin Luther King Jr. gave this famous speech, and now they are embedded into the foundation of the building forever.

As you step into the building, you’ll be struck immediately with the image of Abraham Lincoln himself, seated upon a chair, draped in the American flag. An inscription above him says,

In this temple
as in the hearts of the people
for whom he saved the Union
the memory of Abraham Lincoln
is enshrined forever.

Vietnam Memorial

Continue your tour of the Mall by heading off the left to visit the Vietnam Memorial. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial pays tribute to the brave members of the U.S. Armed Forces who fought in the Vietnam War and were killed or missing in action. The first thing you’ll see upon approach is the Three Soldiers statue, which depicts the disparate groups that had to come together during the War. It is a powerful and evocative sculpture, the eyes of the soldiers are starring off towrd the Vietnam memorial wall and beckoning you to go towards it.

The Wall That Heals, as it is so named, is 246 feet long and lists over 58,000 names in chronological order based on the date of casualty. At the start of the wall, there is a book containing all the names if you’re interested in finding someone you knew who fought in the war. I found it interesting to search for any members who had my same last name, and I ended up seeing three. Even though I did not know these people, I felt an immediate connection to even just the name and couldn’t help but imagine the pain which this war would have brought upon that family.

Maya Lin’s Design

One of the most potent aspects of the wall is the marble’s reflection as you look at the names. It reflects your face back at you as you gaze at the memorial, making you all too self aware of your privilege to be standing here and not be yourself a name along the wall. The design of this memorial was highly contested when it was first announced. The 21-year-old Asian American Maya Lin who won the design contest wanted to have the marble resemble a black scar on the ground — an unrelenting memory of the war that will last forever. Despite many people’s objections, when they finally saw the power which this sculpture had over those who viewed it, the design became one of the most highly regarding war memorials all over the world.

Vietnam Women’s Memorial

To the south of the wall is the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, which commemorates the 265,000 women that served in the Vietnam War. This compelling sculpture is roughly carved, like it was made in haste. It depicts three female nurses attending a wounded soldier. The rush in which the statue was made, reflect the fast paced nature of the work these women had to do during the war to save as many lives as they could, together.

Lincoln Reflecting Pool

From here, head towards the Lincoln Reflecting Pool. Across the still waters you can get both a stunning picture of the Lincoln Memorial or the Washington Monument set across a blue sky. This is perhaps one of the most iconic images from D.C. The pools overwhelming size seems to draw visitors from all over towards the mirror like surface, to contemplate how they themselves can aim to change the world in even the smallest way, much like the man for whom the pool is named after.

World War II Memorial

At the end of the pool is the World War II Memorial. Despite it’s classical appearance, this memorial was only completed in 2004. The memorial is made up of 56 granite pillar surrounding the semicircular plaza with the triumphal arches on either side. The northern arch represents the Pacific wars, and the Southern archways represents the Atlantic wars. The rainbow fountain is so named because, during certain times of the day, the spray from the fountain creates a rainbow across the skyline in the sunlight.

Behind the fountain is the Freedom Wall. 4,048 golden stars glimmer in the sunlight, each one representing 100 American soldiers who died during the war. Below the stars are the words “The Price of Freedom” written out in large letters, so large the message is unavoidable and clear as day. When we visited, there was a group of veterans of the Korean war there to pay their respects. It was a moving moment to see them all together, still grieving for their fallen comrades even after all this time. The price of freedom, a debt forever unpayable.

Bas Reliefs

As you continue to the east, towards the Washington Monument, take a moment to study the bas-reliefs which are embedded on either side of the walkway. These magnificent carvings represent different scenes of war. The expressions carved into the people’s faces are so emotive despite their diminutive size that they bring to life these scenes frozen in time.

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is one of those places you see on TV or in pictures, but until you are face to face, you really can’t imagine how large it is. This obelisk was built to commemorate George Washington, and the construction began in 1848. The finished pillar wouldn’t be completed until 1888. You can see the different periods of development in the various construction materials as your eyes go up the monument. The entire structure is 500 feet tall, capped with a 55-foot pyramidion.

Today the memorial is surrounded by a circle of American flags. At one point you could even go up to the top of the obelisk, but it has been closed since 2018 which they modernise the elevator and constructs a permanent screening facility for visitors entering the landmark. They claim this might be completed by 2019, but be sure to check the website if you’re interested in going up since renovations are often significantly delayed.

The Ellipse

Before heading off for some lunch, walk north towards the Ellipse. The Ellipse is a 52-acre park which surrounds the White House. From here you have a great view of the exterior of the White House. This site is often a place for protesters, so it’s always interesting to see what’s going on here. I was amazed by the sheer size of the White House, for some reason on TV it looks so small but seeing it in person it really is more impressive!

Old Ebbit Grill

The Old Ebbit Grill is the oldest tavern in D.C. and it simply oozes that political ambience. Hushed conversations are happening all over the restaurant and it feels like deals are being made left, right and centre! Covered from head to toe, this restaurant is decorated in Victorian treasures making it seems almost like a museum. Their seafood platter is decadent for sure, but one of the most iconic dishes you can order! Perfect to share with friends over a discerning conversation.

The White House

After lunch, you’ll be right near the front of the White House, so it’s worth just popping over there to see this iconic building front and back! This view of the White House can be found on Pennsylvania Avenue and backs out onto Lafayette Square. Lafayette Square is a seven-acre public park and includes several majestic statues of early 19th century U.S. Presidents. This public area is home to many political protests and a great place to come and people watch!

Pennsylvania Avenue

We are heading back down to the National Mall, but on our way, stop along Pennsylvania Avenue for one of the best views of the Capitol Building you’ll find anywhere in the city.

Choose a Museums in the Mall

Now that you’ve had a nice break and are full of food, it’s time to walk off that lunch with a tour of the museums along the Mall. Washington has one of the largest collections of museums in one place. There is indeed something for everyone, and they’re almost all completely free! This is great for those who might want to pop in and out of a few throughout the afternoon to see something specific and then head on to the next destination. For lots of people, the joy of visiting these incredible structures doesn’t just lie in the exhibitions but rather in the design of the buildings themselves. If you plan on touring the entire place I recommend you choose just one museum for your afternoon visit. While every person will be interested in a different museum for different reasons here are my recommendations…

Museum of American History

If you’re visiting D.C., it seems a shame not to visit the American History Museum to admire their collection of American pop-culture memorabilia. They have Dorothy’s ruby slippers, the first Star Spangled Banner which inspired the anthem, a selection of Michelle Obama‘s gowns and even Thomas Jefferson’s writing desk.

Air and Space Museum

The Air and Space Museum contains a vast collection of historical objects which took flight into space and sky! You’ll find real NASA spaceships, Russian spacesuits, rockets, airplanes hung from the ceiling and even one of the Wright Brothers first models. This is a great place to bring anyone interested in space exploration!

National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History was first opened in 1910 and aimed to bring the wonders from across the world to the people of Washington, D.C. The museum seeks to amaze it’s viewers, purely by featuring items from the world around us. Wander your way through the over 140 million natural science specimens and cultural artifacts. The Hall of Geology, contains the cursed Hope Diamond along with a rainbow of other incredible earthly delights. My favourite area was the Animals and Ecosystems hall on the second floor where you’ll find some of the most dynamic taxidermy animals who seem to come to life inside their exhibits. It’s a beautiful way to see different animals from all over the world as well as some which have since become extinct.

Dinner at Succotash

For dinner, header to Succotash in Penn Quarter. Succotash serves up comfort food at its bets inside a historical building which was once one of the largest banks in the city. This interesting interior gives the ambiance inside the restaurant a unique sense of gravitas. Despite the opulent setting, the food here is not only well priced but also incredibly delicious! Start with a fried green tomato salad, followed up with bourbon maple chicken and waffles or crispy blue catfish! Lastly, for dessert, be sure to order a plate of red velvet cookies to share!

Night Caps at Free State

To finish your evening off, and after all that walking, you certainly deserve a nightcap! D.C. is full of hip bars as the politico crowds love to chat late into the evening over delicious drinks. Free State is an awesome bar filled with character. They have an amazing selection of craft beers and beautifully made cocktails. But let’s face it, it’s all about the decor and this place aims to impress. It feels like a speakeasy mixed inside the bow of a ship. The perfect place to while the night away.

Day 2 – Georgetown and the Arts

Start the morning of your second day in Washington off in Georgetown. Georgetown feels so different to the area we were in yesterday. This part of the city is one of the oldest areas of D.C. and feels very academic due it’s proximity to the University. The crowds in this area of town are filled with students and teachers, aiming to inspire and educate the next round of Washington government employees. A large portion of the buildings here are protected by the historical society and preserved in an almost perfect way. Walking down the streets feels like stepping back in time.

Julia Child’s House

Start the tour along Rock Creek at 2706 Olive St NW. This butter yellow house was once the residence of Julia Child and her husband when they lived in D.C. Julia Child was one of the most influential American cooks who brought her love for French cuisine to the U.S. The buttery colour of the house seems almost too appropriate for the woman who loved to cook with it! The house is currently undergoing a huge renovation, which you can actually follow online!

Oldest Stone House in Washington

Continue down from Olive street and make your way along Main Street. At 3051 M St, you’ll find the Oldest Stone House in Washington. This is one of the only remaining pre-Revolutionary Colonial style houses still standing today.

Baked & Wired

Down from the oldest stone house, south on Thomas Jefferson St. is one of the most famous bakeries and cafes in Georgetown, Baked & Wired. This adorable little hole in the wall is divided into two areas, one where you can grab your morning brew and on the other side, a wall of cupcakes! Their cupcakes are known across the city as being some of the best and a lineup forms almost every day. It moves quickly, so don’t get discouraged. Be sure to ask if they have any seasonal options which are always extra special! Be warned, this cupcakes are HUGE, so either come hungry or bring a friend to share it with. Baked and Wired always has one flavour which is gluten free but it’s usually just the vanilla.

Georgetown Cupcake

If you’re anxious to jump into the Washington D.C. cupcake rivalry, then you must also try Georgetown Cupcake. This place is recognized across the country. Their chocolate ganache cupcake, with Valrhona chocolate, is the one to try but they also have daily specials which are always too temping to pass up! This place also has gluten-free options daily and if you are eating gluten free they have the more interesting options. Which ever place you decide to visit, be sure to grab a coffee, tea or drink to go and enjoy on our Georgetown walk.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Cross back over the canal, and take your time, sipping your coffee, while walking through the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. This scenic walkway is a quiet escape from busy city life. While the historic streets might be beautiful, they have recently been packed with expensive name brands and have lost some of their more unique storefronts. Especially on the weekends, the street is PACKED to the gills with shoppers while the canal is as peaceful as can be.

The canal also called the “Grand Old Ditch” was once the main waterway into the city where cargo and coal would be brought in. On either side of the canal, you’ll see old industrial structures, most of which have been renovated into trendy restaurants and apartment buildings but whose exterior architecture retains that antique appearance.

Exorcist Stairs

At the end of Main street, you’ll turn and head up a steep staircase to get to the upper part of Georgetown. If these stairs look familiar, that’s because they were not only used in the poster for ‘The Exorcist‘ but also were used in the itself movie. The entire film took place around Georgetown, so there are other places which were used in the movie to check out if you’re a die-hard fan, but these stairs are the most iconic place to visit.

Georgetown University

Up from the stairs, along some of the most beautiful looking row houses, you’ll find the giant stone towers of Georgetown University. Because the main building of the university is located in one of the most elevated areas of the city, Georgetown University is often referred to as “The Hilltop“. Healy Hall, the largest of the buildings on campus, was designed by Paul J. Pelz in a Neo-Medieval style and built in 1877. It looks more like a cathedral than a college, almost like the Hogwarts of Washington D.C.

Wandering the streets north of the campus is such a joy. We loved to pretend to be house hunting as we went, picking out our favourite house designs and garden landscapes. These houses are all from around the 1900s and pristinely preserved. While each of these houses no doubt has a story to tell, it’s just as fun to be none the wiser and imagine for yourself what living here during the early parts of the 19th century was like.

GreenWorks Flowers

Walking up to this shop was like walking into a dream. This cotton candy pink florist shop is always decked out for the season. At Christmas it is dripping with fairy lights and baubles, Halloween is a surprisingly spooky affair and the rest of the year the entire exterior is always looking like a secret garden exploding out of from the window boxes. I was bummed to see that the interior is pretty much just like any other florist shop and not some wild ‘Alice in Wonderland‘ but the exterior is what you’ll come to see anyways.

Books Hill Park

Book Hill Park is a quaint little park along Wisconsin Avenue. It’s a great spot to take a break, read a book, or post some pics to the gram. Up the stairs, you have a charming view across the Georgetown skyline. In the springtime, summer and fall the foliage is breathtaking, a little microcosm of the D.C. flora and fauna.

Georgetown Flea

Every Sunday, the Georgetown Flea, opens its tent and tables up to the public from 8 am till 4 pm. This market began in 1972 and has been open to the community even since with sellers peddling antiques, collectables, art, furniture, rugs, pottery, china, jewellery, silver, stained glass, books, photographs and more! This really is a great place to come to as a tourist and pick up a few pieces of historical memorabilia from Washington DC.

Cafe Bonaparte

For lunch head over to Cafe Bonaparte, located along the most darling block of shops and restaurants under a dark red awning which is usually filled with happy customers enjoying their lunchtime delights. The cosy little restaurant serves up French comfort food and both sweet and savoury crepes! If you get the chance to sit out on the patio, grab the opportunity as people watching is half the fun of this location!

Library of Congress

Now, it’s time to jump into an Uber or take the metro across the city to visit the The Library of Congress. This place is, in my opinion, the most beautiful building in D.C. The inside is breathtaking and a perfect spot for some fantastic photos. The incredible and grandiose design of the library, now named the Thomas Jefferson Building, was inspired by the Paris Opera House. And it’s artistic and theatrical inspiration can be seen throughout. Inside the grey facade, you’ll be wowed by the multitude of colours painted on the ceiling frescoes and the fascinating sculptures peeking out from behind ornate marble columns.

Botanical Gardens

Across from the library, if you have time, try to visit The U.S. Botanic Garden. This is the place to come to feel like you’re in the tropics even if it’s blistering cold outside. The U.S. Botanic Garden is constantly changing, there is always something blooming or growing depending on the seasons so there’s always something incredible to see. The gardens are divided into various sections based on their temperature, region or what the plants are used for.

There is a room dedicated entirely to medicinal plants and its so interesting to see how plants are still used to this very day to help heal people despite all the advances in modern medicine. My favourite room for photos is ‘The Tropics‘ where huge Swiss cheese looking leaves hang from giant trees and the air tastes almost taste sweet from the constantly growing flora. The glass windows of the greenhouse make for some incredible shots, not to be missed.

Hill Country Barbecue Market

About this time you’re probably getting a bit hungry so it’s time to head towards Hill Country Barbecue Market. Hill Country honours the barbecue traditions of Texas and offers some of the best live music and excellent hospitality I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Unlike some BBQ restaurants which only serve huge portions and set menus, this place allows you to get as much or as little of whatever you want!

You bring your order form up to the different counters and ask for whatever amount of meat you’d like. You can go back and forth as much as you want so if you’re going to start small and test out the different cuts and kinds of meat you’re free to do so and then head back for seconds, or even thirds! The sides are almost as delicious as the main course here. Their smoky chipotle deviled eggs are to die for, and skillet cornbread is absolute perfection. As for the meat, it’s moist, tender and FULL of FLAVOUR!

National Theatre

If you’re looking for a way to spend your last night in D.C. try to see if there is anything on at the National Theatre. Often plays which are on their way to Broadway will perform here before setting off to NYC. This means you have the chance to see a show in its late development stage, which means you might see a version of the show never seen again! We saw the pre-broadway run of ‘Beetlejuice’, and it was fantastic but also a great show to see to discuss what we thought might be cut when it finally makes its way to Broadway!

This brings us to the end of this 2-day itinerary! I think these sights and attractions along the way tell the story of D.C. superbly. While there is plenty more to see, Washington makes for the perfect weekend destination. You can easily hop on over and spend a whirlwind 48 hours wandering your way through one of the most historic cities in America. If you’ve ever been to D.C. let me know what your favourite thing to do was or if you’re planning a trip let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Travels Adventurers!

The post The Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary For Your First Trip To Washington D.C. first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

But in recent years, Downtown Las Vegas has seen a boom in popularity, and people are more and more choosing to venture up to DTLV (as it is now conveniently called) to seek out the city’s origins and the alternative scene found there. Here is my list of the 21 best things to see and do in Downtown Las Vegas, along with a handy dandy map at the bottom so you can plan your trip accordingly.

Table Of Contents

1. Breakfast at the Peppermill Restaurant
2. Shop at the Bonanza Gift Shop
3. Watch Newlyweds at the Little White Chapel
4. Get Spooked at Zak Bagans' Haunted Museum
5. Enjoy the Multicoloured Metals at The Neon Museum
6. Go back in time on Fremont Street
7. Watch the ‘Viva Vision’ Light Show
8. Bunk down at the Golden Nugget Casino and Hotel
9. Relax in ‘The Tank’
10. Get Fine Dining for Less at Vic and Anthony's Steakhouse
11. Watch the Sigma Derby at the D Casino
12. Main Street Station Hotel and Casino
13. Pose with with Cowboys and Girls at Glitter Gulch
14. Admire the old Fremont East District
15. Admire some Vintage Neon Revival
16. Have a Drink at the Commonwealth Bar
17. Fuel up at Le Thai Restaurant
18. Admire the Urban Design of Container Park
19. Get the Dirty Details about Vegas’ Past at The Mob Museum
20. Chow down on pastries at the Donut Bar
21. Find Street Art

Breakfast at the Peppermill Restaurant

The Peppermill Restaurant in Las Vegas is a retro-lovers dream. It feels like one of those restaurants you could only find in Vegas. The restaurant and lounge are decorated so perfectly that it feels like stepping back in time. So much so you’d swear you just saw Elvis sitting at the bar, smoking a cigar and swirling a colourful drink in front of the fireplace (and yes, indeed, there is a fireplace). When you walk into the Peppermill, you step into sensory overload. Bright purple lights almost blind you, and blue velvet carpets and walls get you feeling cozy.

There are pink flamingo-stained glass lampshades and a swelling cherry blossom tree growing out of the middle of the restaurant. There are GIANT fishbowl drinks as colourful as the decor; even the sugar in the dispenser is multicoloured! The cocktails are all beyond fabulous, and the friendly servers make the entire experience one of a kind.

Shop at the Bonanza Gift Shop

No visit to Vegas is complete without visiting the Bonanza Gift & Souvenir Shop. This landmark is known worldwide as the World’s Largest Gift Shop, with over 36,000 square feet of shopping space. They specialize in kitschy souvenirs, and you’ll find everything from cheesy Vegas snow globes, eclectic postcards, hilariously themed playing cards, Elvis-themed items, religious icons plastered on burlap purses and miles and miles of plastic flip-flops. You might walk out with nothing, but walking around those hundreds of aisles is attractive.

Watch Newlyweds at the Little White Chapel

The trip to Las Vegas is complete without stopping to see the Little White Chapel. This tiny building is covered in hearts and surrounded by white wrought iron filigree. The church has been the site of over 800,000 quickie weddings since it opened in 1951. It is open 24 hours a day and has a drive-thru tunnel of “vows” where couples can wed without leaving their vehicle! It is a charming piece of Las Vegas history, and I adore the intentionally tacky aesthetic. Although it might never be where I could see myself getting married, it is a fun place to watch people.

Get Spooked at Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum

Las Vegas is known as a place for the wild and weird, and what is weirder than a haunted museum? Zak Bagans’ Museum is located inside one of Las Vegas’s most haunted houses and features a variety of spooky and scary items, all of which have been known to be haunted. If you’re interested in the paranormal, this place is worth checking out, if only for the weirdness factor.

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Enjoy the Multicoloured Metals at The Neon Museum

Neon signs are synonymous with Las Vegas. Imagine walking down the strip with only simple street lamps lighting your way. It wouldn’t have the same effect, would it? Neon has been a part of Vegas since its inception, and the Neon Museum, founded in 1996, made it its mission to preserve these historical pieces of the city, even after their useful life was over or their original buildings were torn down. Dubbed ‘The Neon Boneyard,’ this large plot of land north of the city is where you can find the Neon Museum, a non-profit organization which collects, preserves, studies and exhibits a variety of old Las Vegas signs for educational, historical and cultural purposes.

They do tours of their collection during the day and at night. While most of the neon here is long past being able to be lit up, they have spent a lot of money restoring some of their more important pieces. Visiting the collection is not only a feast for the eyes, but the stories the curators tell you as you walk through the boneyard make the history of Las Vegas come alive, and every single rusty letter seems to have its own story to tell.

Go back in time on Fremont Street

Fremont Street is the site of the original “strip” where all the top casinos in Vegas once stood before the expansion in the mid-1980s that saw newer, swankier hotels opening up along Las Vegas Boulevard. Now, Fremont Street offers visitors a taste of vintage Vegas at its finest. Walking these neon streets feels almost more authentically ‘Las Vegas’ than the current strip with bells and whistles. Here you’ll find some of the oldest-running casinos, with the most history seeped deeper within their walls.

Fremont Street feels a little bit more laid back, rougher and tumble and with a lack of polish that I find incredibly charming. Throughout the pedestrian street, you’ll find various stages where local musicians entertain crowds throughout the evening. Each is surprisingly talented and provides the audience with a mini-concert every evening. During certain times of the year, they’ll be themed to the season and visiting during Halloween provided us with dozens of “spooky” soundtracks to get us in the mood.

Watch the ‘Viva Vision’ Light Show

The best place to walk off a big dinner or stretch your legs is along the Fremont Street canopy, where they project the ‘Viva Vision‘ light show. Every 30 minutes, you’ll be mesmerized by the electronic canopy which covers the majority of Fremont Street pedestrian area. The Viva Vision light show was installed in 1995 and is 1,500 feet long and 90 feet wide. The 6-minute show twinkles and shines above you, beginning at dusk and ending at midnight. There are over 12.5 million energy-efficient LED lamps which dazzle viewers with the music of artists like The Who, Bon Jovi and more.

Bunk down at the Golden Nugget Casino and Hotel

The Golden Nugget was initially built in 1946, making it one of the oldest casinos in the city. This monolith of white arches and golden lights is like the White House of Nevada. Everything seemed to start with the Golden Nugget, and so many hotels and casinos attempted to replicate its gravitas over the years. Staying here, you can find deals for as low as $60/night without compromising style and comfort.

Most of the rooms have been lovingly renovated, and there is even the new Rush Tower which is brand new, yet its rooms are complete with decorative touches that evoke an old Vegas ambience. The first time we stayed in Vegas, we stayed on the strip and paid a pretty penny for a small room without a view, but here on Fremont at the Golden Nugget, we got an enormous room complete with a soaker tub and even a little sitting area with a great view for half of what we paid on the strip!

Relax in ‘The Tank’

Inside the Golden Nugget, you’ll find one of the most award-winning pools in the city. Pools and Las Vegas are two peas in a pod. Perhaps because it gets so hot outside in Nevada, people wanted to find a way to party without overheating, so they moved out of the clubs and into the pools. To our surprise, the Tank is a three-story aquarium filled with sharks! Along with the sharks are an array of other sea creatures. A giant three-storey water slide runs through the aquarium, making you feel as though you’re right in there with the sharks themselves. There are a few firepits outside burning during the colder months, and in the summer, there are loungers right inside the pool, so no matter when you visit, it’s a great place to grab a few cocktails and relax.

Get Fine Dining for Less at Vic and Anthony’s Steakhouse

There are many choices for steak dinners in Vegas, each one boasting
their specialties and seemingly impossibly low prices. But I think there is only one *real* choice, and that is Vic and Anthony’s Steakhouse. Labelled as one of the best steakhouses in the USA, this place will never disappoint in its upscale Vegas atmosphere and phenomenal food. Be sure to make a reservation and make mention of the Distinctive Dining menu.

The Distinctive Dining menu costs $49.95/person and features a three-course prix fixe meal. This deal is unreal since a single steak itself could run you that much without any of the other offerings you’ll get with this deal. There is no skimping on the portions, either. We started with the Lobster Bisque, chose the Petite Filet served with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes as the entree and ended with the Crème Brulee. Just be sure to print out the menu or mention it when making your reservation since. Otherwise, you won’t be able to get the deal. This is sort of like a little secret that only those who’ve done their research are rewarded with!

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Watch the Sigma Derby at the D Casino

Inside the slightly dull-looking facade of the D Las Vegas Casino, you’ll find one of the most engrossing vintage games in the city. The classic Sigma Derby slot machine can be found on the casino’s second floor. You can usually find your way there through the screams and cheers of the people surrounding it. You don’t need to spend any money to enjoy the experience of watching other wagers on their favourite metallic jockeys. Up to ten players can place bets on five minature horses with quarters. These machines were Japanese-made and built in the 1980s. Only two of the hundreds produced are still in working order, and one can be found here in Fremont.

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Main Street Station Hotel and Casino

The Main Street Station Hotel and Casino opened in 1978, yet its architecture and decor evoke a historical sensibility. It feels more like a wild west saloon than it does a retro casino. While the casino is the major draw to this place, what I love most is the self-guided tours you can take of their antique and artifact collection. The casino has amassed an incredible anthology of curiosities worldwide over the years. You can pick up a “Guide to Artifacts, Antiques and Artworks” at their front desk to use to lead yourself around the collection. Their gallery includes pieces of the Berlin Wall, stained glass from the Lillian Russell Mansion, doors and facade from the Kuwait Royal Bank, doors from the George Pullman Mansion, Louisa May Alcott Pullman car and chandeliers from the Coca-Cola building and Figaro Opera House.

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Pose with with Cowboys and Girls at Glitter Gulch

I think some of the best modern neon signage can be found on Fremont street, and the crowning glory is the area around the “Glitter Gulch.” The two most popular flashing signs are on either side of the street. Vegas Vic stands casually atop the Pioneer Gift Shop, his sturdy winking smile beckoning in customers. Opposite Vic is his female companion, complete with a matching cowboy hat above the “Glitter Gulch” strip club. While the strip club might not be your thing, the flashing lights of the sign are enough to attract at least a few curious minds.

Admire the old Fremont East District

Fremont East is outside of the canopy and pedestrian mall. It is a hipster mecca where you’ll find uniquely themed restaurants and bars. This area was left previously unloved for years, but thanks to a multimillion-dollar investment by a private partnership, this part of Fremont is now home to some hippest lounges and happening art scenes. As soon as you step out from under the electric canopy, you feel like you’ve entered another world. This place almost feels more like Brooklyn than Nevada. And for those looking for more eclectic, less touristy scenes, this is a welcome addition to Las Vegas.

Admire some Vintage Neon Revival

The Las Vegas Neon Museum has been raising money and working with the city to restore some of the historical and awe-inspiring neon signs from years past. Thought to be only good for scrap metal and left to rot, the museum restored these iconic signs, which are now on display in this “urban gallery” along Fremont Street East. We saw on our walk the incredible Silver Slipper. Formerly on show in 1950 outside the Golden Slipper casino, it now stands in its full glory at the gates of Fremont East. We also saw the Hacienda Horse, built in 1967 and installed at the Hacienda Hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard South. Seeing these retro signs in working order is a great way to make history come alive, and we felt especially thankful for organizations like the Neon Museum.

Have a Drink at the Commonwealth Bar

If you’re looking to grab a drink in the East District, head over to Commonwealth. I was first drawn to this bar because of its laid-back upstairs terrace, but the entire downstairs bar is equally as impressive. The decor inside is inspired by the era of prohibition, covered in dark leather, ornate chandeliers, exposed ancient bricks and an entire wall dedicated to displaying their collections of antique whiskey bottles. If you want a more relaxed environment, head here in the earlier portion of the evening as the party starts late at night.

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Fuel up at Le Thai Restaurant

Although this favourite dinner joint can get busy, with a waitlist of over an hour, it’s well worth the wait. You can also spend your time waiting at any cool bars nearby. Inside the unassuming brick and corrugated metal facade, you’ll find one of Vegas’s best-priced and best-tasting restaurants. The Le Thai classics include larb salad (made with ground chicken, lime juice and fresh herbs) and their famous three-colour curry! This food will give you that much-needed boost to keep your energy up all night long!

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Admire the Urban Design of Container Park

Container Park is one of the newest fads in urban development, and parks like this have been popping up throughout the country. Vegas’ Container Park is an open-air shopping centre built from repurposed shipping containers. Here you can find boutique shops, restaurants, and live entertainment. Greeting you at the door to the park is a giant 55-foot metal praying mantis sculpture which even shoots flames on special occasions. Even if you’re not in the mood for shopping or food (although there’s lots of that if you are), this park is unique and a great place to walk around and window shop. Some of the park’s attractions are geared towards children, but the park has a 9 pm curfew for kids, after which it’s adults only. One of my favourite parts of the park is the Sweet Spot, which sells vintage and classic candy.

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Get the Dirty Details about Vegas’ Past at The Mob Museum

Crime and Casinos go hand-in-hand; as such, Las Vegas has a torrid history with the mob stretching back as far as its inception. If your interests lie in this area of history, then the Mob Museum is your place! The Mob Museum is spread across three floors, each providing the viewers with high-tech theatre presentations, iconic one-of-a-kind artifacts and interactive, themed environments. You’ll undoubtedly recognize different gangsters’ names throughout the museum, but their real histories are much different than their Hollywood dramatizations.

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Chow down on pastries at the Donut Bar

The Donut Bar in downtown Las Vegas is one of the hottest spots for sweet treats. So hot that on most days, the shop closes before mid-afternoon because they’ve already sold out! One of the big reasons this place is so popular is because of its vegan doughnuts as well as its indulgent and opulent flavours and designs. You can try the famed Harry Potter Butter Beer doughnut, a Pop Tart doughnut complete with jam filling, and yes, you can even get a Monte Crisco made with a doughnut and stuffed with ham and cheese!

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Find Street Art

Fremont Street is one of the most popular areas to search for some incredible street art. This rebellious part of the city is covered in dazzling graffiti that makes this previously quiet area downtown come alive. You can wander up and down the side streets to discover new and old works from local artisans. The best time to take this walk is during the day since the murals aren’t lit up at night, and it’s best to see them in all their colourful glory.

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Downtown Las Vegas is truly a unique spectacle, and if you’re visiting the city, it’s a shame to miss out on the historic nature of this district and all the awesome sights to be seen therein. Let me know if you’ve visited Downtown Las Vegas and what your favourite thing to do there was!

Happy Travels Adventurers.

The post The Best Things to do in Downtown Las Vegas Besides Gambling first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Blind Whino

Blind Whino is one of those locations which I feel like I’ve seen hundreds of time over the years on sites like MyModernMet and BoredPanda. But seeing it in real life, not just online, is something spectacular. The buildings is a renovated church painted with wild and wonderful colours and patterns. Be sure to step inside, many come here simply to take a picture of the exterior and head off but the interior is just as interesting and dynamic. There are often art shows on display so check their website for a list of gallery hours.

700 Delaware Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

GreenWorks Flowers

Walking up to this shop was like walking into a dream. This cotton candy pink florist shop is always decked out for the season. At Christmas, it is dripping with fairy lights and baubles. Halloween is a surprisingly spooky affair. During the rest of the year, the entire exterior is always looking like a secret garden exploding out from the window boxes. I was bummed to see that the interior is pretty much just like any other florist shop and not some wild ‘Alice in Wonderland‘ but the exterior is what you’ll come to see anyways.

3428 O St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is one of the most iconic museums in the world. Walking inside you’re greeted by one of the most important pieces of the collection, the giant African bull elephant. It stands in the middle of the incredible neoclassical domed rotunda. This building was constructed in 1910. And is still to this day one of the best examples of American Beaux-Arts architecture.

10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560

City Center DC

City Center DC is a five-block area of the city which is a collection of apartments and office buildings, but on the ground level, features some of the most exclusive and illustrious brands displayed in picturesque window displays. The main thoroughfare in CityCenter is always decorated for the season or for a particular event. Whether it’s hanging lanterns, rainbow umbrellas or a giant reindeer at Christmas time, the alley along Palmer street is always a favourite among photographers.

825 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

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Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is, in my opinion, the most beautiful building in D.C. The inside is breathtaking and a perfect spot for some fantastic photos. The incredible and grandiose design of the library, now named the Thomas Jefferson Building, was inspired by the Paris Opera House. And it’s artistic and theatrical inspiration can be seen throughout. Inside the grey facade, you’ll be wowed by the multitude of colours painted on the ceiling frescoes and the fascinating sculptures peeking out from behind ornate marble columns.

101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20540

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath

Hidden behind the high fashion brands and hipster cafes in Georgetown, there is a natural oasis along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. This canal was once used as a tow path where barges once came to delivery their cargo. On either side of the canal are some of the oldest buildings in Georgetown, providing a beautiful backdrop of the overgrowth and peaceful waterway.

1054 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA

Georgetown’s Candy Coloured Houses

In a cozy, quiet area in Georgetown, there are rows of streets dotted with pastel coloured houses. The shutters and doors are often painted in contrasting colours to make all those little architectural details stand out. I would recommend walking along O Street or N Street, starting at the University and then making your way towards Wisconsin Ave NW. They are not only beautifully painted but also incredibly preserved historical houses and walking this path feels like stepping back in time.

U.S. Botanic Garden

This is the place to come to feel like you’re in the tropics even if it’s blistering cold outside. The U.S. Botanic Garden is constantly changing with different plants in bloom. There is always something blooming or growing depending on the seasons so there’s always something incredible to see. The gardens are divided into various sections based on their temperature, region or what the plants are used for. There is a room dedicated entirely to medicinal plants. And it’s so interesting to see how plants are still used to this very day to help heal people despite all the advances in modern medicine. My favourite room for photos is ‘The Tropics‘ where huge Swiss cheese looking leaves hang from giant trees. And the air tastes almost taste sweet from the constantly growing flora. The glass windows of the greenhouse make for some incredible shots, not to be missed.

100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001

The Capitol Building

The Capital Building is one of the most iconic views in Washington, and no matter the weather or time of year, this place is incredibly stunning. It’s round, layered dome atop the pristine white columned building sticks up, high above the other buildings surrounding it. There are so many different viewpoints of the Capital Buildings all over the city but my favourite is down Pennsylvania Avenue.

East Capitol St NE & First St SE, Washington, DC 20004

Lincoln Reflecting Pool

There are so many incredible sights to be seen in the National Mall. But the Reflecting Pool is one of those locations that, day or night, is an awesome site for beautiful pictures which scream, “I’m in Washington!” The reflection of the surrounding trees and monuments, mirrored back at you from the waters is so compelling. And one can really appreciate how something so simple can be something so powerful.

2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20024

Cherry Blossoms around the Waterfront

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C. The blossoms are usually at their best in mid April. But be sure to check the site for when they’ll be in full bloom as it changes every year. The trees you can see surrounding the Tidal Basin beside the National Mall were gifts from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City. The banks of the Tidal Basin are one of the best spots to visit as you can not only take pictures of the pale pink blossoms but also have a great opportunity to see the Thomas Jefferson Memorial across the still waters.

1510 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Kogod Courtyard National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is a great place to see one of the most impressive collections of portraiture in America. But the Kogod Courtyard inside is a great spot for a portrait of your own! The massive courtyard is an architectural masterpiece and a place of serenity in a busy, loud city like Washington.

750 9th St NW #410, Washington, DC 20001, USA

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Capitol Hill Books

Packed to the gills with paperbacks, hardcovers and magazines, Capitol Hill Books is nestled in the historic Eastern Market area. The exterior of the shop’s window, piled high with books, looks like a patchwork quilt and makes for a great snapshot of the kind of adorable shops which Georgetown is so famous for.

657 C St SE, Washington, DC 20003, USA

If you’d prefer to explore the city with a tour guide, check out some of these top walking tours!

What are your favourite places to photograph when you’re in the city! Let me know in the comments

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post The Ultimate Guide to the Most Instagrammable Places in Washington DC first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

But over the years, I stopped trying to see all the “top attractions” and instead started to explore smaller areas of the city. I stayed in one spot and dug in deep there. I stopped paying attention to what bothered me and instead focused on the beauty of my surroundings. While I’m never a fan of avoiding certain touristy things just because they are “popular,” some things overhyped parts of town. I’ve learned from exploring New York many times what’s worth avoiding and worth your attention, time and money.

Table Of Contents

1. Skip the Empire State Building
2. Instead, check out the Roof Garden at the Met
3. Skip Times Square
4. Instead, visit Bryant Park
5. Skip ONLY visiting the big-name museums
6. Instead, visit The Morgan Library and Museum
7. Skip the Taxis
8. Instead, grab a metro card and Ride the Subway!
9. Skip the chain coffee shops
10. Instead, visit a cute independent coffee shop
11. Skip the Boat Cruises
12. Instead, head to Staten Island or to Brooklyn Heights
13. Skip Soho
14. Instead, head to the Lower East Side
15. Skip Central Park
16. Instead, visit something a little outside the city
17. Skip those Hostels
18. Instead, plan in advance and search for deals
19. Skip on eating the latest crazy food trend
20. Instead, head to Van Leeuwen Ice Cream shop
21. Skip shopping for knock-offs
22. Instead, head to the Williamsburg Artistisan Flea Market
23. Skip Little Italy
24. Instead, visit Koreatown
25. Skip only Seeing Manhattan
26. Instead, take a self-guided historical walking tour
27. Skip wearing yourself out trying to see it all!
28. Instead, spend a day in one particular neighbourhood

Skip the Empire State Building

The Empire State building is a touchstone of great American architecture and is the star of the iconic New York skyline. There are no if, and’s or but’s about that. But do you have to wait in line for hours and pay over $40 to ride up the elevator and view it from the inside? The short answer is no. While the view from the top is great, it is missing one thing. The Empire State Building. The lines are incredibly long, and there is so much more you can do with the time rather than line up for an elevator.

Instead, check out the Roof Garden at the Met

Rockefeller Tower used to be such a good alternative to the Empire State building, but after some recent renovations and its eventual popularity, the ticket prices are exactly the same price as the Empire State building. The queues might be shorter, and you DO get a view of the Empire State building from here, but it’s still not the cheaper and easiest option. I would recommend heading to the Roof Garden at the Met. From here, it feels like you’re floating above Manhattan on top of a tree-lined canopy. At night the sparkling lights of the city twinkle all around you. Access is free with your Museum entrance ticket, and if all you want to do is gawk at the views, it won’t cost you a cent!

Skip Times Square

Times Square is one of those places that, if you’ve seen it you still have a certain image in your mind of what it’s like. “It’s bright, it’s loud, it’s vibrant and fun!” While it is technically all of those things, there are so many other aspects of Times Square which aren’t part of your idealized version. Things like crowds so dense you can barely move, hustlers and street performers trying to pressure you into giving them money, and angry New Yorkers pushing you out of their way as they TRY and make their way to the subway station.

And worst of all, in my opinion, an entire lack of character. This place has been taken over by big brands and giant advertisements. Big-name stores that you can find in any mall across America are right here just a little bigger and a lot more crowded and messy. If you HAVE to see it just to say you did, hop out of the subway station, snap a pick and head right back down.

Instead, visit Bryant Park

If you’re looking for somewhere to gawk at the city’s lights, I suggest heading to Bryant Park. It might not be as flashy or commercial as Times Square, but that’s the point. But in a lot of ways, it is very similar. It is surrounded by bright lights and has incredible views of some of New York’s most iconic structures. The park is lit from above all night long, meaning crowds of people hang out here in the evening well past when it out otherwise be too dark to be in a public park. Some musicians always entertain the crowds and kids playing on the grass. People gather here, both locals and tourists, and there is a real sense of community here, which Time Square lacks.

Skip ONLY visiting the big-name museums

The MET, the MoMA, the Guggenheim and the American Museum of Natural History are some of NYC’s largest and most popular museums. On the weekends, the lines for these places can get very long. Although I LOVE these museums, I feel like tourists always flock to them without considering all the other smaller museums, which are sometimes much less busy and often easier to explore in one go. The MET is very overwhelming if you try to do it all in one day and sometimes the modest museums are more digestible and easier to spend only a few hours in if you’re visiting NYC for just a short haul.

Instead, visit The Morgan Library and Museum

The Morgan Library and Museum is one of the city’s most incredible hidden gems. Located at 225 Madison Avenue, it was founded to house the private library of J. P. Morgan in 1906. The interiors look like something out of the Italian Renaissance, with incredible ornate wallpaper, gilded shelves, opulent tapestries and a ceiling crowned with a stunning stained glass masterpiece. The murals throughout the library were inspired by Raphael. It truly is more than a library; it is an enormous work of art. You can view various books from his collections throughout the year, and there are always different book-related exhibitions in the smaller galleries, which are often extremely well-curated and always a lot of fun.

Skip the Taxis

Taxies and Ubers in other cities are sometimes HUGE time savers and low-cost options to get around big towns. But in New York neither of those things is true. Taxies are extremely costly, and the traffic jams in the city are neverending. You’ll end up sitting in one spot for so long that you’ll wonder if you’ve even moved. Don’t waste your time on these, and you’ll save time, stress and most of all – money!

Instead, grab a metro card and Ride the Subway!

The Metro in New York is not only incredibly large but also very convenient. The subway gets you everywhere you want to go in a jiffy, and the public buses are amazingly helpful in getting you to places where the subway doesn’t go. The MET Cloisters, for instance, is located far outside the city centre but on the subway and one quick bus, you’ll get there in less time than it takes to hail a cab (ok, not really, but it’s really quick).

I recommend grabbing a metro card which you can load up with as much or as little money as you want, and then all you need to do is swipe the card when entering the subway or bus, and your card will be automatically deducted, no need to calculate the cost of each ride. Super easy. If you run out of money there are machines all over the place where you can load more money onto your card. Moovit is a great app as it will help you find out which route to take and offers live interruption notices so you can plan accordingly.

Skip the chain coffee shops

No morning is complete for most of us without a cup of coffee Yes, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts are on every corner in NYC, but when visiting a city this dynamic and interesting, it’s a waste to drink the same ol’ coffee; you could get anywhere else. NYC has some of the best coffee shops in the world, and it would be remiss of you not to explore them!

Instead, visit a cute independent coffee shop

Cha Cha Matcha is one of the city’s most unusual and visually appealing places to get your caffeine on. While not technically a “coffee shop,” they serve up some of the most delicious macha beverages I’ve ever tried. Everyman Espresso serves up fair trade brews in a low-key setting for those not wanting to interact with the Instagramming crowds at Cha Cha Matcha. But don’t think that non-chain coffee shops mean you must spend a fortune. Diners are the bread and butter of NYC, and all of them serve amazing, simple cups of joe. While Joe Jr. Restaurant doesn’t look like much from the outside, this greasy spoon is known for its friendly service, awesome breakfast sandwiches and classic cups of coffee!

Skip the Boat Cruises

You’ll see people peddling $30-$60 sightseeing cruises all over the waterfront. These are overpriced, overcrowded and just plain unnecessary. The only real advantage of taking a sightseeing cruise is the interactive tour guide; most of these are merely recordings on a barely functioning headset.

Instead, head to Staten Island or to Brooklyn Heights

If you’re heading to Staten Island, the Ferry is free and offers amazing views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, and the majestic Statue of Liberty. If you don’t want to head to Staten Island, I recommend heading over to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, a gorgeous neighbourhood east of the city that offers incredible panoramic views of the New York skyline.

Skip Soho

Soho was the go-to shopping recommendation for everyone visiting NYC years ago. It was once the place for off-the-beaten-path restaurants and boutiques, but its popularity over the years has resulted in this place is as clogged as Time square. Chain retailers and huge brands have set up shop in once unassuming storefronts, and now it feels more like an open-air Mall of America than a bohemian district.

Instead, head to the Lower East Side

The lower east side features some of the city’s most exciting and innovative shops and vintage stores. It is still pretty unpretentious and inclusive to tourists and locals alike (unlike some areas of Brooklyn…) Tokyo Rebel is one of my favourite spots as it features many brands imported from Japan that highlight the Lolita, punk, and goth fashion, which is so popular over there. Even if it’s not your style this place is definitely worth poking your head inside. Big Gay Ice Cream Shop is THE place to go for something sweet and is especially good on a hot summer’s day.

Skip Central Park

Central Park is a beautiful place for sure. It over more than 29,000 acres of parkland and even has a zoo! And while more tourists who are visiting NYC for the first time will feel the need to at least see a portion of this famous park (understandable), there are plenty of other amazing options throughout the city where you can spend a lovely morning or afternoon which are even better than this place.

Instead, visit something a little outside the city

Fort Tryon Park, north of Manhattan, near the MET cloisters is my favourite park in the city. It has incredible views across the Hudson River and has even more beautiful landscaping than Central Park. I love seeing all the ivy growing up in the brick archways connecting the fort’s walls throughout the park. Brooklyn Bridge Park is another one that combines the urban landscape with vast expanses of greenery for cozy picnics under the sun. Plus, you have that iconic Brooklyn Bridge in front of you and that stunning Manhattan skyline.

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Skip those Hostels

I hear many people chattering whenever I’m booking a trip to NYC, talking about how expensive it must be. I suppose it does have a reputation, and as such a big city, the cost of hotels might be slightly more than elsewhere in the world, but after travelling to Nashville and seeing the cost of those hotels, NYC seems like a bargain. The truth is NYC has thousands of hotels, so the competition here is fierce, and the chance of finding a sweet deal during a reasonably popular time of the year is very good. You don’t need to immediately book yourself into a hostel with shared bathrooms, no walls, or, god forbid….a chance of bed bugs.

Instead, plan in advance and search for deals

If you are booking well enough in advance, you’ll have the chance to shop around. Expedia makes it easy to make reservations and cancel them without fees until the day you arrive. This means you can jump on a good deal when you find one but cancel it if something better comes along. Korea Town is my go-to area for hotel deals. There are beautiful hotels here without the overpriced frills of more modern areas like midtown or the upper east side. Korea town is steps from the Empire State Building, so you’ll always have a great view steps from your hotel.

Skip on eating the latest crazy food trend

New York seems to be a wash with “trendy foods” rainbow bagels, cronuts, tv famous cupcakes and even those 5,000-calorie milkshakes. While these foods might make for the best Instagram photo, the things you’ll sacrifice to get it might not be worth it. Locals have the time to kill waiting in line; you are a tourist and don’t have such luxuries. Time is precious and you don’t want to spend it waiting in lines.

Instead, head to Van Leeuwen Ice Cream shop

Van Leeuwen is one of the most delicious and dynamic ice cream chains in NYC, and the fact that it’s a chain means that its locations aren’t always packed to the gills. They serve up artisanal flavours on rotators throughout the year so there’s always some new to try. With flavours like Blackberry Danish, Candied Ginger and Cookie Swirl you’ll still have something incredible to post on your feed! They also serve up Vegan and Gluten-free flavours so there’s something for everyone.

Skip shopping for knock-offs

Canal Street has long been the site for hustlers selling knock-offs purses, bags and even jewellery. These “purses” often come as low a price as $20. And while most people who come here to shop know what they’re getting is fake, you’re still supporting an underground economy, and the effects of this kind of low-level crime are much higher than you might think. Plus, the bags never last as long as they should, even for the $20 price tag.

Instead, head to the Williamsburg Artistisan Flea Market

The Artists & Fleas Williamsburg is a fantastic place to support local creators and the art community in New York. Here you’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces made by people contributing to the city’s incredible artistic nature. There are many cute stalls, everything from jewellery to vintage clothes, art, soap, candles and more. There would be something at every price range, too, so if you all wanted to spend that $20, you could find something here for that price!

Skip Little Italy

While Little Italy is still a great neighbourhood to visit with delicious food and interesting shops, it’s unfortunately become somewhat of a tourist attraction recently. And lost a little bit of its authenticity. Plus, so many lesser-known neighbourhoods in the city are crying out for your attention.

Instead, visit Koreatown

It’s no secret that Koreatown is one of my favourite parts of the city. ‘K-Town’ as it is called by locals is located on West 32nd Street, between Broadway and 5th Avenue. Here you can have a blast from dawn till dusk. Start your morning at Grace Street with some Korean doughnuts and avocado-katsuobushi waffles. Pair it with a roasted oolong milk tea. Then head to the 24-hour spa, and grab lunch at one of the many Korean BBQ restaurants (the lunch bbq you can eat is much cheaper than dinner and just as delicious).

Check out Besfren Beauty to nab some Korean face masks to quench your thirsty skin. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, head to Paris Baguette for a Parisian-Korean pastry fusion and bubble tea. For an elegant dinner, head to Hangawi for a vegetarian take on Korean cuisine. Finish the evening by singing your favourite tunes in one of the many karaoke clubs!

Skip only Seeing Manhattan

Manhattan is great, and there is SO MUCH TO DO, but don’t get caught up there and never leave. There are so many locations outside Manhattan which are fantastic and worth visiting. The lure of the big city is very strong, but escaping its clutches will usually result in fewer crowds and more local experiences.

Instead, take a self-guided historical walking tour

Brooklyn Heights is such a historical part of the city and so important to the development of New York as the superpower city it is today. You can visit some of the oldest houses in new york, the site of George Washington’s old residence and even study the names of all the different streets along the way. Each one is named after a different kind of tree which used to grow here. All in all, it’s a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, and there are a ton of incredible restaurants which lack a little of the upscale nature of the ones found inside Manhattan’s iron curtain.

Skip wearing yourself out trying to see it all!

New York is enormous. It is more vast and crowded than any other city in America, and seeing everything even in a week will result in feeling really burnt out by the end of your trip. And rushing from place to place also means you don’t have the chance to stop at places you find along the way. Some off-the-beaten-path discoveries are often the best part of the trip, so you don’t want to miss out on them!

Instead, spend a day in one particular neighbourhood

Instead of running from the east to the west and back again, over and over again. Try to group different places on your “to-see” list onto a google map and allocate different days to different neighbourhoods and districts. Even if the few items you have on the list won’t take up the entire day, don’t rush out of there. Take your time to explore the side street and get to know the lay of the land. It will be a richer and more rewarding adventure than trying to run all over the city trying to see every iconic site just to say you did.

What are your favourite things to do or explore in New York City? Let me know in the comments!

The post What You Should Skip Doing in New York City (and what to do instead) first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. Breakfast
   • Matt's Big Breakfast
   • Vovomena
2. Coffee
   • Lux Central
   • Lola's Coffee
   • Dutch Brothers
   • Copper Star Coffee
3. Brunch
   • Windsor
   • HULA'S Modern Tiki
4. Snacks
   • Phoenix Public Market Cafe
5. Lunch
   • Queen Creek Olive Mill
   • Joyride Taco House
   • Taco Guild
   • America's Taco Shop
6. Dinner
   • Cibo Pizzeria
   • Fuego at The Clarendon
7. The Mission
8. Dessert
   • Churn
   • Melt
   • Shakes & Cones

Breakfast

Matt’s Big Breakfast

Matt’s Big Breakfast is a staple of Phoenician breakfast time. After initial success at its first location in Downtown Phoenix, Matt’s Big Breakfast has expanded all over the Valley. So no matter where you find yourself early in the morning, there is a Matt’s not far. 

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Matt’s Big Breakfast has known for its cage-free eggs made “cracked to order.” Their breakfast is served all day, so there is no need to rush out the door. There is almost always a line, but trust me, it’s worth it. The decor combines hipster cafes and high school cafeterias, making the place warm and homey. But be sure to try the Chop and Chick if you’re feeling extra hungry. It comes with two eggs and an Iowa-seared pork rib chop! The enormous waffles are light and fluffy, and the griddle cakes are topped with sweet cream butter – drooling yet? Don’t wait – head down to Matt’s Big Breakfast for some delicious comfort food.

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Vovomena

Located in the heart of downtown, just off McDowell Road, is Vovomeena. Vovomeena is a little bit of a hidden gem, and I’m almost one to keep it secret…But such an amazing place can’t keep secret forever. The staff here are so charming and kind, making the experience exceptional. The food is a mix of different flavours. But all inspired by their Portuguese grandmother (who they named the restaurant after.)

One of my favourite things about this place is their Japanese cold brew which is the perfect pairing to all their dishes. My favourite order has got to be their Mexican benedict with chorizo and hollandaise. But if you have a sweet tooth, go for the banana bread pudding french toast – it’s to die for!

Coffee

Lux Central

Lux Coffee, just off Central Avenue, is one of those spots that screams “good vibes!” Walking in here every day feels like walking into a friend’s house. Their coffee menu is vast, but they don’t sacrifice great beans and well brewed coffee for trendy flavours. Instead, they balance a perfect brew and interesting flavour combinations perfectly to create the most delicious drinks. When it’s not boiling out, you’ll find me o the patio Thankfully their interior is huge, so there is always room inside to sit and relax with your morning brew.

Lola’s Coffee

Lola’s Coffee, just off Roosevelt Road, is a stunning family-owned & operated coffee shop that offers up some of the best brews in the city. Their menu is small and simple, but when the coffee is this good, that’s all you need! This spot is always super busy in the morning, so if you are planning on coming, I would warn you that parking is often full. It’s better to walk over or park nearby and stroll down. Their outdoor patio is so charming, and when its this busy, people watching is at it’s best here!

Dutch Brothers

If you’re in the mood for a drive-thru or quick-stop experience but don’t wanna settle for the standard Starbucks, you should give Dutch Brothers a try. Dutch Brothers have some of the best staff I think you’ll meet anywhere in the USA. Their sweet creations consist of variations like “the Kicker” (a blend of silky Irish cream) and “the Carmelized” ( creamy caramel mixed with mocha.) Or, for the daring, give “the 991” a try. It’s a blend of Irish cream and six shots of espresso! And there’s just no beating their darling Dutch iconography on their storefronts and coffee cups. 

Copper Star Coffee

If you have more time to relax, stop downtown at Copper Star Coffee in the charming Melrose District. Copper Star is a hip coffee shop inside a converted gas station and mechanics shop. Inside, there are delightful treasures and artworks all over the walls. The eclectic blend of mix-matched furniture makes for a cozy atmosphere. The drinks are unique, and their Lavender Mocha is my absolute favourite!

Brunch

Windsor

Brunch isn’t just for the big cities. There are many places to go for brunch around the city, but the Windsor is one of the best. I love the midcentury decor; the bright red brick walls feel chic and welcoming. Their Highroad Sandwich, made with eggs, belly bacon, tomato & garlic aioli, is pure perfection and the best hangover cure. Their Matador is my favourite, though; two eggs over easy stacked with griddled cheddar potatoes, a crispy tortilla, salsa verde & avocado relish. It feels like the epitome of Phoenix on a plate, a mix of American, Mexican and southwestern flavours.

HULA’S Modern Tiki

In the fashionable Old Scottsdale downtown, you can find this stylish eatery! I am absolutely obsessed with the design of this hip brunch spot! As the name infers, Hula’s offers up Polynesian-inspired food inside an old-school tiki bar-styled interior. I cannot come here and miss out on their French Toast. Unlike anywhere else I’ve been, their french toast is dipped in a coffee-batter before being cooked and then topped with apples and plantain compote! It’s absolutely magical.

While the food is next level, the drinks make this place the best stop for brunch! If you’re visiting with a group, you’ve got to try the Scorpion Bowl! It’s a huge rum-based cocktail served in a bowl for around 2-4 people!

Snacks

Phoenix Public Market Cafe

The Phoenix Public Market cafe in Downtown Phoenix is one of my favourite places to hop into for a snack. Their pastries are unrivalled, and there is nothing like a cup of their cactus iced tea or cold brew coffee on the side of a mountainous pastry. The Public Market is a program of Community Food Connections which came together to create an excellent storefront and weekly open-air market on Saturdays. Since the foodie community came together to create this place, it is no surprise that the food is so good! Try one of their enormous cinnamon buns or homemade pop tarts if you need a sugar rush to get you through the rest of the day.

Lunch

Queen Creek Olive Mill

One of my favourite places to take new visitors for a relaxing and delicious afternoon is the Queen Creek Olive Mill. The Olive Mill is Arizona’s only operating olive mill that makes its own olive oil and associated products. You can tour the mill and see the trees, learn how olive oil is processed and even how they use all kinds of oils in the kitchen. Tours cost $7/adult or $10 with a glass of Prosecco. The tour lasts 45 minutes and runs from midday to midafternoon on the half hour. 

Joyride Taco House

Joyride Taco House is one of the most fantastic restaurants in the city. When you walk in the door, it’s like you stepped back in time. The door and stylings are right out of the 70s. It’s the perfect place for a party as it’s very suitable for big groups. The food is ideal for sharing, and the best idea is to order a little bit of everything on the menu and pass it around. It might not be traditionally authentic Mexican food, but it’s a fresh take on classic dishes and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Taco Guild

If you know me, you’ll know I love anything medieval. When I saw a taco restaurant in Phoenix inspired by the gothic period’s art and architecture, set inside a historic church, you better believe I was there in a split second! And thankfully for me, Taco Guild‘s food was just as good as the interior decor! as the name implies, the restaurants serve up innovative tacos inspired by a variety of international cuisine that has tacos as an integral part of their daily life.

America’s Taco Shop

Ok, ok, I know, there are a lot of tacos on this list. But that’s the best thing about a trip to Phoenix. Arizona shares its southern border with Mexico. Over the years, so much of the local cuisine has been influenced by immigrants from the state of Sonora in Mexico. America’s Taco Shop was founded by America Corrales, who first came to the U.S. from her native Mexico. She brought a passion for Mexican cuisine, specifically her mother’s hand-written recipes. After opening her first restaurant, her down-to-earth food immediately caught fire with the locals.

Today, there are more than half a dozen locations across the city. The food here feels as close to the real thing as possible; it’s simple, cheap and absolutely delicious. Don’t miss out on a cold cup of horchata (a rice-based beverage flavoured with cinnamon.) It’s the perfect thing for a hot day or to cool down your mouth after spicy salsa!

Dinner

Cibo Pizzeria

The best place in the city for a romantic evening is Cibo Pizzeria. The restaurant is located in a quaint, circa 1913 bungalow. They feature Italian staples, including red & white wood-fired pizzas. My favourite, for those who like it hot, is the Diavola with tomato sauce, mozzarella and spicy salami! Their unique and modern white pizzas are also very popular, one of the best being the Tartufata, with mozzarella, mushrooms, prosciutto and truffle oil. In the evening, the tree outside is covered in twinkle lights, and from time to time, even a local musician will come to entertain the diners under the setting sun.

Fuego at The Clarendon

Attached to the super trendy and retro chic hotel Clarendon, Fuego is a lively restaurant serving a Cuban and Latin-inspired menu with some of the best margaritas and mojitos in town! The Enchiladas and Chile Relleno are my favourites and make me think of Mexico City. One of the best things about this restaurant is that it will often have live music playing, which adds a wonderful touch to the entire experience. If you want to guarantee a meal with music, you can always call to check.

The Mission

For dinner, head over to the Mission, which is situated right beside the old Spanish Mission site. The decor inside the restaurant is dark and mysterious. A large Himalayan salt block wall and the twinkle of candlelit chandeliers welcome you inside. The Mission serves up a mix of modern and traditional Latin cuisine. Don’t skip their Wagyu pastrami taco; truly a decadent experience.

Dessert

Churn

If there’s one thing people know about Phoenix, having visited or not, it is hot. Scorching, in fact. And there is nothing better to cool you off on a hot summer than a creamy and refreshing ice cream cone. And Churn does it better than anyone else. Their rotating, innovative flavours mean that you can come back all the time and always find something new to try. But they always have the classic on hand, such as; Cookies & Mint, Sweet Cream and Butter Pecan. Rotating flavours you HAVE to try if you get the chance are Whiskey Toffee Pecan, Peaches ‘n Honey, Mexican Chocolate (which has a little spice) and Oatmeal Cookie Dough. All the flavours are made from all-natural ingredients. You can feel a little better when scarfing down on this sweet treat!

Melt

Melt is another one of my favourite ice cream shops. Just off the trendy Roosevelt Row, you’ll find Melt has some of the most interesting and unique flavours found anywhere! Everything from Butterbeer, pina colada sorbet, maple bacon, jolly rancher, apple pie, blueberry, banana nut and Vietnamese coffee can all be found here! Plus, all their ice cream is served inside those classic Chinese take-out containers, which adds to the quirky delights this shop offers!

Shakes & Cones

For dessert in Scottsdale, head over to Shakes & Cones. While Scottsdale is mostly known for its upscale dining, Shakes & Cones still feels like a simple family joint. They make small batches of soft-serve ice cream and even offer non-dairy options for vegetarians. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles here, just simple ingredients that highlight the fantastic flavour of their ice cream.

What are your favourite places to visit in Phoenix? There’s always something new to try in this ever-growing foodie city, so take a chance and see if you find yourself eating at the next hot spot.

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post The Best Places to Eat in Phoenix [UPDATED 2023] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Location

The skating rink is located just off Michigan Avenue inside Millennium Park. Millennium Park is a beautiful area to visit while you’re in the city. It’s only a few blocks from the Chicago River and faces the city’s most awe-inspiring architectural masterpieces. The rink is sandwiched between Michigan Avenue’s architectural skyline and the infamous Chicago Cloud Gate or “The Bean.”

History

Millennium Park was built to celebrate the millennium (hence the name), but the construction didn’t finish until 2004. Nonetheless, despite its late bloom, the park’s beauty and almost perfect urban landscaping won over everyone.

Price

As it was New Year’s Eve, the lineup for Skate Rentals was a bit long, but we were lucky enough to get there right before the rush. Admission to the rink is free, and you can rent skates for $13–$20. You can also grab a locker to skate about on the rink without carrying all your travel gear.

The rink was amazing. The Zamboni was there just before we arrived, so the ice was nice and smooth. Although many people were there, they did a good job of staggering admission inside. So, the rink never feels too crowded. For the most part, it was an incredibly relaxing, romantic and all-around beautiful experience. Getting to hold the hand of someone you love while whizzing around on the ice is almost like flying. There’s nothing like it, especially when you take in all those gorgeous Chicago sites!

Cloud Gate

As you skate about the rink, you can gaze at you at the Cloud Gate. Take a snap to capture yourself skating around below. It’s quite a magical thing. Cloud Gate is a three-storey tall sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor. The steel shell is made out of more than 160 steel plates. Each plate is welded together and polished to give it a seamless appearance. It’s so shiny that it reflects the city around it like a mirror. And all those who step up to see it.

Streetwall

On the opposite side ofof the Bean, you can gaze at the “Streetwall” along Michigan Avenue. The streetwall comprises some of Chicago’s most interesting and historical architectural buildings. When I’m in Chicago, I am always taken aback by the Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque styles of architecture throughout the city. You can see a bit of each style along the ‘Streetwall.’

After skating up a storm, take a break and enjoy delicious dining at the Park and Grill Cafe. It is one of the greatest people-watching spots in the city, and it is perfect for relaxing while watching the skaters fly by.

The post Experience Skating in Chicago: Your Complete Guide to Millennium Park Ice Rink first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.