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Where NYU Students Can Hang Out On Their Own

By Heidi Patalano | August 12, 2013 3:12pm
 Familiarize yourself with NYU territory and beyond with these guided walks.
Explore Downtown Manhattan
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GREENWICH VILLAGE — For students who are new to Gotham, feeling at home in such a big city takes effort. One of the best ways to do it is to go roaming the streets. DNAinfo New York put together a guide for some great places to explore solo.

To the east

Other Music
15 E. Fourth St. at Lafayette Street
Close by NYU’s campus, one of the surviving music stores in the city defies the odds by continuing to serve up new and used cds and vinyl and by having their own record label to boot. Known for their taste-making selection of up and coming indie and experimental artists, Other Music is a great place to explore on quiet afternoon.

Trash and Vaudeville
4 St. Marks Pl. at Third Avenue.
Even New Yorkers with a vague sense of the city’s history know that St. Mark’s Place is the spot for counterculture, having been home to legendary musicians, artists and intellectuals since the 1960s. Evidence of the area’s hard-edged past is found in Trash and Vaudeville — an official landmark that has been selling punk wares since 1975. Known for outfitting the likes of the Ramones and Blondie, this is two-story shop encapsulates New York punk attitude and is about as close as you’ll get to the spirit of legendary rock club CBGB’s.

Veselka
144 Second Ave. at E. Ninth Street
Mamoun's
22 St Marks Pl. at Second Avenue
All that shopping will work up your appetite, so afterwards hit up one of two legendary East Village establishments with famous dishes: 24-hour Ukrainian diner Veselka for some pierogies or Mamoun’s for shawarma or falafel.

To the west
Chelsea Market
75 Ninth Ave. at W. 15th Street
You’ll hear it over and over again: you must go walk the High Line. And you should, but it’s worth your while to make a few stops along the way. Chelsea Market on the west side is home to a host of eateries and bakeries that’ll get you fueled for your walk. Try one of Num Pang’s mouthwatering Banh Mi sandwiches or pick up one of the People’s Pops. If you’re lucky, you could bump into a Food Network star or a Google employee, as both companies have offices on the upper floors of the building. 

Artists and Fleas at Chelsea Market
88 Tenth Ave. at W. 15th Street
Right below the High Line, Artists and Fleas at Chelsea Market offers plenty to peruse for your shopping pleasure. As the name implies, both artisans and those with an assortment of used goods like vinyl and vintage clothing sell their wares in this space. Be sure to check out Brooklyn Charm's many customizable baubles and chains, which you can have professionally assembled on the premises.

Artichoke Basille's Pizza
114 10th Ave. at W. 17th Street
Get to know Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, which is just steps away from Chelsea Market. Known for their creamy artichoke pizza and their twice-baked Sicilian slice, this pizza shop (with additional locations in Greenwich Village and the East Village) is the stuff of college student legends.

The High Line
Entrance at 10th Ave. and West 16th Street
Finally it’s time to get on the High Line. The space on the raised railroad tracks is now a park that extends from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street between 10th and 11th avenues. With a stunning view of the Hudson River, the park is a great place to sit and read or people watch. A handy map of the park will help you pick out one of their artfully designed spaces for lounging.

The Village Vanguard
178 Seventh Ave. South at W. 11th Street
Opened since 1935, The Village Vanguard is an institution that has hosted the talents of Charlie Mingus, Stan Getz and Thelonious Monk. Student discounts are available Sunday through Thursday, second set (10:30 p.m.) only and all ages are welcomed. Tickets are not sold at the club, but must be purchased online or over the phone in advance.

The Roasting Plant
75 Greenwich Ave. at W. 11th Street
With coffee beans roasted right on the premises, this cosy joint opens early and closes late, making it the perfect place for creative types to get their work done.

“I don’t feel as creative at a place like Starbucks,” said Chris Wagner, 28, who was visiting from Boston when he sought out Roasting Plant. “I go to a place like this and the creative energy just feels like it kind of comes out better whereas at Starbucks it’s kind of stale at this point. It’s just so corporate and cookie cutter.”