Located downtown in Tribeca, the Duane Street Hotel sits amongst a collection of neighborhoods that, unlike the rest of Manhattan, aren’t neatly organized by numbered streets and lettered avenues. The switch comes where the East Village becomes the Lower East Side, and where Greenwich Village becomes SoHo. Running East-West across Manhattan, Houston—pronounced “How-ston”—Street, forms this border. For guests who’d like to toe this line, here are a few tips on how to do Houston Street.
Grab a Bagel and Lox at Russ and Daughters
This family owned smoked fish and caviar shop is renowned for serving up one of the best bagel and lox sandwiches in New York City. The space itself is an experience reflecting the shop’s 100 plus year history with behind-the-counter servers dressed in old-school white coats and pants, and an overarching white-light, classic New York deli aesthetic.
Russ and Daughters 179 E Houston St New York, NY 10002See What’s on the Bowery Houston Wall
One of the most well known public art initiatives in the city, the Bowery Houston Wall is a rotating exhibit of work by premier artists from around the world. Originally painted by Keith Haring in the 70’s the wall has since been redone by a plethora of outstanding creatives including Shepard Fairey and Cope2.
Houston Bowery Wall On the corner of Bowery and Houston StreetsCorned Beef or Pastrami from Katz Deli
Back to Jewish cuisine, Katz Deli is a New York City staple, and a Houston Street resident since 1888. Order at the walk-up counter and eat in the huge cafeteria-style dining room where locals and tourists sit with their pickles and larger-than-you-thought-possible pastrami and corned beef sandwiches. First timers should definitely get a sandwich, but can also find comfort in a matzo ball soup, or chili dog at this classic restaurant.
Katz Deli 205 E houston St New York, NY 10002Catch a Show at Bowery Electric
Located just off Houston on Bowery Street, Bowery Electric is one of many beloved music venues in the area. Featuring up and coming acts from house DJs to folk singers to indie rockers, this is an easy place to dive right into the heart of the local independent music scene.
Bowery Electric 327 Bowery New York, NY 10003 image via flickr
