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INteresting Things to see in Greenwich Village

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About a month ago I took a trip down to Greenwich Village, home of my alma mater, New York University.  And while I was busy gawking at all the buildings my daughter had a chance to take some actual photos which I’d like to share with you today.

Because truth be told she is the better photographer in the house!  And she is showing us some interesting things to see in New York’s Greenwich Village. 


Bubbles, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
As we were walking down Broadway we passed the famous Grace Church which can actually look downright spooky with its French Gothic Revival architecture, before the spring bloom. You would not think this is located right smack in the middle of Manhattan. 
Grace church, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
With doors like this no wonder it’s a National Historic Landmark. 
Grace church door, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
A bit further down we come across my personal favorite, the Great Hall at the Cooper Union.  It is a word famous school for Art, Architecture and Engineering, and the building is pretty impressive to look at too. Having been built 1859, it had an elevator shaft before the invention of elevators. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln gave a historical speech in this magnificent hall.  

Up until 2014 it provided free tuition to all its students.  It is also a National Historic Landmark. 

Cooper Union, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
Across the street from Cooper Union is this undulating building known as the Astor Place named for the area.  It is a residential building and way out of my price range. 
Astor Place, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com

​This building is located at West 4th and Broadway, 693 Broadway is its official address and it is known as the Merchants Building.  From what I see there were many buildings on Broadway built this way with lots of ornate sculptures.  In this case we have owls and lions. You can see them a bit better on the bottom. The striking blue cornice is a recent addition to help with the drainage of the building.

Technically speaking this area is known as NoHo.  In other words, North of Houston Street.  There is also a “SoHo” but we did not venture that far. Both of these neighborhoods are National Landmarks and have many historic buildings.

Striking building on Broadway, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
ashington Square Park is the heart of Greenwich Village and of the New York University Campus.  I use that term loosely because in fact, NYU has an open campus with buildings all over New York city. 

The Park is a meeting place for students and folks who want to share their creativity, such as this fellow who was blowing giant bubbles in the middle of the park on that cold and rainy spring day, with NYU’s Lipton Hall Dormitory in the background.

Man blowing bubbles in Washington Square Park, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com

​This doorway is located across the North side of the park and is one of many early 19th century row houses that were built in the Greek Revival style.  Washington Square North is now owned by NYU. 
Row House doorway, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
Row house with lion sculpture, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com

​Behind the row houses sits the Washington Mews.  It had once been the staples for the row houses in the area.  But in between the two, there is a courtyard and it is here that we found this treasure.  A statue of Miguel Cervantes the famous Spanish writer and painter. 
Statue of Cervantes in courtyard, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
And looking North we see the famous Washington Square Arch, which celebrates the centennial of George Washington’s Inauguration in 1789.  It is also where Fifth Avenue terminates. 

The row houses are to the right of the arch. 
Washington Square Arch, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com

​This shot was taken when there was construction on Fifth Avenue.  We are standing under the Arch and looking up north at Fifth Avenue. 
Looking up to Fifth Avenue, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
Inscription on the arch, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
The arch built in 1892, was modeled on Paris’ Arc de Triomphe.  It is 77 feet tall and the arch opening is 47 feet. 
Metal frame exhibition below arch, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
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​Two statues of George Washington are located on the North side of the arch.  The one below is Washington at War.
Statue of Washington at War, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
And Washington at Peace, both of which were added in 1918. 
Statue of Washington at Peace, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
The statues flank a contemporary exhibition called “Good Fences make Good Neighbors” by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.  It is a 37-foot steel cage with a reflective amoeba-shaped passageway which we walked through. 
​​
Arch looking south, Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
I’m including a video of the citywide exhibition here.   And a link to the artist here. 
Exhibition by artist Ai Weiwei, #photoessay #Travel #photography #NewYork #Greenwichvillage #NYU #WashingtonSquarePark Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
It was a rainy day when we took our walk down to the park, but that didn’t stop my daughter from taking all these great photos.  She definitely has an eye for these interesting things to see in Greenwich Village. 

If you’d like to see more of her work visit her on Instagram. 

You can also see more of my photography at the photo gallery here.

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Exhibition by artist Ai Weiwei in New Yorks Greenwich Village, #photoessay #Travel #photography #NewYork #Greenwichvillage #NYU #WashingtonSquarePark Interesting things to see in Greenwich Village www.theboondocksblog.com
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  1. Michelle says:

    What a fabulous tour of Greenwich village. The architecture on the Gothic Revival style church is awesome!

  2. These photos are beautiful!

    • Mary says:

      Thanks so much Clearissa they were taken by my talented daughter but I got to do the research. Haha!

  3. Jill says:

    We just attended my daughters graduation from NYU yesterday at Yankee Stadium. She received her masters degree and loved being a student there. Luckily I was able to visit her there and enjoyed walking around Greenwich Village. So much to see and do.

    • Mary says:

      Congratulations to your daughter Jill. The NYU “campus” is certainly an eyeful.

  4. Carol says:

    Loved my tour with you. In none of my trips to NYC years ago did I visit Greenwich Village I think. Enjoyed today’s beautiful photos and architecture.

    • Mary says:

      I’m glad we could take you along with us Carol. The Village is so much more than this but we took an unusual path.

  5. I’m not a city girl at all, but these are great shots!
    Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/05/opa.html

    • Mary says:

      Thank you for visiting. My girl took these I think she is a great photographer. Now we just need to find her a job. 🙂

  6. betty - NZ says:

    I love these images. The architecture is so awesome and, you are right, I would never expect that huge place in the middle of the city. What a great eye your daughter has 🙂

  7. Lady Fi says:

    Wow – what stunning photos!

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Lady Fi, my girl was going for the moody and atmospheric here but the weather certainly contributed.

  8. tomthebackroadstraveller says:

    …I’m a country boy at heart, but cities sure offer some excitement. The architecture is wonderful.

    • Mary says:

      The architecture in New York is so breathtaking and the best part is that you can find nooks and crannies that look almost like the country.

  9. Your photo of the Cervantes statue is almost as eerie as the one of the Gothic church! So many wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing.
    Kay
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Kay for visiting. A picture speaks a thousand words and these were at the height of gloomy!

  10. Kim says:

    The Washington Square Arch always reminds me of my favorite movie, When Harry Met Sally! And there really is no place like NYC!

    • Mary says:

      Oh wow Kim it has been a lifetime since I’ve seen that one. I need to see it again. NY is the best. I feel as if I am rediscovering it all over again.

  11. Judee says:

    Although I live an hour and half from NYC and to about once a month, I haven’t visited the Village since I was a teenager! Thanks for the memories. Great photos

  12. Michelle says:

    Love all the photos of old buildings and the beautiful architecture!

  13. Jann Olson says:

    Your daughter is a talented photographer. So many gorgeous buildings and sites! Love the giant bubbles too!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

  14. Margy says:

    I’ve been to Upstate New York because that’s where my husband is from, but never to the city. – Margy

    • Mary says:

      Upstate NY is beautiful but it is very different from the city. You have to come next time you are in NY.

  15. Mersad Donko says:

    Very interesting view at Greenwich village. Thank you so much for linking up with “Through my Lens”
    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Mersad, sometimes when the weather is bad you have to go with the flow.

  16. John Adams says:

    My sister lives in NYC so I’ve been tot he city, but I have never actually been to Greenwich Village. You’ve provided me with the tour I’ve never had! #mysundayphoto

    • Mary says:

      I am glad to hear it John and one that is a bit off with nooks and crannies which the city is full of.

  17. Connie says:

    These are great, I would love to go to New York some day. Don’t know that I will ever get the chance so I love looking at pictures of it. Thanks for sharing at bloggers pit stop. Connie

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Connie for stopping by, we try to post photos of New York every month so if you come back you’ll see lots more.

  18. Michelle says:

    I love the design of Grace Church. My kind of place. I love all the intricate designs. These are some fantastic shots of NYC. Thanks for linking up today.

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Michelle. I have realized since returning that the city is so full of visual stimulation even on a rainy day, that I come home exhausted. Or is it that I’ve developed a photographer’s eye and everything looks like art? Haha!

  19. Snap says:

    Fun post. I haven’t been to Greenwich Village in years. Loved the bubbles. Ai Weiwei is one of my favorite artists.

    • Mary says:

      Those bubbles were such a welcome surprise after all the rain and gloomy clouds. And truth be told, I had no idea what I was looking at till I got home and researched it. I love Google!! 🙂

  20. Mary, Loved all your photos and fantastic tour as always! You have such a knowledge of the buildings and New York! Thanks so much for sharing your expertise and daughters wonderful eye for photos!

    • Mary says:

      Wendi, all I can say is thank goodness for Google and Google maps. I would not know what I’m looking at if not for the maps. All that research is great because it helps us to go behind the scenes and understand what we are looking at.

  21. Debbie says:

    Hi Mary, what lovely architecture and so old too! My favourite is the spooky looking Grace Church. Dare you to visit after dark? Your daughter tooks some very nice photos…. Hope you get better weather there soon. When does summer start there?
    xx

    • Mary says:

      Summer? Debbie it has been raining non-stop for a week. My girls don’t understand this because they are thinking of the Greek summer when it never rains. Here we can have rain at any time of the year.

  22. This was quite an enjoyable walking tour! Thank you and have a grand week!

  23. Oh my Mary! What beautiful photo’s and such a lovely spot to visit.

  24. You two covered a lot of ground in one day, and you got some lovely shots!

    • Mary says:

      Doreen I used to be down there every day. Things have really changed a lot since my college days.

  25. Excellent photos. The buildings are so beautiful and this photo trip is gorgeous. Thank you Mary for sharing with us all this beauty 🙂
    PS: Your daughter’s photography skills are beyond perfect!!!

  26. Deborah says:

    Thanks for giving us this tour. I want to go to NY so badly!!!!

  27. I do so enjoy these virtual photography tours of yours Mary. You always get to see so much more of the real city in the photos. Love that sculpture, so fascinating and the beautiful Gothic church. OMW, just imagine living in a house that looks like that. I would love to

    • Mary says:

      We usually walk around and just snap the silliest things. I have an obsession with light and shade and will take dozens of photos of the way the light hits a building. Then when I get home I realize it was some famous building Thank goodness for google maps! Haha!

  28. Photo Cache says:

    Great documentation of words and pictures.

  29. Leanna says:

    What a gorgeous place to visit. Its all fantastic Mary, but the sculptures really caught my eye. Beautiful post.

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Leanna there is always so much to see in the Village. And that one with Cervantes is hidden in an alleyway.

  30. Katrin says:

    Another lovely walk through the city that never sleeps! I was thinking at one point of going this summer with the family and if we end up going, we must meet! Thank you for the tour!

  31. Grace church is incredible! Thanks for sharing!

    • Mary says:

      It is and who would have expected to find this treasure in the middle of that spot.

  32. The photos are lovely. We really walked the streets of NYC with you and your daughter. Keep the photo essays coming.

    • Mary says:

      Thank you so much Debra. The are actually more work than the DIY projects because I have really gotten into researching all the things we see. But it makes for a much more interesting post I think.

  33. FLORENCE says:

    This was an interesting tour! Love your tours of NYC. Are you anywhere near the Dakota, where I believe John Lennon was gunned down?

    • Mary says:

      You never know what you will encounter in my tours Florence. The Dakota is right off of Central Park on the West side. We have visited there because last time we were here my girl was obsessed with the Beatles. In fact, he lived there till his death. I’ll share a photo with you first chance I get. Also there is a tribute to him in Central Park called “Strawberry Fields”.

  34. Marie says:

    You know how much I enjoyed this tour, Mary! Remember my bucket list? In the meantime, I’m living that dream vicariously through your photo-montages. Thank you and keep ’em coming 🙂

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Marie. Would you believe that I too am learning so much by doing all this homework. I never would have been able to discover the history of each building had it not been for google.

  35. Mother of 3 says:

    I had no idea there was a replica/ tribute to the L’arc de Triomphe in NYC

    • Mary says:

      Neither did I, I have to look all these things up otherwise I’d be clueless. It seems my photo essays have become just that, essays and I am enjoying them so much because I learn about the history of all these places.
      Thank you for stopping by and let me know what the name of your blog is so I can also return the favor.

  36. Great photos and very interesting . We studied “Washington Square” book at school. My daughter has “Cinderella” this year, and “Winnie the Pooh” next year. Whatever happened to education?
    Happy Mother’s Day Mary.

    • Mary says:

      Thank you so much. Oh my what can I say. I guess there are morals to all stories including Winnie and Cinderella.

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