12 Streets You Need To Know About In New York City

You're Completely, Utterly Charming, New York

Welcome to New York. It's been waiting for you.

Walking the streets of our fair city is one of the best pastimes we know of (even in the freezing weather). Here are the 12 streets around the boroughs that, for one reason or another, hold a special place in our hearts.

Jones Street, Manhattan
jones street nyc

I have a dream of recreating the cover of the iconic Bob Dylan 'Freewheelin' album with my wife, on Jones Street. I grew up with the album. Moving to NYC when I was 25 largely involved the image of myself as Dylan on that cold winter day in the early 1960s. Corny, I know. I’ve been begging my wife to do this with me for years. -- Buck Wolf, Executive Crime & Weird News Editor

Dekalb Avenue between Cumberland and Carlton, Brooklyn

fave street

I love this block for many reasons: the food, the shops, the park view and the dogs that line outside of a certain coffee shop every morning. It has everything you could want and is quiet but not dull, beautiful but still practical. One of my favorite restaurants in Brooklyn, Martha, serves really special Asian-inspired farm-to-table fare on this block. A few doors down, the coffee shop Bittersweet not only serves excellent coffee, but also sells Dough doughnuts, as well as massive croissants and baguette sandwiches. They also sell dog treats, which, combined with the water bowls the shop leaves outside, attracts all the dog-owners -- and their pups -- who are on the way to or from Fort Greene Park, which is just across Cumberland Street. -- Alison Spiegel, Associate Food Editor

9th street in the East Village, Manhattan
9th street east village

I'm obsessed with 9th street in the East Village. It's lined with sparkly lights that make me forget how cold it is outside, and it's full of great small businesses and nice people. Stores like Verameat, Pink Olive and The Upper Rust are great for knick knacks and gifts, and if it's a nice day you can spend some time in Tompkins Square Park with a cup of tea from Cafe Pick Me Up. -- Leigh Weingus, Trends Editor

Bleecker Street, Manhattan
bleecker street nyc

Bleecker was one of the first streets I came to know when I started working in the city. Also it has everything you could ever need -- window shopping, facials, margaritas, tea, cupcakes, cheese AND MORE. Be sure to visit Magnolia Bakery, The Organic Pharmacy, Caliente Cab Co., David's Tea, Murray's Cheese Shop, Amy's Bread, Marc Jacobs Beauty, bookbook, Carrie Bradshaw's apt, oh my gosh and more! -- Chanel Parks, Associate Style Editor

Gay Street, Manhattan
gay street nyc

Gay Street is literally one block long, so if you're not looking for it, you would probably miss it. It's in the Village and it's a crooked street and it's so damn cute. It kind of feels like you're stumbling across something only locals would know about. And the houses and flowers are so cute in the spring. -- Michelle Persad, Fashion Editor

10th Street between 1st & Avenue A, Manhattan
10th street

Without a doubt my favorite block in New York is 10th Street between 1st & Avenue A. It was the location of my first on-my-own NYC apartment, but even more than that, it's home to some of the best little shops, cafes, restaurants and -- for some reason -- awesome places to get your hair cut, too. It's far enough east to feel Village-y, but not too miserably far away from the subway. Not to mention the entire length of 10th Street is ultra-charming from east to west, with bars and restaurants lining the East Side and beautiful brownstones on the West Sde. -- Jamie Feldman, Associate Style Editor

1st Avenue, Manhattan
1st avenue

It's great because it's a very wide avenue, so traffic tends to move relatively quickly. And there are great restaurants and bars, especially in the East Village. My favorite spots along the street include anything in the East Village (1st-14th and 1st), Momofuku Noodle Bar (11th and 1st), Ess-A-Bagel (21st and 1st), UN (42-48th and 1st). -- Ethan Klapper, Senior Social Media Editor

7th St between 1 Ave and Avenue A, Manhattan

porchetta

7th St between 1 Ave and Avenue A is my favorite, because it's home to some of my favorite places to eat: Luke's Lobster, Caracas Arepas Bar AND Porchetta. Plus, it's really pretty. -- Julie Thomson, Food Editor

Knickerbocker Ave, Brooklyn
knickerbocker avenue brooklyn

I've lived right off Knickerbocker Ave. since I moved to Bushwick from North Carolina two years ago, and it really speaks to the aesthetic heart of what modern day Brooklyn looks like. While Brooklyn as a whole is fraught with the problems of gentrification, Knickerbocker still embodies the heart of Spanish culture that has historically permeated Bushwick, intersecting with more recent artist studios, street art and installations. This street not only contains the most authentic Spanish food in NYC, but preserves an image of Northern Brooklyn that is increasingly lost as the wave of gentrification moves east. Bonus: It's a straight shot from the city between the Jefferson and Morgan L. -- James Nichols, Associate Editor, Gay Voices

Grove Court, Manhattan
grove court

Grove Court is a secret little pocket of delight in the West Village that is guaranteed to produce the best reactions when people unknowingly stumble upon it. Whether it be a gasp, a pleasant shriek or squeal, there will most definitely be a photo (just look at these Instagrams) taken. There are plenty of eateries not too far from Grove Court -- including Lederhosen, a lovely beer hall tucked away right in plain sight -- and countless other West Village sites to see. -- Katelyn Mullen, Managing Lifestyle Editor

Irving Place, Manhattan
irving place nyc

One of my favorite things I don't do often enough is walk around the outsides of Gramercy Park and then head down Irving Place, which only runs six blocks. I love Irving Place for its old-school charm, beautiful town homes and the legendary Pete's Tavern. While you're there, you have absolutely no idea you're that close to the bustle of Union Square. -- Kate Auletta, Executive Travel Editor

Bogart and Seigel, Brooklyn

bogart street brooklyn

Best graffitti in NYC now that 5 Points is gone. ---- Tyler Kingkade, Senior College Editor & Reporter

storytelling

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