Gramercy

The haste and hullabaloo of the city calms considerably in the residential neighborhood of Gramercy Park, named for its 1831 gated garden, an early example of the city's best creative urban planning. South of the park, running north to south from 20th Street to 14th Street, is Irving Place, a short street honoring Washington Irving, which also feels calm, green, exclusive; it has a combination of old and new eateries, stores, and architecture.