New York City Places

NoLIta

NoLITa, shorthand for "North of Little Italy," covers a neighborhood that has taken the commercial baton from SoHo and run with it. It's largely gone from a locals-only, understated area to a crowded weekend magnet, as much about people-watching as it is about shopping.

But still, NoLIta is the place to hit for higher-end, unique boutiques and quieter corners if you're south of Houston. The area feels significantly more like a neighborhood where locals eat, shop, and live.

Stores remain largely one-of-a-kind, and the indie shops featuring products from up-and-coming designers, quirky cafes, and modest eateries evoke the spirit of old SoHo.