4 days in NYC West Village
 

My 2 girlfriends and I (all 40 somethings) are renting an apt. just off Bleecker St.(sp?). We are planning on spending most of our time just exploring the West Village area. We are all graphic designers and interested in fashion & art, good (but not too expensive) food, nice wine and good people watching. My questions are:
1. Any recomendations for places to go?
2. Also, what neighborhoods make up the West Village?
3. Is the East Village within walking distance?

Rumor has it we are very close to the apt where they shot the outdoor scenes for Sex in the City.

Yes, you can certainly walk between the East Village (one neighborhood) to the West Villages (another neighborhood).

You might enjoy the NYC Food Tour of Greenwich Village, there is more information at www.foodsofny.com

And you should pick up a good street map; try Streetwise Manhattan sold at Borders, Barnes & Nobel in stores or on-line.

Bleecker street is a great place to stay with your interests listed.

You can find good secondhand shops on Bleecker and around 7th Street on the east side.

You'll like Soho which is centered around Spring Street from Broadway to 6th avenue which still has a lot of art galleries however, most have been priced out of the neighborhood. You can walk up/down Prince and Spring and then wander around the little streets that shoot north and south off it.

I always like RAoul's for people watching (which is on Prince street). For good (authentic) Italian food you might want to splurge for a dinner at San Pietro uptown. One of my favorites for Sushi is Yama on Carmine which has an outdoor seating area in the back. For the amount and size of sushi you get it's a bargain. Moustache is also good too.

Hope this helps.

thanks for your recommendations!

Re fashion, the FIT museum has
free shows, opens at noon at
26th & 7th Aves. (#1 & 9 subway
up to 28th St(.