"Curiously, "Mannahatta" was the Lenape indian name for Manhattan -- it means place of many hills."

Fra, have you been "The Greatest Grid" exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York? It is there until Jul 15. They had some really neat photos of houses that were left in tact while they were levelling the land to make new streets, etc. They were really neat. There is one on this page but it is a drawing:

http://www.rent-direct.com/blog/2012...-to-manhattan/

I am pretty sure there were photos also.

Info about the exhibit: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=8480051

Oy got!

Please people - understand a LITTLE about NYC if you plan on visiting (Not aimed at the OP).

It is caleld Times Square because that where the offices of the NY Times were.

Rockefeller Center is named after the very wealthy family that once owned it - one of whom was the VP of the US - in case you can;t get the spelling.

Manhattan - is named after the local native american inhabitants.

If you are going somewher look it up before you go - it makes life much easier.

vjp --

"Fra, have you been "The Greatest Grid" exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York? "

No, but I will now that you've told me about it. Thanks!

Washington Mews unfortunately is currently closed for renovation.
http://www.walkingoffthebigapple.com...vation-in.html

The Washington Sq Hotel has a great village location (corner of Wash Sq Park). Larchmont also has an excellent location (on residential street), but is "european" style as mentioned above.

I walked up the Mews a few months ago and they were working on the cobblestones, put you could pass on the sidewalk. I am hopeful they will leave the cobblestone.

As an alumnus of NYU, I have complained about their attempts of world domination, but I hope someone has a refined set of aesthetics in the decision making process.

dholiday, if you're interested in a short-term apartment stay, look into options for your dates on Airbnb.com. Be sure to look for places with plenty of good reviews, and Airbnb verified photos (Airbnb sends someone to take them, so they're not "adjusted" by the host.)

Adu, isn't it ironic that the detention center that had been renamed after Bernard Kerik is not that far from Varick. (Or maybe I'm stretching a few blocks too far...)

And also make sure the owner of the apt. is in residence during your verified air bnb stay.

I stayed at the courtyard SoHo in January and staying again later this Month. My daughter lives in W village and it's 3 blocks from her home. I like it and willnprob stay there again.

HATED Larchmont. Many great reviews. Ick. Dirty bath/shower, grumpy server lady in the cafe, loud AC. Never again

In addition to wshotel.com there's also the Standard East Village (previously known as the Cooper Square). The W Union Square is another option. All of these are likely to be pricey.

There are some b & b's in the village like west-eleventh.com that's like renting an apt. The city has been cracking down on illegal apt. rentals and many of the b & b's are at risk also. Gvhabitue.com is another but not sure if they have kitchenettes.

Looking at the Airbnb.com site and there were over a thousand folks wanting to rent anything from a shared room to their entire apartment, some of them with multiple listings. If this is illegal, how is this website able to list all these possible rentals in New York City?

"If this is illegal, how is this website able to list all these possible rentals in New York City?"

Because law enforcement is busy with other crimes deemed more important to prosecute. Also the stricter laws have just come into being over the past year.