We live in the 'burbs and take day trips by train to Manhattan on Satuurdays or Sundays. Upon arriving, we usually walk from Penn Station to Chinatown (lunch and a little shopping) before heading to a museum, show, etc. in the afternoon.

More often than not, we walk most of the way down Broadway, stopping in Union Sq. and some of the shops in Soho. Sometimes, we'll walk 5th or 6th Ave and go through Wash Sq Park. Occasionally we've cut over to the Lower East Side, too.

Are there any other interesting areas anyone would recommend in that general direction?

Anyone?

Hmm, well, you've got several of the most interesting routes already covered. Try skipping from Union Square through the East Village and down, if you want to alternate a little.

The only main option that you've left outis the West Side, which isn't as interesting a trek, although if you've never seen the High Line or been to Chelsea Market and seen what they've done to the building, you might want to try that. Then traipse through the meatpacking district, which is an odd combo of butchers (which will be closed on Sat/Sun), trendy hotel & bars, and upscale shops, often tucked away on little streets). Then over East a few blocks to the heart of the West Village. If you head down Hudson Street, you can see the Jacques Torres chocolate factory, although I don't know if it's up and running on the weekends), then across Canal to Chinatown.

Thanks. Went to Chelsea Market one day last year. Didn't think much of it, but it was nice walking in a different direction.