I'll be staying Midtown New York...times square...

1) Are SoHo and Greenwich Village the same place or area? If not, what is the difference.

2) How far is Soho and G. Village from Midtown? Thank you!

I'm not a Manhattan dweller but since no one else responded....... Greenwich Village is divided into an East Village and West Village and is in lower Manhattan (but north of the Wall St./financial district). SoHo stands for "south of Houston Street" (which is pronounced How-stun.... NOT like the city in TX!). If you're looking at those areas you'll also want to check out Chelsea and TriBeca. The fact is, Manhattan has a phenomenal public transport system. Buy a "Metrocard" pass that will allow unlimited travel and it automatically provides your transfers. A few of the subway stations are antiquated and not spotless but you will find them to be safe, especially if your travels are in Manhattan from midtown and to areas south. All the areas you mentioned are an easy 15 - 20 minutes from midtown by subway and foot. I strongly suggest that you check out the listings of specific neighborhoods at
www.newyork.sidewalk.com
It will provide an overview of the areas and specifics about dining, shopping and entertainment, right down to listings of specific blocks or streets.

When you're in the Village and you cross Houston St you are automatically in Soho. That's the actual "difference." Both areas are artsy and funky, but house different crowds which you will notice. Soho generally speaking has more of the upscale shops and also art galleries and home furnishing types of stores. Spend time watching one of the "shows" in Washington Square Park. They can be a lot of fun. Don't be afraid of any characters you may encounter, it's all part of being in NYC. From Times Square you can walk south and hit the Village in 30 min (give or take - how fast do you walk and which street you choose to walk on at what time of day - it all makes a difference) Or of course you can take the subway and that may save time or take as much time depending on if you just miss the train, if it's crowded, etc.

Greenwich Village and SoHo are just the names of neighborhoods in downtown Manhattan. Most neighborhoods tend to have a unique identity and flavor that distinguishes them from each other.

SOHO - was once an idustrial manufacturing area that has since been converted to large loft type apartments, art galleries and shopping. Most people consider SOHO the area boxed in by four Streets: Houston, Broadway, Canal and 6th Ave. If you are into art and shopping this is your place.

Greenwich Village - the area that most people traditionally associate with "The Village" is what is referred to as The West Village. The West Village has more cafes, bars and shops than SOHO. The streets are small, quaint (for New York) and confusing. You should spend hours just roaming around the streets here. The Village is boxed by: Greenwich Ave, 5th Ave, Houston and the Hudson River. Though it is historically known as being predominately gay, it has a huge mix of people, including many families. The gay scene has moved slightly North to Chelsea (8th Ave, between 23rd and 15th Streets).

You can go from the West Village to SOHO simply by walking down Bleeker Street.

The East Village is more "gritty", much younger (since rent is less) and much more eclectic than the West Village. This is where the punk scene was big in NYC. St. Mark's Street will give you a good flavor of this neighborhood.

Have fun and be adventurous. NYC's reputation is much worse than its bite.

I want to thank all of you so very much! You've all provided insightful information as well as clarifying my confusion. I sincerely appreciate your responses and the time you took to give them. I'll check 'em all out.

Mids

Mids, you're getting some excellent advice here (and I hope someone at Fodors is copying it down, because Greenwich Village and SOHO are poorly represented in the current edition).

What I can add is this... to best see Greenwich Village, start from Times Square and take the No. 1 train downtown, getting off at Sheridan Square. This will put you in the middle of what Phil accurately calls the "west" village, which is the tamer part. Behind you will be Sheridan Square, and, along the north side of Sheridan Square, Christopher St., which has quite a number of funky shops. If you follow Christopher St. back toward 6th Avenue, you'll see more shops.

In front of you is 7th Avenue. If you cross 7th Ave. and walk westbound on Grove St., you'll run into Bleeker St., which is sort of Greenwich Village's Main St. There are restaurants and shops off to the right as far as Perry St. (four blocks), but the main places to eat or window shop are to the left, as Bleecker St. wraps south, and then east. Some of the best value-for-money restaurants are along this street, as well as shops selling eclectic merchandise.

A block past the point where Bleecker St. crosses 6th Ave., you'll reach MacDougal St., another good shopping street and, if you turn north, also the western edge of both NYU and Washington Square Park. The park is the one with the small "arc de triomphe" in it. It offers good people watching day or night. Taking MacDougal St, to the right will take you into Soho; continuing on Bleecker will take to into the East Village.

Hamlet and Phil are both right; these parts of New York -- distinctly low rise and older than the rest of Manhattan -- don't bite and show you a little bit of the "non-tourist" side of the city.

In addition to above accurate information, if you are not on the 7th ave train, the West Village can be reached from the 6th or 8th ave IND trains at the "West 4th St." station. This is actually 6th avenue and 8th street, and the start of Greenwich Ave. If you are on the East side, the Lexington Ave line (IRT) stop would be Cooper Union (8th street) for the East Village.

Above is great info. When my family comes to visit, I usually start them on a walk beginning in Chelsea around 24th street and 8th avenue, walking south. Once you cross 14th street going south you are in the West village. Great spots in the village, Christopher street, two boots pizza (on 7th), The Duplex (crazy night club). Take a walk through the NYU area, and washington square park. The east village is notoriously wild but since KMART has come in, the area has really cleaned up. If you walk from 6th ave & 8th street(grays Pappay) east.... you will hit great shoe shops and typical village stores, barginning is a must! Once you hit the KMArt and starbucks on E8th street, you will notice the area will really change. Also in the east village is Time Cafe, with the famous fez bar, and the bowery bar... Great NY spots. Also in the east village walking down St. Marks street can be nothing short of entertaining. My sister loves the village because she feels like she is getting a real taste of NY. SoHo is great, a lot of art galleries and nice stores. Have a great time! NY is a great place!