SoHo New York
The neighborhood South of Houston (pronounced "how-stun") Street is the New York City's artistic and trendy high-end retail center. At least that is what it is in this reincarnation. In the 1850's, when uptown became the popular residential community, SoHo became a warehouse district. Many of the cast-iron buildings that long cobblestone streets that remain to this day were built in that era - housing some of the most fashionable businesses and retail stores of the era. Eventually, they left as well - creating a vacuum that was filled with slums and sweatshops. Labor laws eventually squeezed out the sweatshops, and in the 1960's artists found new uses for the large, open and well-lit warehouses, and the neighborhood was reborn.

Today's SoHo is fashionable collection of high end retail stores, galleries, and interesting curio shops. It is a window shopper's dream. Of course cafes and bistros offer great spots for people-watching and for letting credit card cool off before the next round of shopping. Browse the antiques in the weekly market or visit the neighborhood psychic. There is plenty to see and do here. You can even spend the entire day and finish up at one of the many fine restaurants in the area.