Welcome back to the blog — and welcome if you’re new here! I’m Flor, a millennial woman living in New York City, and today I’m bringing you a new post in my Summer in NYC series — one I’ve been loving so much lately. It’s a mix of everything I adore: storytelling, walking around the city with my camera, uncovering historical gems, and sharing places that make New York feel magical.
This time, we’re exploring Greenwich Village, or should I say “Grenich” Village 😉 — and if that pronunciation just made your brain glitch a little, you’re not alone.
I also shared this as a video on my YouTube channel, which you can watch right here if you’re more of a visual person (or if you just like tagging along with me as I wander through the city):
So, what’s the deal with “Green-Witch”?
Let’s start with a fun one: if you’re not a native English speaker (hi, same), the spelling of Greenwich Village might lead you to say Green-witch… but locals actually pronounce it Grenich. Why? Because the name comes from Dutch — “green” as in the color and “wich” (or “wijk”) meaning district. And if you’ve been following my series, you know that the Dutch are basically the OG settlers of a lot of Manhattan.
Add some time, a little British influence, and voilà — Greenwich becomes Grenich.
The Neighborhood Vibe: More Than Just History
Most guides will tell you that Greenwich Village started as farmland in the 1600s. But you already know that (we’ve been over it in the past four episodes 😉). What I find more interesting is how the boundaries of the Village are kind of up for debate.
Technically, it’s 14th Street to the north, Houston Street to the south, Broadway to the east, and the Hudson River to the west. But if you ask New Yorkers, they’ll often split it into two: West Village and Greenwich Village, divided by Sixth Avenue.
We explored West Village in episode one of this series (you can check that out here and also in the video description). Today, we’re sticking to the eastern side of the Village — the part most people mean when they say “Greenwich Village.”
First Stop: Washington Square Park 💜
I don’t care how many times you’ve seen it in movies or TikToks — there’s something special about Washington Square Park. The arch, the fountain, the performers, the energy — it’s alive. Built in the early 1800s, the park was originally part of an expansion effort by the city, and over time, it became a hub for artists, thinkers, and yes — very wealthy families like the Vanderbilts.
The arch itself was added later, in 1889, to commemorate George Washington’s rise to the presidency. On one side of the arch, you’ll see a younger Washington as a soldier; on the other, an older version of him as president. (Love a dramatic duality.)
Today, Washington Square Park is at the heart of NYU’s campus, and you can feel it. There’s always live music, art vendors, students hanging out — it has this youthful, creative energy that makes me want to stay for hours.
Also, fun little feminist moment? The park used to have car traffic (!!), until a group of moms rallied to shut that down for safety reasons. Now, it’s fully pedestrian-friendly thanks to their efforts. Shoutout to the women who get stuff done 👏
Washington Mews: A Secret Street Worth Finding
Just a few steps away from the park, there’s Washington Mews — a gated cobblestone street with historic carriage houses that look straight out of a movie set. Back in the day, these buildings weren’t cute Instagram spots — they housed horses, carriages, and staff for the wealthy families who lived just beyond them.
Today? NYU leases or owns most of them (because of course they do) and uses them as student housing or faculty spaces. Honestly, can you imagine living in one of those buildings during college?? Unreal.
This little stretch of street feels like a hidden world — quiet, charming, almost like a time capsule in the middle of busy downtown Manhattan.
A Few More Spots You Can’t Miss
Besides the big iconic locations, I also made a few stops that just felt right:
- A cozy stationery shop (because I’m me, and I love a well-designed notebook)
- A quick late lunch at a student-friendly café
- Wandering into whatever caught my eye — which is honestly the best way to explore this neighborhood
If you’re visiting the city — especially during summer — Greenwich Village is the perfect area for a laid-back afternoon. Grab a friend, pack a picnic, bring your camera, and just see where the day takes you.
Want More NYC Adventures?
This is episode 5 in my Summer in NYC series, and if you liked this post (or the video!), you’ll probably enjoy the rest of the series too. We’ve explored the West Village, Seaport, Tribeca, and Greenpoint already — and more is coming.
➡️ Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube so you never miss a new episode, and if you’re on Instagram, come hang out with me over there too — I share a lot of NYC life, outfits, little moments, and behind-the-scenes stuff: @flopereira
Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next one 💛
xx,
Flor.
Find me on: Instagram
