TLDR: SoHo has the best cast-iron architecture in the world and some of the best shopping in New York. Skip Broadway (it’s all chain stores). The real boutiques are on the side streets: Mercer, Greene, and Wooster. Greene Street between Canal and Houston has the finest block of cast-iron facades anywhere. From the Wales Hotel, take the 4/5/6 to Spring Street or the 6 to Bleecker Street. About 30 minutes.
Why SoHo Is Worth Your Time
SoHo stands for South of Houston Street. The neighborhood runs from Houston Street down to Canal Street, between Sixth Avenue and Lafayette Street. It started as a manufacturing district in the 1800s, became an artists’ colony in the 1960s, and is now one of the most popular shopping neighborhoods in the city.
But the architecture is the real reason to visit. SoHo has the largest concentration of cast-iron buildings on earth. These facades were mass-produced in foundries and bolted onto building fronts, allowing elaborate designs at a fraction of the cost of carved stone. The result is block after block of ornate, photogenic storefronts that look more like Paris than New York.
The Cast-Iron Architecture
Greene Street is the single best block for cast-iron facades. Walk from Canal Street north to Houston and look up. You’ll see columns, arches, and decorative details covering entire building fronts. The “Queen of Greene Street” at 28-30 Greene Street is a five-story Second Empire masterpiece.
Most people walk through SoHo staring at shop windows. You’ll get more out of the neighborhood if you look above the ground floor. The upper stories of these buildings are extraordinary. Many still have the original loading docks and pulleys from when they were warehouses.
The entire SoHo Cast-Iron Historic District was designated a landmark in 1973. It’s what saved these buildings from demolition. Today it covers roughly 26 blocks and contains about 250 cast-iron buildings.
Where to Shop: Skip Broadway, Walk the Side Streets
Here’s what most visitors get wrong about SoHo shopping. Broadway through SoHo is lined with chain stores: Zara, Nike, H&M, Uniqlo. You can find those anywhere. The interesting shopping is one block east or west on the cobblestone side streets.
Mercer Street, Greene Street, and Wooster Street are where the independent boutiques and designer shops are. These are the streets that give SoHo its reputation. Smaller stores, curated collections, and brands you won’t find in a mall.
Some standouts worth visiting: Kirna Zabete on Greene Street carries an expertly edited selection of high-end designer fashion. The Row (by the Olsen twins) has a minimalist flagship on Howard Street. Rachel Comey on Crosby Street is a local favorite for women’s clothing with an artistic edge.
Prince Street and Spring Street crossing the side streets create the main shopping corridors. Start at one end and zigzag your way through. You’ll discover stores you’ve never heard of, which is the whole point.
Insider Tip
The best shopping in SoHo is on the side streets, not Broadway. Broadway is all Zara and Nike. Mercer, Greene, and Wooster streets are where the interesting boutiques are. Walk one block off Broadway in either direction and the experience changes completely. Saturday afternoons are the busiest time. Weekday mornings give you the neighborhood almost to yourself.
Where to Eat and Drink in SoHo
Balthazar at 80 Spring Street is the most famous restaurant in SoHo. It’s a French brasserie that’s been packed since 1997. Brunch is the move here: order the French toast or the steak frites. Reservations fill up fast on weekends, but you can sometimes get a seat at the bar as a walk-in.
Fanelli’s Cafe at 94 Prince Street is the oldest continuously operating bar in New York City. It’s a no-frills neighborhood bar with a solid burger and cheap beer. The kind of place that reminds you SoHo wasn’t always designer boutiques.
For coffee, grab a table at any of the cafes along Prince or Spring Street and watch the neighborhood go by. SoHo has excellent people-watching, especially on weekends.
Getting to SoHo from the Wales Hotel
Take the 4, 5, or 6 train from 86th Street to Spring Street (about 30 minutes). You’ll come up right in the middle of the neighborhood. Alternatively, take the 6 to Bleecker Street and walk south, which puts you at the northern edge of SoHo near Houston.
SoHo pairs well with a few other downtown neighborhoods. You’re a short walk from Greenwich Village to the north and Chinatown to the south. You could easily spend a half-day combining two or three of these areas. If you’re interested in more shopping closer to the hotel, check our Madison Avenue shopping guide for the Upper East Side’s best boutiques.
Practical Tips for Visiting SoHo
Wear comfortable shoes. The cobblestone streets are beautiful but rough on heels and thin soles. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. Saturday afternoon is peak crowds.
Most shops open at 11am and close around 7pm. Restaurants stay open later. The neighborhood is very safe at all hours but gets quiet after the shops close.
For a broader look at what’s near the Wales Hotel, our Upper East Side neighborhood guide covers the area around the hotel. And if you want to continue south from SoHo into the Financial District, our Wall Street guide picks up where SoHo leaves off.
Your SoHo Shopping Base Camp
Stay on the Upper East Side and you’re 30 minutes from SoHo by subway. A quieter neighborhood to come home to after a full day of shopping and sightseeing downtown.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is SoHo worth visiting if I’m not shopping?
Absolutely. The cast-iron architecture alone makes it worth the trip. Walk Greene Street from Canal to Houston and look up at the facades. Add a meal at Balthazar or a drink at Fanelli’s and you have a solid afternoon without buying a single thing.
What’s the difference between shopping on Broadway and the side streets?
Broadway in SoHo is chain retail: Zara, Nike, H&M, and similar brands. The side streets (Mercer, Greene, Wooster, Crosby) have independent boutiques, designer flagships, and curated shops. If you’re looking for something you can’t find at home, skip Broadway entirely.
When is the best time to visit SoHo?
Weekday mornings are the quietest. Most shops open at 11am, so arriving around then gives you the streets nearly to yourself. Saturday afternoons are the busiest. Avoid the weekend if crowds bother you.
How do I get to SoHo from the Upper East Side?
Take the 4, 5, or 6 train from 86th Street to Spring Street. It’s a direct ride, about 30 minutes. You’ll exit right in the heart of SoHo. No transfers needed.
What is cast-iron architecture?
In the mid-1800s, building facades were made from cast iron instead of carved stone. Iron pieces were mass-produced in foundries and bolted together on-site. This allowed for elaborate decorative designs at a fraction of the cost. SoHo has the largest surviving collection of these buildings in the world.
Can I combine SoHo with other neighborhoods in one day?
Yes. SoHo is within walking distance of Greenwich Village (north), Chinatown (south), and Little Italy (southeast). A common route is to start in SoHo, walk north to Greenwich Village for lunch, or south to Chinatown for dinner. You can cover two or three neighborhoods in a single afternoon.
Is SoHo safe?
Yes. SoHo is one of the safest neighborhoods in Manhattan. It’s heavily trafficked during the day with shoppers and tourists, and well-lit at night. The cobblestone streets are quiet after shops close but perfectly safe to walk.
Where should I eat in SoHo?
Balthazar at 80 Spring Street is the classic choice for brunch or dinner. Fanelli’s Cafe at 94 Prince Street is a no-frills bar with good food and cheap drinks. For a quick bite, the surrounding streets have plenty of cafes and casual spots. SoHo is not the place for a budget meal, but Fanelli’s comes close.