The 7 Best Things To Do at Hudson Square NYC
The Hudson Square district is located west of Soho and – as the name suggests – borders the Hudson River. It is more of a business district with a few hotels and therefore has no major attractions to offer except for the New York City Fire Museum.
Since it is located between the neighborhoods of Tribeca, the West Village, Greenwich Village and Soho, you will definitely walk past it. Is a visit to Hudson Square NYC worth it? I’ll be honest: rather not, because many other neighborhoods have more to offer in many respects.
Nevertheless, a few spots are interesting – and I’ll tell you about them here in my guide to Hudson Square NYC!
By the way: you’ll find many more New York City spots in our Loving New York travel guides.
My TOP 5 Things To Do at Hudson Square NYC
- Hudson River Greenway
- New York City Fire Museum
- Ear Inn
- Color Factory New York
- Breakfast at Westville Hudson
Where is Hudson Square located?
Hudson Square is located at the height of the Holland Tunnel on the west side of Downtown Manhattan, making it easy and quick to get to.
How to Get to Hudson Square
- Subway: You can take the train to Houston Street or Canal Street, or the train to Spring St.
- Hop on Hop Off Bus: Stop 8 of the downtown loop of BIG BUS or stop 8 or 9 of the downtown loop of Gray Line Sightseeing. Here you find more about Hop on Hop off in NYC.
My tip: the tickets for the buses are included in many of the New York City passes – which one is the best for you, you can see in my Pass Comparison for New York!
🥇 Look no further: That‘s the only New York Travel Guide you need (300+ pages and 700+ reviews on Amazon)
This is our COMPLETE GUIDE that includes 25+ neighborhood guides for every part of the city with New York’s newest attractions like SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, Edge Hudson Yards & Little Island, our best-of lists, budget tips and the best things to do and see!
The 7 Best Things To Do at Hudson Square NYC
Here are some more things that you can explore in Hudson Square if you have more time.
-
01
Visit the New York City Fire Museum
Museum in Hudson Square
The Fire Museum of New York is located in a former fire station. Located on the border of Hudson Square and Soho, you can’t miss it, as you can see from the pictures! On three floors the beginnings of the fire department in New York are shown, starting with small medals, stories and anecdotes up to whole fire engines.
In addition, there is a small but touching exhibition about 9/11, because this fire station also lost many firefighters.
Recommended: The Absolute Best Museum in NYC
-
02
Stroll along the Hudson River Greenway and enjoy the river views
Park in ChelseaOur Highlight
The Hudson River Park is the second largest park in Manhattan after Central Park. Besides being a nice place to relax on a beautiful day, you will have a fantastic view of the Hudson River. If you want to do more than just relax, you can take advantage of different activities offered in the park. Check out their mini golf course or carousels, for example! If you are looking for even more fun, you should go kayaking on the Hudson River. The best thing about kayaking? It’s absolutely FREE! We think you understand that we had no choice but to include this park in our top 5 things to do in Chelsea NYC!
-
03
Ear Inn
Bar in Hudson SquareOur Highlight
The bar is an institution in the city (not only because of the legendary cheeseburger) and has been located on Spring Street for 200 years. By the way: If you pay attention to the neon sign, you will see that it used to say “Bar” instead of “Ear”.
-
04
Check out the Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village NYC
Walking Tour in Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village is for me one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of New York and has a lot to offer. But it also has a haunted side in stories, which will be shown to you on this walking tour. This ghost tour through Greenwich Village is full of spooky tales of lost children, phantoms and celebrity ghosts – and not only at Halloween a popular tour.
Along the way, you’ll learn many interesting anecdotes as you stroll through Washington Square Park, West 10th Street and the campus of New York University. The Greenwich Village Ghost Tour is a real highlight!
-
05
Have Breakfast at Westville Hudson (you will love it!)
American Restaurant in Hudson Square
Westville NYC is a restaurant in New York City that thrives off of using the freshest ingredients! This is one of our favorite places to eat because there is nothing on the menu that leaves us unhappy. With an extensive fresh menu for vegetarians and meat-eaters, you are bound to find an entree for everyone.
-
06
Head over to SoHo
Other Shopping in SoHo -
07
Relax at the pool of the The Dominick Hotel
Hotels & Accommodations in Hudson Square
5 Stars | The Dominick Hotel prides itself being the only 5-star-hotel in all of Soho and Hudson Square! It also happens to be the tallest building in Soho, so you have a great view over the city. We stayed here for a few days at the end of my road trip by camper through the entire USA. The pool is not big, but in summer it was our favorite place!
Best Attractions at Hudson Square NYC
-
01 New York City Fire Museum
The Fire Museum of New York is located in a former fire station. Located on the border of Hudson Square and Soho, you can’t miss it, as you can see from the pictures! On three floors the beginnings of the fire department in New York are shown, starting with small medals, stories and anecdotes up to whole fire engines.
In addition, there is a small but touching exhibition about 9/11, because this fire station also lost many firefighters.
Budget Tip
Many of the attractions and tours of NYC are included in one of the New York City passes. So you can easily and quickly save up to 70% – how does it work?
You can see that in my ultimate 👉 New York Pass comparison, here you can see my personal 👉 New York Pass Reviews after more than 20 visits to New York and our free New York Pass Advisor answers the question: “Which New York Pass is the best?”
Best Guided Tours
There are no special walking tours just for this neighborhood. Instead, there is a huge selection of walking tours in the adjacent SoHo, Greenwich and West Village.
These are the most popular walking tours that we can recommend to you:
-
01 Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in NYC
Immerse yourself in the rich history of New York City with an intriguing Gangsters and Ghosts walking tour. Join your guide for a unique journey into the city’s past, exploring its infamous crimes, notorious gangsters, clandestine deals, and haunted structures. Meander through a variety of downtown neighborhoods, including Little Italy, Chinatown, and the West Village, as you soak up chilling tales of spirits and mobsters. Experience downtown Manhattan’s history on this one-of-a-kind tour, gain insightful knowledge about local history from your guide, and explore several neighborhoods all in one fascinating journey.
-
02 Soho, Little Italy & Chinatown Walking Tour
Now known for their many excellent restaurants, shops and tourism, Manhattan’s SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown neighborhoods offer the most varied stories of New York City. Take a 2-hour tour with a local guide and discover hidden gems and 19th century buildings.
-
03 2-Hour Cupcake Tour of Greenwich Village
If you’re into sweets and desserts you should try the famous Cupcake Tour. Sample colorful cupcakes at boutique bake shops, and build your own custom cupcake during this 2-hour tour in Greenwich Village. New York clearly has the best cupcakes and this will be the chance to try the best of them.
-
04 Friends of the High Line Walking Tours
The High Line Park takes you along the old tracks of the elevated railway to the Meatpacking District. Thanks to the initiative “Friends of the High Line” the park exists at all, because originally the construction was supposed to be torn down. And the best thing? They offer free tours!
-
05 Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village NYC
Greenwich Village is for me one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of New York and has a lot to offer. But it also has a haunted side in stories, which will be shown to you on this walking tour. This ghost tour through Greenwich Village is full of spooky tales of lost children, phantoms and celebrity ghosts – and not only at Halloween a popular tour.
Along the way, you’ll learn many interesting anecdotes as you stroll through Washington Square Park, West 10th Street and the campus of New York University. The Greenwich Village Ghost Tour is a real highlight!
-
06 Ghosts of Greenwich Village: 2-Hour Private Walking Tour
Do you like stories about ghosts? Then this private haunted tour of Greenwich Village in the evening is a great option! In two hours, you’ll hear lots of haunted stories about people who have suddenly disappeared or are haunted around Washington Square Park and New York University. And of course: also a lot about this beautiful neighborhood of NYC!
-
07 Greenwich Village Pizza Walk
Pizza and New York simply belong together! Next to the famous Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour, this tour through Greenwich Village and Little Italy is one of the most popular food tours in NYC. Included in the price are 3 slices of pizza from different stores and during the tour you will also learn a lot about these neighborhoods from a New York guide.
-
08 Greenwich Village Walking Tour
Greenwich Village has a reputation as a magnet for Bohemians and intellectuals. Generations of artists and writers have given the neighborhood its free-spirited identity. From Bleecker St. to MacDougal St. and Sheridan Square, this tour will show you some of the best sights in Greenwich Village and tell you the story behind them.
-
09 Manhattan Neighborhood Private Customized Walking Tour
You already have an idea of which neighborhoods and sights of New York you want to see? Then this walking tour is perfect for you, because you can create your individual route with your New York guide.
Each of the many neighborhoods has its own charm and character, which is what makes New York so charming and interesting. Therefore, the right mix can show you the best picture of the city. Combine Times Square and Broadway with Greenwich Village and Soho, or schedule Greenwich Village or Chelsea with the High Line. The beauty of this private tour is that you set the schedule. If you particularly like a place, you can just stay longer!
With over 350 positive reviews, this private walking tour of NYC is one of the best!
-
10 New York West Village Food Tour
Go on one of the famous Food on Foot Tours. During the 3-hour tour, you will discover many great little restaurants and bakeries. A total of 6 of them are on your program on this walking tour, which is one of the most popular in the West Village. For foodies this tour is a must!
-
11 Pride Walking Tour
Learn about the most significant historical event in the LGBTQ movement, the Stonewall Uprising in 1969 in NYC. Visit famous LGBTQ sites, like the Stonewall Inn, on a 1 hour and 15-minute walking tour beginning at Christopher Park.
-
12 Sidewalks and Skyscrapers: Street Art Is This Way
This walking tour shows that there is also street art and graffiti worth seeing in Manhattan. You start your exploration in Soho, and then in two hours learn the stories behind the large and small works of art. Some of the graffiti is an impressive 20 meters high, so always have your cameras ready!
-
13 West Village Ghost Pub Crawl
The West Village Ghost Pub Crawl presents an exciting journey through the haunted corners of the bohemian West Village. Meander through charming, tree-lined streets with 19th-century brownstones, engaging in a thrilling ghost hunt throughout the neighborhood. Your guide will lead you through a series of haunted landmarks including a piano bar, a famous speakeasy, a popular inn, and a historic carriage house, each harboring its own spectral inhabitants. Embark on this spirited expedition to uncover the ghostly mysteries hidden in one of New York’s spookiest neighborhoods.
If guided tours interest you, be sure to check out the Best Walking Tours NYC!
Get personal tips & tricks, specifically tailored to your trip!
We will provide you with individual tips & tricks as you prepare for your trip. How to plan, save money and make sure you experience the most of NYC are only some of the topics covered!
Best Restaurants in Hudson Square NYC
-
01 Essen Fast Slow Food
You will find a buffet with already prepared delicacies at Essen in New York. From fresh salads to salmon you can get everything here. For under $15 you can easily get a large portion and save a lot of money. Many of the food locations in New York also have a kind of deli in the restaurant where you can buy sandwiches, wraps or bagels.
-
02 Westville Hudson
Westville NYC is a restaurant in New York City that thrives off of using the freshest ingredients! This is one of our favorite places to eat because there is nothing on the menu that leaves us unhappy. With an extensive fresh menu for vegetarians and meat-eaters, you are bound to find an entree for everyone.
Best Bars in Hudson Square NYC
And these are my personal recommendations when it comes to bars in Hudson Square – you will love it!
-
01 Ear Inn
The bar is an institution in the city (not only because of the legendary cheeseburger) and has been located on Spring Street for 200 years. By the way: If you pay attention to the neon sign, you will see that it used to say “Bar” instead of “Ear”.
Best Hudson Square Hotels
Here you find the best hotels in and near Hudson Square NYC:
-
01 Arlo Soho
4 Stars | The Arlo is a really cool hotel in right on the border of Soho, Hudson Square and Tribeca: it’s in a great area, the interior is stylish and the bar is amazing. What’s not to like?
-
02 Hotel Hugo
4 Stars | The Hotel Hugo in SoHo was designed by architect Marcello Pozzi and is a successful blend of industrial design and art. The perfect location in the trendy SoHo district is just as brilliant as the excellent service and the wonderful rooms.
The rooftop lounge on the top floor is a real highlight! The rooms are loft-style and if you’re hungry, the Italian restaurant at Hotel Hugo should be your first choice!
-
03 The Dominick Hotel
5 Stars | The Dominick Hotel prides itself being the only 5-star-hotel in all of Soho and Hudson Square! It also happens to be the tallest building in Soho, so you have a great view over the city. We stayed here for a few days at the end of my road trip by camper through the entire USA. The pool is not big, but in summer it was our favorite place!
Recommended article: The Best Hotels in Soho NYC and the Best West Village Hotels.
Neighborhoods Nearby
Hudson Square is right next to some of the most popular neighborhoods and definitely worth a visit.
The 15 Best Things to Do in SoHo NYC – The Complete Guide 2024
The 11 Best Things To Do in Little Italy NYC
The 19 Best Things to Do in Greenwich Village NYC
Neighborhoods that are Similar
If you enjoyed Hudson Square NYC then here are neighborhoods that have a similar feel:
You'll also love this:
