Village Nights: Greenwich Village Food & History Walk

We start at the historical heart of Manhattan, Astor Place, where the Lenape congregated for hundreds of years before the arrival of Europeans. THIS IS A SAMPLE ITINERARY. We take input from the group, then draw from a big bag of options to make each outing unique.

Start with a cheese plate and a beer at McSorley's - the oldest continuously operating bar in New York. Abe Lincoln drank here, and the place is absolutely dripping with curios and artifacts, since nothing's been removed from the walls since 1910.

We'll take a stroll down St. Mark's Place, where there's tons of restaurants and street activity.

Donut Pub has been feeding New York donuts 24 hours a day since 1964. The vibe is good and the donuts are great.

Visit the site of one of the most tragic and traumatic events in New York City history, where 146 garment workers were killed in a fire in 1911. This event helped transform labor practices in the United States and it's a story every American should know.

We might hang out a bit and learn the remarkable history of one of America's most important city parks.

Songs, stories, and stand up - they've all bubbled up from MacDougal. We'll stop and tell the story of one of the most culturally significant streets in America. And we might stop and get something to eat at Mamoun's, Pommes Frites, or...

Mamoun's was the first falafel joint in NYC, opened in 1971 by a Syrian man named Mamoun. The business is now run by his sons, but 50 years later this incredible little hole-in-the-wall is still serving incredible falafel to comedians, musicians, and students all day and late into the night.

Not your normal New York slice, but Two Boots is a vibrant and colorful shop with outstanding food and a friendly atmosphere. It's in a space that used to house a lesbian bar that refused to serve men, but today Two Boots welcomes everybody. Interesting things happen here.

Bleecker is full of bars, boutiques, and beautiful people. Not uncommon to see a world-famous face walk past.

This Latin/Indian fusion spot is owned by a woman with a Puerto Rican mom and an Indian father, and staffed by a largely Nepali crew. This place embodies the best of New York. Innovation, tradition, and hard work.The food is unique, colorful and delicious, and they play great music.

We end the night at Marie's Crisis Cafe is a delightful subterranean bar where you can sing along with a live piano player to your favorite show tunes. It's a great visit, even if Broadway isn't your thing.

These cookies really are life-changing. And Janie has a cute story of overcoming obstacles. It's a cute place with a friendly staff and truly amazing pie-crust cookies. Always worth a stop.

Whether we drop in for a drink or stop in Christopher Park to soak up the vibe, the Stonewall is a must-visit in the West Village. Now a national monument, the Stonewall was the site of a pivotal 1969 uprising that galvanized the modern gay rights movement. One of many extremely influential cultural spots we'll visit in the West Village.