World famous New York University is one of the largest private universities in the U.S. with over 50,000 graduate and undergraduate students studying at its five major centers throughout Manhattan. Though there are many university buildings located throughout the city,  the main campus is centered around Washington Square Park, in the heart of Greenwich Village.  As the school proudly states on its website, NYU is “in and of the city,” making for a unique and dynamic college experience. With all the city has to offer this itinerary focuses on highlights in Union Square, and the East, West, and Greenwich Village neighborhoods, all within close proximity to NYU.

Visitor Information: Tour NYU

Transportation: Students and visiting families fly in and out of La Guardia, Kennedy, or Newark Airports. All Greyhound and New Jersey Transit buses go into the Port Authority Terminal. Amtrak trains operate out of Pennsylvania Station. For subway, bus and driving directions click here. 

Stay: We suggest you stay downtown, within walking distance of Washington Square. At the boutique Marlton Hotel, on West 8th, you can roll out of bed and catch your tour, it’s that close.  Heading a few blocks east check in to The Standard or The Bowery Hotel. Over by Union Square, students say their parents have been very pleased with the Hyatt Union Square. It’s not easy to find affordable lodging near campus, so we were excited to learn of the Washington Square Hotel from an alum. The location on Waverly Place is ideal; the rooms are small but clean and comfortable with a B&B feel.

Coffee: The unofficial NYU hangout is Think Coffee on Mercer Street just across from Washington Square Park, though it’s got competition now from newer hot spot Irving Farm over on West 3rd Street. Irving Farm has an appealing all-day menu; it’s also a good choice for a quick and casual breakfast or lunch. Oren’s Daily Roast on Waverly is perfect for a grab and go cup before your tour, located close to the admissions office. Heading towards Union Square, The Bean on Broadway and West 4th is another meeting place for students, many whose dorms are between 12th and 14th Streets. Want to try something beyond coffee; our biggest obsession is the turmeric ginger matcha at trendy Cha Cha Matcha, with a brand new location on Lafayette Street, just a few blocks from campus.  

Breakfast: A few blocks from Washington Square on University Place popular village staples include The Grey Dog and Westville. Also close to campus, Café Angelique on Bleecker just off Broadway is a good morning spot. Upscale Lafayette Grand Café and Bakery, has long waits on the weekends for brunch, but weekday mornings are more civilized and worth a peek just to see the beautiful space.  In the West Village, just a short walk from campus, feel like a local at Buvette, Jeffrey's Grocery, Tartine, Café Cluny, or at tiny Joseph Leonard. If you have some time and want to experience a real New York institution then head to Veselka in the East Village, home to many NYU students. Veselka is open 24/7 and is also well known as a late night haunt for students and locals specializing in Ukrainian food. The menu does feature typical diner fare such as eggs and waffles, but we suggest you try the potato pancakes, blintzes, borscht or pierogi’s—you can have pancakes at home!

Lunch: We are obsessed with Atla, an all-day eatery for contemporary Mexican plates from famed Mexico City chef Enrique Olvera’s. (It’s the casual sibling to higher end Cosme, located on East 21st.)  Order the seasonal veggie tacos, tlayuda and one of our all time favorite chicken soups. Next door, Honey Brains is good for a quick healthy fix; think soups, salads, bowls and fresh juices. We asked a few NYU students for where they go after class, and here’s what they said: ” Dos Toros is one of my favorites for quick tacos, and Num Pang is a delicious Cambodian sandwich shop…There’s always a line at Saigon Shack serving seriously good Vietnamese food right near campus, try the pho, especially on a cold winter day…Many of my friends are addicted to the sweet potato fries at The Grey Dog Café or the falafels at Tabonette… I go to By Chloe for really good veggie burgers or to Mimi Chengs for dumplings.” One student swears Gaia Italian Cafe on Houston has the most incredible panini’s while another argues that La Panineria on West 8th has better ones. Other Daytripper approved neighborhood haunts include The Smile, Vic’s, and Otto Enoteca Pizzeria a buzzy wine bar serving pizzas, salads, antipasti, and pasta. 

Dinner

Casual: Tiny Motorino ranks high on our list for the best brick oven pizza in the city, go hungry, so you can try both the margarita and brussel sprout pies. David Chang started his empire at Momofuku Noodle Bar; we love the spicy miso ramen with smoked chicken. If there’s too long a wait Rai Rai Ken, Ippudo, and Minca are other good options for ramen. Students rave about the Juicy Lucy Burger at Whitman's, Barbeque at Mighty Quinns and subs at the Meatball Shop. For Chinese fare, we like Han Dynasty or Hao Noodle and Tea, and for good sushi, we’re fans of Japonica. Over on Bowery, Bar Primi is great for a group, especially a group that loves pasta. Everyone will be happy at Lil Frankie’s in the East Village, feasting on fire-roasted eggplant, pizza, handmade pasta or wood roasted chicken. If we were pressed to pick a village favorite it would have to be Via Carota, with a no reservation policy, we suggest you go early or expect a wait for small plate Italian inspired fare from Chef Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, of nearby I Sodi and Buvette fame. 

A Step Up: Still going strong since 1984, and in NY that’s no easy feat, Indochine serves Southeast Asian cuisine in a loud, buzzy room. Gato, from celebrity chef Bobby Flay, is fun with a group where you can graze on excellent tapas before moving on to the larger dishes including standout mushroom and kale paella. Make your reservation in advance at tiny Estela, considered not just one of NY’s best restaurants, but one of the world’s top spots for inventive small plates from chef Ignacio Mattos. (We also like his Italian inspired fare at Café Altro Paradiso) For red sauce Italian book a table at Carbone or for more innovative Italian we absolutely love Don Angie. Over in Union Square, ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina remain steadfast New York favorites, both located in ABC Carpet and Home, if you go early you can do some drool- worthy browsing before dinner. (The newest addition, more casual ABCv is strictly vegetarian, but that doesn’t mean it sacrifices flavor, we’ve had great meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner with our omnivore spouses.) Splurge on a meat-centric meal with style at the very sexy Beatrice Inn, housed in a trio of beautiful rooms in a West Village townhouse. 

Sweets and Late Night Snack: Just opened, Morgenstern’s is the ice cream shop of your dreams, with a whopping 88 flavors plus gourmet toppings served in a beautiful black and white tiled dazzling corner spot on Houston and LaGuardia Place. Looking for more sweets, join the crowds at Big Gay Ice Cream specializing in soft served cones or Oddfellows for ice cream sandwiches. At any time of day, Joe’s Pizza on Carmine Street has a line for an iconic slice of NY pizza, guaranteeing you a hot slice right out of the oven. It’s a Greenwich Village institution and what many consider the best slice in the city, even better you can get your “Vitamin P” fix till 4 am. Many say Mamoun’s serves the best falafel in NYC, try one at one of the two locations near NYU, one on colorful St. Marks Street and the other on Macdougal. The Macdougal location is open until 5 a.m., just in case you decide to enjoy everything the “city that never sleeps” offers.

See Students: Washington Square Park serves as NYU’s unofficial “quad,” with students sharing this historic landmark with street performers, chess players, and local New Yorkers. On a beautiful day, the fountains are flowing, and students are lounging, sunbathing and studying on the lawn.

Local Attractions: Visiting NYU is unlike other college visits as the list is endless of things to do in NYC. One student states: “Hmm, there are so many things, I don’t know where to start. Some of my favorite things to do are to visit the New Museum for Contemporary Art on the Bowery or the Whitney in Meatpacking, and after go for a walk on the Highline or along the Hudson River Greenway on the West Side! “ Our sister site Daytripper 365 has numerous NYC itineraries including a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, exploring the 911 Museum, and visiting uptown museums such as the Cooper Hewitt and Guggenheim.