7.2 out of 10

West 23rd St, Chelsea

Ranked 6th best street in Chelsea
40.7458066661644 -73.9997037438886
Great for
  • Childcare
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Internet Access
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Medical Facilities
Not great for
  • Peace & Quiet
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  •  
  •  
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Who lives here?
  • Singles
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
2yrs+

"One notable block and the rest is not terribly sight worthy"

West 23rd isn't my ideal spot to live but it must be somebody's. My best friend lives at 23rd and 6th and while her apartment is pretty sweet and luxurious, it's also ridiculously expensive and too new to be cool. That's pretty far for the course on this block.
The area west of 10th to the Hudson used to be a giant landfill -- the actual Hudson shore used to come up to 9th. Now, its still a little desolate in the 20's but with the re-opening of the Highline, Chelsea Piers and a few massive apartment buildings some bustle is starting to come into the area. There are a number of art galleries and a theatre around 23rd and 10th. This theatre is where plays like Steel Magnolias had their debut. Not exciting to some people but Steel is one of my favorite plays ever -- I can quote almost the entirity of it. There's also a really cute little bar called The Half King right on the corner of 10th that's owned by a writer; a lot of literary types hang out here. There are also some apartment buildings on the east side of 10th that look like rowhouses. They're kinda cool but don't beat living in an actual rowhouse, I suppose.
There are some lovely buildings between 8th and 9th that are all from the early 20th century. There's not much that's noteworthy to do around here, save the Patsy's pizzaria. I know I will be met with much dissent on this claim, but Patsy's is one of my favorite Pizza places in NYC. As far as actual pizza, sit-down restaurants go, I much prefer Patsy's to both Grimaldi's and Lombardi's.
The block between 7th and 8th has a lot going on. Gotham Comedy Club is on this block. Being asked to tape Live at Gotham is one of the biggest honors a comic can achieve. It means they've "made it." A lot of famous comics stop by all the time to work out some material. There's a really quite Spanish place call El Quijote about 2 doors down that has been around forever and still has pretty good food. The very famous Chelsea Hotel is also on this block. Countless movies have been filmed her, Sid killed Nancy here and a number of famous people have slept in the rooms: Mark Twain, Dylan Thomas, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan to name a few. It's gotta be on the top 10 things to see / have a drink in if you're visiting New York. Jake's Saloon is right on the corner on the same side of the block. It can get a little rowdy but it's still quite fun. You can spend an entire day of activities just on this one little block.
The block between 6th and 7th isn't particularly noteworthy. It's a lot of big buildings and one old, kinda pretty church. There are much more beautiful churches within walking distance of this one, though, so why bother? Fifth Ave and 23rd is kind of the same as the next block west. Although the buildings are a bit older many of them have been replaced by massive things built to resemble the ones they replace. Only a few actual old school buildings remain and the only one, in my opinion worth seeing is 14 West 23rd. It is where Edith Wharton was born and lived for many moons. She writes a lot about this area. In fact, in Age of Innocence she describes Countess Olenska as living in the very undesirable west 24th street. It's kind of funny considering she, herself, lived only about 2 blocks from such sadness.
Recommended for
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5
2yrs+

"Defined the Flatiron district."

The Building on 23rd street gave the district its name, the Flatiron district. Its a nice typical street, other than the iconic building and the famed Chelsea Hotel, this street is like so many others in New York City. There are quite a few small restaurants and some art galleries, which is a must for any decent street in New York. West is more of a commercial area, where East 23rd street has more green areas a better residencial climate. For New york standards its a clean street, its nor particulary noise or quite.
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Historic - tourists HAVE to check it out"

Tourists have to get over to West 23rd to see the Flatiron Building – which everyone has already seen in the Spiderman movies – but still, it’s a sight to behold. The street offers plenty of theatre history, too – this area was once the Broadway of the late 19th century. Rock fans should check out the Chelsea Hotel, also on this street – and view the place where Sid killed Nancy and Leonard Cohen bedded Janis Joplin.
4/5
2yrs+

"On W 23rd Street"

W 23rd St is a nice street in Chelsea, the neighborhood famous for its art galleries. I used to pass by W 23rd St on my way to the swimming pool. It hosts one of the most famous hotels in New York City: The Chelsea Hotel. Its twelve-story red brick building is the center of bohemian and artistic activities. Inside, it displays some works of its famous visitors.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
4/5
2yrs+

"Start or End a Night out in Chelsea"

Tewnty third street is fantastic, it has anything you could possibly want to either start off or finish off a night out in Chelsea. You can catch dinner at the giant BBQ, with its famous margarita fishbowls, or you can go to any of the other diners or a bit finer restaurants around. It is a super convenient location as far as transportation is concerned, with access to pretty much all the lines across the board. It is also not far from Herald Square, another great shopping area. If you’re in dire need for Home Improvement, paint because your ex drew on your walls, look no further than Home Depot between 5th and 6th aves. Of course, to finish off a night out in Chelsea, there is nothing more fun than an evening at the trailer park, a run down, hick-style decorated bar, which looks like a trailer park and serves up some mighty fine moon pies.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
3/5
2yrs+

"Good Street, Good Eats"

This street has every convenience imaginable in terms of shopping. In terms of eating, you should Rub Barbecue for some finger licking good cuisine. I haven't tried it: my father is a master Barbecuer and I can't bring myself to eat anything but his, but I'm sure one of the 250 people inside the place could tell you ALL about it!


West 23th Street is close to the following metro stations: A, C, E, L at 34th Street, Penn Station, 1,2,3 at 28th Street, an the B,D,F,N, J, R, N, W at 34th Street & Herald Square. It is also accessible to many buses. Foot traffic is heavy, and it is a good neighborhood for all people!
3/5
2yrs+

"Street to Get Things Done"

So with the opening of Home Depot on the stretch of 23rd between 5th and 6th, this is where to go to start home improvement projects. There is a locksmith on the south side of the street as well. The street runs both ways so make sure you look right and left before crossing. It's close to Madison Square Park so you can picnic there on sunny days. The one restaurant that I recommend here is the Rickshaw Dumpling Bar. Avoid the watermelon lemonade though--it's sickly sweet. The duck dumplings are delicious as are the chocolate filled ones.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5
2yrs+

"The Center of the Gallery Crawl in Chelsea"

Home of the Galleries, west 23rd and surrounding is where you will find tons of art galleries to walk through. Many people like to go to the art openings that occur on Friday and Saturday night. The food is always insanely expensive in this neighborhood because it is frequented by people who can actually afford to buy art! Imagine that!
Recommended for
  • Singles
5/5
2yrs+

"Take a Trip to the Past and Visit the Ladies Mile"

In the late 1800's a wide variety of Large Department Stores were built on Sixth Ave. between 14th and 23st. This strech became known as the Ladies Mile. Although many of the stores have moved out the grand buildings still remain. It is a very enjoyable walk down Sixth Ave imagining what it was like for people from small towns to arrive in New York City and how amazing it must have been for the new arrivals.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5
2yrs+

"About 23rd Street"

23rd street is a long lane with 11th avenue and FDR drive on its endpoints. The 23rd street is divided into two sectors the West 23rd street and the East 23rd street. The intersection on 5th avenue serves as the divisor for the two sectors. Throughout the lane, commercial establishments and residences can be found.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

Best Streets in Chelsea

1

9th Ave

4/5
"The Pre-Theater Crowd Needs to Know"
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2

12th Ave

4/5
"The main sights to see"
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3

6 Ave

4/5
"The tree of hope"
40.7432477298059 -73.9925519901571
4

West 28 St

3.5/5
40.7493993160192 -73.9974849953529
5

West 20th St

3.5/5
"W 20th St, Home of Stuy Town and Peter Cooper Village"
40.743378999221 -73.9997410915994
6

West 23rd St

3.5/5
"Defined the Flatiron district."
40.7458066661644 -73.9997037438886
7

West 21 St

3/5
"Trendy places to spend money, get tipsy"
40.7439812883125 -73.9993540866371
8

West 22 St

3/5
"great foot traffic!!"
40.7446062874429 -73.9989150783198
9

West 29th St

3/5
"Great Eats in the Flower District"
40.749724378839 -73.9973553542451
10

West 25th St

3/5
"One of the best markets in town."
40.7469821069372 -73.998515943

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