Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for History Buffs in SoHo
Top Things to Do in New York City for History Buffs in SoHo
1. Haughwout Building
A jewel of SoHo’s cast‑iron age, this corner landmark epitomizes 19th‑century commerce and innovation, with arcaded façades inspired by Renaissance palazzi.
✓ Why Go:
History buffs come to see where the modern passenger elevator made its debut and to study the intricate ironwork that made SoHo famous.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early morning on weekdays for unobstructed photos; spring and fall (April–June, September–November) for pleasant walking weather.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stand across Broome Street to frame both façades and look up to the richly layered cornice and twin tiers of cast‑iron columns.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors describe an “aha” moment connecting everyday shopping streets with the birth of skyscraper technology and urban retail glamour.
2. Gunther Building
All grace and light, this photogenic corner building showcases soaring windows, Corinthian columns, and the elegance that defined the cast‑iron era.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a textbook case of SoHo architecture—perfect for appreciating how prefabricated iron transformed streetscapes and daylighted interiors.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon for warm façade glow; weekdays to avoid weekend shopper crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
From the southwest corner of Broome and Greene, you’ll capture the sweeping curve and rhythmic window bays in a single shot.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Often called “the building that made me love SoHo,” it wins praise for beauty that rewards a slow, detail‑oriented look.
3. Little Singer Building
A sumptuous former Singer Sewing annex with lacy balconies and delicate ironwork, reflecting early‑1900s industrial artistry along Broadway.
✓ Why Go:
It bridges design and industry—an elegant emblem of the companies that powered New York’s rise and left SoHo rich in ornament.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour when the balconies cast filigreed shadows; avoid midday glare on Broadway.
✓ Insider Tip:
Step to the northeast corner of Broadway and Prince to read the façade’s layers—from cast‑iron frames to expressive balcony rails.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Architecture lovers gush over its “poetry in metal,” calling it one of SoHo’s most photogenic façades.
4. Judd Foundation (101 Spring Street)
The preserved home and studio of Donald Judd captures the 1970s artist‑loft era, set within a pristine 19th‑century cast‑iron building.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a time capsule of how artists reshaped SoHo—part design history, part urban preservation lesson, wholly compelling.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekdays for a quieter experience; spring and fall for comfortable neighborhood strolling before and after your visit.
✓ Insider Tip:
Notice how furniture and artworks are permanently installed—Judd treated the space itself as a work of art.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call it “the soul of SoHo,” praising its blend of minimalist rigor and lived‑in authenticity.
5. New York Earth Room
Walter De Maria’s serene, long‑term indoor earth sculpture invites quiet contemplation in a classic loft setting.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a living artifact of 1970s SoHo—where avant‑garde art met raw industrial spaces—and an unforgettable sensory experience.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoons on weekdays for shorter waits; fall and spring for pleasant walks between nearby sites.
✓ Insider Tip:
The installation is on an upper floor—step inside, breathe, and give your eyes time to adjust to the scale and simplicity.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Many report an unexpected calm; history‑minded visitors love its continuity amid SoHo’s fast‑changing retail scene.
6. The Broken Kilometer
Another Walter De Maria landmark: 500 polished brass rods arranged with mathematical precision in a cathedral‑like loft.
✓ Why Go:
It represents SoHo’s conceptual art legacy and the neighborhood’s commitment to preserving site‑specific works.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon for soft interior light; pair with Earth Room the same day.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stand centered at the entrance to feel the installation’s powerful perspective lines and engineered stillness.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors describe it as “quietly monumental,” a highlight for anyone tracing SoHo’s art‑historical arc.
7. St. Anthony of Padua Church
A grand brick-and-stone parish serving Italian immigrants since the 19th century, anchoring SoHo’s spiritual and community history.
✓ Why Go:
It reveals the neighborhood’s immigrant roots and offers a contemplative counterpoint to the bustle outside.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Quiet weekday mornings; avoid service times if you’re only visiting for architecture.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look for devotional shrines and memorial plaques that trace the parish’s deep ties to local families.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised as peaceful and authentic—“a living chapter of SoHo’s past.”
8. Fanelli Cafe
One of the city’s oldest saloons turned café, with pressed‑tin ceilings and a vintage neon sign that glows like a memory.
✓ Why Go:
It’s where you can taste SoHo history—long before boutiques, this corner poured for dockworkers and artists alike.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid‑afternoon to dodge meal rushes; winter evenings for cozy, old‑New‑York vibes.
✓ Insider Tip:
Grab a seat at the bar to admire period details and historic photos lining the walls.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Beloved for its unpretentious charm; many call it a must‑stop on any SoHo history walk.
9. Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art
The world’s first dedicated LGBTQIA+ art museum, preserving and presenting narratives central to SoHo’s cultural story.
✓ Why Go:
It links art, identity, and neighborhood history—broadening the definition of what “heritage” means in SoHo.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday afternoons for fewer crowds; check for rotating exhibitions that spotlight historic movements.
✓ Insider Tip:
Don’t miss the bookstore—its catalogs and zines offer deep dives into queer art history.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors praise its heart and scholarship, calling it both moving and illuminating.
10. 72 Greene Street (King of Greene Street)
A towering cast‑iron masterpiece nicknamed the “King of Greene Street,” with bold columns and grand, repeating bays.
✓ Why Go:
It’s quintessential SoHo—an ideal place to study cast‑iron’s modular logic and street‑level drama.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning for even light on the façade; weekdays to appreciate details without foot traffic.
✓ Insider Tip:
Scan the sidewalks nearby for old glass vault‑light prisms—remnants of 19th‑century basement skylights.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Often cited as a favorite façade for architecture walks—“pure SoHo in one view.”
