One of New York City’s oldest neighborhoods, Tribeca was settled by Dutch farmers in the 17th century, though its modern name didn’t arrive until the 1970s (Tribeca, sometimes written “TriBeCa,” is short for “Triangle Below Canal Street”). From its agrarian beginnings, the neighborhood evolved into a bustling shipping hub, and was, for decades, home to the enormous Washington Market. In the latter half of the 20th century, its former industrial lofts were colonized by artists and later renovated into some of the city’s most prized real estate. Today, Tribeca is one of the Big Apple’s safest and most expensive areas and counts celebrities the likes of Robert De Niro and Jennifer Lawrence among its residents.
Tribeca features on numerous New York sightseeing itineraries, from bus and bike tours to private limousine tours. Given its proximity to major landmarks such as the 9/11 Memorial and City Hall, Tribeca is also easy to combine with other independent Lower Manhattan explorations.
Fancy a drink? Tribeca’s Brandy Library, one of the city’s most esteemed bars, is home to a vast collection of rare spirits.
Tribeca is renowned for its architecture, and former industrial buildings such as the Textile Building, American Thread Building, and Powell Building are local highlights.
The neighborhood is a popular shopping hub and features a range of independent boutiques and trendy designer flagships, from Shinola to Steven Alan.
Located just north of the Financial District in Lower Manhattan, Tribeca is easily accessed via numerous forms of transportation. The neighborhood is served by the 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, A, C, E, J, N, Q, R, and W subway lines, as well as numerous buses and even water taxis. It can also be reached on foot, by car or taxi, or by bike.
Tribeca, like the rest of New York, maintains an ever-present buzz of energy, and there’s never a bad time to visit. That said, the neighborhood is at it busiest (and most star-studded) during the Tribeca Film Festival, held late April–early May.
Tribeca hosts one of the country’s most revered independent film festivals. Held each spring, the Tribeca Film Festival includes a diverse range of screenings, panels, and other events, many of which are accessible to the public.
