St. Mark’s Place

Raucous and run-down in spots, outrageously entertaining in others, St. Mark’s Place is the heart of the East Village [1]. Artists and musicians, students and tourists, drug dealers and the down-and-out, all jostle each other, while the stores on either side sell everything from gourmet pretzels to frightening-looking leather goods.

To get the full effect of the craziness, come after 10 p.m. on a weekend night. The area today is leaning a bit toward touristy, so a better feel for the East Village might be found walking along 2nd Avenue.