TriBeCa and SoHo, located side by side below Houston Street, have been recently transformed from an unattractive area of deserted warehouses into one of the liveliest parts of New York City. Both neighborhoods have a lot in common. They are lined with excellent bars, hip restaurants, cozy side streets and vibrant shopping strips. Moreover, each of the neighborhoods has the sights to be seen while in New York City.

As for SoHo, which as the name suggests is located south of Houston Street, it is a good idea to start a walking tour in Greene Street. It is here between Canal and Grand Streets, and Broome and Spring Streets that one can admire the iron-cast facades with prefabricated decorative columns and arches, typical of New York, of as many as 50 historical buildings.

Not far from here there is the recently renovated Haughwout Building. Modelled on the Sansovino Library in Venice, the sleek edifice with its 92 keystone arches supported on Corinthian columns is a cast-iron masterpiece. There are more similar architectural pearls which can be seen in SoHo. The 12-story ''Little'' Singer Building, modelled on the early 20th - century structures in Paris, stands in contrast to other landmark buildings in the area. It has distinctive balconies with wrought iron railings which differ from floor to floor. As there are more examples of cast-iron architecture in the area, this part of New York City was formerly referred to as Cast Iron District.
SoHo, once home to plenty of art studios and galleries, is nowadays famous for two museums, which are worth recommending. Namely, the New Museum of Contemporary Art and the New York City Fire Museum. The former, open since 1977, specializes in the presentation of experimental art of living artists, whereas the latter, devoted to the history of the fire industry, attracts tourists with the photo exhibition commemorating the firemen who died during the rescue mission following September 11th terrorist attack.
SoHo also boasts its stores. One of them, recently built, is the ''Prada'' department store which is famous for the full collection of the leading Italian clothes designer clothes and for its modern interior with a floating staircase, hi-tech consumer-friendly changing rooms, etc. Hence, a must to tourists.

Canal Street with its fish stalls and street vendors marks the boundary between SoHo and TriBeCa. Having crossed the street, one comes into TriBeCa, whose name is a syllabic abbreviation of Triangle Below Canal Street. This part of New York City was once home to massive warehouses which are being changed into luxury loft apartments, making it a trendy residential neighborhood.

Of all the streets in the area Harrison Street, with the city's largest collection of eight town houses dating from the Federation period, should be seen. Another part of TriBeCa which abounds in architectural pearls is White Street with iron-cast houses built in a variety of styles. One of the most distinct ones is the ''Let There Be Neon'' (No. 38).
Moreover, what makes TriBeCa popular with New Yorkers and tourists alike is the Tribeca Film Center, created by movie legend Robert De Niro. It is known for its screening room for professionals and TriBeCa Grill, movie stars' favorite restaurant and a week-long TriBeCa Film Festival which attracts over one million visitors each year.
TriBeCa is also known for its high-end restaurants (such as ''Nubu'', ''Bouley''), pubs (such as ''Brandy Library'', ''Another Room'') and boutique shops (''Issey Miyake'', ''Bu and the Duck'').
If tired of shopping and craving peace and quiet, visit the 3-acre Washington Market Community Park with its gazebo, kids' playground and tennis and basketball courts.