Anybody for a tattoo?? Hehe, not me! Maybe you? There has to be maybe 10-15 tattoo parlors down here. Sure, you can find them elsewhere in the city. 'But where else can you find a Cappuccino & Tattoo Cafe? (see left photo above). I'm dying to get pics of local folk all dolled up in their punked out hair and outfits to share with you, but I'm afraid I might not make it home in one piece.

The Cooper Union - Located at Cooper Square just around Astor Place and 7th Street is the only private, full-scholarship college in the United States dedicated exclusively to preparing students for the professions of art, architecture and engineering. The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, established in 1859, is among the nation's oldest and most distinguished institutions of higher learning. The college, the legacy of Peter Cooper, occupies a special place in the history of American education.
as excerpted from their site

St. Marks, Astor Place and 7th St. - Once again, you've got a row of great little restaurants and pubs along 7th Street. There's always quite a mixture of folk walking up and down the street and within the area not to mention the slew of students from Cooper Union and NYU which has plenty of dormitories and facilities nearby.
At the center of Cooper Square is the Alamo, a steel cube which actually rotates as you push on any side. I remember being able to move it myself 10 years ago, yet today it seems to take two people to budge this structure...'perhaps due to years of rust within?
'Then you have the beautifully designed Astor Place Kiosk through which you've got access to the uptown 6 train.

You'll find hundreds of restaurants and sidewalk cafes of virtually every culture. All-American, Mexican, Indian, Italian, Polish, Pakistani, Spanish, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and gosh the list goes on... At many spots you'll find affordable eats with the chance to enjoy your meal on the sidewalk.

The photo on top is of The Slaughtered Lamb, a pub/restaurant on West 4th St...I've only been there for drinks once, but you gotta' love that skeleton at the entrance.

Sheridan Square and Christopher Street. Where the ole' Village Cigar shop still stands at the very entrance of the street. It's gotta be one of the most interesting streets to walk down on. Gay Pride Flags hang from local bars as tourists stroll along and check out the eats, shops and cafes. Heck, you even have a few sex accessory shops should that be your thing. 'not exactly a sight for the whole family, but then again I've come across a few odd families in my time. Anyhow, don't let this area intimidate you should you decide to take on this mission...lol

The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival - The great theater on Lafayette Street which has brought us the free Shakespeare in the Park. Some of the great productions which premiered here are: Hair, A Chorus Line, Threepenny Opera and the Pirates of Penzance. You can visit their site and learn more about all the events there as well as Joe's Pub

Click for the Public theater Site
Click for New Yorkled's coverage of events at Joe's Pub