Things to Do in SoHo

New York restaurateur Keith McNally opened Balthazar in 1997 and it didn’t take long for it to become one of the most iconic restaurants in the Big Apple (as well as one of the best things to do in SoHo).

Specializing in French-fare, the interior is charmingly Parisian with accents of gold sprinkled throughout the restaurant. During the holiday season it becomes one of the best Christmas restaurants in NYC complete with lights and garlands creating a cozy experience. The snug atmosphere and tasty hot-drinks make visiting one of the most popular things to do in SoHo so consider making reservations!

If you can’t get in for brunch, I learned a trick – visit the bakery next door! They make the best chocolate donuts in New York City – perfectly dense and chocolatey. Oh, and the chai latte from this joint can’t be missed.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a list of things to do in SoHo that doesn’t include shopping. The neighborhood is created with quite the mishmash of high-end luxury designers, big department stores, and unique boutiques crammed together from one block to the next. They’ve even got stores for my husband who somewhat loathes shopping but loves Patagonia.

The entire shopping area spans 25 blocks, and if size alone is any indication, you can bet you’ll find whatever you’re looking for here. As such, the area is typically crowded with eager shoppers, so you’ll want to avoid visiting during the weekends, if possible.

The best NYC shopping is done by getting lost, so allow yourself to roam from one block to the next aimlessly. Just make sure you start with the most impressive shopping street in NYC first, Broadway.

This colorful and playful cookie shop specializes in creating the most absurd (but delicious) cookies in NYC. You can get a cookie created of your favorite TV character or even your own face (stay humble, right?). The store is tiny but mighty. Swing by for delicious cookies (the seasonal flavors are always a hit) or simply to admire the craft.

I highly recommend the s’mores cookie. We’re talking all the fixings; gooey chocolate, crunchy graham crackers and toasted marshmallows all baked into this one masterpiece.

Opened by Salvatore Carlino in 2022, Lucia has been in the making for four generations. Carlino comes from a long line of pizzaiolos – his parents own Papa Leone’s in Brooklyn which opened 43 years ago. Add this to your list of things to do in SoHo if you’re looking for a quick bite or a can’t miss lunch spot.

Perhaps best billed as an elevated New York slice, the pizza feels lighter and crunchier than its traditional counterpart. The magic is in the (tomato) sauce at Lucia, zippy and bright, I’d eat it with a spoon if it wasn’t frowned upon.

I recommend starting with the plain pie (cheese) and expanding from there. Talk about love at first bite. I’ve been to a lot of slice shops in this city and can confidently say this is one of the best pizzas in NYC – totally worth a detour.

The Museum of Ice Cream might be deemed a museum but it feels more like a playground. Adults love this interactive museum as much as kids because it’s ripe for exploration and one of the best things to do in SoHo!

You’ll learn all about the world of ice cream through colorful exhibits. The star of the show is a toss up between the 3-story slide (longest indoor slide in NYC) and the sprinkles pool. Within the museum there’s more fun exhibits like a bouncing area, swings, an ice-cream themed subway car, and more. With so much to explore (and a chance to sample ice cream – hello) this is easily one of the best things to do in SoHo.

Although Catbird can technically be classified as part of Little Italy, I still think it’s worth the stop if you’re searching for the best things to do in SoHo. It’s a great spot for inexpensive jewelry if you’re on the hunt for gifts or souvenirs.

Catbird also offers permanent jewelry options, and what better way to remember a trip to NYC than by zapping on permanent bracelets with all your friends!

I promise it’s not as scary as it sounds. You’re essentially getting a bracelet with no clasp soldered onto your wrist in a painless experience. The jewelry varies in price, but there are options between $75-$300 depending on the style. Swinging by Catbird is one of the best things to do in SoHo if you’re picking out a gift for a special someone (or choosing to make one hell of a commitment with a friend).

The Housing Works Bookstore is a secondhand shop that sells clothes and books. This bookstore is managed by a determined non-profit that ambitiously aims to fight HIV/AIDS and homelessness along with the societal stigmas associated with both.

100% of profits from the bookstore are donated to fight HIV/AIDS and homelessness.

Everything on the shelves (books, DVDs, housing items, etc.) has been donated, but it goes a step further. The store is run by volunteers, so the maximum amount of revenues go to the cause. I love the idea of reuse and have to say there’s a great selection of books to choose from on the well-organized, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

Head towards the in-house cafe and spend an hour lingering. This is one of the best things to do in SoHo when you’re ready for a relaxing break and perhaps some AC (or heat in the winter)!

If you’re like me, the unique knick-knacks of the MoMA design store bring out the inner-raven ogling the shiny objects. Essentially, the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) opened a store full of home decor, gifts, and everything else you may want, and infused it with a splash of modern art.

The MoMA Design Store even sells furniture (with spicy price tags). One of my favorite items here are the colorful lamps that I gravitate toward each time I visit. The collection in the store is always rotating so even if you’ve visited before and didn’t find anything odds are they’ve got all new items the next time you pop in.

If you’re looking to add pick up some NYC souvenirs then add the MoMA Design Store to your list of things to do in SoHo.

I don’t know about you, but I love a good bakery and of the many excellent SoHo bakeries, it’s Dominique Ansel that I dream of most often. Make a mental note – this is one of the best bakeries in NYC and a must-add to any proper list of things to do in SoHo.

In true Dominique Ansel fashion, nothing here can be done half-way (cronut, anyone?). Innovate or perish and we can’t help but benefit. As such, you can always expect the best of everything from this bakery. Be prepared for a line that wraps the block and know with each slow step toward the prize – it’s worth it.

I originally came to try the famous Cronut, but quickly learned I was ill prepared for the loads of tempting treats that have kept me coming back.

The New York Earth Room is a thought-provoking art installation created by artist Walter De Maria in 1977. Located in a SoHo loft on Wooster Street, it’s essentially a room full of dirt. But hear me out, it’s more interesting than that. We’re talking 280,000 pounds of fragrant earth spread over 3,600 square feet of gallery space.

The installation offers a stark, meditative contrast to the busy streets of Manhattan. I actually learned about the New York Earth Room through a co-worker. When he first visited NYC, he was overwhelmed by the stimulation and randomly happened upon this unique and free museum in NYC. Intrigued, he popped inside and said he found himself emotional by the silence and pleasant earthy smells.

I’ve visited just once and for me, that was enough. This is certainly one of the most unique things to do in SoHo and the price is right!

Visiting Ladurée for some of the best macarons in the city is always high on my list of things to do in SoHo. The interior is perfectly Parisian, and makes for a great spot to slow down and enjoy a sweet treat. The elegant decor has a way of creating an aura of romance.

And if you don’t have time to hang out, consider picking up a macaron gift box. This way you’ll be enjoying one of the best treats from SoHo, to-go! One of my good friends loves macarons even more than I do so anytime she’s in town I make sure to swing by for a box.

One of the best things to do in SoHo after a long day of exploring is to stop by the JIMMY rooftop bar. Grab a drink (or two – no judgment here!) and rest your legs. Offering both enclosed and open air seating areas, the rooftop bar is open year-round. And the bar offers great views and even better drinks.

There’s an outdoor pool (open to the public after 5PM, M-F) that adds to the summer vibe when the weather is nice. There’s also a working fireplace that makes the bar cozy on cold, winter days. I’m partial the pineapple mojito, which is made with Brugal extra dry rum, pineapple, mint and lime.

Be sure to make reservations in advance, since this is one of the most popular things to do in SoHo. Regardless on if you’re coming for a date night or with friends, JIMMY offers the perfect place to dress up and enjoy the city views.

SoHo Broadway is a community group that developed an app to teach visitors about the neighborhood’s most iconic buildings.

Learning about the neighborhood’s architecture and history is a fun way to spend a half day in SoHO. The app is easy to use and has over 50 points of interest in the Historic District, which will keep you occupied for a while.