Neighborhood Guide: Live Like a Local in Chelsea, Manhattan

So you’re looking to move to New York for a while and explore everything that the Big Apple has to offer. Once you have the logistics set, the next thing to sort out is which neighborhood you’d like to stay in. Well, if you’re interested in experiencing the NYC art scene and immersing yourself in all the culture this metropolis has to offer, Chelsea might be an excellent option for you.

Full of life and activity, Chelsea is located on the west side of Manhattan and is known as the art district of New York.

What is it like to live in Chelsea, Manhattan?

Chelsea is one of the most welcoming and diverse neighborhoods in New York. It’s a community where you can find an endless choice of fantastic cafes and restaurants with specialties from across the globe. 

Once you step into Chelsea, you’ll understand why it’s called the art district. With more than 400 art galleries, this neighborhood has it all — from contemporary art to immersive art exhibitions, you can find it here. That said, galleries aren’t the only places where you’ll find art in Chelsea. As you walk around, you’ll be able to spot street art made by resident artists, muralists, or artists from the US, Europe, and Latin America.

If you’re planning on working remotely while living in Chelsea, you will be able to find numerous coffee shops and coworking places to work from. There are various WeWork offices throughout the neighborhood as well as spacious coffee shops with WiFi. When you’re done working, you can traverse the city and its incredible sights and sounds.

But for now, let’s talk about Chelsea and what it has to offer when you’re living in this neighborhood.

What to do in Chelsea

1. Visit Chelsea Flea.

Every weekend from 8 am to 4 pm, Chelsea Flea welcomes more than 50 vintage and antique vendors. They sell all things vintage, from furniture to jewelry. Make sure to pass by as this vibrant flea market will definitely add color to your weekend. You might even find a couple items to take back to your apartment, too.

2. Walk The High Line.

The High Line is one of the best urban meets nature sites in NYC. Built on an elevated railway, this unique park has a 1.5-mile-long greenway that you can walk on, along which you can see beautiful trees and landscaping, architecture, the Hudson River, and amazing NYC views at the same time. There are plenty of park benches to sit on and take it all in, as well. You can visit the park between 7 am and 10 pm, and definitely be sure to check out what events are happening at the time of your visit.

3. Go to Little Island, NYC’s newest park.

Known as the floating park, Little Island is one of the most interesting parks you’ll see. It holds the title of New York’s newest part as it was only built in 2021. Little Island often invites performing artists from all over New York to perform at the park and help bring it to life. You can visit this futuristic-looking park between 6 am and 9 pm every day.

4. Visit Madison Square Garden.

Probably the world’s most famous entertainment venue, Madison Square Garden hosts many sports events, live music performances, and theaters throughout the year. If you want to see a world-class show or a game, Madison Square Garden will almost be at your doorstep in Chelsea. Hopefully, the Knicks will actually get a win when you’re there (don’t cross your fingers).

5. Eat at Chelsea Market.

Located in the heart of Chelsea at Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market is a foodie’s dream destination. From tacos to noodles to gelato, you can try all types of savory dishes and sweet treats from all corners of the world. And you can support the locals by buying their homemade products – like hot sauces, chocolates, donuts, and ceramics.

6. Test the local restaurants. 

While Chelsea Market is a great place to eat, when it comes to food, the neighborhood has so much more to offer. Chelsea’s food scene is so eclectic and rich that it’s almost impossible to try every restaurant in the neighborhood. Some of the famous restaurants are Shukette for Middle Eastern food, Fonda for Mexican, Portale for Italian, El Quijote for Spanish, and Cookshop for brunch.

7. Enjoy the nightlife.

You’ve definitely heard of the nightlife in NYC from countless movies and series. Now it’s time to experience it yourself. Chelsea is a splendid place to go out — you can start by getting a drink at a rooftop bar, such as Gallow Green, and enjoy the city views of The City That Never Sleeps. Some other trendy bars to try out are Raines Law Room, Bathtub Gin, and Frying Pan.

Cultural spots in Chelsea

Chelsea is the place to be for culture lovers. To see the works of American artists, make sure to check out the Whitney Museum of American Art. The museum hosts the works of thousands of artists and has many temporary exhibitions. It’s recommended that you book your ticket in advance, especially if you’re planning to go on the weekend. If you want to learn about Himalayan art, make sure you visit the Rubin Museum.

No trip to Chelsea is complete without visiting some art galleries. You can find a list of the current exhibits online and start exploring. A good way to start would be walking from 18th St to 26th St where you will be able to spot many galleries, including David Zwirner and Larry Gagosian.

How to find accommodation in Chelsea

If you’re a remote worker or someone who will need speedy WiFi at their home base, consider renting a flexible-term accommodation to test the neighborhood out and decide if you want to stay long-term or not.

Anyplace has remote work-friendly apartments in Chelsea, very close to major attractions like The Highline, Madison Square Garden, The Whitney Museum, and Broadway. They come fully furnished and are without any long-term rental commitments.

All apartments are tailor-made for remote workers, with an equipped home office setup and high-speed internet. All you need to do is to arrive and start living.

Time for your new adventure in Chelsea!

Thanks to your new apartment right in the heart of Chelsea, after-work drinks at an NYC rooftop bar or lunch walks at The High Line can be a reality. So what are you waiting for? It’s never been easier to move to the Big Apple and see what it has in store for you.

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Where to next? Find monthly rentals designed for remote workers on Anyplace.