Before the West Village was home to hours-long lines for froyo and pizza, it was home to speakeasies, poets, and the early center of the Off-Broadway movement.

The streets down here bend, cross themselves, and change names mid-block, which is what happens when a neighborhood predates the grid and never quite agreed to join it.

We'll spend a couple of hours walking the parts most people hurry past on the way to Bar Pisellino, with the stories that make them worth slowing down for.

Tucked into these blocks are former speakeasies, hidden courtyards, some of the oldest houses in Manhattan, the theaters where Off-Broadway got its start, and the corner where the modern gay rights movement began.

Afterward, we'll head to a spot close by for drinks and snacks. Field Trip events are intentionally small, so it's easy to actually talk to people.

How much walking is it, and where do we meet?

We'll cover the neighborhood in about 2 hours, with plenty of stops. Wear comfortable shoes. Exact meeting point will be shared with attendees.

Do people usually come alone?

Yes. Most attendees come solo, looking to meet other people who love art and culture around NYC.

How long does the event last?

Plan for about 3 hours total. The walk runs roughly 2 hours, and then we'll spend an hour or so at happy hour afterward.

Why this walk?

The West Village rewards slowing down, and it's easy to live near it for years and still miss what's hiding on the side streets. This is a chance to see it properly, with the stories that make it stick, in a small group where you'll actually talk to people.