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Welcome to 434 6th Avenue; home of the Joffrey Ballet School! Located right in the heart of Greenwich Village, the school is surrounded by culture and eclecticism. The neighboring streets are teaming with cafes, restaurants, shops, and just about anything else you are looking for.
Since a majority of our students are from out of town, we thought it would be helpful to get you started on your endeavors for the summer with a few helpful hints. Good Luck!
Transportation
The key to your enjoyment of this city, is the public transportation system, which can at times be a bit tricky to navigate. Although, once you have a basic understanding of the subways you’ll be set for the summer.
Subway Stations are found at almost every corner you turn. A single ride will cost you $2.00 and are only available at the MetroCard machines. There are a few different options in terms of purchasing a MetroCard. If you will be traveling on the subway every day, it is recommended that you purchase an “unlimited card”. These cards are sold as a daily pass ($7.00), a weekly pass ($24.00), and a monthly pass ($76.00). Say you purchase a weekly pass, you will be able to ride the subway as many times as you wish, provided that there is an eighteen minute interval between the time you swipe your card at that same station. The A, C, E, F, V, B, and D trains are all located at 6th Avenue between 8th Street and Waverly Place. The 1, 2, 3, 9, and L trains are all located at 6th Avenue and 14th Street. You can catch the A, C, E, F, V, B, D trains all at 8th Street and 6th Avenue. You can catch the 1, 2, 3, and L trains all at 14th Street and 6th Avenue. You can find the rest of the trains 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, W, and L trains all at Union Square.
Did you know…? *On average, 4.5 million riders take the subway every weekday. *In 1920, a single-ride on the subway cost just ten cents. Another good option for transportation, are the buses. You can use your MetroCard for the buses as well as the trains. Although MetroCards are not sold onboard the buses, you may use change, but quarters only, to pay your way.
Then, we have the taxi cab system. Each Taxi has an ID number displayed on the roof of the cab. It the number is lit up then the cab is available, if the number is off, then the cab is occupied. During rush hour, you may be approached by a black car. These are gypsy cabs, which are not metered and tend to be extremely expensive. It is highly recommended that you do not make use of these cars unless it is absolutely necessary. Gypsy cabs are not safe at night and should never be used to travel from an airport.
Restaurants, Café’s, and Coffee Shops
One of the greatest things about NYC, is the incredible number of restaurants, cafés, and coffee shops. You will never be at a loss for places to go for a bite to eat. If it’s a relaxing cup of coffee in the mornings you are looking for, here are a few pleasurable places to get just that!
French Roast, is located at 6th Avenue and 11th Street. It’s a good spot to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or whatever your heart desires at 3am, since they are open 24/7. You will most likely find locals sipping coffee and reading the paper in the mornings. Cosi is another hot spot for a good cup of Java. Conveniently, just up the avenue on the south-east corner of 13th street, it seems to be the place to be. From sandwiches to a build-your-own salad bar, and even s’mores, you’ll be lucky if you can manage a seat on one of the comfy couches. How could we possibly forget Starbucks? As well as finding them all over the city, the nearest Starbucks is on 6th avenue between 8th Street and Waverly Place, right next to the subway station. There is also one located at 6th Avenue and 14th Street. Café Ari is another excellent spot for a cup of coffee, and is right on Greenwich Avenue. Though it is tiny, the place is an internet café and advertises free WIFI for your laptop. There’s always that craving for some good old-fashioned diner food. The Waverly is our personal recommendation. With its warm atmosphere, The Waverly is always crowded; morning, noon and night! Hence the name, The Waverly occupies the North West corner of Waverly Place at 6th Avenue.
A few places in the immediate area you might consider trying are Sammy’s Noodle Shop, Six & Twelve (sandwiches, salads, & internet), Bagel Buffet, Murray’s Bagels, and of course “the original” Ray’s Pizza. You can find all of these places marked on the attached map.
Just a few blocks south of Joffrey is Bleeker Street. Filled with cafes and shops, Bleeker is always packed with people strolling. Right off of Bleeker is MacDougal Street, which is jam-packed with restaurants. If you are willing to walk a little further down, Carmine branches off to the right and also harbors cozy spots like Grey Dog’s Coffee (33 Carmine Street)
Shopping
So you have mastered the subway system, now what do you do? What else…go shopping, of course! Barnes and Noble, and Urban Outfitters are both right below 8th Street on 6th Avenue. Although, if you happen to walk East on 8th Street you will run into dozens of shoe stores, and places such as Joyce Leslie and Wet Seal. Walking up Avenue of the Americas about 6 blocks will take you to Old Navy, The Container Store, and a mini-mall with Bed, Bath & Beyond, Filene’s Basement, TJ Max, and another Barnes and Noble a blocks further North.
Union Square is a good destination for shopping. To get to Union Square, walk North four blocks to 14th Street, and hang a right for 3 blocks. Various stores such as Diesel, DSW, Virgin Records, Staples, Petco, Forever 21, and many more fill the streets surrounding Union Square. Union Square Park is in the center of the commotion at 14th Street. During the day, the Green Market is always fun to walk through. Nearby growers gather on the West side of the park and sell all kinds of fresh produce from bread, to fruits and veggies, and even cheeses. Aside from shopping, you can always find a good place to relax and grab some food at Union Square.
For more upscale shopping head for SOHO (short for South of Houston). Take the C train to Spring Street (one stop from West 4th) and walk east along Spring. Once a center for artists, SOHO is now sometimes likened to a gigantic outdoor shopping mall. The epicenter of this area is Broadway and Spring. Here you will find chic boutiques, charming, but expensive, restaurants, and people who enjoy looking cool.
Washington Square Park is a beautiful park which is bustling with all kinds activity during the hot summer days. To get to Washington Square walk 3 blocks South of Joffrey to Waverly Place and take a Left at the corner. Walk about 3 blocks (you would be walking East) and you will hit the corner of the park! If you walk through the park there are plenty of benches from which you can stop and watch the people go by, or if you so wish, continue through to the fountain in the center. Street performers and musicians frequent the area by the fountain, and are always an interesting act to catch.
Medical
Hopefully there will not be a need for medical attention, but for your knowledge, the nearest hospital is Saint Vincent’s which is on 12th Street and 7th Avenue. Duane Reade is the pharmacy found all over New York City. In fact, there is one on the corner of Waverly Place right next to the subway station. Rite Aid, is another pharmacy just up the Avenue from Joffrey.
Laundry
Whether you want to do it yourself or pay to have it done, Suds is the laundry of choice in the Area. Located west on 10th Street, just past Greenwich, this laundry is convenient to the school. If you want Sonja to do it for you the cost is 50 cents a pound. If not, they sell everything you need to wash your clothes yourself at the self-serve machines.
Own something fancy-shmancy and require dry cleaning? Jerry’s drycleaners is just north of the school on the next block. They have been doing our dry cleaning for decades.
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