Williamsburg

Artists, musicians and young people, priced out of Manhattan and neighboring Brooklyn ’hoods, decamped to Williamsburg in the early to mid-1990s, turning it into hipster central. These days, its lively bar, restaurant and arts scene draws visitors too—and the area now has its first hotel, Le Jolie (235 Meeker Avenue, 718 625 2100, www.hotellejolie.com). While the newly built property is more businesslike than boutique-chic, it offers clean-lined, modern rooms for under $200 a night.

Just one subway stop from the East Village (on the L line), Bedford Avenue is the burg’s bustling main thoroughfare. You’ll also find a plethora of restaurants and nightspots as you make your way along North 6th Street and Grand Avenue. During the day, Verb Café is the nabe’s prime slacker hangout, while at night, locals with mortgages prefer neighborhood fixture Peter Luger, which grills what many consider to be the best steak in the city. There’s also an ever-growing array of cool shops. At 5 in 1, a designers’ co-op in a former railroad-car factory, you can buy edgy clothing and accessories direct from the makers, and cult French basics line A.P.C. recently opened a discount outlet, A.P.C. Surplus at 33 Grand Street, at Kent Avenue (1-347 381 3193).

The area boasts dozens of art galleries, such as the local fave Pierogi, but the core of the art scene is the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center (135 Broadway, at Bedford Avenue, 1-718 486 7372, www.wahcenter.org), in a landmark 1929 bank building. Nostalgics will want to check out the City Reliquary, a non-profit, civic organization and museum of NY artifacts, such as architectural remnants, Statue of Liberty memorabilia, and a 1939 World’s Fair exhibit. The music scene thrives, too; worth-a-trip spaces include the Music Hallof Williamsburg and Pete’s Candy Store.

The beloved Brooklyn Brewery took up residence in a former ironworks. Visit during happy ‘hour’ (Friday evenings from 6pm to 11pm) for $3 drafts or take a tour on Saturdays from noon to 5pm.

Subway: L train to Bedford Avenue.