611 W 56th Street, 5E Hells Kitchen, Manhattan, NY 10019

Hell’s Kitchen stretches across a swath of Midtown Manhattan — north-south from 59th to 34th and east-west from 8th Avenue to the Hudson — with the personality to match its square mileage. This neighborhood, sometimes known by the milder name Clinton, has come a long way from the days when waterfront industries dominated. Though it is in a bit of a public transit desert, Hell’s Kitchen is near hubs like Times Square, Port Authority, and Columbus Circle. However, what it may lack in subways is more than made up for by charm. Most of the area — at least north of 42nd Street — is characterized by its low-rise, six-story apartment buildings, which retain their original character. Despite little more than concrete separating them, Hell’s Kitchen offers a respite from the constant hustle of Midtown West and the in-your-face neon glow of Times Square.