In New York, change is the only constant, and the West Village embodies that fact. Its web of cobblestone streets, lined in Federal and Greek Revival townhouses, Italianate brownstones and deco-era apartment buildings, has largely withstood history. Yet those structures have contained waves of literati, progressive visual artists, equal-rights activists and, today, a fairly upscale population of gay couples, families and longtime denizens. Although some argue that this genius loci has strayed too far from the West Village's boundary-pushing past, previous generations are still apparent. A tour of beloved destinations involves experiences of culture and politics as well as commerce—perfectly reflecting everything New York City has to offer.