Just one block east of Union Square, the six graceful blocks of Irving Place (named for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow author Washington Irving, who never actually lived here) lead north toward Gramercy Park. Before reaching the park, digress on 20th Street, where, at no. 28, you will find Theodore Roosevelt's birthplace (Wed-Sun 9am-5pm; $2; tel 212/260-1616), or at least a reconstruction of it: in 1923, the house was rebuilt as it would have been when Roosevelt was born there in 1858. The rather somber mansion contains many original furnishings, some of Teddy's hunting trophies and a small gallery documenting the president's life, viewable on an obligatory guided tour.

Irving Place and around

• Irving Place and around

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