Welcome to the Upper West Side
The Upper West Side lies on the west side of Manhattan between Central Park and the Hudson River. This primarily residential area is home to beautiful architecture, mom-and-pop shops, and restaurants. It offers a quaint and more laid-back feel to the bustling setting of Midtown and Downtown.
Between 96th and 110th Street, this neighborhood used to be sandy coves along the river. It has been referred to as the “Bloomingdale District” because of its Dutch settlers that initially came from Bloemendaal. Today this colorful neighborhood houses single and multi-families. Although residential, this area still gets a lot of foot traffic and has many restaurants and shops throughout the area.
What to Love
- Beautiful architecture
- A lively neighborhood
- Views of the Hudson River
- Easy access to Central Park
Local Lifestyle
The Upper West Side is highly sought after because of its direct access to Central Park. The Upper West Side gives its residents a more casual and easygoing lifestyle as opposed to other parts of the city. It is also home to Lincoln Center, which has many cultural and historic landmarks like the Metropolitan Opera, the Beacon Theater, the New York City Ballet, Juilliard, and the New York City Orchestra.
Buildings here include the well-known New York Brownstone instead of the skyscrapers you find below the park. The apartment buildings located here often boast lifestyle amenities, such as swimming pools, gyms, and saunas.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Despite being very residential, the Upper West Side is full of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shopping.
If you want a proper English tea, Alice’s Tea Cup provides its guests with a magical experience complete with scones, finger sandwiches, and, most importantly, a variety of teas. Bringing a take on Asian cuisine with traditional flavors and unique items like the pastrami eggroll RedFarm is a must-try. The Joanne Trattoria offers homestyle Italian cuisine and is owned by the parents of the one and only Lady Gaga, along with cookbook author Art Smith. For southern food with housemade pickles and beers, Jacob’s Pickles brings you delicious food in a modern-rustic setting.
The Shops at Columbus Circle offers tons of high-end and name-brand shops and some dining options. There are also always multiple events at the shopping center that are constantly changing, giving residents new things to look forward to every season.
Things to Do
The Upper West Side lies on the west side of Central Park, which always has so much to offer no matter the time of year. Whether you’re enjoying live music and theater performances, biking, running, having a picnic in the park, visiting the boathouse, or just strolling through and admiring the scenery, the opportunities are endless.
The New York City Ballet showcases spectacular performances that change throughout the year, as well as galas and other events. There is always something new to see, and you will never be disappointed.
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the most popular destinations on the Upper West Side. It was initially founded in 1869 and houses impressive artifacts and exhibits. With multiple floors filled with stunning exhibits, you can easily spend an entire day here and still not see everything.
