Upper West Side NY Guide

The Upper West Side is a residential neighborhood filled with young professionals and families. It is a great place to stay if you are looking to avoid the heavy crowds of Midtown and Times Square, but still be very close to all the major attractions and subway access. It is especially great if you want to be right near Central Park. The UWS is home to much of NYC's Art, Culture, Museums, shopping and restaurants.

Things to Do

Children's Museum of Manhattan (212 W 83rd, Amsterdam /Bway) - Hands-on activities, kids art, sandbox table, oversized Lite Brite, water playground. Best for youngest kids (under 7). $10, Closed Mon.

American Museum of Natural History (CPW, 77th-81st St) - Great exhibits, all about humans, man, cultures, dinosaurs. The Planetarium and Space Show is a must-see for kids and fun for adults. Suggested Contribution: $16 (museum), $9 ages 2-12. Planetarium: $24, $14 children, includes Museum access and contribution.

New York Historical Society (170 CPW, 76th/77th) – permanent exhibits of New York furniture, furnishings, toys, souvenirs and very interesting rotating exhibits, slavery, Jackie Kennedy/Eleanor Roosevelt. Closed Mon. $12 Adult, Under 12 free.

Lincoln Center (Bway, 61st to 66th Sts) - home to the New York State Theater, New York City Ballet, the New York City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera House, Avery Fisher Hall, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vivian Beaumont Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center (located at 59th Street), the Library and Museum of the Performing Arts, the School of American Ballet and the world-famous Julliard School of Music.

Time Warner Center (TWC, at Columbus Circle)– enormous shopping and dining mall with ranging from typical chains to unique NY to very high end.

Walk Columbus Ave for boutiques and restaurants, Amsterdam Ave for bars and boutiques, CPW for park views and history, such as the Dakota (72nd), where John Lennon was shot, and pay respects across the street at the Strawberry Fields memorial. Check Whole Foods in the TWC to grab a picnic for Central Park and definitely walk around the Lincoln Center – lots of free concerts.

Upper West Side Recommended Restaurants

Carmine’s (2450 Bway, 90th/91st) – huge portions, family style Italian. This is the original and a 2nd is now in the Theater District. A tourist favorite.

Brother Jimmy's West (428 Amsterdam, 80th/81st) - Old fashioned BBQ (not the best, but reliable). Crayons, skeeball and video games. Usually, kids eat FREE with $10 paid adult meal. Additional locations.

Boat Basin Café (W 79th & Hudson River) – casual, outdoors in Riverside Park at the end of 79th Street on the Hudson River with beautiful views. (Seasonal, Spring to Fall)

Shake Shack (336 Columbus, 77th) – great burgers, fries and shakes with a huge NYC following.

Alice's Tea Cup (102 W 73rd, Columbus) - Bakery and Desserts/Ice Cream, a wonderland for little girls

Isabella’s (359 Columbus/77th) – Italian/Mediterranean. Great for lunch and dinner, outdoors in summer and an overall UWS classic.

Bin 71 (237 Columbus Ave, 70th/71st) - more of a wine bar than restaurant, but excellent small plates, casual but hip scene and outdoors in the summer.

Luce (2014 Bway, 68th/69th) - Italian . Especially nice in summer, with outdoor eating.

Shun Lee (43 W 65th , CPW/Col) – upscale Chinese. Excellent service and food, family friendly. (Note: lately it’s been getting mixed reviews, but I’ve always had good experiences).

Time Warner Center – Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Landmarc, A Voce (romantic Italian), Per Se (NYC’s MOST expensive meal), Porter House NY (steak), Stone Rose Lounge (trendy)

Upper West Side Shopping

Columbus Ave from about 70th to 85th St - local NYC boutiques, along with dozens of well known chains: UGG, Eileen Fisher, North Face, Barnes & Noble, etc.
Local NYC faves include Verve (bags), Olive & Bette's (trendy clothes), Liana, Berkley Girl (for tweens).
Time Warner Center has many chain and high-end shops

Upper West Side Hotels

Mandarin Oriental (80 Columbus Cir) – 5 star hotel, 35-54 floors of the TWC. Voted as best spa in NYC, if you can’t afford to stay, head to the 35th floor lobby for a cocktail or snack. One of the best views in the City.

Hudson Hotel (356 W 58th St) – amazing lobby outdoor garden, worth a visit if in the area. Feels like a mini Central Park.

Empire Hotel (44 W 63rd St) – Cool pool deck with cabana rentals from May to Sept.