Museum Mile, Luxury Shopping, Socialites
The Upper East Side is an upscale, residential neighborhood filled with young professionals, families and many famous socialites, politicians and celebrities. It is home to Museum Mile, some uber-upscale shopping and the Mayor’s mansion. The homes on Fifth Avenue, along Central Park, are some of the most exclusive in all of Manhattan. You’ve likely seen the Upper East Side on Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, The Real Housewives of New York, I Love Lucy, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and dozens of other times on your screens.
The Upper East Side is also home to some of the best medical care in the world and has 1000s of people visiting each year to receive treatment, many of whom stay long term. This makes it a great area for short term apartment rentals. Within a few blocks, you’ll find Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital.
Some of most luxurious hotels flow along 5th and Madison Avenues, many with incredible Central Park and skyline views, large luxury suites and jacuzzi tubs. Our world-famous hotels include The Surrey, The Pierre, The Carlyle, The Mark (no, I don’t why they all start with “The”), Plaza Athenee, The Lowell and more.
Upper East Side NYC Things to Do
Museums, Shopping and Central Park are pretty much the best things to do on the UES. Museum Mile, which stretches along 5th Ave from 82nd to 105th Streets is home to The Met, Goethe-Institut, Neue Galerie, The Guggenheim, National Academy Museum and School, Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum, The Jewish Museum, Museum of the City of New York, El Museo del Barrio and Museum for African Art.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 5th Ave, 82nd St) – The Met is home to more than 2 million works of art spanning 5,000 years of world culture. I personally LOVE to visit on Fri/Sat nights, 6-8 pm, when a classical string quartet plays above the Great Hall and if you’re lucky, you can get a table and order some appetizers and wine. Definitely try and see the Martini Roof in summer – the views overlooking Central Park are phenomenal.
Guggenheim Museum (1071 5th Ave, 89th) – The building itself is an architectural icon and you can view exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
Museum Mile (5th Ave, 82nd to 105th) also includes:
- Frick Collection (1 E 70th, 5th Ave),
- Jewish Museum (1109 5th Ave, 92nd/93rd),
- Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (2 E 91st, 5th Ave)
Read More: New York City Museums
Gracie Mansion, the mayoral abode (except for Mayor Bloomberg), a historic house on 88th and East End Ave, overlooking the East River and surrounded by a waterfront park.
Upper East Side Tours
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Upper East Side NYC Sightseeing Passes
To explore the UES using your passes, you’ll want to look for The Met, Guggenheim, Museum of the City of New York, and the Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour.
NY Sightseeing Pass, New York Pass, NY Explorer Pass, CityPASS Compared
- Sightseeing Pass - Unlimited Hop on Hop off Buses, One World Observatory, Edge
- New York Pass - 80+ tours and attractions, Choose 1-10 Days
- Explorer or Go Select - Choose from 55+ sights or Build your Your
- New York CityPASS - 6 top attractions, good for 9 days from first use
See All: NYC Attractions Pass Comparison Chart
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Upper East Side NYC Recommended Restaurants
Papaya King (86th @ 3rd Ave) – grab a hot dog at the famous NYC institution. There are a few things always guaranteed to stir up an age-old NYC argument – if you want to see the locals riot, just ask them: best pizza, neighborhood borders, Yankees vs Mets and Papaya King vs Gray’s Papaya. Carrie Bradshaw preferred Gray’s while Cosmo Kramer & Julia Child preferred Papaya King. Judge for yourself. Judge for yourself.
Uva Wine Bar (1486 2nd Ave, 77th St) – small, quaint, good tapas – consistently rave reviews from New Yorkers since 2005.
Sfoglia (1402 Lex @ 92nd St) – authentic "to-die-for" italian with homeade pastas, amazing bolognese and right across the street from the 92nd Street Y.
Café Boulud (20 76th, Madison Ave) – sister restaurant to top-rated French, Daniel (65th & Mad). Less expensive, but not cheap. Jackets recommended for men. Likely closing in 2021.
Jones Wood Foundry – gastropub British taproom, with scottish eggs, indoor & outdoor dining, fish & chips, bangers & mash. Also very kid friendly before "bar hours".
Bar Italia – cute little cafe, wine bar about 10 minutes from the Met (SW corner of 77th and 2nd Ave)
Sant Ambroeus – Italian restaurant with a gorgeous outdoor patio. Other locations in Manhattan, The Hamptons & Palm Beach. A local favorite for brunch and lunch before or after a visit to The Met (1000 Madison @ 78th St)
B. Café (240 E 75th, 2nd/3rd Ave) – Belgian bistro with great mussels, fries and beer, outdoor garden in summer.
There are thousands more restaurants on 2nd and 3rd Aves, from the 50s to 90s Sts.
More Upper East Side Restaurants.
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Upper East Side NYC Neighborhood Guide Shopping
Madison Ave (58th to 88th) –Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Chanel, Chloe, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana, Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo, La Perla, Prada and dozens more high-end designer stores and local boutiques.
Boutiques – more unique and local flavor along 3rd Ave in the 70s, lots of children’s, tween, teen and adult stores.
Resale Clothing on the Upper East Side
Since the UES is filled with residents who shop at the stores on Madison mentioned above, who absolutely can never be seen in the same outfit twice, the resale and consignment shops here are the best in the city. Here are some to try and there are dozens more.
- Designer Revival (324 E 81st, 1st/2nd Aves)
- Michael’s
- La Boutique Resale
- Encore
- Tatiana
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Upper East Side NYC Hotels
Luxury Hotels Upper East Side
If your dreams of a NYC vacation conjure images of strolling Museum Mile, views of Central Park, shopping along the famed Fifth Avenue, rubbing elbows with socialites and celebrities and dining at some of New York's best restaurants, then Luxury Hotels Upper East Side are exactly where you want to book.
- The Surrey - private rooftop garden, Café Boulud (photo)
- The Pierre - favorite of the Vanderbilts, Astors, Chryslers and E.F. Hutton
- The Carlyle - Travel + Leisure's World's Best Hotel
See More: Premier Luxury Hotels Upper East Side
See Also: New York City Luxury Hotels
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Suite Hotels New York City – Upper East Side
Gardens Suites Hotel by Affinia
The all-suite Gardens Suites Hotel by Affinia is a home away from home for any NYC visitor. I actually know several New York families who choose this hotel for long term stays when they are renovating their apartments. East 64th gives you easy access to Fifth Avenue shopping, Central Park, Museum Mile and all the attractions in Midtown. The suites have modern furnishings, full kitchens and living areas and some have terraces with views.
“The room size was nice & spacious for our party of 6 – 3 adults & 3 children. We absolutely love the full sized kitchen that had a complete set of pots & pans and adequate kitchenware.”
- Discount Rates: Gardens Suites Hotel by Affinia
- 215 E. 64th Street
More Upper East Side Suite Hotels
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Hotel Plaza Athenee
- Discount Rates: Hotel Plaza Athenee
- 37 East 64 Street
- See More: New York City Luxury Hotels
Loews Regency
Just two blocks from Central Park, on the edge of Midtown and the Upper East Side, sits the Loews Regency, with neutrally-colored guest rooms and huge suites, comfortable mattresses, staff and personal service guests rave about and a stone’s throw from NYC’s best department stores and shopping.
- Discount Rates: Loews Regency
- 540 Park Avenue & 61st Street
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Upper East Side NYC Subways
- 6 to 68th, 77th, 86th (also 4/5), 96th
- General Address: 59 East 79th St, New York, NY 10075
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Upper East Side NYC Printable Map
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NYC Neighborhood Guides
Harlem
Our Harlem neighborhood guide will show you the wonderful cultural, food, music and historic value of this landmark area, which has long, strong and proud NYC roots. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s began the golden age of African-American culture, literature, music, artists, theater and art, which continues to strengthen today. If you want to eat authentic soul food, hear mind-blowing jazz and gospel and clothing shop with Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, then Harlem is on your bucket list!
- Explore: Harlem Neighborhood Guide
- To Do: Apollo Theater, Striver's Row, National Jazz Museum
Upper West Side
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, explore Central Park, The Museum of Natural History, the Beacon Theatre, Lincoln Center, the West Side Highway and still be about 20 minutes from most of Manhattan.
- Explore: Upper West Side Guide
- To Do: American Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, Beacon Theatre, Lincoln Center, Time Warner Center
Central Park
Central Park offers 843 gorgeous acres to explore and 100s of things to do, which is why we consider it an unofficial neighborhood. Central Park draws 38 million visits a year and is home to the Central Park Film Festival, SummerStage, Shakespeare in the Park, Ice Skating, Central Park Zoo, Bow Bridge, biking, playgrounds, the Carousel and much more.
- Explore: Central Park Guide
- To Do: Central Park Zoo, Carousel, TV and Movie Sites, Ice Skating, Loeb Boathouse
Times Square & Broadway
Times Square New York and the Theater District are some of New York City's most popular tourist attractions. Of course, Broadway, also known as the Great White Way, is most definitely for locals as well. Spend a bit of time here and make sure to see the lights at night, the Hershey's and M&M Stores, as well as catch a great Broadway Show.
- Explore: Times Square & Broadway NYC Guide
- To Do: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Broadway Shows NYC, Times Square Ball Drop New Years, M&M World & Hersheys Chocolate World
Midtown West, Koreatown, Hell's Kitchen
Midtown West is a huge tourist area with great neighborhoods like NYC's famous Diamond District, Hell's Kitchen and Koreatown. Hell's Kitchen, is the most western section and an "up-and-coming" residential area of New York City with new shops and restaurants opening often. Koreatown, just a block from the Empire State Building, is known for their restaurants and karaoke bars and clubs.
- Explore: Midtown West NYC Guide
- To Do: Empire State Building, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Madison Square Garden, Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Javits Center
Garment District / Fashion Center
The Garment District, also called the Fashion District or Fashion Center, is home to many of the world's most famous fashion designers and showrooms. The area is an amazing resource for fabrics, beads and trims, however, unless you are trade, don't expect to walk in off the street to designer showrooms. The best way to possibly get access to private showrooms is through a private tour or a NYC Sample Sale.
- Explore: Garment District Guide
- To Do: Fashion Walk of Fame, Museum at FIT, Parsons School of Design
Chelsea & Hudson Yards
Chelsea NY is known for art galleries, nightlife and gay-friendly culture. It is a lively, vibrant neighborhood with some of New York City's top restaurants, clubs, art and things to do outdoors and along the Hudson River. While Chelsea boundaries are West 14th-34th Streets, from 7th Ave to the Hudson River, the new Hudson Yards occupies it's most North and West streets, West 30th to 34th Streets between 10th and 12th Avenues.
- Explore: Chelsea & Hudson Yards Guide
- To Do: The Highline, Art Galleries, Chelsea Market, Chelsea Piers, Little Island, Edge, The Vessel, The Shops at Hudson Yards
Meatpacking District
The Meatpacking District, also known as the Gansevoort Market, is only a few blocks, so you cannot get lost, but it is packed with upscale restaurants, night clubs and designer shopping. Like many NY neighborhoods, the MP District retains it's historical architecture, as it is lined with cobblestone streets and old warehouses, but, today, these same buildings house very modern shopping and dining. The heart of the Meatpacking District is Little West 12th Street.
- Explore: Meatpacking District Guide
- To Do: The Highline, Restaurants, Clubs & Rooftops, Little Island, Upscale Shopping
Greenwich Village & NoHo
Our Greenwich Village NYC Guide provides insight into one of NYC's most cherished neighborhoods. The Village is full of history, celebrity, politics, landmarks and so much more. The NYU campus, Washington Square Park, gorgeous brownstones and cobble stone streets, amazing restaurants, tons of trees and much more make this area a local favorite.
- Explore: Greenwich Village & NoHo Guide
- To Do: Washington Square Park, NYU Campus, Astor Place, Shopping, Restaurants
West Village
The West Village is filled with tree-lined streets, beautiful old brownstones and hundreds of shops, restaurants and cafés. It is truly a quintessential NYC neighborhood, inhabited by locals and celebrities who can afford to live anywhere they choose. If you're a Friends or Sex and the City fan, then you are already quite familiar with the West Village...now it's time to come experience it!
- Explore: West Village Guide
- To Do: Restaurants, boutique shopping, gorgeous brownstones
SoHo
SoHo (SOuth of HOuston - pronounced How-ston) is another NYC neighborhood filled with the best shopping and restaurants. Traditionally known as a haven for artists and their lofts, it has become more upscale over the years and a much sought-after place for New Yorkers to live.
- Explore: SoHo Guide
- To Do: New York Fire Museum, Shopping, Art Galleries, Brunch & Restaurants, Broken Kilometer & Earth Room
Tribeca & The Battery
Tribeca Tribeca (TRI-angle BE-low CA-nal) NYC, is home of the namesake Film Festival, Robert De Niro’s pet project, created to promote commerce downtown after 9/11. He also owns several hotels and restaurants in the area and is spotted quite frequently. Tribeca was also the home of JFK Jr and Caroline Bessette Kennedy before their tragic death in 1999 and is filled with old warehouses, now converted into lofts, beautiful views of the Hudson River and Statue of Liberty along the West Side Highway, excellent restaurants, families, parks and NYC history.
- Explore: Tribeca & The Battery
- To Do: Hudson River Park and River Promenade, Statue of Liberty Views, Upscale & Casual Dining
Financial District and Wall Street
The Financial District (FiDi), at the southern tip of NYC, is one of NYC's most bustling business and tourist areas, from Monday to Friday and is near dead on the weekends. Sights include the 9-11 Memorial & Museum, Wall Street, One World Observatory, The American Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull, the Fearless Girl and views of the Statue of Liberty.
- Explore: Financial District Guide
- To Do: One World Observatory, Staten Island Ferry, 9-11 Museum, 9-11 Memorial, Charging Bull & Fearless Girl, American Stock Exchange, The Oculus, Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport and much more.
Upper East Side NYC
The Upper East Side is an upscale, residential neighborhood and home to Museum Mile, some uber-upscale shopping and Gracie Mansion. The homes on Fifth Avenue, along Central Park, are some of the most exclusive in all of Manhattan. You've likely seen the Upper East Side on Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, The Real Housewives of New York, I Love Lucy, Breakfast at Tiffany's and dozens of other times on your screens.
- Explore: Upper East Side
- To Do: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Museum Mile, Central Park, Gracie Mansion, Upscale Shopping
Midtown East
Midtown East is a huge tourist, commercial and residential area. Around 5th Ave, the neighborhood is home to many tourist attractions, such as St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock and Radio City Music Hall. Bryant Park, the New York Public Library and Grand Central Station are close together just south. Moving towards 3rd Ave and further east, the area is more residential, and generally, the restaurants are better and more affordable, with the UN being the only attraction in that part of the neighborhood.
- Explore: Midtown East Guide
- To Do: The Plaza Hotel, Upscale Shopping, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock, Radio City Music Hall, Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, Summit One Vanderbilt, New York Public Library, United Nations
Union Square, Flatiron, NoMad, Gramercy
Union Square (my hood!), the Flatiron District and NoMad all have a mix of residence and business tenants. Additionally, colleges such as NYU, The New School and FIT dominate the area, making it very fun and lively. It is one of the best dining and nightlife areas in Manhattan, with something for every palate and budget and offers fabulous hotels of all kinds.
- Explore: Union Square, Flatiron, NoMad, Gramercy
- To Do: Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, Eataly, Union Square Park & Greenmarket, Harry Potter Wizarding World
East Village
While originally part of the Lower East Side, an immigrant neighborhood, the East Village, has separated itself and become home to some of the City’s best restaurants, shops and nightlife. It is full of character, diversity, fine dining, shops and live music, and includes a subsection named “Alphabet City.” East Village culture ranges from tattoo parlors and “dive bars” to some of New York City’s nicest hip and trendy hotels.
- Explore: East Village
- To Do: Blue Man Group & Stomp, St. Mark's Place, Nightlife, Speakeasies, Curry Lane
Lower East Side NYC
Traditionally, the Lower East Side was a working class immigrant neighborhood (think “Gangs of New York”). Today it is a wonderfully ethnic and diverse neighborhood and serves as a shopping, dining and nightlife destination for many NYC locals. Even with all its modern upgrades, the LES retains a large amount of its history, especially it’s Jewish, Polish, Irish and Italian cultures. The LES also has one of the best selections of hotels in NYC - tons of boutique hotels with amenities, rooftops, skyline views and seconds from 1000s of cool restaurants and hot spots.
- Explore: Lower East Side
- To Do: Tenement Museum, Museum at Eldridge Street Synagogue, Food Tours, Nightlife, great Hotel selection
Chinatown NYC
Chinatown NYC is a small, but very densely packed area of shops and restaurants. It is really fun to walk around, enjoy the culture, pick up some souvenirs, and most definitely, eat some delicious and affordable Dim Sum, dumplings, pork buns and other amazing Chinese cuisines.
- Explore: Chinatown NYC Guide Guide
- To Do: Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), Mahayana Buddhist Temple, Dim Sum & Dumplings
Little Italy NYC
Little Italy NYC Guide is a just a few blocks, with tons of outdoor restaurants and owners promising free wine and sangria to lure you in. Puglia is a favorite restaurant for families with their live singing and kids standing on their chairs waving napkins. Visit the new Italian American Museum, which tells the story "from Columbus to Cuomo," the original Old St. Patrick's Church and NYC Police Headquarters.
- Explore: Little Italy NYC Guide
- To Do: Feast of San Gennaro, Old St. Patrick's Church, Food Tours, Italian American Museum
NYC Boroughs
Explore the diverse neighborhoods of NYC Boroughs with our comprehensive guide to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. New York City is a melting pot of cultures and neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. Whether you're a local or a visitor, exploring the five boroughs of NYC is a must-do experience.
- Explore:NYC Boroughs Guide
- To Do: Williamsburg, Park Slope, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Museum, Barclay's Center, Brooklyn Flea, Coney Island, Dyker Heights, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Unisphere, Citi Field, US Open, Mets, MoMA PS1, Yankees, Bronx Zoo, NY Botanical Garden, Staten Island Ferry
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