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 and the American Museum of Natural History. The UWS is home to much of NYC’s Art, Culture, Museums, shopping and restaurants.
Upper West Side NYC 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). $15, Closed Mon.
Beacon Theatre – a classic, intimate concert and show venue on the Upper West Side of NYC, not far from Lincoln Center. With less than 3,000 seats, its original art deco styling, a great location and New York landmark status, the Beacon is a very "old school" spot with a strong and loyal local following.
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.
Hayden Planetarium,
Museum of Natural History
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 (Shops at Columbus Circle) – enormous shopping and dining mall 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 Lincoln Center – lots of free concerts.
Top of Upper West Side NYC Neighborhood Guide
Upper West Side Sightseeing Passes
If using a NYC Attractions pass, you’ll want to check for admission to the AMNH + special exhibits and the planetarium, Lincoln Center Tours and the New York Historical Society Museum.
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
Top of Upper West Side NYC Neighborhood Guide
Upper West Side NYC 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.
Shake Shack (366 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
Bin 71 (237 Columbus Ave, 70th/71st) – more of a wine bar than restaurant, excellent small plates, casual but hip scene and outdoors in the summer.
Shun Lee West (43 W 65th, CPW/Col) – upscale Chinese. Excellent service and food, family friendly.
Blue Ribbon Sushi – just off Columbus Circle at the 6 Columbus Hotel
Shops at Columbus Circle – Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Tartinery, Per Se (NYC’s MOST expensive meal), Porter House NY (steak), Ascent Lounge (trendy)
Barney Greengrass (541 Amsterdam Ave @ 86th Street) – a classic NYC institution since 1908, serving some of NYC’s best Jewish Deli food like bagels, lox, smoked fish & pastrami sandwiches.
Gray’s Papaya (2090 Broadway @ 72nd) – 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.
Top of Upper West Side NYC Neighborhood Guide
Upper West Side Neighborhood Guide 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 Olive & Bette’s (trendy clothes), Liana, Berkley Girl (for tweens).
- Time Warner Center has many chain and high-end shops such as Cole Haan, Stuart Weitzman, Hugo Boss, Coach and J. Crew
- Century 21 (1972 Broadway) – designer discount shopping. Huge Men’s department, Work directly with the garment district reps, and only stock locally. Designers include Armani, Pucci, Prada and Missoni, great shoe department for both men and women.
Top of Upper West Side NYC Neighborhood Guide
Upper West Side Hotels
New York City Luxury Hotels – Upper West Side
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Located high above Columbus Circle and the Time Warner Center, just steps from Central Park, the Mandarin Oriental offers 248 stylishly appointed rooms and suites that reflect the heritage of Mandarin Oriental while incorporating contemporary elements of New York City. Every room showcases a breathtaking view of Central Park, the Manhattan skyline or the scenic Hudson River over which the sun sets.
Amenities include the two-level, Five-Star Spa at Mandarin Oriental and award-winning signature restaurant Asiate.
- Favorites: Top NYC Spa, Views from 35th floor lobby and the Pool
- Discount Rates: Mandarin Oriental
- See More: New York City Luxury Hotels, Central Park Hotels
Trump International Hotel
Trump International Hotel & Tower, the only Forbes Five-Star and Five-Diamond restaurant in New York delivers the highest level of service, style, and exclusivity. The 52-story New York City hotel is just off Central Park, right at the juncture of Columbus Circle and Broadway and their Five-Star restaurant, Jean Georges, features contemporary international cuisine and was the winner of the 2009 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant.
- Favorites: Location – Central Park, Time Warner Center and prime Thanksgiving Day Parade Views
- Discount Rates: Trump International Hotel
- See More: Upper West Side Hotels, Central Park Hotels
Top of Upper West Side, More New York City Hotel Deals
New York City Boutique Hotels – Upper West Side
Empire Hotel New York City
Located in Lincoln Center, guest quarters at The Empire Hotel offer earthy décor, leather furnishings, satellite television, room service, wireless Internet, and work stations. There is an onsite restaurant, cocktail bar and casual lounge, business and conference facilities, a rooftop swimming pool with Cabana Rentals (May-September), spa services, and a fitness center.
- Discount Rates: The Empire Hotel
- See More: New York City Boutique Hotels
The Wallace Hotel
The Wallace Hotel vibe is more residential than typical hotel and it has near perfect reviews from guests on every site. This boutique hotel, opened in 2021, has 124 thoughtfully curated guest rooms and generously sized suites. They are pet-friendly, offer luxury amenities, tech-forward features, a gym and residential-style comforts. Recent Reviews, “So luxurious, and our one-bedroom suite was HUGE! Grateful to have a bathroom designed in a way that’s useful for a woman – shelves for toiletries, magnifying mirror – GREAT shower!”
- Discount Rates: The Wallace Hotel
- 242 W 76th St
Top of Upper West Side, More New York City Hotel Deals
Suite Hotels New York City – Upper West Side
Hotel Beacon
Hotel Beacon offers apartment-style rooms and two-bedroom suites with separate living room areas and sofa beds, marble bathrooms and fully-equipped kitchenettes. The hotel has friendly staff and a gym. It is just off Central Park, near the Museum of Natural History and a favorite for New York Marathon runners, as it is extremely close to the finish line. “We chose the Hotel Beacon because it was close to the finish line of the marathon. Nice and clean boutique hotel. Helpful and friendly staff.”
- Discount Rates: Hotel Beacon
- 2130 Broadway @ 75th
Milburn Hotel
- Discount Rates: Milburn Hotel
- 242 W 76th St (Broadway/West End Aves), $145+
The Milburn Hotel, within a 5 minute walk to the Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center and Central Park, offers large rooms by New York City standards. Each room includes free wi-fi, flat-screen TV, iPod docking-station and fully equipped kitchenette, making it a great family-friendly choice. You’ll want to make sure to get a Deluxe King room (King + Sofa Bed) or any room with the word "suite" in it, which is multiple rooms.
Back to Top of Suite Hotels New York City
See More: Suite Hotels in New York City
Top of Upper West Side
Cheap Budget Hotels – Upper West Side
West Side YMCA – New York City, from $98
Hotel Newton – 2528 Broadway Ave at 95th St, from $74
See More: Cheap Budget Hotels in NYC and Affordable Harlem Hotels
Top of Upper West Side
Upper West Side Hotels
- 6 Columbus Central Park
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Central Park
- The Empire Hotel
- Hotel Beacon
- Hotel Belleclaire
- Hotel Newton
- Mandarin Oriental
- Milburn Hotel
- Arthouse Hotel
- Trump International Hotel
- West Side YMCA
Top of Upper West Side NYC Neighborhood Guide
Upper West Side Subways
- 1/2/3 along Broadway
- C along Central Park West
- General Address: Central Park West at 79th St, NY, NY 10024
Street Names change on the UWS: Central Park West (8th Ave), Columbus Ave (9th Ave), Amsterdam (10th Ave), West End Ave (11th Ave)
Top of Upper West Side NYC Neighborhood Guide
Upper West Side Printable Map
Upper West Side NYC Map
(Download Full Size By Sharing Above)
NYC Insider Printable Guides
"The guides are exactly what we were looking for to help us navigate NYC and the highlights of each area.
THANK YOU for taking the time to put this together."
"Amazing, Melissa. This is my second copy! Congratulations for this always excellent guide. I have been living in this area for 18 years, but I still leave the guide as a treat when people come to visit me by their bed. So comprehensive!"
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
Share YOUR favorite travel tip, story or photo
Top of Upper West Side NYC Neighborhood Guide
