See the Upper West Side in One Day
Published 11/13/2017
Manhattan’s Upper West Side is more than its good looks. Yes, its largely residential streets are appointed with landmark buildings, stately museums and sights many visitors will recognize from pop culture, but the neighborhood is also a vibrant destination for its family-friendly parks and thriving nightlife scene. Spend a day in the area checking out the must-see spots with our guide below.
1
Absolute Bagels
1
2788 Broadway
The inspiration for this shop’s moniker may come from its absolutely-zero-frills atmosphere or from the fact that the titular breadstuffs here are unequivocally among the best in NYC. File through the fast-moving line to get your fill of flawlessly crunchy-yet-soft bagels. Owner and Ess-a-Bagel alum Sam Thongkrieng has perfected his iteration of the carby staple over decades in the business.
2
Riverside Park
2
Riverside Drive to Hudson River<br>72nd St. to St. Clair Pl.
The Upper West Side is blessed with easy access to not one but two of the City’s major green spaces: Riverside Park and Central Park. Stroll westward to explore the less famous but no less scenic of them. Pick a bench and pair your bagel with views of the picturesque, tree-lined paths and the Hudson River, glistening nearby.
3
American Museum of Natural History
3
200 Central Park West
If your interests fall somewhere within the category of “the universe,” this massive museum will appeal to you. Wind through its comprehensive collections, including perennial favorites like the towering T. rex in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs and the Hall of Ocean Life’s 94-foot-long blue whale, hanging from the ceiling.
4
The New-York Historical Society
4
170 Central Park West
Nearby, the City’s oldest museum explores a narrower slice of human history. The story of New York City and of America unfolds through the museum’s extensive collection of artifacts, sculptures, drawings and documents. Highlights include a gallery of Tiffany lamps and, in the Center for Women’s History, a display of tennis gear Billie Jean King employed during some of her historic matches.
5
Barney Greengrass
5
541 Amsterdam Ave
Descriptors like “classic” and “institution” are often used to describe the Upper West Side Sturgeon King, and for good reason. The Greengrass family has been slicing its legendary smoked fish on Amsterdam Avenue since 1929; the timeless Jewish specialties—sturgeon and eggs, nova-topped bagels—remain well worth an order.
6
Levain Bakery
6
167 W. 74th St.
For dessert, head to another one of the neighborhood’s culinary landmarks, purveyors of the City’s biggest—and arguably best—cookies. Queuing up along 74th Street (there’s a larger location a few blocks away, at 351 Amsterdam Ave.) to get a taste of these freshly baked mammoths is an UWS rite of passage. The four cookie varieties—chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and dark chocolate peanut butter chip—may be the headliners, but don’t be afraid to branch out to other superlative baked goods like banana bread and brioche.
7
79th Street Greenmarket
7
Columbus Avenue
This local favorite sets up shop every Sunday along bustling Columbus Avenue, fronting the lush grounds of Theodore Roosevelt Park. Fresh greens, grains, flowers, breads and the occasional ostrich egg are all on hand here, plus local artisans offering jewelry and handmade goods.
8
Book Culture
8
450 Columbus Avenue
Bookstore meets boutique at this independent neighborhood shop. The majority of walls and tables are lined, of course, with volumes of all kinds: new fiction, children’s literature, cookbooks, literary criticism. Beyond the books, take time to peruse the store’s charming selection of stationery, cards, apparel and gifts.
9
Boulud Sud
9
20 W. 64th St.
This refined Lincoln Square eatery followed Bar Boulud in the Daniel Boulud empire expansion to the Upper West Side. The menu is a yacht ride through the Mediterranean, making ports of call at meze, Spanish-style garlic shrimp, Iberico ham and seared foie gras, all served in a vibrant, airy dining room.
10
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center
10
Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall
Endorsed by Tony Bennett as “the best jazz room in the City,” this sleek space hosts top-notch performances nearly every night of the week. For further motivation to stop in, look to the calendar of affordable late-night sessions with emerging musicians, as well as the striking skyline views behind the club’s stage.
11
E’s Bar
11
511 Amsterdam Avenue
This watering hole is on a particularly dense strip of bars on Amsterdam Avenue, but it’s worth seeking out before the close of your day on the UWS. There’s space to spread out within the not-quite-divey 2,000 square feet. Grab a box of Jenga, pick something from the well-rounded beer list and kick back in a red leather booth for the remainder of night.