Upper West Side

The Basics

Whether you’re visiting the Upper West Side to enjoy its museums, for a stroll in Central Park, or to shop on Amsterdam Avenue, there are several options for exploring the area. Neighborhood walking tours provide historical context and single out hidden spots, while broader city sightseeing tours and hop-on hop-off bus tours typically highlight top Upper West Side attractions and are a good option if you’re pressed for time. Walking and pedicab tours of Central Park can help you navigate the 843-acre (341-hectare) green space, and themed tours—such as gospel tours and entertainment industry tours—offer a deep dive into NYC culture.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Opera, theater, and ballet lovers shouldn’t miss a show at Lincoln Center, New York’s premier performing arts space.

• Central Park’s five visitor centers are a good place to ask directions or learn about general park information.

• Music fans gather by Central Park’s Strawberry Fields mosaic, honoring famed Beatles’ musician John Lennon.

How to Get There

The Upper West Side covers a large swath of Manhattan, from West 59th to West 110th streets, bounded by Central Park and the Hudson River. The neighborhood is easiest to access by subway. To explore Amsterdam Avenue and the Museum of Natural History, take the 1, 2, or 3 train to 72nd or 86th Streets. You also can ride the A, B, or C train and hop out on Central Park West (8th Avenue).

When to Get There

With so much to do on the Upper West Side, how you plan to spend your time is the best way to determine when to arrive. To visit the museums and shop, plan to arrive during the day, on a weekday, to avoid Saturday crowds. Visiting at night is a great choice for dinner and an evening stroll in Central Park.

Visiting the American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History is a standout New York museum. Its numerous family-friendly exhibits celebrate biodiversity and the natural world. Find historic dioramas, taxidermied animals, and world-famous dinosaur exhibits. Aspiring astronauts should stop by the Rose Center for Earth and Space. The museum is open seven days a week, from 10am to 5:45pm.

Ways to explore

Whether you visit the Upper West Side to see its museums, take a stroll through Central Park, or shop along Amsterdam Avenue, there’s plenty to see and do. Join a neighborhood walking tour to admire the architecture, explore the famous Lincoln Center venues, or take a pedicab ride around Central Park.

The Upper West Side is also home to several sites related to pop culture, film, and history, including Monk’s Café from Seinfeld (whose exterior is Tom’s Restaurant in nearby Morningside Heights), Humphrey Bogart’s childhood home, and J. Robert Oppenheimer’s birthplace. With their connection to John Lennon, the Dakota Apartments and nearby Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park are both neighborhood landmarks.

Accessibility

Most attractions and restaurants are wheelchair and stroller accessible; accessible subway stations include 59th Street–Columbus Circle, 72nd Street, and 96th Street.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, sunscreen, bottled water, reusable tote bag (for shopping)

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, smart-casual clothing

Not allowed

The Upper West Side is a residential neighborhood, so be mindful when taking photos and ask permission if in doubt, since you may be standing in front of someone’s home.

Amenities

Restaurants, cafés, bars, shops and grocery stores, banks and ATMs, public restrooms with changing facilities, children’s playgrounds and dog runs in Riverside Park and Central Park

Address

The Upper West Side covers a large swath of Manhattan, from West 59th to West 110th streets, bounded by Central Park and the Hudson River. The neighborhood is easiest to reach by subway and on foot.

Driving

While driving on the Upper West Side is possible, it’s the most expensive (with daily parking fees adding up) and time-consuming way to get around. Opt for a taxi or rideshare service instead, or make like a New Yorker and take the subway.

Public transportation

Subway lines 1, 2, and 3 run along Broadway through the heart of the Upper West Side (with the 1 making all stops), while lines B, and C follow Central Park West (along with the A at express stops). Hop off at 66th Street (1) to see Lincoln Center, 72nd Street (B, C) for The Lake and Strawberry Fields in Central Park, or 81st Street–Museum of Natural History (A, B, C) for the museum.

Best times to visit

Morning is a great time to see the museums, enjoy a walk or jog in the park, and visit a farmers market, but the afternoon is often the most atmospheric time to hang out on the Upper West Side. Head to Riverside Park for sunset, then over to Lincoln Center for an evening concert.

Best days to visit

The liveliest time to visit the Upper West Side is between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. Sunday is market day, so head to the Grand Bazaar NYC at 77th and Columbus for vintage and artisan goods, or the Greenmarket at 97th Street or 79th Street.

Best months to visit

Flanked by vast parklands, the Upper West Side is prettiest in the spring and fall. It’s also great to head to Lincoln Center or Central Park in the summer for free outdoor events.

Special events

Look out for open-air events at Riverside Park, including the West Side County Fair (September), the Halloween Dog Parade, and Summer on the Hudson (May–October), as well as the annual Christmas market at Columbus Circle.