| Upper West Side of Manhattan | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| City | new York |
| Location | |
 40 ° 47 ′ 13 ″ N 73 ° 58 ′ 31 ″ W | |
The district of Upper West Side (including Morningside Heights) covers a large part of the Upper Manhattan defined by 59th Street in the south, 125th Street in the north, the Hudson River in the west, and Central park and Morningside Park to the east. This covers four very distinct Manhattan neighborhoods, Upper West Side, Morningside Heights, Bloomingdale and Manhattan Valley, and includes one of the most beautiful parks, Riverside park, which runs along the river from 59th to 125th Street.
Often referred to as the quintessential city, or "District par excellence", the area includes superb residential streets; the famous Twin Towers overlooking Central Park West and Riverside Drive, two of New York's best-known markets (Zabar's and Fairway), one of its major museums (the American Museum of Natural History), the'Columbia university as well as the neo-gothic cathedral St John the Divine. At the architectural level, we enjoy it, especially on the side of Morningside Heights, typical of the interwar period and even of the Belle Époque, although there are also large condominiums built later south of 110th Street. the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, which runs from 62nd Street to 66th Street, is home to the Metropolitan Opera ; the New York State Theater, which hosts the New York City Opera and Ballet ; Avery fisher hall, residence of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra ; the Juilliard School and the New York Public Library's Library for the Performing Arts, among other institutions.
Understand
From west to east, Upper West Side is made up of Riverside drive, West End Avenue (which takes the name of 11th Avenue south of 59th Street), Amsterdam Avenue (called 10th Avenue south of 59th Street), Columbus avenue (9th Avenue) and Central Park West (8th Avenue). You will understand, all these avenues see their names change from a number to a name north of 59th Street. Broadway It forms the backbone of the Upper West Side, diagonally crossing the southern part of the District before adopting a more orthodox north-south orientation.
To go
By Metro
The main subway lines in the Upper West Side district are the local line 
and express lines 
, passing under Broadway, all three serving 72nd Street and 96th Street. 1 also stops at 59th Street (Columbus Circle), 66th Street (Lincoln Center) 79th Street, 86th Street, 103rd Street, 110th Street, 116th Street (Columbia University) and 125th Street. Line 1 continues north along Broadway, while lines take northeast past 96th Street, serving Central Harlem.
Also present in the sector, the lines 
, which pass under Central Park West, although the express lines usually only stop at 59th Street (Columbus Circle) and 125th Street (on St Nicholas Av.), but after midnight the line becomes "local" until approximately 5 h 30. Local lines (weekdays only) and local services serve 59th Street, 72nd Street, 81st Street (Museum of Natural History), 86th Street, 96th Street, 103rd Street, 110th Street, 116th Street, and 125th Street.
On foot or by bike
In good weather, this is a really fun way to enter (and connect with) the District, especially from the neighboring district. Central park or from Theater District, located immediately to the south.
To see
- Apthorp 2207 Broadway and 390 West End Avenue – A magnificent and luxurious residential building built at the beginning of the 20th century and a flagship of the Neo-Renaissance style, alone occupying the entire residential block between 78th and 79th Streets between Broadway and West End Avenue. His companion, the Belnord, sits on the block between 86th and 87th Streets, between Broadway and Amsterdam ave.
- Dakota Building 1, 72nd Street, west (and Central Park West) – This massive building is the long-standing home of many celebrities, including John Lennon, who was assassinated just outside on 12/8/80. His widow, Yoko Ono, still lives there and thanks in part to her, a moving memorial can be found today in Central park. The building itself is a kind of pilgrimage site for many admirers of John Lennon.
- Time warner center Columbus Circle (Broadway and 59th Street; Metro
to Columbus Circle) – Contains the Mandarin Oriental Hotel where you can dine or have a drink and a small shopping center with very upscale boutiques. You can also see sculptures by Botero and chandeliers by Chihuly. In the basement is a large food market with tables and seats where you can cook your own meals, which is cheaper than going to a restaurant. The best is to buy a ready-made meal and head to Columbus Circle or Sheep's Meadow in Central Park for a small picnic in good weather.
Grant's tomb
- 1 Grant's tomb Riverside Drive and 122nd Street (Metro 125th Street.),
1 212 666-1640 – National Memorial to General of Union Forces and then President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant, where he rests with his wife. This imposing mausoleum is the largest tomb in North America. - Shinran shonin 331-332 Riverside Drive (between 105th and 106th Streets) – The thoughtful gaze of Shinran Shonin, or rather the statue of this 13th century Buddhist reformer, notably contemplated the horror of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, before being installed on Riverside Drive, signaling the New York Buddhist Center and testifying to a not so distant past.
- Soldiers and Sailors Monument Riverside Drive and 89th Street – A monument dedicated to the "soldiers and sailors" of the Civil War, inaugurated 40 years after the start of it. (They say it's a fad in New York!).
Museums
- American Folk Art Museum 2, Lincoln Square (Columbus Avenue and 66th Street; Metro to 66th Street-Lincoln Center), 1 212 595-9533, fax : 1 212 595-6759, e-mail : [email protected]
Tue-Sat Midday -19 h 30, Sun Noon-18 h 30, closed on Tue. 
Free.
Tue-Sat Midday -
Free
One Barosaurus ambushed in the entrance hall of the Natural History Museum. Nothing to worry about, he's a vegetarian!
- 2 Natural history museum (American Museum of Natural History) 79th Street and Central Park West (Metro (weekdays only) or to 81st Street-Museum of Natural History) – Magnificent museum of Natural History, its permanent collection houses a splendid collection of dioramas on flora and fauna from around the world. A very fine collection on the civilizations of the world is also to be discovered. A gallery houses splendid Dinosaur skeletons including a T-Rex. A second part of the museum is called the Rose Center For Earth and Space and is dedicated to space, it contains the Hayden Planetarium which has an absolutely breathtaking spectacle! An imposing 5-storey museum with rich, carefully displayed collections illustrating the scientific fields of astronomy, biology, geology, anthropology, climatology and paleontology. A whole day won't be too much if you want to explore the entire museum. Among the must-see attractions are the impressive Rose Center for Earth and Space, which houses the Hayden Planetarium, a huge hanging sphere illustrating the organization of the solar system; The numbers diorama habitat spread over the 1st, 2nd and 3rd levels recreating the natural marine habitat of Africa, Asia and North America, including a life-size model of a blue whale suspended above the Ocean Life Hall; a section is devoted to precious gems and minerals, Hall of Minerals and Gems, containing numerous specimens as magnificent as they are rare, including the largest sapphire in the world and an imposing piece of meteorite; the very complete anthropology halls on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd levels, illustrates the native peoples of Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Pacific and the paths devoted to Natural History natural history halls on the 4th floor, include one of the largest collection of dinosaur skeletons in the world.
- , 1 212 313-7278 Every day 10 h - 17 h 45. – Free entry price, (suggestion = adult22 $, senior / student 17 $, child 12,5 $), special price for temporary exhibitions
- New York Historical Society 170, Central Park West (77th Street) Tue-Sun 10 h - 18 h. Adults 18 $, Seniors / Educators / Active military 14 $, Students 12 $, children aged 5 to 13 6 $, 4 years old and under free. Friday from 18 h - 20 h, you pay what you want to enter.. – Dedicated to American culture, includes Audubon's bird watercolors.
- 3 Nicholas Roerich Museum 319 107th Street West, 1 212 864-7704 Tue-Sun 14 h - 17 h.
Places of worship
- 4 St John the Divine Cathedral 1047, Amsterdam Avenue (and 112th Street) Every day 7 h 30 - 18 h. – The largest neo-Gothic church in the world, which took over a century to build. In summer, its park pleasantly resonates with birdsong.
- Riverside Church Riverside Av. And 122nd Street (immediately south of Grant's Tomb) – A Protestant church as large as it is historically important, still today the center of important community activity.
Learning centers
- 5 Columbia university (centered around Broadway and 116th Street) – she is one of the eight members of theIvy league association of private universities, most of which were founded before American Independence and today recognized as some of the best universities in the world.
- 6 Barnard College (crossing Broadway to the west) – Part of the Seven Sisters colleges, affiliated with Columbia.
- 7 Teacher's College (on 120th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam.) – Another branch of Columbia, this one for teacher training. Teacher's College is an architectural gem, alternating Beaux Arts and neo-Gothic.
- Juilliard School of Dance, Drama, and Music 65th Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus.) – One of the best conservatories in the United States.
- The Mannes College of Music 85th Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus.) – Conservatory of classical music.
- 8 Manhattan School of Music 122nd Street and Broadway – another Conservatory of Music.
- Fordham College at Lincoln Center 60th Street (between Columbus and Amsterdam.) – a branch of Fordham University.
Do
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts between West 62nd Street and 66th Street and Columbus and Amsterdam avenues (Metro to 66th Street or within walking distance of the lines 59th Street station.) – The largest cultural complex in the world, where you can see theater, symphonies, ballets, operas, films, art exhibitions or just wander between buildings to admire their architecture. These buildings are modern, with avant-garde chandeliers. There are two opera companies here as well as the famous Juilliard School of Music. Also part of the complex, the New York Public Library's Library for the Performing Arts, containing immense collections of classics as well as rarities in music, theater or dance, not to mention a number of precious documents that scholars around the world travel to study.
- 1 Metropolitan Opera – Be careful, trendy people call it the "Met" (which is annoying since it is also the abbreviation of the Metropolitan Museum of Art), the most important troupe in New York has been living at Lincoln Center since 1966, in a breathtaking architecture which notably incorporates two Chagall. Not to spoil anything, the interior is as sumptuous as the exterior (gold leaf decoration, etc.) and the acoustics are top notch.
- 2 Walter Reade Theater – Shelters the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the very first film company in the United States. The cinema itself is a great place to immerse yourself in the latest film trends from around the world, with annual film festivals from Africa, Spain, France, Italy, Israel and from the rest of Asia. It is precisely this company that hosts the New York Film Festival at the Alice Tully Hall (located nearby) every year in late September or early October.
- 3 David H. Koch Theater – Home to the New York City Ballet. The Ballet Nutcracker staged in December is a great classic of the end of the year celebrations, acclaimed by audiences, whether New Yorkers or just passing through.
- 4 Riverside park Riverside Drive, West – If the nearby Central Park is one of the most famous parks in the world, few trips to New York include a visit to Riverside Park, which also has an undeniable charm and a location on the bank offering a pleasant view of the New Jersey, and sometimes a refreshing sea breeze. In summer you can enjoy movies and concerts al fresco.
- Morningside Heights – Morningside Heights has not changed much since the neighborhood was built in the first decade of the 20th century. Elevators have been installed there, which has allowed the fortunate conservation of these buildings which have retained all their charm: romantic balconies, ornate facades and large alleys make walking between the blocks with pleasure.
- 5 Lincoln Square 13 Cinema 1998, Broadway (Metro to 66th Street.), 1 212 336-5020 First screening around noon, last verse 23 h. 12 $-16 $. – A multiplex cinema two blocks from Lincoln Center, frequently showing big first-run movies on its 13 screens. It also contains an IMAX room where classic feature films are screened.
To buy
The district, particularly the Morningside Heights area, has excellent booksellers and bookstores.
- Bank Street Bookstore Broadway and 112th Street – In association with the Bank Street College, a renowned educational training school, this bookstore is a great place to buy books, educational toys and other related items. The patient and helpful staff are able to spot the perfect gift for any child.
- Culture Book 112th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam) – Formerly called Labyrinth Books, Book Culture is a school bookstore, very well stocked in the field of science and liberal arts. Upstairs, there are bins of second-hand books sold off in which we find ourselves poking around with pleasure. A store of the same brand is located on 114th Street.
- Columbia University Bookstore Broadway and 115th Street – A great place run by Barnes & Noble to pick up travel guides and also Columbia University memorabilia.
- Barnes & Noble 82nd and Broadway – Large bookstore under the banner of Barnes & Noble.
- Westsider Rare and Used Books Broadway between 80th and 81st Street – Specialized in the occasion.
Eat
Cheap
- Amir's Falafel Broadway and 114th – falafel, shawarma, kebabs and other similar snacks as good as they are inexpensive.
- Ayurveda Cafe 706, Amsterdam Ave (and 94th Street.) – Lunch and dinner on site or to take away. The restaurant / cafe also has a daily menu perfect for vegans, vegetarians and celiacs.
- Big Nick's 2175, Broadway (and 77th Street), 1 212 362-9238 24 h/24. 7-15 $. – Perhaps one of the best hamburger bistros in all of Manhattan, Big Nick will remind you of any cafeteria (cramped, uniform presentation, greasy smell, same price range), but the food is far superior. The menu is impressive, in the form of a comprehensive 15-page manual that includes everything you can imagine and beyond when it comes to hamburgers. Big Nick has a second store at 70, 71st Street and Columbus Avenue.
- El Malecon (Amsterdam, between 97th and 98th Streets.) – A Dominican restaurant known to be one of the best in Manhattan for pollo a la brasa (roast chicken). Their daily specials for lunch and dinner are not bad either.
- The Heights Broadway and 111th Street – Tex-Mex. The bar part is the best. We will appreciate the roof terrace in season.
- Jerusalem Restaurant 2715, Broadway (between 103rd and 104th Street.) – Very good falafel at a good price. The place is microscopic, but we go for the food, don't we.
- 1 The world Broadway between 112th & 113th Street – A fake French restaurant, all the same appreciable for its very international beer menu and good burgers.
- Metro Diner Broadway and 100th – If you fancy a breakfast supper one night, this is the place to go.
- The Mill Broadway and 113th – Excellent Korean restaurant, which started out as an average cafeteria before its Korean chef took the liberty of going back to basics.
- Massawa Amsterdam and 121st Street – One of the oldest Ethiopian (Eritrean, for that matter) restaurants in town; No fuss decor but good service and good food.
- Ollie's Broadway and 116th Street – Chinese on weekdays. Fast and cheap, convenient but nothing like the quality you can find in Chinatown.
- 2 Tom's Restaurant Corner of Broadway and 112th Street (Near Columbia) – The restaurant made famous by the series Seinfeld. Okay actually, located off the Upper West Side, but worth pointing out here, especially if you're a fan of the show. Because otherwise, it's a cafet.
In the street
- Halal Cart 116th and Broadway – coffee and bagels in the morning, good chicken, vegetables, rice with lamb at noon.
- Italian Ice Lady 110th and Broadway from 0,75 $-1,5 $. – Late spring to early fall only.
- Fruit Stands 116th and Broadway, 110th and Broadway and 112th and Broadway – Spring through fall only.
- The Taco Stand 96th and Broadway – A well-known stand offering excellent tacos. Nocturnal only.
Middle class
- Kefi Columbus between 84th and 85th Streets 30-35 $/ person for a full dinner. – A quality Greek restaurant. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially in the evening.
- 3 Indus Valley Broadway and 99th Street – Very classy and, above all, very high quality North Indian cuisine, the dish of the day at noon is very cheap, dinner less, but still very affordable.
- 4 Pio Pio Amsterdam and 94th Street – Very popular Peruvian channel. Really good roast chicken, beware, when it's crowded, it's noisy.
- Sookk Broadway between 102nd and 103rd Street – Cozy Thai restaurant, good traditional and fusion dishes.
- Turkuaz Broadway and 100th Street – Turkish. Ambience, lots of vibe (don't be surprised to see belly dancers there) but overall it's worth it.
- Fatty crab Broadway and 75th Street – Southeast Asian cuisine.
Luxury
- Masa (In the Time Warner Center) – Probably the most expensive restaurant in New York, don't go if you have a (healthy) habit of looking at the bill when giving your card. From experience, sitting at the sushi bar is the right thing to do. Mandatory reservation.
- Per Se (In the Time Warner Center) – The French chef, Thomas Keller, is one of the most famous cooks in the United States and one of the most decorated in the world. Book in advance and as soon as possible.
- Sapphire Indian Broadway between 60th and 61st Streets (Near Lincoln Center) – Nothing off the beaten track (North Indian), but the cuisine is mastered, the service impeccable and the bill correlated.
Marlet
- Citarella
- Fairway Broadway, between 74th and 75th Street – Probably New York's most famous supermarket, Fairway sells a number of specialties and other ready meals in addition to what can be found in any supermarket. There are bargains to be found there, but watch out for flying elbows and rushing carts, the local housewife gets mad during rush hour.
- Lincoln Center Farmers Market
- Milano Market Broadway between 112th and 113th streets – Italian products, a good caterer, good cheeses and an international selection of interesting beers.
- Morningside Heights Farmers Market Broadway, between 114th and 115th streets – Annual outdoor market, especially enjoyable in summer and fall. You can find delicious strawberries and blueberries in mid and late summer, local apples you won't find in any supermarket, pumpkins, tomatoes and many other local fruits and vegetables.
- Schatzie's 87th and Amsterdam – Very warm, both the meat and the butchers are great, you can order by phone and it's cheaper than Citarella. They can even cook for you if you want.
- Westside Supermarket 110th and Broadway – An old man who has recently moved upmarket. An impressive choice of prepared meals and good fruits and vegetables. The cheese section is impressive, as are the meat and fish sections.
- Zabar's 2245, Broadway (and 80th Street), 1 212 787-2000 – A well-known New York retailer with a huge selection of delicious and expensive foods. At the first, you will find the dishes, sides, ingredients and cheeses. In the second, are items related to the kitchen, but which cannot be eaten, and it goes from the plastic spoon to luxury items for wedding lists. Much like Fairway, don't go the day before Thanksgiving, and plan on American football armor on the weekends.
Have a drink / Go out
Pubs
- Abbey Pub 105th Street (go out on broadway) – An old-fashioned pub that Columbia students love.
- Smoke Jazz Club and Lounge 2751, Broadway (between 105th and 106th street) – Live jazz every day. It gets hotter as the time goes on, so don't hesitate to get there late.
- Amsterdam Ale House (75th and Amsterdam) – A pub specializing in micro-breweries.
- George keeleys (84th and Amsterdam) – An excellent beer list.
Cafes
Upper West Side contains many cafes each with their own particularity, some of which have been in place for decades.
- Cafe Lalo 83rd Street (between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway) – Young population until the early hours of the morning, Lalo has existed for more than 20 years and offers very good cakes and pastries, teas and coffees, not to mention digestives.
- Max Cafe Amsterdam Avenue (between 122nd and 123rd Street) – A relaxed place for a tea, a coffee, a sandwich all with free wifi and close to Columbia.
- Oren's Broadway (between 112th and 113th Street) – Local chain with good coffee and excellent teas.
- Alice's Tea Cup 73rd and Columbus – A good selection of teas, very good scones, all in an Alice in Wonderland style decor. Family.
- Levain's Bakery 74th and Amsterdam " – This bakery is famous for its meteorite cookies.
- Crumbs 75th and Amsterdam – Specializes in cupcakes, e.g. Oreo cupcake and Hostess cupcake cupcake. Apparently, the more ridiculous the name, the better.
Housing
Cheap
- 1 Belnord Hotel 209 87th Street – Inexpensive hotel near Broadway located in several buildings and offering several levels of comfort including a dormitory, Wifi, left-luggage office and laundry facilities.
- Broadway Hotel & Hostel 230, 101st, west, 1 212 865-7710 from 30 $/night.
- Hostelling International New York 891, Amsterdam Av (and 103rd Street; Metro to 103rd Street or to 103rd Street), 1 212 932-2300 Dormitory 45 $/ night in summer. – One of the largest (by size) hotels in NYC. Near the metro, internet, reception 24/24, laundry, lounge, a small cafe and no curfew. OK the building is old but it is in good condition and the rooms are pretty clean.
- Hotel Newton 2528, Broadway – A discount hotel now equipped with microwave, mini-fridge and flat screen.
- Jazz Hostels (Metro to 103rd Street; Bus: M10 from Penn Station to 103rd Street (west) and Central Park West), 1 212 932-1600 – Includes cafe, vending machine, laundry facilities, 24 hour reception and no curfew.
- Morningside Inn Hotel 235 107th Street West
- Riverside Tower Hotel 80th Street and Riverside Dr, 1 800 724-3136 (free number)
- Royal Park Hotel
- West Side YMCA 63rd Street between Central Park West and Broadway – A little more expensive than the rest of what you'll find in this section, but still cheap for Manhattan.
Middle class
- Marrakech Hotel 2688, Broadway, 1 212 222-2954 – Very chic boutique hotel, recently renovated, near Columbia University. Just missing an elevator.
- Central Park Inn 19, 103rd Street (on Manhattan Av; Metro to 103rd Street), 1 212 678-0491, 1 877 727-5233 (free number), fax : 1 212 678-0453, e-mail : [email protected] – Newly renovated studios; possibility of long stay.
- Comfort Inn Central Park West 31, 71st Street, west – Internet, complimentary breakfast and a small gym.
- Milburn Hotel 242 76th Street West – Spacious, apartment style with kitchenettes and top of the range equipment. The hotel has a comfortable library lounge, a computer room and a sports room.
- Union Theological Seminary Less of 150 $, discount for visitors with a Columbia affiliation. – Well-equipped rooms around a beautiful cloister.
Luxury
- Excelsior Hotel 45, 81st Street, west (between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue; near the American Museum of Natural History) – A luxurious four-star hotel with French standards.
- Lucerne Hotel 201 79th Street West – a boutique hotel in a renovated and listed building.
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel 60th Street and Broadway (Time warner building) – Includes sauna, restaurant, gym and offers great views.
- On the Avenue 2178, Broadway (and 78th Street), 1 800 509-7598 (free number) 200-250 $. – The rooms are larger than the rest of most Manhattan hotels, all with a modern design.
- Trump International Hotel Towers 1, Central Park West, 1 888 448 7867 – A 52-room hotel designed by renowned architects.
Communicate
- Columbia university – Open wifi (better reception on campus).
- New York Public Library – Has branches; all have computers connected for the public.
- Morningside Heights 114th and Broadway
- 1 Bloomingdale 100th Street (between Columbus and Amsterdam)
- 2 St Agnes Amsterdam Avenue and 81st Street
- 3 Riverside Amsterdam Avenue and 65th Street
- Library for the Performing Arts Amsterdam Av. (Lincoln Center, between 64th and 65th Street)
- 4 Pinnacle Pizzeria Broadway and 115th – Has a few computers connected.
