Upper West Side: a neighborhood to visit in New York

What to know about the Upper West Side

• The Upper West Side is a neighborhood on the northwest side of Manhattan, which is where its name comes from. The neighborhood is bordered by Midtown to the south, Central Park to the east, Harlem to the north, and the Hudson River to the west, with Riverside Park along its edge. The Upper West Side stretches along Manhattan’s west side from 59th Street to 110th Street, making it slightly larger than its counterpart, the Upper East Side.
• The Upper West Side is primarily residential. The neighborhood is home to approximately 200,000 residents, according to the NYU Furman Center, a research institute at New York University. The population is quite diverse, ranging from households earning over $250,000 annually to about 10.4% living below the poverty line.
• Broadway runs through the entire neighborhood and is one of Manhattan’s main avenues. The Upper West Side benefits from two major parks: Central Park to the east and Riverside Park along the Hudson River. These green spaces contribute to the neighborhood’s peaceful atmosphere.
• The neighborhood has excellent public transportation with three subway lines: the red line (1, 2, 3), the blue line (A, C), and the orange line (B, D). Buses also run in both directions along Broadway.

Top sights in the Upper West Side

1/ American Museum of Natural History

• The Upper West Side is culturally significant in New York. The neighborhood is home to the American Museum of Natural History, one of the world’s finest natural history museums.
• Founded in 1869 at the corner of Central Park West and 79th Street, the museum houses an impressive collection of over 32 million objects. Don’t miss the dinosaur skeletons, meteorite fragments, and precious gemstones.

2/ Lincoln Center

• The Upper West Side is also home to Lincoln Center, a major cultural hub. Lincoln Center is home to 12 performing arts companies, including the prestigious New York City Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York Philharmonic.
• Lincoln Center opened in 1962 at the intersection of Broadway, Columbus Avenue, and 65th Street. The modernist architecture is striking, with its symmetrical design inspired by ancient acropolises.

3/ New York Historical Society

• The New York Historical Society is a museum located just next to the American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West. It is dedicated to New York history and features thoughtful exhibitions.

4/ Other museums in the Upper West Side

• The neighborhood also has smaller museums, including the American Folk Art Museum, which showcases American folk art, and the Museum of Biblical Art, dedicated to biblical art.

5/ Iconic buildings of the Upper West Side

• Don’t miss the impressive buildings along Central Park West facing the park. At the corner of 72nd Street stands the famous Dakota Building, the site of John Lennon’s assassination in 1980.
• You’ll also recognize the San Remo, located between 74th and 75th Streets. This luxury residential building is home to many celebrities, including filmmaker Steven Spielberg, Bono from U2, and actors Bruce Willis and Dustin Hoffman.

Where to eat

1/ Levain Bakery

• Founded in 1995 in the Upper West Side, this bakery quickly expanded throughout New York and across the US. Their irresistible cookies have become legendary.
• Address: 167 W 74th Street, at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue.

2/ Zabar

• This gourmet grocery store was founded in 1934 and introduced Brie to New York. At lunchtime, order a traditional bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese.
• Address: 2245 Broadway, at the corner of 80th Street.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to explore the Upper West Side?

For a good overview of the neighborhood’s sights and landmarks, plan to spend 2 to 3 hours walking through the streets. This will allow you to explore Central Park West, Broadway, and Lincoln Center. If you want to visit museums, add more time. The American Museum of Natural History alone deserves at least half a day. The time you spend depends on your interests.

Are there hotels in the Upper West Side?

Yes, the Upper West Side has a good selection of hotels in all price ranges. Staying here puts you close to Times Square while enjoying a much quieter neighborhood. The many subway lines also make it easy to explore New York.

Upper West Side in photos

Neighborhood map