The Upper West Side (UWS) is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan; situated in one of the most densely populated areas in the world, New York, with a population of 214,744 living in a land area of 1.93051 miles (5km²)– although its exact boundaries are still a subject of some debate. Some say that the Manhattan neighborhood ends with Central Park at 110th Street, while others include 111th to 125th Streets. The Upper West Side’s enduring legacy as one of NYC’s most beloved and famous neighborhoods is, however, undisputed.
This NYC neighborhood is well-known for its abundance of parks and important attractions such as the American Museum of Natural History or Lincoln Center. There are also plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops. What’s more, it’s considered one of New York City’s safest neighborhoods and top-rated for quality of life. If you need another reason to choose NYC’s Upper West Side as your base, there are many options. It’s quieter, less crowded than Midtown, but still has great connectivity to the rest of NYC thanks to its numerous subway lines and buses.
That being said, you can easily find lots of activities in the surrounding area just by walking. Strolling through Riverside Park, say, for example. Central Park may be more polished, but Riverside Park is a more refreshing kind of public space. A whole day can easily be fritter away cycling by the Hudson, honoring the ‘Soldiers and Sailors’ Monument, catching sight of talent at the skate park, or breaking out roller skates for the rink on West 108th Street. You may not want to miss out on chilling at Nice Matin, a cafe and a restaurant. After the snow has fluxed, there is no better place to eat and people-watch than from this charming French bistro on the corner of Amsterdam Avenue. Luxuriate under the wide shady awning, and let this Wine Spectator champion prove its excellence by serving Sauvignon Blanc with a petite pissaladière tart. There are still many more to see, but here’s one that should also be on our list of places to visit: The Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It majestically rises on the corner of 112th street and Amsterdam Avenue. Look for the Cathedral’s three most beloved congregates, Harry, Jim, and Phil, when you visit. These guys are peacocks (yes, you read that right!) who live and stroll on the Cathedral grounds. I bet you never thought you’d see free-roaming peacocks on your trip to New York City!