Top 9 Places to Visit in UPTOWN NEW YORK

I’ve been to New York 15 times and still long to return! There’s so much to cover that I couldn’t fit it all within one post! Therefore, I’m creating NYC series of posts (Midtown, Downtown, places to eat, etc.). This post will focus on the Uptown New York area (see below – click to navigate directly to the section).

1. Central Park
2. The Plaza Hotel
3. Shopping
4. Museum of Arts & Design
5. Museum of Natural History
6. Lincoln Center
7. Museum Mile
8. Roosevelt Island Tram Ride
9. Dylan’s Candy Bar
10. Other
11. Watch my YouTube

For an overall introduction on visiting New York (tips on getting around the city, tours, museums to check out, etc.), read my Tips for a First Time Visitor to NYC post!

1. CENTRAL PARK

Overview

In such a busy city, with a demand for space, Central Park is very impressive in size! Moreover, it acts as a peaceful relief from the chaos surrounding it. However, every so often you are reminded of the hustle and bustle close by when you spot the towering skyscrapers above the trees. Surprisingly, the Park stretches over three avenues, starting at 59th Street and ending at 110th. Undoubtedly, it is a must-see for tourists! I’ve been lucky enough to see the Park both during Summer and Winter months. I was there early one Winter morning when covered in a blanket of snow! It was especially magical!

What’s in the Park?

Check out The Central Park website for events that may be on during your visit. Some of the many things to discover while wandering through the Park are games of tennis, volleyball, softball, and basketball. There is also a Carousel, playgrounds, and one of my favorite places in New York – the pond! Here, the Model Boat Sailing happens too. I visited the pond on a beautiful summer evening and sat here while live jazz musicians performed beside me. Surprisingly, it was probably one of my most enjoyable moments in NYC!

Strawberry Fields is on the opposite side of the Park. It is a famous memorial to John Lennon, who was murdered close by at the Dakota Building. Delacorte Theatre and Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre are in the Park too. Here you can find theater, concerts, and puppet shows taking place. There are several places to dine in the Park. Also, Bow Bridge is a lovely spot for a photo. Furthermore, during the holiday season, Wollman Skating Rink and Columbus Circle Holiday Market open in the Park.

Undoubtedly, surrounding Central Park is some of the most expensive properties in New York. Billionaires Row is close by the Park (57th Street). Here, you will find luxurious residential skyscrapers!

Loeb Boathouse, Bethesda Square & Boat Ride

Bethesda Fountain is in Bethesda Square. It is one of the central locations in the Park. Here is where you will see the beautiful Angel of the Waters statue (standing as a centerpiece to the fountain). Accordingly, this is a popular meeting place in the Park. Also, it is where I have spotted several wedding photos happening!

The extremely popular Loeb Boathouse restaurant is also close by the iconic Bethesda Square. The Boathouse is a beautiful location where you can enjoy a bite to eat while taking in views of Central Park lake. If you want to visit the Boathouse but are on a budget, you can visit its Express Cafe. The cafe is also part of the Boathouse though not its main restaurant. We quickly grabbed lunch here to top us up while exploring the Park. Also, one item still on my list is to book a boat ride on the lake (you can book this from the Boathouse)!

Getting Around the Park

Another very touristy thing to do in New York is to take a Horse and Carriage Ride through Central Park. Indeed, you will find them lined up along the southern entrance to the Park (opposite the Plaza hotel and Apple store). However, for me (a 20 year vegetarian), I would no longer choose to take a horse and carriage ride. I realize more and more as I get older that I don’t like the use of animals for human entertainment. Nevertheless, many years ago I did take carriage rides on my first two trips to New York. Unquestionably, the first time our guide was super friendly and pointed out several landmarks and movie set locations along the way. However, the second time the guide barely spoke to us. Therefore, it seems to be hit and miss when you catch a ride at the last minute.

Generally, I believe walking and bike rides are a better way to see the Park anyway! Overall, the horse and carriage ride only touches through a small section of the Park. Therefore, I would advise anyone who wishes to see a large portion of the Park to rent a bike.

Walking tours are also available, or grab a map and walk it yourself for free! However, if you want to see a lot, I advise pre-planning your route. Have a map at hand (or on your phone) because Central Park is vast and can be difficult to navigate!

Belvedere Castle

I visited Belvedere Castle when New York was in a blanket of snow. Indeed, it was quite a magical experience to see these views from the majestic castle setting! Also, the miniature castle provides beautiful views over the Great Lawn and Ramble areas within the Park. The Parks visitor center/gift shop is in the castle too. Moreover, it is free to enter the castle!

Sculptures

As mentioned, Angels of the Waters is a beautiful sculpture that is the centerpiece on top of the Bethesda Fountain. Certainly, it is one of the most famous sculptures in the Park. Another of the twenty-nine sculptures which is very popular is Alice in Wonderland. This sculpture is north of the Conservatory Water Pond (where the Model Boat Sailing is). Undoubtedly, I love this area of the Park! Generally, I find it very peaceful on a Summer evening!

Also, as an Irish person, it is worth mentioning the sculpture of Victor Herbert. Herbert was an Irish-born German, raised in America. He was a composer, cellist, and conductor. Also, Balto (Alaskan Sleigh Dog) and Hans Christian Anderson are two more popular sculptures. Check out a list of all sculptures found in the Park.

Zoo

Surprisingly, there’s even a small Zoo found within the grounds of Central Park! Again, as an animal lover, I’m not a fan of zoos! Also, you can stroll through its gift shop for free. Subsequently, you can buy some lovely animal teddies and memorabilia from the Wildlife Center.

2. THE PLAZA HOTEL

The Plaza Hotel is opposite the entrance to Central Park at The Pulitzer Fountain (59th Street). Many films and t.v. shows have been shot here. Undeniably, the iconic Plaza is well-known as a world leader in hotels. There used to be free tours of the hotel but, unfortunately, these seem to be no more! However, you can still take a wander inside the hotel. For example, stroll through the Shops at The Plaza, enjoy some dining at The Plaza Food Hall, or Todd English at The Plaza.

Or, if you want to splash out! Perhaps have some Afternoon tea at The Palm Court, enjoy a drink in The Rose Club or The Champagne Bar.

3. SHOPPING

Madison Avenue offers high-end shopping. For example, Chloe, Hermes, Chanel, etc. It is just an avenue away from Central Park!

Also, Bloomingdales 815,000 square-foot flagship store is just three Avenues from the Park (at 59th and Lexington Ave). This famous department store (where Rachel worked in Friends!) is a dream for upscale shopping. Additionally, it has a Magnolia Bakery for when you need a cupcake sugar rush after all of the shopping! Not too far from Bloomingdales is another popular sweet store, Sprinkles Cupcakes. Until recently, it even had a cupcake ATM outside of it!! There is still another of these ATMs in the city. Check out their website for more details! Also, Dylan’s Candy Bar is located opposite Bloomingdales…read on for more details on this fabulous candy store!

For designer vintage shopping at a discount, check out Designer Revival on 81st Street. This store is quite far up the Uptown area (well, for tourist things!). However, it’s not too far from the MET museum. Therefore, it’s worth dropping into if you are visiting here!

The Shops at Columbus Circle offer over 50 retail shops and boutiques. It is right at the corner of Central Park (59th Street & Eighth Avenue) at Columbus Circle. Here you will also find a statue of Christopher Columbus. This statue sits on top of a monument in the center of the square. The Columbus Circle Globe sculpture is here too. Also, spot The Empire Hotel in the background of the above Globe photo (Gossip Girls fans will be familiar with this hotel!)!

4. MUSEUM OF ARTS & DESIGN

The Museum of Arts & Design is at Columbus Circle – opposite The Shops at Columbus Circle. I wasn’t expecting the museum to be focused so much on the craft and design side of art. Unfortunately, I am not a huge fan of the craft side of art and design. Therefore, I preferred The Whitney, Guggenheim, MoMA, etc. However, I still enjoyed my trip here.

5. MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest Natural History museums in the world! It is in a beautiful Art Beaux building along the West side of Central Park (at 79th Street). Indeed, the museum consistently receives fantastic reviews. Also, it gets an abundance of visitors, and it impressively contains more than 30 million artifacts! If you are a fan of astrophysics, you are sure to enjoy the impressive Rose Center for Earth & Space. Another popular section of the museum is the Butterfly Conservancy (Nov-May) which contains more than 600 butterflies.

I was happy to have visited here. However, I am not a huge fan of Natural History Museums. Thus, at times I was slightly bored. I still spent a lot longer than I had expected to here! The museum is very big, 1.5 million square feet! Therefore, if you are a science lover, you should put a lot of time aside to spend here! Certainly, there is a lot of space to cover!

6. LINCOLN CENTER

Another famous building close by Central Park is Lincoln Center. Lincoln Centre houses, for example, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, and Juilliard School of Music. It is a block from the Park at 64th Street and Columbus Avenue.

I called by the Center when fashion week was held here! Thus, I got to see them prep. for some fashion events!

7. MUSEUM MILE

Museum Mile is also along Central Park. It is at the section of 5th Avenue which runs along the East side of the Park. This stretch of the street contains many famous museums. I have been lucky enough to visit three of them so far! See below for a list of the museums along Museum Mile. Also, see a summary of my visit to three of them!

• El Museo del Barrio 105th St.
• Museum of the City of NY 103rd St.
• The Jewish Museum 92nd St.
• Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (part of the Smithsonian Institution) 91st St.
• National Academy Museum & School of Fine Arts 89th St.
• The Guggenheim Museum 88th St.
• Neue Galerie 86th St.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art 82nd St.
• The Frick Collection 70th St.

Guggenheim Museum

I love the Guggenheim and have visited two exhibitions here! It exhibits contemporary and modern art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Fans of architecture would also enjoy a visit here. It is an impressive modern structural building. The building itself is a work of art – both inside and outside! Undoubtedly, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece of modern architecture stands out along the perimeter of Central Park (the spiral building is vastly different from the surrounding high-rise buildings here!).

Even my mam enjoyed walking around the Guggenheims impressive interior though she is not a big art lover. The winding climb up through the circular levels of the building is relaxing and enjoyable. Furthermore, there’s a fantastic view over the concourse all of the way to the top. Works by Picasso, Kandinsky, Pollock, Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh have all been shown here. I visited a Christopher Wool exhibition on one of my trips. It had such an effect on me that I have become a big fan of his work ever since! Moreover, I even submitted a review of this exhibition as part of my final college work at the time.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)

I visited The Met on my first trip to NYC many years ago. Undoubtedly, I am overdue for another trip back to it! It is the largest art museum in the United States. Thus, you will likely need to allocate a lot of time visiting here. The museum not only holds some very famous paintings, but it also exhibits other artwork, for example, ceramics, jewelry, weapons, armory, musical instruments, costumes, and accessories. A rooftop garden bar is on the top floor of the museum. Here, you can enjoy a drink overlooking the beautiful views of Central Park!

The Frick Collection

The Frick Collection holds an impressive collection of old master paintings and fine furniture. The museum makes for an interesting insight into how mansion houses of the Upper East Side were lived in during the 20th Century. I enjoyed my trip here. However, I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit it on one of my first trips to the city. If you are interested, its website provides a great alternative to visiting the museum. Click here to check out a virtual tour of the museum!

8. ROOSEVELT ISLAND TRAMWAY

If you are on the Upper East Side, you can take a cable car ride to Roosevelt Island! Furthermore, it will only cost you a subway trip (you use your subway card for the ride)! The station is not too far from the East Side corner of Central Park (very close to Bloomingdales). Again, I wouldn’t go out of my way to take this ride. Many of the most famous buildings of the skyline are not visible from this part of the sky. However, it is a fantastic experience if you have not been in a cable car before. It is worthwhile if you find yourself in the area with time to kill. Also, it is a cheap thing to do in the city!

Additionally, if you are in this part of the city, you will find Dylan’s Candy Bar not too far from the cable car. Sweet lovers will want to visit here!

9. DYLANS CANDY BAR

Dylan’s Candy Bar was founded by Ralph Lauren’s daughter. The flagship store has remained on a variety of Top 10 lists of New York City tourist attractions since its inception! It has welcomed over 2 million visitors per year. All types of famous people have visited the store! For example, Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey to Al Pacino and Tom Cruise. There is even a section of the store dedicated to autographs whereby celebrities have signed their favorite sweets from the store. The decor is very pop art-inspired. Also, it hosts an Ice Cream and Dessert Parlor, Candy Cocktail Bar, and Party Rooms!

10. OTHER

The Upper East and West Side has a lot of beautiful architecture. Also, if it’s a walk along the river you wish for, Riverside Park makes for a nice walk. It is from West 72nd – 129th Street and Riverside Drive. Another famous location close to Uptown New York (considered the most prestigious concert stage in the USA) is Carnegie Hall. It is two blocks from Central Park at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue. You can take both public and private tours of Carnegie Hall. Check out the Carnegie Hall website for more details.

Hudson River Park Enjoy a waterfront walk (preferably at sunset!) overlooking the Hudson River. This park walk runs from the top of Midtown (57th street) to Downtown (Tribeca).

For information on tours that take you all over Manhattan, check out my Overview post. However, the hop-on-hop-off tour is a great option to see different parts of the city.

WATCH MY YOUTUBE

Let me know if you have any tips for trip number 16 to NYC! Thanks for reading!

Anita

x