THINGS TO DO

UPPER WEST SIDE

15 BEST

15

See an original Banksy piece

Banksy is a famous (and anonymous) street artist known the world over for his thought-provoking street art. Many of his pieces have sold at auction for more than $1 million

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

14

American Museum of Natural History

This incredible science museum is home to 33 million specimens, yet only 3% are on display.

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

13

Explore Central Park

It’s the most filmed location in the world (and has #2 beat by a mile). Spanning more than 840 healthy acres, Central Park is an architectural feat that few can resist falling in love with.

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

12

Bagel at Barney Greengrass

Dating back to 1908, Barney Greengrass is an Upper West Side institution famous for their knock-out smoked fish. No, seriously, U.S. Presidents requested it directly!

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

11

World-famous cookie from Levain

Levain started in the Upper West Side but has spread like wildfire to the rest of the city.Rarely, in a city offering so many food options, does a place stand so far above the rest but Levain Bakery is the exception.

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

10

Enjoy a performance at  Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center is the cultural capital of the Upper West Side. The venue sits on 16-acres and consists of five concert/theater buildings, a library, band shell and two outdoor plazas.

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

9

Gawk at the place John Lennon called home

Head to the corner of 72nd St. and Central Park West to see the place he called home.The building is a stone’s throw from one of the top attractions in Central Park, Strawberry Fields — a memorial to John Lennon.

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

8

See the 5th largest church in the world

Construction may have started in 1892 but St. John the Divine is still technically an unfinished church. That doesn’t stop it from being the largest church in New York City and the fifth largest church in the world, though!

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

7

Visit General Grant’s Tomb

The mayor of New York offered to have Ulysses S. Grant buried in NYC. His wife, Julia Grant, supported the offer and a large fundraising initiative took place to build what would become the largest tomb in North America.

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

6

Explore Columbia University

Founded in 1754, Columbia University is the fifth oldest institution in the country and one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

5

Catch a show at the Beacon Theatre

The Beacon Theatre has hosted the likes of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Mariah Carey, Duran Duran, Ringo Starr, Coldplay, Tom Petty and Eddie Vedder, just to name a few..

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

4

Brunch at Jacob’s Pickles

From the mastermind that started Maison Pickle, comes a more casual eatery that specialized in brunch fare. Swing by for traditional southern food (like fried chicken and waffles) and craft cocktails.

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

Peruse the local farmers markets

The Tucker Square Greenmarket takes place in Tucker Square on Thursdays and the 77th/79th Street Greenmarket takes place on Sundays.

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

3

2

Visit the New-York Historical Society

Located right next to Central Park, the museum houses a great amount of interesting artifacts and documents that focus on NYC’s unique history. Founded in 1804, making it the oldest museum in NYC!

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

1

Stroll Riverside Park

Stretching from west 59th Street to 181st Street, the park spans 400 acres. It’s full of healthy trees that offer ample shade, plenty of park benches, and even has some charming gardens to explore

Yellow Location Pin
White Line

Read the complete list of the 18 BEST things to do 

Upper West Side