Upper East Side
Famous for its high-end shopping, world-class hotels and restaurants, and celebrity inhabitants, the Upper East Side has built a reputation that precedes it. Stretching from the East River to Central Park, and from 59th Street up to 96th Street, this neighborhood has quite a lot to offer. With some of the most expensive real estate in America, renowned museums and designers, and many of the most elite private schools in the country, the Upper East Side has a culture all its own. Museum Mile stretches along Fifth Avenue, home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and more, while Madison Avenue offers the only the best in fashion, with designers such as Chanel, Cartier, and Ralph Lauren. From the luxury co-ops and beautiful townhouses between Park Avenue and Fifth, to the more reasonably priced apartment options towards the River, there is a place for everyone in this fantastic neighborhood. With Central Park nearby and hundreds of chic restaurants and ethnic favorites on every corner, there is always something to do on the Upper East Side.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE LIVING THERE:
Restaurants
With too many excellent restaurants of every ethnicity imaginable to list, the Upper East Side offers meal options for any palate and at a range of prices. From renowned restaurants like Daniel (60 E. 65th Street) and the Central Park Boathouse, to neighborhood favorites like EJ’s Luncheonette (1271 Third Ave), Bella Blu (967 Lexington Ave), and 40 Carrots inside Bloomingdales, you can never go wrong when choosing a restaurant on the UES. For ethnic favorites, head over to Evergreen (1288 First Ave) if you’re craving Chinese food, or to Fig and Olive (808 Lexington Ave) for Mediterranean cuisine.
Attractions
Museum Mile on the Upper East Side is home to some of the world’s most highly regarded museums: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Collection, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the GuggenheimMuseum can all be found along this famous stretch of Fifth Avenue. The world-famous Central Park marks the Western edge of this neighborhood, and within the park one can find the Central Park Zoo, the Reservoir, the Central Park Boathouse (offering rowboat and bicycle rentals), Belvedere Castle, Shakespeare in the Park in the summer, many playgrounds, and much more. Spend the day tanning on the Great Lawn, taking part in the many activities in the park, or experiencing the beautiful landscapes and charming horse drawn carriages, and you’ll see why Central Park is synonymous with New York City. When you’re not perusing these NYC landmarks, you can catch a movie at one of the many movie theaters in the neighborhood. For additional green space, CarlSchurzPark on 86th Street and East End offers gorgeous views of the river, fields and basketball courts, and a great playground.
For more information about Central Park and its many offerings: http://www.centralparknyc.org/
For more information about Museum Mile:
http://www.mustseenewyork.com/attractions/museum-mile.html
Transportation/Getting Around
The Lexington line 6 train runs across the Upper East Side, and the Second Avenue Subway currently being built will make transportation even easier in this neighborhood. Local buses travel along all of the main avenues, and the 59th Street (Queensboro) Bridge marks the southeastern corner of the UES.
Schools
The Upper East Side is home to some of the most elite schools in the country. The DaltonSchool, Brearley, Chapin, Spence, Browning, and many more can be found in this neighborhood, as well as some of the top public schools in the city, including P.S. 6, P.S. 267, P.S. 183, and EleanorRooseveltHigh School.
Nightlife
On the Upper East Side, many corner pubs, posh lounges, and dive bars all come together to offer a fun evening out for any crowd. Baraonda (1439 Second Ave) is a UES favorite dance spot, David Copperfield’s (1394 York Ave) boasts of over 100 brews from around the globe, and Stir (1363 First Ave) is a chic lounge for a party or for spending time with friends.
Shopping
The Upper East Side would not be complete without its limitless options for shopping, including famous department stores Bloomingdale’s and Barney’s. Madison Avenue is lined with lavish designers including Prada, Valentino, and Yves Saint Laurent, while small boutiques can be found all along Second, Third, and Lexington Avenues. The UES is also home to some of the best markets in the city, including Grace’s Market, Food Emporium, Citerella, Dean and Deluca, and Eli’s Market.
Other restaurants on the Upper East Side:
- The Beach Café (1326 Second Ave)- Classic American, Good Takeout
- Cilantro (1321 First Ave)- $$- Mexican
- Due (1396 Third Ave)- $$- Classic Italian
- JG Melon (1291 Third Ave)- $$- Famous Burgers
- Mezzaluna (1295 Third Ave)- $$- Trattoria
- Orsay (1057 Lexington Ave)- $$$- French Brasserie
- Pig Heaven (1540 Second Ave)- $- Chinese
- The Post House (28 E. 63rd Street)- $$$$- Steakhouse
- Shabu-Shabu 70 (314 E. 70th Street)- $$$- Japanese
For more restaurants on the UES, check out New York Magazine’s Restaurant Section: http://nymag.com/restaurants/?f=food
Other bars/clubs on the Upper East Side:
- Auction House (300 E. 89th Street)- Cozy lounge
- Iggy’s Karaoke Bar and Grill (1452 Second Ave)- Karaoke dive
- Manny’s on Second (1770 Second Ave)- Sportsbar
- Session 73 (1359 Fist Ave)- Lounge with live music
- Subway Inn (143 E. 60th Street)- Classic NY bar
For more bars and clubs on the UES, check out New York Magazine’s Bars Section: http://nymag.com/nightlife/?f=bars
Gyms:
- Boom Fitness (1438 Third Ave)
- New York Sports Club (NYSC) (349 E. 76th Street)
- Equinox (140 E. 63rd Street)
Dry Cleaners/Tailors:
- Todd Layne Cleaners (242 E. 77th Street)
- Green Apple Cleaners (1187 Second Ave)
- Captain Dry Cleaners (201 E. 61st Street)
- Crown Cleaners (957 Park Ave)
Liquor Stores:
- McCabe’s Liquor Store (1347 Third Ave)
- Best Cellars (1291 Lexington Ave)
- Embassy Wines and Spirits (796 Lexington Ave)
Grocery Stores:
