Furnished Apartments in Upper West Side

Facts About Upper West Side

Here are some interesting facts worth knowing about Upper West Side, New York. 

• A portion of the locality was earlier called the Bloomingdale District which is the current Manhattan Valley area. 
• It is a leafy neighborhood in Manhattan which has been the set for several acclaimed movies including You’ve Got Mail and even the super-hit sitcom Seinfeld along with 30 Rock and Gossip Girl. 
• The Riverside and Central Park are two major green oases bordering the neighborhood while it is lined by imposing two-towered apartment structures along Central Park West. 
• The Beacon Theatre, American Museum of Natural History and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts makes it a culturally uplifted neighborhood. 
• The locality runs till about the Hudson River from Central Park West. 

Cost of Living in Upper West Side

The cost of living in Upper West Side, New York, is understandably high since it is one of the most affluent and posh localities in the city. The median home price here stands at approximately $955,000 and upwards. The cost of living is roughly 71% more than the average for New York while the national average is lower by a whopping 101%. The income tax of New York State is anyway more by 62% as compared to the national average. 

Tips for Visiting Upper West Side

It is always daunting to travel abroad and visit new destinations without some insider information. Here are some tips that you may find helpful:

• The location is ideal for exploring Central Park extensively along with the American Museum of Natural History. 
• You will find multiple subway stations and bus networks along with top favorite gourmet stores like Zabar’s and Fairway. 
• There are lovely brownstone lined blocks that are perfect for a stroll. 
• The neighborhood is home to several celebrities and is a quiet place on most days since there are few office buildings here. 
• When here, you should not miss The Dakota building which is where John Lennon was tragically shot and which continued to be his widow Yoko Ono’s residence. 
• Riverside Park is a great alternative to Central Park at times, with pedestrian and bike pathways along with sports facilities. 
• You will find the very best sidewalk dining experience at the city near the Lincoln Center. The Smith is a top spot worth checking out along with Bar Boulud. 

Things to Do in Upper West Side

Once travelers head out from their serviced apartments in Upper West Side, New York, there are plenty of things worth indulging in. 

Q. What are the most popular things to do in the Upper West Side? 

Here are some of the most popular things worth doing in the Upper West Side, New York. 

• Visit Riverside Park for its charming greenery, waterfront walking and cycling trails, Soldiers and Sailors monument and roller skating rink. 
• The Julliard School and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts are worth a visit for taking in spectacular performances by a lineup of extremely talented artists. 
• The Empire Hotel Rooftop ensures a unique experience for visitors with its prime address, plush vibe and also for having starred in a mega television series. From swimming to a beautiful pool deck and lovely cocktails, this is a great place to take in the Upper West Side to perfection. 

Q. What are some free things to do in the Upper West Side? 

When budgets are tight, you can consider the following experiences. 

• Pay a trip to the Cathedral of Saint John the Diver which is known for its architectural magnificence with Gothic Revival influences along with its gardens and organ concerts. 
• The Lotus Garden is a hidden gem in the Upper West Side, offering lovely flowers, greenery, a tranquil ambience, a delightful Koi pond and a wonderful experience for families. 
• You can take the folks along to the completely free museum named the American Folk Art Museum that has a wonderful collection of folk artwork and other unique exhibits. 

Q. What are some family-friendly things to do in the Upper West Side?

Here are some of the family-friendly things to do in the Upper West Side, New York. 

• Check out the New York Historical Society with its wonderful exhibitions, photographs and radically thought-provoking events. 
• Visit the American Museum of Natural History which was the backdrop for the smash-hit Night at the Museum. Offering an amazing lineup of exhibits including the Hall of African Mammals and Rose Center for Earth and Space, it will leave any visitor spellbound to say the least. 
• West 79th Street Boat Basin offers signature waterfront dining experiences with lovely views of the Hudson River till New Jersey. The drinks at the Boat Basin Café are well worth it. 

Places to Visit in Upper West Side 

There are several places worth visiting in the Upper West Side which are as follows:

• West Side Comedy Club - The West Side Comedy Club is one of the biggest hidden gems of New York City right below the Playa Betty’s restaurant. The club is run by a vibrant husband-wife duo, presenting a wonderful lineup of local comic shows and fun events. 
• Central Park Strawberry Fields - If you are a Beatles’ fan, you should find this beautiful 2.5 acre garden which is a living memorial for none other than tragically killed legend John Lennon. A resident of the area, Lennon has his own memorial named Strawberry Fields after the iconic song by the Beatles. The space was dedicated in his memory back in the year 1985. From the Imagine inscription to the acoustic impromptu performances, there is a lot to savor here. 
• Grand Bazaar NYC - Step out on Sundays and watch the back of an educational institution transforming into a massive outdoor market. Founded in 1982 as a little flea market for benefiting the school in question, it has now become the city’s biggest weekly market with profits benefiting close to 2,000 children. The market has close to 200 local vendors including artisans, new artists, food vendors and more. 
• Symphony Space - The artistic vibe on the Upper West Side is hard to miss. The Symphony Space adds to the feeling, further upwards near Broadway and is a fabulous center for performing arts where you can catch literary talks by authors, musicals, dance performances, events and even Selected Shorts, the epic storytelling show on radio. Bar Thalia is where you’ll find a wide selection of beverages as well.
• Columbus Circle Turnstile Underground Market - The Upper West Side starts from 59th Street and the Turnstile Underground Market here deserves a visit for sure. The market has fun pop-up stores and lovely eateries along with hair trims, fresh flower bouquets, macarons and tipple (at the Merchants Bar) amongst its multifarious offerings. This place is integral to the feel and local vibe of the Upper West Side. 

Places to Eat in Upper West Side

There are numerous places to eat in Upper West Side. These include the following: 

• Good Enough to Eat
• Sarabeth’s 
• Caffe Storico
• Zabar’s 
• Barney Greengrass
• RedFarm
• Tessa
• The Leopard at des Artistes
• Bar Boulud
• Jean-Georges
• Ouest
• Fish Tag
• Landmarc
• Per Se
• A Voice

Street Food in Upper West Side

If you’re looking for delicious grub to devour while on the move, there are several street food options worth checking out. 

• Chang Lai Fishballs & Noodles
• New York Hot Dogs
• Km1
• Antojitos del barrio
• Fruit Stand Guy on the Corner
• The Casbah- Halal Cart
• Potluck Café Food Truck 
• Jamrock Jerk

Shopping in Upper West Side

Shopping places are nifty and numerous in the Upper West Side. Here’s taking a look at some of them: 

• Westsider Rare and Used Books
• Knitty City
• Columbus Avenue
• Amsterdam Avenue
• Broadway
• Shops at Columbus Circle 
• J. Crew
• Coach
• Williams-Sonoma
• GreenFlea
• 79th Street Greenmarket

Transportation in Upper West Side

Transportation facilities are readily available in the Upper West Side. The major subway service here comprises the 1 local train and the 2 and 3 express trains. They stop at 96th and 72nd Street and the 1 also stops by the Lincoln Center and Columbus Circle along with several other streets. The A, B, C and D trains also run here on weekdays. The subway station at the 81st Street location is located beside the Museum of Natural History and has fabulous visual murals that you will notice immediately. 

Weather in Upper West Side

New York City has fluctuating weather conditions with sudden changes as well. However, the best time to visit is definitely between April and June and between September and early November. The weather remains pleasant, warm and inviting at this time while there are slightly lesser crowds for the taking. The mid-January to end-February period witnesses relatively lower tourist volumes. September is a lovely month to visit. If you really desire the best weather, then consider visiting between May and October. However, bear in mind that the months of August and July can be pretty humid. The honeymooning brigade may look at the months of May, June, September and October while sightseeing is best from April till June and September till early November. 

Museums and landmarks remain crowded throughout the holiday season revolving around New Year’s Eve and Christmas. Museums remain closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving, thereby drawing packed crowds on other days. The high season is between June and August and from November to December. Locals leave the city in large numbers in this period while tourists settle into the celebratory spirit. The Shoulder Season between March to May and September to October is moderately popular with tourists. The Low Season is between January and early March. The temperatures are quite cold and New York City is relatively quieter during this period.