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Kara & Benjamin

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    Things To Do

Things To Do

From restaurants, to museums, to beautiful scenery, NYC truly has it all! Below are some recommendations of our favorite places to grab food and things to do/see in our neighborhood, the Upper West Side.

Central Park

New York, NY

Urban park between the Upper West Side and Upper East Side neighborhoods of Manhattan. (Includes The Reservoir and Sheep's Meadow, below.) There are SO many things to see and do inside the park. To get the most use of your time and have the best experience possible, we highly recommend planning your visit using the link below.

The Reservoir

Mid-Park between 86th and 96th, New York, NY

The largest body of water in Central Park, surrounded by a 1.58-mile walking/running track. Incredible views of the Manhattan skyline, flowers/trees, birds, etc.

Sheep Meadow

West Side between 66th and 69th, New York, NY

A 15=acre lawn in Central Park that's perfect for relaxing, sunbathing, reading, and picnicking, all while you enjoy incredible views of the Manhattan skyline.

Riverside Park

Riverside Dr. to Hudson River, W. 72 St.to W 153 St., NY

Manhattan's most spectacular waterfront park. 1 of only 8 officially designated scenic landmarks in NYC. Beautiful views and a quiet place to relax, take a walk, and enjoy nature - you'll forget you're in a city!

West Side Highway

West Side Highway, New York, NY

A 5.42-mile-long section of New York State Route 9A (NY 9A), going from West 72nd Street along the Hudson River to the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City. Perfect for the views while taking a walk/jog.

American Museum of Natural History

200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024

21 interconnected buildings housing 45 permanent exhibition halls, in addition to a planetarium and a library. The museum collections contain about 32 million specimens of plants, animals, fungi, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts! Highly recommend planning out your visit beforehand to have the best experience possible.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10028

The Met, an encyclopedic art museum in New York City. The 4th-largest museum in the world and the largest art museum in the Americas. Highly recommend planning out your visit beforehand to have the best experience possible.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023

The world's leading performing arts center. The best in music, dance, opera, theater, cinema, and more.

The Owl's Tail

215 West 75th Street, New York, NY 10023

Amazing spot for cocktails and light bites.

Playa Betty’s

320 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023

California coastal / Mexican-style food. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, and lunch.

Gray's Papaya

2090 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

Casual, grab-and-go place for hot dogs

Barney Greengrass

541 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Jewish deli institution that's been around since 1908, known for smoked fish & not taking credit cards.

Zabar's

2245 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Jewish deli opened in 1934 and known for its selection of bagels, smoked fish, olives, and cheeses

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

448 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

NYC ice cream store that started out in a yellow truck on the streets of NYC in 2008. Includes vegan options. Simply delicious!

Levain Bakery – Original Location, 74th St, NYC

167 West 74th Street, New York, NY 10023

Famous for its giant, delicious cookies - crispy outside and gooey inside. They even have a Vegan & GF version of their iconic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie. The wait is worth it!

Tiki Chick

517 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

A retro tiki bar bringing all the tropical vibes and fun to the Upper West Side.

Cafe Luxembourg

200 West 70th Street, New York, NY 10023

French comfort food & a Parisian vibe have been drawing A-list types here since 1983.

RedFarm

2170 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

A modern Chinese restaurant known for its dim sum and unique twists on classic Chinese dishes

Pappardella

316 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10023

Italian eatery opened in 1983 with a pasta-centric menu & casual quarters complete with sidewalk seats.

Bluestone Lane Upper West Side Café

417 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Australian-inspired coffee shop chain serving an all-day menu of healthy eats and craft coffee.

Bustan

487 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

A cozy Mediterranean spot that cooks its dishes in a custom clay oven. Our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood - the hummus and pita bread alone is incredible!

Chick Chick

618 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Known for its Korean fried chicken - a new neighborhood gem!

Sala Thai

307 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023

Curries and street food in an urbane, wood-lined restaurant with wood carvings and a bohemian vibe. (Psst - this is our favorite take-out joint!)

Cilantro NYC

485 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Lively Southwestern cafe that serves generous portions and big margaritas. They also have a great patio - perfect for people watching while you enjoy your chips and guac!

Dagon

2454 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Elevated Mediterranean dishes are matched by wine and craft cocktails - this one gives Bustan a run for its money!

Elea

217 West 85th Street, New York, NY 10024

Bi-level eatery with Greek Island vibes, exposed beam wood ceilings, & seafood-forward menu.

Made In New York Pizza

421 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Our favorite spot for slices of NY-style pizza, and pretty cheap prices too!

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