The Upper East Side is one of the most iconic neighbourhoods in New York City, well known for its affluent residents, luxurious brownstones and doorman buildings, and some of the city’s best museums and designer shopping. The Upper East Side is one of the best neighbourhoods in NYC for visitors, with plenty of things to see and do. The best things to do on the Upper East Side include visiting Central Park, world class museums such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim, small museums like The Frick and The Neue Galerie, and strolling down iconic New York City streets like Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue.
I lived in New York City for two years (in Nolita), but I loved hanging out on the Upper East Side, especially as my best friend in NYC lived up there!
7 Best Things to Do on the Upper East Side
Central Park – Visiting Central Park is the best thing to do on the Upper East Side, and easily one of the best things to do in New York City. The park divides the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side. From the Upper East Side, you’re close to the Bethesda Terrace, Conservatory Water, the Great Lawn, the Alice in Wonderland statue, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York City’s greatest museum, The Met, is located on the Upper East Side, on the edge of Central Park. A visit to The Met followed by a stroll in the Park & coffee at Bluestone Lane is a great way to spend half a day on the Upper East Side.
The Frick Collection – The Frick Collection is one of New York City’s best small museums, and is located on the Upper East Side’s Museum Mile. The collection belonged to 19th century industrialist and art collector, Henry Frick, and is housed in his Upper East Side mansion. Because Frick collected art for display in his home, he curated it according to what he found beautiful, which makes for a lovely viewing experience. The Frick is temporarily closed for renovations.
Albertine Books – Albertine Books is the most beautiful book store in New York City. Located inside the French Embassy on the Upper East Side, Albertine Books feels like a hidden treasure, and sells books in both French and English.
Neue Galerie – The Neue Galerie is another one of New York City’s best small museums. Located in an elegant townhouse on the Upper East Side, the Neue Galerie is a museum for German and Austrian art from the early 20th century. It’s most famous piece is Portrait of Adele Bloch-Baeur by Gustav Klimt, which is one of the most mesmerising pieces of art I have ever seen. Painted in oil & finished with gold leaf, it was at the heart of an international legal battle, when Adele’s niece fought to get the artwork returned to her family, after it was stolen by the Nazis during World War II. There’s a film with Helen Mirren & Ryan Reynolds about the entire saga, worth watching before you visit. I also love the on-site restaurant, Cafe Sabarsky, which is like stepping into 19th century Vienna.
Stroll the prettiest streets on the Upper East Side – The Upper East Side is home to some of the prettiest streets in Manhattan, with elegant townhouses full of historic character and charm. You’ll find some of the prettiest streets in the upper 60s, 70s and 80s (65th-90th Streets) between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue.
The Guggenheim – The Guggenheim is one of New York City’s most famous museums, due to its impressive collection of modern art and its iconic design, by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Guggenheim is on the Upper East Side, and is home to modern art from the 1860s to the present day, including the world’s largest collection of art by Pablo Picasso.
Best Restaurants & Bars on the Upper East Side
Uva – Uva is a deliciously warm and cosy Italian restaurant that is a mainstay on the Upper East Side, with a rustic, farmhouse-style interior and authentic Tuscan cuisine. I love this spot!
The Penrose – The Penrose is a cosy gastropub & bar that is one of the trendiest spots on the Upper East Side for brunch or a casual meal. It’s my favourite “pub” in New York City.
St Ambroeus – St Ambroeus is a stylish Milanese restaurant, that has outposts on the Upper East Side, in SoHo & in The Hamptons. A great spot for northern Italian food.
Bemelmans Bar – Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel is one of the most iconic and elegant hotel bars in New York City. Don’t miss the murals by Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the series of Madeline children’s books.
Best Cafes & Brunch on the Upper East Side
Bluestone Lane – As an Australian living in New York City, the flat whites from Bluestone Lane were a godsend! Bluestone Lane is a wildly popular, Australian cafe chain, which has coffee shops and cafes (dine in) all over New York City. The Bluestone Lane on the Upper East Side is one of my favourites, because the cafe is housed inside a historic sandstone building, joined to the19th century Church of Heavenly Rest. It’s located on the Upper East Side’s “museum mile” so it’s a perfect stop after visiting one of the museums listed above.
The Penrose – Listing The Penrose twice, as it’s just as good for a hearty brunch, as it is for dinner & drinks!
Daily Provisions – Daily Provisions is a casual cafe & sandwich shop, from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, the team behind some of New York City’s favourite classic restaurants, like Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe. You can get coffee, cookies and sandwiches at the Upper East Side cafe on the corner of Madison Ave & E 96th.
Cafe Sabarsky – On the Ground Floor of the Neue Galerie, stepping into Cafe Sabarsky is like stepping back in time to 19th century Vienna. A lovely spot with elegant, old world charm and a Viennese menu with dishes like spatzel, and the most decadent Viennese hot chocolate you’ll find in the city.
Best Luxury Hotels on the Upper East Side
The Carlyle – It doesn’t get much more Upper East Side than The Carlyle, a luxury hotel on the Upper East Side with views over Central Park from its best suites. Established in 1930, The Carlyle is one of New York City’s most beautiful historic hotels. The Carlyle is now part of Rosewood Hotels, and is home to the iconic Bemelman Bar.
The Mark – Located just one block from Central Park, The Mark is a glamorous, “boldy lavish” luxury hotel on the Upper East Side. Internationally celebrated chef Jean Georges Vongrichten has a restaurant, The Mark by Jean Georges, inside the hotel, alongside a super glam bar, and a restaurant, Caviar Kaspia, renowned for its twice-baked potato with caviar.
The Lowell – The Lowell is a luxury hotel on the Upper East Side, and one of the few family-owned luxury hotels left in New York City. Established in 1927, The Lowell has an elegant, historic charm, and is conveniently located on Madison Avenue, just a few blocks from Central Park.
Voco The Franklin – Voco The Franklin is an IHG Hotel on the Upper East Side, and one of the few affordable luxury hotels on the Upper East Side. While $500 a night might not seem “affordable” in other cities, this is a steal for a stylish, modern hotel on the Upper East Side in New York City. Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) also has an excellent rewards program, which I’ve been a member of ever since our honeymoon at Six Senses Fiji. I’ve stayed at the Voco Hotel in Brisbane, and countless other IHG hotels, and have always had an excellent experience!
Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived & worked in New York City and now live in Melbourne, Australia.
I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.
My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!
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