Luxury vacation rentals: beautifully furnished homes in Upper West Side

Grand opera at its most transporting—world-class singers, a powerhouse orchestra, and lavish productions in a glittering hall built for big feelings. Formal, electric, and unforgettable from overture to curtain. Visit The Metropolitan Opera

A serene, fountain-centered campus for the performing arts—opera, symphony, ballet, theater, and outdoor programs knit together by plazas and promenades. Come to linger between stages and make an evening of it. Visit Lincoln Center

A cathedral to science and wonder—dinosaurs and dazzling dioramas, the blue whale, and the planetarium for deep-space journeys. Equal parts family favorite and lifelong fascination. Visit American Museum of Natural History

An intimate museum devoted to self-taught artists and folk traditions—handmade, heartfelt work shown with care. Quiet, thoughtful galleries steps from the Lincoln Center buzz. Visit American Folk Art Museum

A long, leafy ribbon along the Hudson—playgrounds, ballfields, lawns, and a waterfront promenade stitched with piers and benches for watching boats slide by. Quiet, local, and exactly the reset the Upper West Side promises. Visit Riverside Park

An open-air extension of Lincoln Center built for big moments—summer concerts, dance, festivals, and alfresco evenings under the towers. A compact, event-ready green with a bandshell backdrop that turns the plaza into a stage. Visit Damrosch Park.

Leafy paths and neighborhood lawns ringing the American Museum of Natural History—benches, gardens, and the Nobel Monument tucked among mature trees. A calm Upper West Side pause before or after the museum. Visit Theodore Roosevelt Park

Modern Israeli–Eastern Mediterranean cooking—apps to share, fluffy breads from the oven, charcoal-grilled seafood and meats. Bustling, candlelit, and celebratory. Visit Dagon

Classic Parisian café-brasserie on the Upper West Side—all-day menu, sidewalk tables, and late-night buzz. Think onion soup gratinée, croque monsieur, steak frites, and a proper glass of wine. Visit French Roast

A high-energy dining room at Lincoln Center where Afro-Caribbean flavors meet New York swagger—bold spices, bright sauces, great cocktails. Don’t miss the egusi-inspired dumplings or braised oxtails. Visit Tatiana

Polished, modern French with a quietly elegant room, meticulous seasonal plates, and a choice of tasting or à la carte. Look for velvety purées, pristine seafood, and a classic canelé to finish. Visit Essential by Christophe

Columbus Circle anchors the southwest corner of Central Park where Broadway, Central Park West, and 59th Street meet—a polished plaza with fountains, the 1892 Columbus monument, and sweeping park and skyline views. Steps away, chef-driven dining, upscale shops, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, makes it an elegant starting point for a day that moves easily from park stroll to late table. Visit Columbus Circle

Home of the city’s most famous cookie—crispy edges, molten center, oversized and irresistible. Expect a cozy bake-shop vibe with fresh breads, pastries, and coffee if you somehow manage to skip the cookie. Visit Levain Bakery

A lively Sunday marketplace of vintage finds, artisan goods, and global bites. Rotating themes keep it fresh, and shopping supports local public schools—an easy, feel-good browse between park walks. Visit Grand Bazaar NYC