NYC - Feel Like a Local on the Upper East Side

If you’re visiting over the weekend in the summer, there is most likely a street fair or farmer’s market in the area. Check out the NYC website to look at the exact events.

Park Avenue Armory - This historic landmark has a variety of events including art exhibits, musical and theater performances. Location - 66th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues.

Carl Schurz Park - Take a walk along the esplanade and then hop on the ferry.

*Tip - During the warmer months, there are free concerts and other activities.

NYC Ferry - Take a ride on the water downtown (Soundview and Astoria Routes). Location - Enter at 88th or 89th Street and East End Avenue at Carl Schurz Park, walk towards the water and then north to the 90th St ferry stop. *Tip - Buy a drink on the first floor and bring it upstairs to enjoy the view.

Gracie Mansion - This is the official residence of the NYC Mayor.
Public tours are held on Mondays. *Tip - If you’re in town around Halloween, get a ticket to walk through the outdoor decorations and haunted house.

Central Park - Have a picnic on the Great Lawn and walk south towards Bethesda Fountain on a nice day. *Tip - For dessert, stop by the wafels & dinges food truck between turtle pond and the Delacorte Theater.

Museums:

The Met and Guggenheim are most likely already on your list, but here are some other options.

• Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

• Museum of the City of New York

• Asia Society and Museum

• Neue Galerie New York

Shopping:

High end stores are all along Madison Avenue from 57th to 86th Streets.
86th Street has chains such as H&M, Target, Sephora, Lululemon, Gap and Old Navy.

Here are some unique stores in this area:

Kitchen Arts & Letters - A bookstore focused on culinary themes. You’ll see cookbooks signed by local chefs and unique finds to add to your kitchen. Fun fact, Anthony Bourdain filmed part of an episode here from his show The Layover back in 2011. Location - Lexingon Avenue between 93rd & 94th Streets.

Creel & Gow - A boutique shop with unique finds from all over the world. Set on the first floor of a beautiful townhouse, walking around the store can feel as if you’re in a museum. Location - 70th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues.

Corner Bookstore - A neighborhood bookstore near Central Park. Location - 93rd Street & Madison Avenue.

Journelle - A lingerie store. Location - 73rd Street & 3rd Avenue

Canine Styles Uptown - A pet store focused only on dogs. You’ll find everything from dog collars to chew toys, all the way to upscale cashmere sweaters for your pet. Location - Lexington Avenue between 81st & 82nd Streets.

Craft+Carry - A craft beer store and a great place to find local beer. They also have twenty four beers on tap if you want to stay for a flight tasting. Location - 2nd Avenue between 84th & 85th Streets.

Workout Classes

Looking for a workout class while you’re away?

SLT or Wundabar - Both are pilates reformer classes with a twist. Check out their website to see what it’s all about.

Rumble - Boxing

The Fhitting Room - Small group strength and HIIT classes

Soul Cycle - Spin class

Day Trips

The Met Cloisters
Location - Fort Tyron Park
Directions - Take the M4 bus from Madison Avenue & 83rd Street or M86 crosstown bus to the West Side and transfer at 86th Street & Central Park West to the Uptown A train.

Dinner Options:

• Pio Pio - Spanish Tapas

• Poke - Japanese, *Tip - It’s cash only so be prepared

• Flex Mussels - Seafood

• The Drunken Munkey - Indian

• Uva - Italian

• Cafe d’Alsace - French

• Toloache - Mexican

• Mission Ceviche - Peruvian

Date Night:

• Hoexter’s - New American

• Sfoglia - Italian

• Sushi Goda - Japanese, try the omakase for a tasting menu of 15 courses

Casual spots for lunch:

• LaEsquina - Mexican

• Lexington Candy Shop - Classic diner from the 1940’s with authentic root beer floats.

• Pastrami Queen - Deli, the name says it all

• Naruto Ramen - Japanese

• Kings’ Carriage House - Afternoon Tea

Drinks:

• NR - Japanese Cocktail Bar

• UES (speakeasy in ice cream shop)

• Kaia Wine Bar

• The Auction House

• Fillmore Deli

• The Office

• Avoca

• Stella & Fly - Wine bar

• Heidi's House by the side of the road