While most NYC visitors have heard of the Upper West Side, too many neglects the neighborhood’s equally impressive eastern cousin. The Upper East Side is a beautiful area, filled with glitzy residences, Central Park views, and a lot of New York energy. We’re frequently asked for our favorite neighborhoods at Arlo Hotels, and the Upper East Side is frequently on that list.
We first recommend grabbing a coffee at Cafè Blèriot XI or Oslo Coffee Roasters, grabbing a pastry, and then walking throughout the neighborhood. There’s a number of mansions in the area, including the Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo House, a French Renaissance revival mansion located at 867 Madison Avenue that exemplifies the ornate beauty of the late 1800s. It’s a core stop in the Upper East Side Historic District that features many beautiful side streets that equal those in Greenwich Village.
After you work up an appetite, visit Earl’s Beer and Cheese at 97th Street and Park Avenue. It’s a tiny space where you can sip on a craft brew and enjoy a cheese-based dish or cheese sampler. It’s an especially nice spot during the fall and winter, with the warm cheese dishes providing you with energy for further exploration.
After some cheese and beer, it’s time to get some culture. Head to the Frick Collection, a gorgeous art collection located on East 70th Street. It features works from Old Master-era painters, including Goya and Rembrandt, and functions as a top-tier art history research center.
To end your evening in the Upper East Side, grab a bite to eat at the Loeb in Central Park, a great spot a quick walk away that offers peaceful views of the park’s greenery. Or pick one of the dozens of amazing outdoors seating restaurants that offer Central Park Views.