Midtown

This long walk takes you along the scenic Hudson River and through the Upper West Side to the heart of Harlem. Start at the southern part of the Upper West Side, where the route heads west past the iconic brownstones and rowhouses so typical of this neighborhood. Next, you will continue along the banks of the Hudson river, through parks, past boathouses and the impressive Columbia University, until you reach the outer limit of the Upper West Side. 

 

While Central Park may be the most famous, it’s certainly not the only park on the Upper West Side. Along the banks of the Hudson River stretches Riverside Park. According to local residents this is Manhattan’s most beautiful park, and they come here for sports, leisure, and the cool breeze off the Hudson during the

hot city summers. 



North of the Upper West Side lies an important center of African-American culture: Harlem. Here you’ll find art galleries, churches (often named after notable African-American figures), the legendary Apollo Theater, and much more. In recent years Harlem has experienced a wave of gentrification, and the neighborhood’s historic brownstones and wide streets have been attracting people from around the city.

 

Upper North Harlem is a bit grittier, so be sure to keep that in mind. The neighborhood is never quiet; people converse loudly in the streets, music can be heard all around, and locals regularly sit on the stoops in front of their homes. Here you can get a sense of Harlem's true soul, and its warm and welcoming vibe.

If you enjoy art, then this walk through New York City's Upper East Side is perfect for you. The stretch known as "Museum Mile" is the pride of the neighborhood, and home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Neue Galerie, and the Frick Collection, which contain some of the most beautiful art collections in the world.

 

The walk will take you through some of the elegant streets of this neighborhood, including different parts of Fifth Avenue. The stretch east of lower Central Park is known as Manhattan’s “Gold Coast.” The area has an incredibly high concentration of private clubs, exclusive schools, art institutions, and millionaires with far reaching influence. No other neighborhood in the country donates as much to national political campaigns as the Upper East Side.

 

East of Park Avenue the neighborhood is more down to earth and much livelier. On Lexington Avenue you’ll find lots of bustling stores and restaurants frequented by young couples and families from the neighborhood.

 

On Madison Avenue you’ll find countless galleries, jewelers, and exclusive stores and boutiques from top designers. Department stores Barneys and Bloomingdale’s are also located here, and shopaholics can regularly be spotted walking down the street with their Little and Big Brown Bags.

 

A great tip, if you happen to be visiting during wintertime: Central Park has one of the most beautiful ice skating rinks!