An Aesthete’s Guide to the Upper East Side

2. 6 Train

One of the major East Side subway lines, the No. 6 train runs between the Bronx and Lower Manhattan. The line has remained relatively unchanged since the 1920s, with convenient stops throughout the Upper East Side, some of which connect to the No. 4 and 5 express trains.

3. Nightingale-Bamford School

Founded in 1920, this independent preparatory school is well known for its rigorous educational standards. It has been ranked among the best all-girls private schools in the country. 

4. Eli’s Essentials

“Only the Essentials” is the motto at these Upper East Side corner stores, which offer grab-and-go coffee, snacks, and meals. The location at 1270 Madison Avenue includes a charming wine bar.

5. The Jewish Museum

Founded in 1904, this institution showcases Jewish art and culture from ancient to contemporary times, alongside a diverse slate of rotating exhibitions and programs. It is one of the oldest Jewish museums in the world.

9. 92nd Street Y

This beloved cultural and community center offers all-ages programs and classes in the arts, health and fitness, continuing education, and more. The 92nd Street Y also regularly hosts events and talks featuring celebrities and notable cultural figures.

10. Spence School

Spence is an all-girls private school that offers a rigorous liberal arts study for kindergarteners to 12th graders. Its motto: “Non scholae sed vitae discimus,” which is Latin for “Not for school, but for life we learn.”

11. Central Park

A veritable urban oasis, Central Park has two ice skating rinks, a zoo, a theater, playgrounds, athletic fields, and sprawling lawns that are favorites among locals on sunny days. 

12. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

One of the most famous buildings in the world, this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed landmark houses some of the world’s finest contemporary paintings and sculptures, including a staggering collection from the 20th-century European masters.

15. Butterfield Market

This upscale grocer opened its first shop in 1915 and has expanded across the neighborhood over the decades. Butterfield now has two markets, complete with catering and cafes, on the Upper East Side.

16. Equinox

Part gym, part gathering place, part lifestyle brand, Equinox has several locations throughout the Upper East Side, complete with yoga studios, full-service spas, and cutting-edge group classes.

17. The Simone

This high-end restaurant serves classic French staples and wine without feeling too fussy. It’s also a New York Times Critic’s Pick for its personable atmosphere and memorable seafood.

18. Levain Bakery

Although Levain originated on the Upper West Side, “New York City’s most famous cookies” are just as good across town. Popular offerings include the chocolate-chip-walnut variety and the ice-cream sandwiches.

19. Eleanor Roosevelt High School 

In a city where many schools have themes and specialties, Eleanor Roosevelt stands out for its straightforward curriculum and emphasis on college prep. In 2021, it was ranked the 81st-best public high school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

21. Gracie Mansion

Home to NYC’s mayor since 1942, this historic mansion is located within Carl Schurz Park. Known as “The People’s House,” Gracie Mansion offers cultural and educational programs and art and history exhibits.

22. East River Ferry

One of the best ways to see New York is by its waterways; the East River Ferry runs from the Upper East Side down to Lower Manhattan, and then onto the beaches of the Rockaways. There’s a convenient stop at East 90th Street and FDR Drive.

23. Asphalt Green

In 1972, the founders of Asphalt Green, George E. Murphy and his wife Annette, led an effort to preserve the abandoned Municipal Asphalt Plant at York Avenue and 90th Street. Today, the organization is a nonprofit providing high-quality sports, swimming, and fitness instruction and programs to children and adults.

24. Chez Nick

A casual American bistro with rotating seasonal menus, this neighborhood mainstay has small wooden tables and big windows—the perfect place to dig into pappardelle with duck ragu.

27. Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center 

This multiservice nonprofit organization serves children, low-income families, out-of-school youth, and aging New Yorkers. Its programs encompass Meals on Wheels, youth employment training, and after-school learning.

28. Q Train

To great fanfare, the Q subway line was recently extended north to 96th Street, and its three new stations boast impressive architecture and artwork. The line cuts down the eastern side of Manhattan to Midtown and Chinatown. Beyond that, riders can take a picturesque trip into Brooklyn by way of the Manhattan Bridge.

29. Stanley Isaacs Playground Basketball Courts

The two full-sized basketball courts inside the Stanley Isaacs Playground are available for open play. They can also be reserved for organized leagues and special events.

30. Marx Brothers Playground

This park opened in 1947 on land formerly occupied by the “car barn” of the Second Avenue Railway, a fortress-like structure that once commanded the block. It was transformed into grassy playing fields and named after the Marx Brothers, who once lived in the neighborhood.