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History of Upper West Side
Manhattan’s Upper West Side has a long and checkered past, dating back to the seventeenth century, and includes periods of farmland, of battle, of being undesirable, and of wealth and affluence.
When, in the 1860s and ‘70s, Central Park was being laid, squatters and residents of the site migrated to the UWS. The subsequent low rents of the area eventually attracted artists, writers, immigrants, and young families. Because of this, the vibe of the neighborhood was bohemian, creative, and intellectual. In 1890, Columbia University relocated to Morningside Heights, and this creative and intellectual character became the hallmark of the neighborhood.
Today, the area between West 59th Street and West 110th Street, and bounded by the Hudson River to the west and Central Park to the east, is a thriving, affluent community. It is home to such notable institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (which includes the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School of Music), Time Warner headquarters, Columbia University, and Barnard College. The UWS also contains several NYC landmark apartment buildings, including the famed Dakota, The Eldorado, and The Ansonia, as well as newly constructed prominent addresses such as 15 Central Park West and 525 West End Avenue.
The Vibe of The Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is often described as ‘charming,’ ‘tranquil,’ ‘intellectual,’ ‘refined.’ Indeed, the tree-lined streets and wider-than-usual sidewalks of the UWS merit such descriptions, but this neighborhood is no suburb. The main artery that is Broadway is bustling with activity day and night, as well as the neighborhood’s other main avenues—people shopping at Zabar’s or Citarella’s or Trader Joe’s, frequenting the many trendy restaurants and bars, heading home from school or work, rushing to catch a show at Carnegie Hall, or enjoying a jog through Central or Riverside Parks.
The neighborhood is still intellectual, with excellent schools from elementary to university; still creative, with theaters, concert halls, galleries, and museums; yet slightly less bohemian than in earlier days, as the median price for a 2 bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side is just over $2K per square foot.
Things to Do on The Upper West Side
Attend a concert at the Beacon Theater. This legendary venue has been host to countless big name acts, including the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, and Ray LaMontagne, as well as special events such as a Jerry Seinfeld residency, his Holiness the Dalai Lama, and premieres for the Tribeca Film Festival. The building’s art deco style is outstanding, winning several architectural awards, and the theater’s concerts and events are intimate and unforgettable. Go to the American Museum of Natural History. Or, at the very least, stroll by it. The structure is monumental.
Eat at Dizzy’s Club. Here you can enjoy southern-inspired cooking a-la southern fried chicken and skillet mac and cheese but with a New York flair (the mac and cheese, for example, is made with aged cheddar, gruyère, and Monterey jack). But, what’s more, Dizzy’s Club is part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, led by Winton Marsalis. One of the best venues for jazz in the city, Dizzy’s Club holds nightly concerts and late-night sessions, presenting over 100 world-class jazz musicians throughout the year. With stellar views of Central Park, outstanding jazz, and a red velvet waffle on the menu, what’s not to love?
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