Things to Do on the Upper West Side, 20 From a Local.

Welcoming 5 million visitors per year and spanning all aspect of the natural world, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City is considered one of the greatest natural history museums in the world.

Don’t miss the Hall of Ocean Life where you’ll have an opportunity to see a life-size model of a 94-foot blue whale! It’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Also, the taxidermy mammals are remarkable and have captivated both children and adults for years.

Featured Guide15 Best Things to See at the American Museum of Natural History

We can’t talk about the best things to do in the Upper West Side without mentioning the masterpiece that is Central Park. It’s world-famous for good reason and there’s a reason it’s on everyone’s must-see list when visiting New York City.

Central park is the most beautiful park in New York City. How do I know? It’s the most filmed location in the world (and has #2 beat by a mile). Spanning more than 840 healthy acres, Central Park is an architectural feat that few can resist falling in love with.

In terms of the top attractions on the Upper West Side portion of the park, here’s my personal recommendations.

• The Shakespeare Garden (especially in the spring, during tulip season)
• Belvedere Castle
• Strawberry Fields
• Bethesda Fountain & the Mall
• Sheep Meadow (for a picnic, an iconic NYC experience!)

If you’d like some guidance during your first visit to Central Park, I suggest reading 15 ICONIC Things to Do in Central Park, a helpful post that highlights the top spots in the park.

Named after Christopher Columbus, this famous traffic circle acts as a gateway for the Upper West Side. Columbus Circle serves as the official starting point from which all official distances to and from NYC are recorded. In fact, United Nations officials visiting NYC on business are required to stay within a 25-mile radius of Columbus Circle.

Home to 50+ retail shops, The Shops at Columbus Circle is a popular shopping mall that comes equipped with a Whole Foods market at the ground level. My advice. Clean public restrooms are hard to come by in NYC, so take advantage of the restrooms located in this mall.

The bewitching aroma of Levain Bakery is irresistible. Originally started in the Upper West Side, the bakery spread like wildfire throughout NYC because of its famous chocolate chip walnut cookie.

Rarely, in a city offering so many options, does a place stand so far above the rest, and yet, I can confidently tell you that Levain makes some of the the best cookies in NYC. So swing by the original location West 74th street (and Amsterdam) if you get a hankering for something sweet.

The Lincoln Center is home to the Metropolitan Opera House, New York Philharmonic, New York City Opera, New York City Ballet, the School of American Ballet, Julliard School of Music, the Chamber Music Society and the Film Society.

In other words, the Lincoln Center is the cultural hub of the Upper West Side. The venue sits on 16-acres and consists of five concert/theater buildings, a library, band shell and two outdoor plazas. This the place to go to see world-class opera, theater, ballet and jazz. There’s never a shortage of exciting events to attend.

Head to the corner of 72nd St. and Central Park West to see where John Lennon used to live. The building is a stone’s throw from one of the top attractions in Central Park, Strawberry Fields, which is a memorial to John Lennon.

The most prominent feature of Strawberry Fields is the Imagine Mosaic, which is often adorned with flowers and serenaded by live musicians playing famous Beatles songs. It was designed by Yoko Ono (Lennon’s widow), and gifted to New York City by the city of Naples.

Although Strawberry Fields was intended to be peaceful place of remembrance, it’s actually very popular. Expect crowds regardless of when you visit. This one of the top attractions in Central Park and most folks make an effort to see it.

Ulysses S. Grant was a decorated Civil War General and the 18th President of the United States. Grant’s wish was to be buried next to his wife when he passed. The request seems simple enough, but it wasn’t possible because women were not allowed to be buried in military cemeteries at the time.

When Grant died from throat cancer in 1885, the mayor of New York offered to have him buried in NYC. His wife, Julia Grant, supported the offer and a large fundraising initiative took place to build what would become the largest tomb in North America.

Today, visitors can pay their respects to President Ulysses S. Grant (and his wife Julia) by visiting his tomb in the Upper West Side. Seeing Grant’s Tomb in person is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in the Upper West Side, especially for history buffs.

Founded in 1754, Columbia University is the fifth oldest institution in the country and one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The list of important people that have attended Columbia is a mile long, including President Barack Obama, Warren Buffett and Amelia Earhart.

Touring the impressive Ivy League university is one of the best things to do on the Upper West Side. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds on their own, but to get access inside the buildings you’ll need to book a guided tour in advance.

P.S. Make sure to swing by Absolute Bagels (cash-only establishment) while you’re in the area, these are my favorite bagels in New York City!

Opened in 1929, theater takes up an entire city block and seats 2,600. The strangest part is that experiencing a performance at the Beacon Theater feels like an intimate experience, and the interior is downright stunning.

The acoustics are top-notch and the roster of famous performers is mind boggling. Bob Dylan, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Mariah Carey, Duran Duran, Ringo Starr, Coldplay, Tom Petty and Eddie Vedder, are just a few names that come to mind.

In addition to musicians, theater has hosted President Bill Clinton, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and residency by Jerry Seinfeld. With such a high concentration of impressive names, it’s no wonder why catching a show at the Beacon Theatre is one of the best things to do on the Upper West Side.

Located on 89th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues, the West Side Community Garden (WSCG) is a true gem. Locals often consider lounging here one of the most relaxing things to do in the Upper West Side.

Originally founded in 1976 to address an eyesore (a neglected trash-strewn vacant lot), the garden is privately owned and run by volunteers that rely on donations and grants. More than 15,000 tulips adorn the garden in the spring, it’s one of the best places in NYC to see tulips!

The Upper West Side has no shortage of great brunch spots, but one that clearly stands out is Jacob’s Pickles. From the mastermind that started Maison Pickle, comes a more casual eatery that specialized in brunch fare. Swing by for traditional southern food (like fried chicken and waffles) and craft cocktails.

I love taking out of town guests here. Just make sure you make reservations in advance, getting a table during the weekend can feel like an impossible task. If you love brunch, you might enjoy reading, 10 Toothsome Upper West Side Brunch Spots.

The New-York Historical Society was founded in 1804, making it the oldest museum in NYC. This yet another great activity for history buffs in search of the best museums in New York City. Located right next to Central Park, the museum focuses on keeping NYC’s history alive.

Home to fascinating artifacts (like the calf brace worn by Franklin Roosevelt), make sure to check the current exhibits to see if anything sparks your interest. Also worth mention, The New-York Historical Society hosts interesting talks and events weekly, check the schedule here. This yet another great activity for history buffs in search of fun things to do on the UWS.

Dating back to 1908, Barney Greengrass is an Upper West Side institution famous for their knock-out smoked fish. No, seriously, U.S. Presidents have requested it for special occasions at the White House. They churn out some of the best bagels and lox in NYC and the UWS is lucky to have them.

Founded in 1934 and serving New Yorkers for 80+ years, Zabar’s is quite possibly the most beloved grocery store in New York City. It’s hard to imagine a more old-fashioned grocery store in the Big Apple, so swing by and elbow your way through amidst locals to see why folks love living on the Upper West Side.

Found on the corner of Broadway and West 80th, this family run grocery store is a true New York experience. They have a vast selection of items to choose from, everything from smoked fish, a surprising assortment of cheeses and a incredible bakery I simply can’t get enough of.

Situated along the Hudson River in the Upper West Side, Riverside Park is often considered Manhattan’s most scenic waterfront park and I can’t say I disagree. As a current resident of the Upper West Side, I tend to split my time between Central Park and Riverside Park.

I usually opt for Riverside Park when tourist season is in full swing and Central Park feels crowded. Stretching from west 59th Street to 181st Street, the park spans 400 acres. It’s full of healthy trees that offer ample shade, plenty of park benches, and even has some charming gardens to explore. (Like the famous garden shot at the end of You’ve Got Mail).

Vin sur Vingt translates to “wine over twenty.” It’s a play on words referencing vingt/vingt (meaning 20/20), a perfect to a perfect score on French tests. Everything about this authentic Parisian wine bar oozes charm. Offering an impressive rotating menu of 50 wines by the glass, you’re sure to find something that suits your Francophile fancy.

Pair your wine with French-inspired appetizers and you’ll be reminiscing about Paris in no time. Make sure to have a good friend in tow because the hours slip by when the cold rosé hits the table. But bear in mind, the Upper West Side location has no reservations, it’s first come, first served.

Having hosted comedic powerhouses such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jessica Kirson and Bill Burr, this popular NYC comedy club doesn’t shy away from taking risks on talented newcomers. Check out the new talent showcases offered on Saturdays or the “Not Ripe Bananas” shows hosted every Tuesday to watch comics try new material.