Upper East Side Neighborhood Guide

East to West boundaries are the East River and Fifth Avenue, and North to South boundaries are 96th Street to 59th Street. The western most boundary on Fifth Avenue is at Central Park.

The Upper East Side incorporates several mini-districts including Yorkville, Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill and the Historic District. It is home to many of the wealthiest residents who need world-class shopping right outside their doors as well as lots of museums and art institutions. The tree-lined walk down the side of Central Park is a great change of pace. The micro-neighborhoods are home to every-day people headed to the dog parks, sports bars and casual eateries, or taking in the views from the East River Esplanade.

Upper East Side Attractions

Museum Mile
Frick Collection – 18th Century French style mansion is an art museum. Elegant house on 5th Avenue features European art including Rembrandt. Be sure to visit the gardens!
Neue Gallery – Early 20th century German and Austrian Art. Klimt is the main attraction, and especially “The Woman in Gold.”
East River Promenade – 1.5 miles of views of Roosevelt Island and Triborough and Hellgate Bridges

Upper East Side Unusual and Unique Offerings

Bird House Row – Unique and colorful bird houses mysteriously popped up on 83rd Street in 2016, many made of natural and knotted bark.
Tender Buttons – The way stores used to be. Housed in a slim brownstone, millions of buttons have been sold here. Stock ranges from the 17th century to present day, and all the furniture is antique.
Jan’s Hobby Shop in Yorkville – whimsical, mostly miniatures of all types: model trains, planes, boats, as well as paints and puzzles.
Lexington Avenue Candy Shop – This is the oldest family-owned luncheonette in NYC. Vintage interior has been preserved and featured in Fading Gigolo, Three Days of the Condor, and the Nanny Diaries. It’s like stepping onto a 1940’s movie set and it attracts locals.
DTUT – An acronym for downtown/uptown, here’s a laid-back coffee shop/bar at 1744 2nd Avenue. DTUT supports local artists and every mug is an original that’s been hand-fired and glazed. Furniture is vintage/thrift store style, and menu is sourced locally.
Society of Illustrators – The society’s bar is open to the public and has been named one of NYC’s “hidden gems.” The museum’s collection is comprised of works by many of the greatest names in illustration and comic and cartoon art.