Upper East Side

 

The Upper East Side is a serene, upscale neighborhood that serves as a welcome retreat from busy city life. With its proximity to Central Park, the Museum Mile, and plenty of shopping, there’s no shortage of ways to pass the time in the Upper East Side.

Like its twin, the Upper West Side, this neighborhood had humble beginnings as farmland for Dutch settlers. In the late 19th century, sprawling rural farms transformed into this elegant and affluent neighborhood.

Some classic architectural styles you may find in the Upper East Side are Romanesque Revival, Beaux-Arts, Neo-Georgian, and Art Deco. The Upper East Side is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the nation, and the median price of a home is $1.1 million. 

 

What to Love

• The elegant and upscale style of the neighborhood
• Proximity to parks like Central Park, East River Park, and Carl Schurz Park
• Cultural centers like the Museum Mile, as well as laid-back fine dining

People & Lifestyle

The Upper East Side has a serene and classic vibe. The streets are much quieter in comparison to other neighborhoods in the city, and the dining scene is laid-back and sophisticated. Life in the Upper East Side offers a safe haven from the bustling streets of Midtown alongside easy access to the rest of the city.

 

Dining, Shopping, & Entertainment

The food scene in the Upper East Side is upscale and intimate. Daniel is a Michelin-starred restaurant specializing in French cuisine. JoJo offers a similar European menu in an intimate and casual converted townhome. 

Uva offers fine wine in a rustic, relaxed environment, and Sfoglia is a similarly relaxed authentic Italian restaurant. 

If you’re craving Italian but would rather dine in, you can stop by Agata & Valentina, a specialty food market specializing in traditional ingredients for Italian dishes. 

JG Melon is a classic cash-only saloon famous for their burgers that feels like stepping back in time. 

And for dessert? You’re in luck! La Maison du Chocolat is a gourmet chocolatier offering a variety of truffles, ganaches, and more. Levain Bakery is known for its cookies. Ladureé, the world-renowned macaron maker, serves the classic French delicacy at its Upper East Side location. And if you’ve always dreamt of paying a visit to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, Dylan’s Candy Bar comes close. This self-described “confectionary emporium” has a huge selection of all kinds of candies.

Barneys and Bloomingdales are two luxury department stores with plenty of designer brands to choose from. 

The New York headquarters of Sotheby’s auction house are in the Upper East Side. Auctions occur in this building, often breaking international records for the prices, but people with all budgets are welcome. They have pre-sale art exhibitions, a café, and a wine store with a wide range of price points for their bottles (some as low as $15). 

 

Things to Do

There are plenty of opportunities for a day spent outdoors at one of the many parks in the neighborhood: Central Park, East River Park, and Carl Schurz Park (which is perfect for dogs)!

Museum lovers rejoice — the Upper East Side is home to the famous Museum Mile, which is a stretch of 5th Avenue lined with museums of all kinds. For art lovers, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim Museum, and the Frick Collection are well worth a visit. 

The Church of St. Vincent Ferrer is a historic church built on the site of the first temporary church in the area in 1857 and is a landmark of the Upper East Side. 

 

Schools

The Upper East Side is home to PS 6, the Lillie Devereaux Blake Elementary School, which is regarded as one of the best elementary schools in the city.