A Perfect Day: Upper East Side

a guide to the upper east side

In the next few weeks, I’ll be rolling out day guides for a few of my favorite neighborhoods in New York City.  These guides are for those traveling to NYC for the first time or for those who live here and want to explore more of where they live! I’m starting with the Upper East Side ( this only includes the area between 59th and 77th street)  because the truth is that I love it more during the winter; especially during the holidays. During the winter, that area of NYC has a certain stillness and beauty to it that I’ve only felt during the winter months in Paris.  The UES means different things to different people but to me, it’s sophisticated, elegant and timeless and those who appreciate old world beauty will certainly appreciate it. Get up there, grab a coffee at San Ambroeus, walk around and take it all in. Maybe pop into one of the many museums but also spend time outside because all the beauty of this neighborhood is around you and between you and I this is a great area to people watch! A few minutes on Madison Avenue and you’ll come across 20 “elderly women” wearing the most beautiful coats and hats – trust me, if you’re anything like me, it will warm your heart and get you dreaming on how when you’re 80, you too will look that fabulous.

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 8:00 AM – Grab a coffee and croissant inside The Plaza Food Hall which is located on the concourse of The Plaza Hotel. Inside you have an array of choices from Epicerie Boloud to Billy’s Bakery, you can truly have breakfast, lunch, and dinner without ever leaving the food hall! You can also opt for laduree on Madison!

10:00 AM – You have so many museum options in the UES so it’s just a matter of what you’re in the mood for. Maybe start your morning at the beautiful  Frick Collection art museum.

a guide to the upper east side
NYC Guide

12:00 PM – Grab lunch at San Ambroeus on Madison Avenue  (all of the pasta dishes are delicious!) or if you visit the Neue Galerie then you can eat at their fabulous Cafe Sabarsky.

2:00 PM –   After lunch check off another museum off your list! You can’t do a day on the Upper East Side and not visit The Met!  But if you’re not in the mood for big crowds and want something smaller then maybe visit the German and Austrian Neue Galerie.

The Upper East Side NYC

5:00 PM –  Take a break from all the art and treat yourself to some good ol’ shopping! The shopping in the UES is incredible. On Madison Avenue, you’ll have designers like Carolina Herrera, Ralph Lauren and Chanel. If you’re looking for better prices and a department store feel then head over to Bloomingdales on 59th Street and 3rd Avenue.

8:00 PM – Make reservations at Avra Madison Estiatoria for a modern Greek fare or keep it more classic with dinner at Cafe Boulud.

10:00 PM – There’s truly no better way than ending your night with a jazz performance and a night-cap at Bemelmans Bar inside The Carlye Hotel.  It’s very
“old New York” and classic.

Photography by: Paige Campell Linden

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1 Comment

  1. February 5, 2018 / 4:29 am

    A perfect day, indeed. This day guide sounds like a great way to get to know UES. Very classy 👌

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