The Upper East Side
The Upper East side, is by far one of the most expensive neighborhoods in New York City. Some famous residents have included the Kennedy’s, the Rockefellers, Madonna, the Trumps, Bill Murray, and Ricky Martin. The list price of some of the apartments in this neighborhood can run up to at least 20 million dollars, with the median price being $975,000 for a 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom apartment. Since this is the more expensive neighborhood, expect stores, restaurants, and everything in between to just be more expensive than the rest of the city. Expect to find more stores like Christian Louboutin here than a Gap or a Forever 21 store. But that being said, it does contain a lot of great museums you can visit, and it is a quick hop over to central park. Tip: try to book a hotel room during the off season/shoulder season as I have found a number of 4 star hotels with great views for only around $100 compared to rising costs in the peak season which can go up to around $350.
What To Do
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Daytime
-
Museums
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
- 1071 5th Avenue
- Monday- Sunday 10am-5:45pm
- Closed Thursday, open until 7:45 on Saturday
- $25 for adults
- $18 for seniors and students
- $0 for children
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- 1000 5th Avenue
- Monday-Friday 10am-5:30pm
- Saturday & Sunday open 10am-9pm
- $25 for adults
- $17 for seniors
- $12 for students
- $0 for children
- The Frick Collection
- 1 E 70th Street
- Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm
- Sunday 11am-5pm & closed Monday
- $20 for adults
- $15 for seniors
- $10 for students (with I.D.)
- Pay-what-you-wish on Sunday from 11am-1pm
- Children under 10 are not allowed in museum
- The Jewish Museum
- 1109 5th Avenue at 92nd Street
- Saturday-Tuesday 11am-5:45pm
- Closed Wednesday
- Thursday 11am-8pm & Friday 11am-4pm
- $15 for adults
- $12 for seniors
- $7.50 for students
- $0 for children under 18
- Free Saturdays
- Pay-what-you-wish on Thursdays 5-8pm
- Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
- 2 E 91st Street
- Sunday-Friday 10am-6pm
- Saturday 10am-9pm
- $18 for adults
- $12 for seniors
- $9 for students
- $0 for children under 18
- Pay-what-you-wish on Saturday from 6-9pm
- Save $2 per ticket buy purchasing tickets online
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
-
Shopping
- Anthropologie
- 1230 3rd Avenue
- Monday- Sunday 10am-8pm
- Barney’s New York
- 660 Madison Avenue
- Monday-Sunday 10am-8pm
- Christian Louboutin
- 967 Madison Avenue
- Monday-Sunday 10am-8pm
- H&M
- 150 E 86th Street
- Monday-Sunday 10am-9pm
- Kate Spade
- 789 Madison Avenue
- Monday-Sunday 10am-7pm
- Michael Kors
- 667 Madison Avenue
- Monday-Sunday 10am-8pm
- The Apple Store
- 767 5th Avenue
- Monday-Sunday 12am-11:59pm
- Tory Burch
- 797 Madison Avenue
- Monday-Sunday 10am-7pm
- Anthropologie
-
Famous Streets
- 5th Avenue (most expensive stores)
- Madison Avenue (best shopping street)
- Lexington Avenue
- 59th Street
- 72nd Street
- 86th Street
-
Nightlife
- Bemelman’s Bar (upscale piano bar)
- The Carlyle Hotel’s sophisticated, upscale piano bar, adorned with Ludwig Bemelmans’ famed murals
- 35 E 76th Street
- Monday-Sunday 12pm-1am
- The Auction House (lounge)
- Swanky interior design and dim lighting make this intimate lounge a date-friendly spot
- 300 E 89th Street
- Sunday-Wednesday 7:30pm-2am
- Thursday-Saturday 7:30pm-4am
- Session 73 (music venue)
- Music venue showcasing an array of bands playing blues, jazz, funk, salsa, and more
- 1359 1st Avenue
- Monday-Thursday 5pm-2am
- Friday 5pm-4am
- Saturday 12pm-4am
- Sunday 12pm-12am
- Caledonia Bar (Scottish Pub)
- Cozy Scottish pub featuring an extensive whisky menu, tap beers and elevated bar bites
- 1609 2nd Avenue
- Sunday-Thursday 5pm-2am
- Friday-Saturday 4pm-4am
- The Pony Bar (draft microbrews)
- This casual joint specializes in a rotating list of American draft microbrews plus a hearty pub fare
- 1444 1st Avenue
- Monday-Friday 3pm-4am
- Saturday-Sunday 12pm-4am
- Uva (wine & garden area seating)
- A lively crowd flirts over small plates and wine at this rustic-looking spot with a back garden
- 1486 2nd Avenue
- Monday-Friday 4pm-2am
- Saturday-Sunday 11am-2am
- Manny’s on Second (sports bar)
- A popular spot for sports fans with plenty of beer and Tvs, with pool and a live music space upstairs
- 1770 2nd Avenue
- Sunday-Wednesday 11:30am-1am
- Thursday-Saturday 11:30am-2am
- The East End Bar & Grill (Irish pub)
- Dark-wood-lined Irish pub with simple bar eats, draft beer, and lots of TVs for sports fans
- 1664 1st Avenue
- Monday-Sunday 11:30am-4am
- Bar Prima (Italian)
- Wines by the glass served with meat, cheese and other gourmet small plates in a warm, woodsy-chic hub
- 331 E 81st Street
- Sunday-Wednesday 10am-12am
- Thursday-Saturday 10am-1am
- Bemelman’s Bar (upscale piano bar)
Where To Eat
-
Restaurants
-
Upscale
- Daniel (French)
- Daniel Boulud’s elegant French flagship where jackets are required and expense accounts come in handy
- 60 E 65th Street
- Monday-Saturday 5:30pm-10:30pm
- Closed Sunday
- 4.6 Stars
- Candle 79 (Vegan/Vegetarian)
- Deluxe eclectic vegan dishes made with organic produce and served in elegant surroundings
- 154 E 79th Street
- Monday-Sunday 12pm-3:30pm & 5:30pm-10:30pm
- 4.5 Stars
- Luke’s Lobster (Seafood)
- Seafood counter serving Maine-style lobster rolls with toasted buns, plus clam chowder and microbrews
- 242 E 81st Street
- Monday-Sunday 11am-10pm
- 4.3 Stars
- Toloache
- Mexican eatery with modern takes on the cuisine and an extensive tequila list in a colorful room
- 166 E 82nd Street
- Monday-Friday 5pm-11pm
- Saturday-Sunda 11:30am-11pm
- 4.4 Stars
- Daniel (French)
-
-
Budget Friendly
- Shake Shack (American)
- Hip, counter-serve chain for gourmet takes on fast-food classics like burgers and frozen custard
- 154 E 86th Street
- Monday-Sunday 11am-11pm
- 4.1 Stars
- Jackson Hole (American)
- This casual American eatery, known for its burgers, also serves breakfast, Tex-Mex, and more
- 232 E 64th Street
- Monday-Sunday 10:30am-12am
- 4.0 Stars
- San Matteo Pizza Espresso Bar (Italian)
- This little pizzeria serves Neapolitan-style pies straight from the wood-burning oven
- 1739 2nd Avenue
- Monday-Thursday 5pm-11pm
- Friday-Sunday 12pm-11pm
- 4.6 Stars
- La Tarte Flambee (French)
- Petite, classic French eatery serving savory and sweet tarts, plus regional wine and beer
- 1750 2nd Avenue
- Monday-Friday 5pm-10pm
- Saturday-Sunday 11am-11pm
- 4.6 Stars
- Chicken Festival (Peruvian)
- Local Peruvian chain serving rotisserie chicken, ribs, classic entrees and more in a casual setting
- 1584 1st Avenue
- Monday-Sunday 11:30am-11pm
- 3.9 Stars
- Panera Bread (Sandwiches)
- Counter-serve bakery/café chain serving sandwiches, salads, and more, known for its bread and free WIFI
- 120 E 86th Street
- Monday-Sunday 6am-10pm
- 3.8 Stars
- Marrakesh (Middle Eastern)
- Decorated with Moroccan décor, this cozy restaurant delivers classic Mediterranean cuisine
- 235 E 53rd Street
- 4.0 Stars
- Shake Shack (American)
-
Desserts
- La Maison du Chocolat
- Paris-based chocolatier offering fancy candies, plus macaroons, pastries and gift boxes
- 1018 Madison Avenue
- Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm
- Sunday 12pm-6pm
- 4.3 Stars
- FP Patisserie
- Upscale bakery serving items such as cakes, chocolates, and ice-cream
- 1293 3rd Avenue
- Monday-Sunday 8am-9pm
- 4.1 Stars
- Serendipity 3
- Frozen hot chocolate stars on the ice-cream and sweets menu at this old-school dessert destination
- 225 E 60th Street
- Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-12am
- Friday-Saturday 11:30-2am
- 3.6 Stars
- Home of the world’s most expensive sundaes, the Golden Opulence Sundae, and the Frrrozen Haute Chocolate. The Haute Chocolate costs a whopping $25,000 earning a title from the Guiness World Records for the world’s most expensive sundae! It consists of different mixes of cocoa and milk frozen to a slushy-like consistency. Then it is topped with 5 grams of edible 24karat gold, then whipped cream and more edible gold. Then on top of it all is a La Madeline au Truffe cherry. All of this is surrounded by a golden crown, a golden spoon, and gold and diamonds on the plate. Order time is 2 weeks. On the other hand, if you are looking for something less expensive and a smaller wait time, the Golden Opulence only costs $1000! What a bargain! It consists of a $300 Baccarat Harcourt crystal goblet (which is yours to keep), a 23-carat gold edible leaf, Chuao chocolate from Venezuela, a small bowl of Grand Passion Caviar, and a gilded sugar flower which takes eight hours to make. Of course, they offer many affordable desserts and foods there so be sure to check it out, you might just be able to catch someone ordering one of these sundaes and you can try to live vicariously through them, just don’t drool.
- 2 Little Red Hens
- Cozy, laid-back bake shop and café known for cupcakes in many flavors and custom cakes
- 1652 2nd Avenue
- Monday-Friday 7:30am-9pm
- Saturday-Sunday 8am-10pm
- 4.6 Stars
- Sprinkles Cupcakes
- Cheery bakery known for its rotating menu of cupcakes, ice cream and cookies. Some have a cupcake ATM
- 780 Lexington Avenue
- Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm
- Sunday 10am-8pm
- 4.2 Stars
- Maison Laduree (best macaroons!)
- Upscale bakery with Parisian origins, specializing in French macaroons in a number of flavors
- 864 Madison Avenue
- Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm
- Sunday 10am-6pm
- 4.3 Stars
- Dylan’s Candy Bar
- A wide array of candy plus ice-cream, cupcakes, and more is available at this upscale sugar emporium
- 1011 3rd Avenue
- Sunday-Thursday 10am-9pm
- Friday-Saturday 10am-11pm
- 4.1 Stars
- La Maison du Chocolat
Where To Sleep
-
Upscale (prices for off-season/shoulder-season)
- Four Seasons Hotel New York
- Renowned upscale hotel offering luxurious rooms, and for drinks they have martinis, house-infused vodkas, and a light menu
- 57 E 57th Street
- 4.3 Stars
- $695/night
- The Surrey
- Storied 1926 venue with contemporary style, boasting a rooftop garden, luxurious spa and Daniel Boulud eatery
- 20 E 76th Street
- 4.5 Stars
- $401/night
- The Plaza Hotel
- Jet-set hl legendary for elegant lodging (with in-room iPads) and afternoon tea in the Palm Court
- 768 5th Avenue
- 4.3 Stars
- $473/night
- The Mark
- Grand 1927 property with art deco inspired rooms, destination dining and a swanky bar
- 25 E 77th Street
- 4.6 Stars
- $495/night
- Hotel Plaza Athénée New York
- Elegant hideaway with European atmosphere, antiques and murals, plus seasonal cuisine and a luxury spa
- 37 E 64th Street
- 4.3 Stars
- $339/night
- The Pierre, a Taj Hotel
- Luxurious landmark, open since 1930 that features elegant rooms with high ceilings and marble bathrooms
- 2 E 61st Street
- 4.6 Stars
- $420/night
- Four Seasons Hotel New York
-
Budget Friendly (prices for off-season/shoulder season)
- Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side
- Modern hotel with an indoor pool, an on-site bistro and an exercise room, plus free WIFI
- 410 E 92nd Street
- 4.1 Stars
- $103/night
- The Franklin Hotel
- Boutique property that offers cozy room with free WIFI and breakfast, plus a wine and cheese hour
- 164 E 87th Street
- 3.8 Stars
- $143/night
- Bentley Hotel
- Chic property with a lobby bar, penthouse restaurant offering kosher dining and modern rooms
- 500 E 62nd Street
- 3.7 Stars
- $107/night
- The Marmara Manhattan
- High rise hotel with apartment-like suites offering full kitchens, free WIFI and a fitness center
- 301 E 94th Street
- 4.1 Stars
- $123/night
- Renaissance New York Hotel 57
- Sophisticated lodging with a French restaurant and a cocktail bar, plus an exercise room
- 130 E 57th Street
- 3.9 Stars
- $114/night
- Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side
“To travel is to live” – Hans Christian Andersen
The Picky Eater Travels 
Thank you so much for this! I’ve never been to New York and was planning to go this summer.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the post! I am planning to cover the rest of the neighborhoods in NYC so stay tuned for upcoming posts! 🙂
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I’m looking forward to it! 🙂
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Excellent information, thanks!
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No problem, I’m glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
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