New York Online - Upper East Side

The Upper East Side, between Fifth Avenue and the East River, is known as a residential area for wealthy Manhattan families and as home to the best museums of New York. It is here at Fifth Avenue above 57th Street that top museums of New York City can be found. There are as many as nine museums along the 1.6-kilometre long strip of land, hence the name ''Museum Mile''. These are as follows: the masterful Metropolitan Museum of Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, National Academy of Fine Arts, Neue Gallery for German and Austrian Art, Museum of the City of New York, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Jewish Museum and El Museo del Barrio.
Having seen the museums, one can have a rest in the 337-ha Central Park, a perfect site for active and passive relaxation. It is so popular that as many as over 2 million people visit the park each year.
The Upper East Side is also known for its historical part called Henderson Place. One can see here 24, out of the original 32, quarters of brick and stone houses which are beautifully decorated with towers, bay windows and mansards.
While walking along the streets of the Upper East Side one can see other edifices which are worth of note for their architectural features. These include:
- Seventh Regiment Armory, known for the January prestigious Winter Antiques Shows and charity balls,
- Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Gardens, a registered historic place, which is a rare relic of the Old New York, and
- Gracie Mansion, dating back to 1799, the former seat of the Museum of the City of New York, which is nowadays the official residence of the New York mayor. It is situated on the northern edge of Carl Schurz Park with a nice riverside promenade nearby.
Apart from historic places, the Upper East Side boasts its commercial streets, the most famous of which is Madison Avenue. Its part, between 57th and 85th Streets, is commonly referred to as ''the fashionable road'' as the world-famous fashion designer boutiques and hair salons are situated here, including Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Valentino, Miu Miu, Emporio Armani, Luca Luca, Dolce&Gabbana, amongst others.
It is not only Madison Avenue that draws New Yorkers to the Upper East Side. Another major attraction in the area is Central Park, the most visited of all parks in the United Stated and one of the most famous parks in the world. It is here in the serene nature, so craved for by both New Yorkers and tourists, that one can pursue a wide variety of sports or, if rather not fond of strenuous exercise, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the meandering paths within the boundaries of the extensive Central Park.
The Upper East Side is also known for Roosevelt Island, formerly known as Blackwell's Island or Welfare Island. It is a narrow island situated in the East River. During the 19th century the isle was home to asylums, a welfare penitentiary and other correctional institutions. Since the 1980s Roosevelt Island has been a residential area filled with high-rise apartment buildings.
Apart from the cultural institutions and historical places, the Upper East Side is famous for its elite schools, upscale boutiques, luxury hotels, high-end restaurants, which make it a splendid residential area for affluent New Yorkers, a perfect setting for plenty of American movies and a top attraction to tourists. Thus, being here while staying in New York is the must-do experience!