Uptown NYC Guide: Central Park, Museums & Lincoln Center
- Dr. K.
- Jun 13, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
If Downtown is where New York moves and Midtown is where it glows, Uptown is where it breathes.
Elegant, leafy, and rich with art and music, Uptown Manhattan offers a slower rhythm that still feels distinctly New York. From the green stretches of Central Park to the stages of Lincoln Center, this part of the city celebrates culture, creativity, and calm — all within a few train stops of Midtown’s chaos.
Visit Central Park
Central Park is most definitely one of my favorite things about New York City! It is beautiful in both summer and winter months. There are tons of things to do here:
Go Boating! Details here: The Loeb Boathouse
Check out the Belvedere Castle located mid-park at 79th
Visit the Central Park Zoo
Enjoy a live concert at SummerStage
Picnic or fly a kite at Sheep Meadow
Stroll through the 6-acre Conservatory (French, Italian and English) Garden
Watch 'Shakespeare in the Park' at the open-air Delacorte Theater
Go biking! Rentals are available and there are rules to follow
Race miniature sail boats at Model Boat Pond, east side on 75th
Enjoy a performance at the Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center is the world's leading performing arts center and home to 11 resident arts organizations. From music, theater, dance, film, and so much more, their stages bring a tapestry of diverse artists—from across the globe—to New York City!
Photo by Seth Hoffman and Enric Domas on Unsplash
Spend the day at a museum!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET): The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. (Upper East)
American Museum of Natural History: is all about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe! (Upper East)
Guggenheim: An internationally renowned art museum, fantastic architectural design! (Upper West)
Enjoy a musical performance at the legendary Carnegie Hall
Here is an opportunity to listen to extraordinary music and musicians on one of the three stages! Indulge in a guided tour and visit the Rose museum. Located on the corner of 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, it is a national historic landmark that comprises three venues: Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, Zankel Hall, and Weill Recital Hall. Additionally, Carnegie Hall also supports educational activities throughout the city and beyond through its Weill Music Institute.
Go shopping OR take a break near Columbus Circle!
'The Shops at Columbus Circle' is one of New York City’s most famous landmarks, drawing more than 16 million visitors per year, thanks to its world-famous restaurants, lounges, and 50-plus retail stores. It is in the center of everything so it is a great place to rest your legs, grab coffee or lunch, pack a basket for a Central Park picnic (there is a Whole Foods there!). Celebrating a VERY special occasion? You can always stop by Per Se, one of the most expensive restaurants in the country, right inside the mall.
Wellness, Uptown Style
Uptown wellness isn’t about exclusivity — it’s about pace. Morning jogs around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, yoga sessions in Central Park, and classical performances under the stars at Lincoln Center define a softer side of city life.
From Exhale Spa on the Upper East Side to Pure Yoga and Le Botaniste cafés, Uptown has quietly become one of Manhattan’s most mindful neighborhoods — proof that the city’s calm can coexist with its energy.
Travel Tip
If you plan to explore multiple attractions, consider a New York Pass or Headout Pass — both offer access to over 100 sites and experiences across the city.
