NYC: 13 Reasons The East Side Is Better Than The West Side
What Is NYC’s East Side?
The East Side of New York City, a distinctive area within Manhattan, exudes a unique blend of residential charm and commercial vitality, offering a diverse array of cultural attractions, upscale residential enclaves, and bustling commercial districts. Known for its tree-lined streets, historic brownstone buildings, and an array of boutique shops and dining establishments, the East Side is characterized by a more tranquil and refined ambiance, attracting residents and visitors alike with its serene parks and upscale neighborhoods. It serves as a haven for those seeking a balance between a bustling urban lifestyle and a sense of community intimacy. This article dives into some of the best neighborhoods, attractions, amenities, museums, and other landmarks that make the East Side of New York one of the best places to work, live, and visit.
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1. Grand Central Terminal
This beautiful historic and world-famous landmark is located on 42nd street in Midtown Manhattan and operates as a hub for both the NYC metro and trains with access to the tristate area including the Hudson Valley, Connecticut, and Long Island.
Renowned for its breathtaking Beaux-Arts architecture, the terminal boasts a majestic Main Concourse adorned with a celestial ceiling mural that captivates visitors with its celestial depiction. Grand Central Terminal is not just a transportation hub; it is a cultural epicenter, housing an array of upscale dining establishments, gourmet markets, and retail shops that cater to the diverse needs of travelers and locals. Its storied past, vibrant ambiance, and central location have solidified its place as a beloved and iconic landmark, continually weaving itself into the fabric of the city's bustling and dynamic landscape.
The building is extremely multipurposed and houses restaurants, shops, markets, and a variety of other commercial storefronts. Opened to the public in February 1913, Grand Central Terminal is a story of great engineering, survival, and rebirth. In 1978, architect Philip Johnson and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis campaigned to secure landmark status for the Terminal, ensuring the building would serve New Yorkers for generations to come.
There are even tennis courts inside the building along with some private restaurants hidden away from public view. There are a variety of office buildings in midtown that have tunnels or various passages that lead to either Grand Central or the subway making transportation to and from midtown a breeze.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Beyond My Ken
2. ST Mark’s Place
Eighth Street in Manhattan between Third Avenue and Avenue A is known as St. Mark's Place—arguably the East Village’s most notable street and a place bursting with culture via its retail shops, street vendors, restaurants and nightlife. In a city that is gentrifying more and more every day, St. Mark's Place maintains its gritty and authentic feel.
St. Marks Place, a renowned street in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, is a vibrant and eclectic cultural hub that embodies the city's rich history and dynamic spirit. This bustling thoroughfare is famed for its diverse array of quirky shops, trendy boutiques, and diverse culinary offerings, catering to a wide spectrum of tastes and interests. Lined with an assortment of avant-garde establishments, including vintage clothing stores, tattoo parlors, and a variety of experimental eateries, St. Marks Place exudes an unmistakable bohemian charm that has long attracted artists, musicians, and free spirits. Its energetic atmosphere, characterized by bustling sidewalks and a thriving nightlife scene, serves as a melting pot of creativity and cultural expression, fostering an environment that is both edgy and inviting, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a taste of New York City's distinctive urban culture.
St. Mark’s Place has always been a countercultural phenomenon with a variety of interesting celebrities having lived in or near the area. Leon Trotsky and WH Auden lived here, as did James Fenimore Cooper, author of Last of the Mohicans. Andy Warhol ran a nightclub on the street.
The New York Dolls and Led Zeppelin shot album covers depicting one of its street-corner bodegas and its geometrically pleasing zigzag fire escapes. The Rolling Stones and Billy Joel filmed music videos here. Debbie Harry lived at No 113; William S Burroughs at No 2. Adam Horowitz of the Beastie Boys wrote the song Paul Revere sitting on the steps of Sounds records at No 20. Jeff Buckley recorded his acclaimed debut EP Live at Sin-é at No 122.
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3. LES & Chinatown
The eclectic Lower East Side is where gritty alleys and tenement-style buildings mix with upscale apartments and chic boutiques. Nighttime draws hip, young crowds to the area's trendy bars, music venues and restaurants. One prominent local restaurant that is a must visit is Dudley’s NYC.
The neighborhood's Jewish heritage lives on through Orchard Street's Lower East Side Tenement Museum and old-world fabric stores, as well as traditional delis such as Katz's and Russ & Daughters.
Home to a dense population of Asian immigrants, Manhattan’s Chinatown is one of NYC's most evocative neighborhoods. Walking its busy, narrow streets reveals surprise after surprise: Chatham Square’s statue of Lin Zexu, a Qing dynasty official who led the fight against Britain’s illegal importation of opium; the odd pagoda-style roof and Buddhist temple; and atmospheric Doyers Street, with its basement bars and a speakeasy among them. Come hungry and work your way through the many dim sum palaces, dumpling dens and inexpensive noodle joints.
Source: The Empire City Wire
4. South Street Seaport
The South Street Seaport is a historic area in the New York City borough of Manhattan, centered where Fulton Street meets the East River, and adjacent to the Financial District, in Lower Manhattan. The Seaport is a designated historic district, and is distinct from the neighboring Financial District. It is a vibrant waterfront area that offers a unique blend of maritime history, shopping, dining, entertainment, and stunning views of the East River and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.
The buildings of the district span a period of almost 200 years. The district's architectural landscape, a living testament to the evolution of mercantile architecture over the course of nearly two centuries, showcases an intricate tapestry of styles that have left an indelible mark on the urban fabric. The buildings that grace this district, standing as enduring witnesses to the passage of time, bear the imprints of various architectural influences that have shaped their forms and functions.
The district stands as an open-air museum of architectural history, where one can traverse the eras through the lens of design. From the graceful lines of Georgian architecture that exude a refined elegance to the dignified austerity of Federal style structures, each edifice whispers stories of a bygone era. The symmetrical facades, elaborate cornices, and grand entrances of Greek Revival buildings evoke a sense of monumental grandeur, while the later Italianate and Romanesque Revival styles infuse the district with a sense of eclectic diversity.
The transformation of these buildings from their original purposes into modern storefronts, shops, and restaurants showcases the district's adaptability and resilience. It's not just an architectural journey but a narrative of urban life that continues to unfold. Early stores and warehouses were designed by builders often unknown, while later 19th-century buildings were often the product of prominent New York City architects such as Stephen D. Hatch, George B. Post, and Richard Morris Hunt.
The fusion of the past with the present, as manifested in these adaptive reuse projects, echoes the dynamic nature of cities as they evolve and reinvent themselves over time. The district stands as a testament to the value of preserving architectural heritage, where the past and present seamlessly coexist, allowing visitors to engage with history while experiencing the vibrant pulse of contemporary urban life.
The docks on the east side are part of the reason why Wall Street became so famous as a financial capital as traders and investors would make bets on which ships would sink or return to the Seaport.
Source: Twitter/X @NYCferry
5. NYC Ferry
The NYC Ferry system stands as a vital component of the city's transportation network, offering convenient and efficient access to various neighborhoods, including Brooklyn and Queens. With a growing fleet of state-of-the-art vessels, the ferry system provides residents and visitors with a scenic and hassle-free mode of travel, connecting them to key destinations along the East River and beyond.
The NYC Ferry is a public network of ferry routes in New York City operated by Hornblower Cruises. As of August 2021, there are six routes, as well as one seasonal route, connecting 25 ferry piers across all five boroughs.
Passengers can seamlessly navigate the waterways, enjoying stunning views of the city's iconic skyline while swiftly accessing bustling hubs in Brooklyn, Queens, Roosevelt Island, Governor’s Island as well as other coastal destinations in the NYC metro area. This accessible and reliable transportation option has significantly contributed to enhancing connectivity and fostering mobility, catering to the diverse needs of New Yorkers and enhancing their overall commuting experience.
The system carried 6.1 million passengers in 2022, an EDC spokeswoman said, equal to about 95% of the system’s 2019 ridership. Ridership numbers have climbed higher in the first two months of 2023. Many riders also use the ferry as a form of commuting, and with one ferry stop being Wall Street, this allows for incredibly easy transportation for those that live outside of Manhattan to get easy access to NYC metro lines.
Source: Carl Schurz Park
6. Carl Schurz Park
Carl Schurz Park is a public park located in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. This picturesque park stretches along the East River from East 84th Street to East 90th Street, offering a tranquil retreat in the midst of the bustling city. The park is named after Carl Schurz, a German revolutionary and American statesman who served as a Union general in the American Civil War, and later as a U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Interior.
This local park is just next to the east river and is also connected to Gracie Manor (the NYC mayor’s residence). Carl Schurz Park hosts a variety of events from Christmas tree lightings to art fairs.
One of the city's best-kept secrets is this gorgeous park, which is partially secluded along the East River. Beautiful views of the river, the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse, the Triborough Bridge, the Randall's and Ward's islands, Can be enjoyed by those who stroll along the promenade.
One of the highlights of Carl Schurz Park is its well-maintained gardens. Gracie Mansion, the 18th-century estate that serves as the official residence of the Mayor of New York City, is adjacent to the park, and the grounds feature well-manicured lawns, seasonal flowers, and pathways for leisurely strolls.
The park is very dog friendly and is also a great location to go for residents of the Upper East Side that live along the river. It provides an opportunity to enjoy nature for those that live a little farther away from Central Park.
Source: 86 St Subway Station
7. 2nd Avenue
The 2nd avenue subway line was originally proposed in 1920! From 1920 - 2017 there were a variety of market conditions that impacted the completion of the project. Original plans to break ground were in the 1970’s but considering the economy at that time, the project was unable to get off the ground. It took almost 100 years later for it to be completed with most of the construction taking place from 2007 to 2017.
The community on 2nd avenue along with that area of the Upper East Side was once heavily depressed to the construction of the metro impeding local restaurants from being able to operate fully. The construction was loud, there was plenty of pollution, and the flow of traffic was also impacted. This made traveling up and down 2nd avenue a nightmare and because of that restaurants either adapted or went out of business.
Now that the 2nd avenue subway is in full operation, the neighborhood has exploded in popularity rivaling even some downtown communities. Once empty storefronts are now bustling with new customers and locals who moved to the neighborhood after the 2nd avenue line was completed. There is great nightlife, cocktail bars, and restaurants for new residents to take advantage of. Another plus side is that unlike downtown, there is plenty of space on the Upper East Side and prices for a cocktail or nice dinner are still reasonable, for now!
Source: FREEHOLD In The Park restaurant
8. Union Square
The lively Union Square neighborhood is anchored by its namesake pedestrian plaza and bustling park, which attracts a mix of professionals, street artists, students and protesters. The surrounding streets are lined with high-rise apartments and big-name chain stores, as well as casual eateries and cafes.
The park also houses stalls of the long-running Union Square Greenmarket draw crowds for local produce and artisanal food.
The seasonal bounty offered by local farmers is unmatched at Greenmarket's flagship market, with hundreds of options available at any given time. Freshly picked fruits and vegetables, award-winning farmstead cheeses, heritage meats, artisan breads, jams, pickles, an abundance of cut flowers and plants, wine, cider, maple syrup, and much more are all available.
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9. Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is an extremely popular landmark attraction that operates as both a tourist destination for pedestrians but also operates as a transportation route for cars and bikers to travel to and from Manhattan to Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Bridge is not just one of the most famous landmarks statewide, but nationally and also internationally. Visitors from all over the world come to visit and marvel at the sheer size and craftmanship of the bridge.
Since 1883, its granite towers and steel cables have offered a safe and scenic passage to millions of commuters and tourists, trains and bicycles, pushcarts and cars. The bridge’s construction took 14 years and cost $15 million (more than $320 million in today’s dollars). At least two dozen people died in the process, including its original designer. Now more than 125 years old, this iconic feature of the New York City skyline still carries roughly 150,000 vehicles and pedestrians every day. This bridge was one of the first of its kind when it was created and was well known internationally by architects who drew on its impressive design as a blueprint for creating bridges of similar capabilities around the world.
Stay to the right when walking; the left side, marked by a yellow line on the ground, is for bicycles, often speeding and can be yelling at wandering pedestrians. If you go down the steps in Brooklyn, and bare left, you can get one of the best slices of pizza at Gramaldis, “Below the Brooklyn Bridge.”
Source: The Frick Museum
10. The Frick MUSEUM
The Frick Collection is an art museum in New York City. It houses a permanent collection that features Old Master paintings and European fine and decorative arts, including works by Bellini, Fragonard, Goya, Holbein, Rembrandt, Titian, Turner, Velázquez, Vermeer, Thomas Gainsborough, and many others.
This museum houses one of my personal favorite collections of art. This museum exists inside the former mansion of Mr. Frick and is very thoroughly decorated with gilded age themes. While the artwork is stunning, the actual museum that houses the work is maintained heavily and feels like a time capsule of the 1920’s. The building is extremely extravagant and for a brief period of time, museum visitors are provided the luxury of experiencing living in such a house even if just for an hour or two.
Henry Clay Frick (December 19, 1849 – December 2, 1919) was an American industrialist, financier, and art patron. He played a significant role in the establishment of the enormous U.S. Steel manufacturing business as well as the founding of the H. C. Frick & Company coke manufacturing company and serving as chairman of the Carnegie Steel Corporation. He also erected the famous neoclassical Frick Mansion, which is today a landmark structure in Manhattan.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
After creating the renowned Frick Collection and art museum, he gave his sizable collection of old master paintings and excellent furnishings upon his death. The size of the collection is excessive and the quality of the works are impeccable.
The level of wealth needed to amass a mansion of this size and fill it with such precious works would only have been attainable in the gilded age. Because of the low levels of corporate regulation and political lobbying, business magnates like Frick saw little competition in leading their corporate empires.
While the mansion itself is beautiful, one can only imagine the condition other New Yorkers or immigrants experienced in cramped tenement buildings throughout the poorer neighborhoods like the Lower East Side.
When the museum opened in 1935, the institution's assets, which include masterpieces from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century, have expanded over the years and more than doubled in size. The Frick Art Reference Library, established in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, the museum's founder, is a crucial part of the organization. It has provided free services to students, academics, and members of the public for decades and is regarded as one of the top research institutions for art history in the entire world.
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11. The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art is one of the most popular landmarks in not only NYC but in the United States. The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, colloquially "the Met", is the largest art museum in the Americas. Its permanent collection contains over two million works, divided among 17 curatorial departments.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in 1870 with its mission to bring art and art education to the American people. The museum's permanent collection consists of works of art from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt, paintings, and sculptures from nearly all the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art.
The museum is one of the largest tourist attractions in New York City with art and historical artifacts on display from all across the world. There is even an HPG Networks article highlighting 3 of the best permanent exhibits on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
With its grand Beaux-Arts facade and sprawling galleries, the museum serves as a bastion of artistic exploration and cultural enlightenment, housing a rich assortment of ancient artifacts, masterful paintings, intricate sculptures, and a myriad of other art forms that represent various civilizations and periods in history. Beyond its vast collection, The Met's immersive exhibitions and educational programs serve to inspire and engage visitors, fostering a deep appreciation for the arts and the profound impact of human ingenuity on a global scale. As a cultural cornerstone of the city, The Met continues to captivate and enchant art enthusiasts, scholars, and visitors from around the world, solidifying its place as a must-visit destination for those seeking to delve into the rich tapestry of human artistic achievement.
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12. 5th Avenue
5th Avenue is a major and prominent thoroughfare in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It stretches north from Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to West 143rd Street in Harlem.
This iconic street, stretching from Washington Square Park to Harlem, serves as a prestigious shopping destination, boasting a lineup of high-end boutiques, flagship stores, and luxury brands that cater to the discerning tastes of locals and tourists alike. It is one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world.
Some of the famous clothing stores on 5th Avenue in NYC include Lord & Taylor, Armani, Cartier, Ferragamo, and Gucci. Other landmarks of the shopping center include the famous department stores Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman.
During the 1990s, the retail stores situated along 5th Avenue held the distinction of being the most costly in terms of price per square foot. In 2008, Forbes ranked 5th avenue as the most pricey street globally, while the affluent population regarded the penthouses on this thoroughfare as the ultimate sought-after residential spaces in the city.
Beyond its retail allure, Fifth Avenue is also celebrated for its architectural marvels, including the renowned St. Patrick's Cathedral and the majestic Empire State Building, each adding to the avenue's cultural and historical significance. Its prime location, historical landmarks, and status as a premier shopping destination have solidified Fifth Avenue as a timeless symbol of New York City's enduring glamour and sophistication.
The Apple Store is also situated on the renowned Fifth Avenue in New York City and is one example of an architectural spectacle, celebrated for its innovative design and technological allure. Nestled within a distinctive glass cube structure, this flagship store serves as a testament to modernity and sophistication, seamlessly integrating into the dynamic tapestry of Fifth Avenue. Within its sleek confines, customers are invited to explore an extensive array of cutting-edge Apple products and accessories, fostering an engaging and immersive retail experience that embodies the spirit of innovation and advancement synonymous with the bustling thoroughfare of Fifth Avenue.
Source: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
13. The Guggenheim Museum
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, often referred to as The Guggenheim, is an art museum at 1071 Fifth Avenue between 88th and 89th Streets on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City.
Committed to innovation, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation collects, preserves, and interprets modern and contemporary art, and explores ideas across cultures through dynamic curatorial and educational initiatives and collaborations. With its constellation of architecturally and culturally distinct museums, exhibitions, publications, and digital platforms, the foundation engages both local and global audiences.
The Museum is also featured in the film “Men In Black,” a science fiction movie that takes place in NYC. The first pursuit between Agent J (Will Smith) and an alien takes place in New York City and notably at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. The unique architecture of the building made for an interesting location to film for a movie about aliens as the modernist structure in and of itself almost seems alien in nature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the eternal debate between the East Side and West Side of New York City may be subjective, exploring the merits of the East Side has revealed a tapestry of compelling reasons that make it stand out. From the opulent brownstones of the Upper East Side to the cultural richness of the East Village and the vibrant energy of Midtown, the East Side offers a diverse and dynamic living experience. Its proximity to iconic landmarks, world-class museums, and a myriad of culinary delights creates an unparalleled urban tapestry that captivates residents and visitors alike.
While the West Side certainly has its own allure, the East Side's blend of sophistication, accessibility, and cultural vibrancy solidifies its reputation as a coveted enclave within the city that never sleeps. Ultimately, whether one finds themselves drawn to the tranquility of Carl Schurz Park, the luxury of Madison Avenue, or the artistic flair of the Lower East Side, the East Side's multifaceted charm undoubtedly contributes to its distinction as a premier destination within the unparalleled mosaic of New York City.
Feel free to write to us with any additional East Side favorite landmarks or neighborhoods!
