Welcome to Upper Manhattan
Eclectic communities with parks and family neighborhoods
Upper Manhattan is the northernmost section of New York City’s most iconic borough. Though there is no officially agreed-upon definition, most consider Upper Manhattan to begin at 96th Street or the northern boundary of Central Park. This diverse area offers a vibrant lifestyle and family neighborhoods away from the bustle of the city’s more touristy areas. Neighborhoods usually considered part of Upper Manhattan include East Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Harlem, Inwood, Marble Hill, Washington Heights, and the Upper West Side’s Morningside Heights and Manhattan Valley.
Upper Manhattan’s eclectic neighborhoods offer a wide range of housing styles, from classic townhouses and prewar apartment buildings to luxurious contemporary high-rise condominiums with incredible views across the city.
What to Love
- Family neighborhoods
- Quiet communities
- Waterfront parks
- Diverse housing options
People & Lifestyle
Upper Manhattan communities such as Inwood and Washington Heights offer lots of parks and open space, with quiet neighborhoods tucked away from New York City’s busier areas. Other areas, such as Harlem, are vibrant and exciting, overflowing with energy. Whatever you’re looking for, Upper Manhattan is likely to have a neighborhood that’s perfect for you.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
The eclectic neighborhoods comprising Upper Manhattan have a vast array of unique places to shop and dine. Amsterdam Avenue runs north to south through the Upper West Side between Columbia University’s campus and Morningside Park and is lined with many inexpensive bistros and international dining spots. The Hungarian Pastry Shop is a local favorite, serving delicious Eastern European-style pastries and coffees.
Upper Manhattan also has many parks and a plethora of green space. Fort Tyron Park covers 57 acres along the Hudson River waterfront between the neighborhoods of Hudson Heights and Inwood. Nestled within this sprawling public park is the delightful fieldstone cottage New Leaf Restaurant. This sophisticated hidden gem was built in the 1930s by John D. Rockefeller and has won accolades from Zagat and the Michelin Guide for its delectable bistro-style dishes and picturesque setting. The Hudson is located on the banks of its namesake river at Fort Tyron Park’s northern tip. This stylish dining spot serves slow-smoked barbecue and fresh boiled seafood in indoor and outdoor dining spaces with great views across the river.
Harlem is one of New York City’s most vibrant neighborhoods, famed for its jazz clubs and soul food spots such as Syliva’s, which has been serving delectable Southern comfort food since the 1960s. 125th Street has been the heart of Harlem’s African American culture since the 1920s. The Apollo Theater is one of its most iconic venues, having been instrumental in launching stars such as James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder. The Harlem Pie Man is just as well-known among locals, serving mouthwatering baked pies and cookies.
Things to Do
Fort Tyron Park is one of New York City’s prettiest outdoor spaces. Amenities at the park include eight miles of pathways, wide-open lawns, playgrounds, ping-pong tables, volleyball courts, and NYC’s largest dog run. The gorgeous Heather and Alpine Gardens at Fort Tyron feature more than 550 types of plants.
Fort Tyron is also home to The Cloisters, a medieval art museum housed within a spectacular building partially reconstructed from a 13th-century French church. The Cloisters has over 5,000 artworks, most of which are from the Gothic and Romanesque periods.
Directly north of Fort Tyron Park, Inwood Hill Park is NYC’s most well-preserved natural space. The park features the city’s last remaining salt marsh and the last surviving examples of trees and flowers that once covered Manhattan Island. The park also has three playgrounds, fields for baseball and soccer, and courts for basketball and tennis.
Schools
Public schools in the area are part of the New York City Public School District. There are also several excellent public schools, including:
- Trinity School, Private (Coeducational, College Preparatory), K-12
- Collegiate School, Private (All Boys), K-12