Uptown New York City Holidays

Above 96th Street, Upper Manhattan takes in the neighbourhoods of Marble Hill, Inwood, Washington Heights (including Fort George, Sherman Creek and Hudson Heights), Harlem (including Sugar Hill and Hamilton Heights), and parts of the Upper West Side (Morningside Heights and Manhattan Valley).

Things to do

It is a predominantly residential area, with not much for tourists specifically although the fabulous Central Park runs north to south from 110th street to 59th street and you can do the touristy thing of getting a horse and carriage through the park, or skating if in winter. It is great to see the park like this and can be enjoyed at any time of the year – the magnolias in spring are especially beautiful.

Eat at the Boathouse or Tavern on the Green; it is a tourist’s favourite, with horse drawn carriages right outside the door and sparkling trees When booking a reservation it is important to ask to be seated in the Crystal Room, all of the others are just not quite as good. The Boathouse is a New York Classic. The restaurant overlooks the Lake, and from the outside deck diners can watch boats, ducks and turtles drift by. There is also an Outside Bar and Grill, which offers a more limited menu but which still overlooks the Lake.

You may be interested in a museum located in Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights called The Cloisters which is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was built in the 1930s resembling architectural elements of several European medieval abbeys. It is used to exhibit art and architecture from Medieval Europe.

Holiday Highlights

• Some things to see in Central Park are the Great Lawn (a great place for picnics), The Imagine Circle dedicated to John Lennon, the Alice in Wonderland statue next to the Boat Pond, and the Reservoir.
• Be like a local and eat at The Boathouse Restaurant overlooking the lake in Central Park. It has featured in several films and TV shows including Sex and the City.
• Skating in Central Park in winter provides a plus to the cold season
• Horse drawn carriage rides in Central Park

When to go

New York is buzzing for most of the year but during July and August lots of residents flee the heat and take off to Martha’s Vineyard and the beaches so weekends in the city are less busy. There are lots of outdoor events in the summer. Spring and Autumn are great times to visit the parks and it’s not so stifling – winter is for skating and shopping!

Planning a holiday to New York in 2015?

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