When many people think of the Upper East Side, they think of a quiet, tree-lined urban expanse filled with posh residents and purebred dogs. There’s some reality behind the neighborhood’s old-money image: The blocks between Park and Fifth avenues are home to some of Manhattan’s wealthiest residents, many of whom dwell in stately co-ops or sleek new condos overseen by stiffly collared doormen. But there’s a lot more happening on the Upper East Side. Museum Mile throngs with tourists, street artists, and lovers of the arts, drawn to its abundance of high culture. And the eastern side of the neighborhood, toward Yorkville, exhibits a less rarefied character. Second Avenue is home to sports bars, pubs, and some excellent restaurants. A trendy renaissance is in the offing here, sparked by young professionals drawn by some surprisingly good housing prices (for Manhattan). The avenues and commerce-lined thoroughfares can be hectic, but many streets on the Upper East Side are blessedly quiet — just one more way in which this oft-stereotyped neighborhood can be a surprise.
The Mood
Close to many tourist destinations, the UES is always lively, but the historic architecture, clean sidewalks, and manicured flowerbeds give it a calm, unhurried atmosphere.
Heart of the Neighborhood
Central Park is the Upper East Side's crown jewel. From jogging around the reservoir to sprawling on the Great Lawn, the range of activities here appeals to both tourists and locals.
Neighborhood Quirk
Fifth Avenue was once lined with huge mansions built by the oligarchs of the Gilded Age, like the Rockefellers, Carnegies, and Vanderbilts.
Best Perk
One of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city, the Upper East Side feels a lot like Paris: cosmopolitan, refined, and set apart from the chaos of the rest of the city.
Biggest Downside
If you crave warm sunlight, this may not be your place: The UES is home to many newer high-rise buildings, which can cast long shadows over the neighborhood's breezy streets.
