5 Reasons We Love the Upper West Side

If you’re looking for fun way to spend your day, the Upper West Side has a lot to offer for the whole family.

New York City is a world of adventure all packed into one tiny island. Every neighborhood has its gems and fun things to do with children and the Upper West Side is no exception. Here are 5 things we love about this neighborgood.

1. The great playgrounds: With so many families who occupy this Manhattan neighborhood, it’s no wonder the playgrounds are some of the best in town. The Hippo Playground Project on 91st and Riverside Dr., has water-spouting hippos that make the park cool in the summertime and which are fun to climb on all year-round. Also, Elephant Park on 76th and Riverside is a great spot for families with kids of all ages. The playground has a designated toddler area, which
   includes a large sandbox, in addtion to the rock climbing wall and jungle gym for older kids.
    
2. The view: Sandwiched between Central Park and the Hudson River the Upper West Side boasts some of the best views in Manhattan. The 79^th Street Boat Basin is a lovely marina at Riverside Park at 79^th St. with views of the Hudson River. Kids will delight at seeing all the boats docked at the waterside. You can also enjoy a tasty meal at the casual, family-friendly Boat Basin Café which overlooks the marina.
    
3. The museums: The Upper West Side has great kid-friendly museums. Take your pick from the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the American Museum of Natural History, or the NY Historical Society. Each museum offers great exhibits and events for kids and they are all within a few blocks of each other!
    
4. The entertainment: Kids will love catching a puppet show at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater in the heart of Central Park. The Beacon Theater on Broadway also offers great shows for kids. There are also great movie theaters. SONY Lincoln Square is a great place to experience the magic of the movies with kids.
    
5. The shopping: Large chain stores like Barnes and Noble accompany smaller, local stores like West Side Kids. West Side Kids is a neighborhood toy store that has been serving families on the Upper West Side for over 30 years. Also celebrating 30 years is the Green Flea Market on 76th and Columbus. Search for antiques, collectibles, crafts, designer clothing, and food at this Upper West Side mainstay. The flea market is open every Sunday 10am-5:30pm, rain or shine.  

RELATED: Search our calendar to find local events that your kids will love.