Things to do in the Upper West Side

5 places to start in the Upper West Side

American Museum of Natural History

The dinosaur halls are on the fourth floor, and the blue whale hangs in the Hall of Ocean Life. You could lose a whole day in here.

Official site →Photo: Gigi alt, CC BY-SA 3.0

Lincoln Center

The Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic and New York City Ballet all perform around one plaza. The fountain is worth a visit at night even without a ticket.

Official site →Photo: Ajay Suresh, CC BY 2.0

Zabar's

Pick up smoked fish, rugelach and coffee at this Broadway deli counter at 80th Street, then take it all to the park.

Official site →Photo: Fuzheado, CC BY-SA 4.0

Beacon Theatre

A gilded 1920s movie palace on Broadway at 74th Street, now one of the best-sounding concert halls in the city.

Official site →Photo: Andreas Praefcke, CC BY 3.0

Riverside Park

Four miles of paths along the Hudson, and far quieter than Central Park. The river is beside you the whole way.

Official site →Photo: Momos, CC BY-SA 3.0

Hotels in the Upper West Side

Staying over? These are the picks from our guide, Upper West Side hotels ranked by sustainability, and Dyme members see private rates on each. You can also browse every New York hotel guide or search hotels on Dyme.

1 Hotel Central Park 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York 9.4699 reviews 1 Hotels builds its properties around reclaimed wood, living plant walls, and materials sourced within 500 miles where possibleThe brand publishes its sustainability commitments at 1hotels.com/impact, covering energy reduction targets, single-use plastic elimination, and partnerships with local urban farms View hotel → Hotel Beacon 2130 Broadway, New York 9.03,840 reviews Hotel Beacon has published energy and water conservation practices through its operations, including in-room recycling programs and linen reuse optionsNo third-party certification such as LEED or Green Key has been independently verified as of 2026 View hotel → Hotel Lucerne 201 West 79th Street 8.82,920 reviews 3 min walk to 79th St (1)The Lucerne occupies a landmarked 1904 Beaux-Arts building on West 79th Street and consistently draws high guest scores for its location one block from the American Museum of Natural History and three blocks from Central Park View hotel → Hyatt Centric Times Square New York 135 West 45th Street, New York 8.82,067 reviews 4 min walk to Times Sq–42nd St (1/2/3/7/N/Q/R/W)NOTE: This hotel is located in Midtown Manhattan at West 45th Street and does NOT fall within Upper West Side boundaries View hotel →

This weekend in the Upper West Side: October 23–25

130 things on: 20 shows, 12 classes, 11 talks and 4 free. Listed by day and start time.

Friday, October 23

8:00 AMOpera For All: Free Opera Tickets ProgramFree opera ticket lottery.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaFreeView listing →10:00 AMCatacombs by candlelight TourUnderground basilica history tour.Tour170 Central Prk WFrom $32View listing →10:00 AMReading Classes and Talks at White Rabbit’s BooksFamily storytime & author talks.Shopping200 W 86th StView listing →11:00 AMChair Yoga for EveryoneGentle movement and breath.Class2 W 64th StFrom $15View listing →12:30 PMSilent Rhythms' Salsa-ASL for AllAccessible dance party.Party30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →2:00 PMLas rutas de las tángaras: migración y literaturaMigration literature panel.Talk524 W 59th StView listing →3:00 PMHow to Be a Guerrilla Girl y Hacer RuidoFeminist art activism.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMFilnycCelebrating Spanish-language literature.Talk524 W 59th StFreeView listing →4:00 PMNational Book Foundation and Café Con LibrosCoffee-fueled storytelling.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMFIL Ciudad de Nueva York 2026Celebrating Spanish-language literature.Talk524 W 59th StView listing →5:00 PMAmerican History and Artifact CollectionsPay-as-you-wish museum evening.Art170 Central Prk WView listing →5:00 PMThe Anatomy of the Orchestra: The Four SectionsUp-close orchestral minimalism.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:00 PMPay-What-You-Wish Admission at New-York Historical SocietyExploring NYC's past.Art170 Central Prk WView listing →5:30 PMWitches and Wine: Paint & SipSpooky pottery & wine.Class177 Amsterdam AveFrom $25View listing →5:30 PMFlying Dodos by Thingumajig TheatreInteractive dodo adventure.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMRubioChilean pop-trip-hop fusion.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →6:00 PMRuidosa FestChilean alt-pop celebration.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →6:45 PMEdna VazquezSummer Latin folk under the stars.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:00 PMHuman ThingsVictoria Clark island drama.Show263 W 86th StView listing →7:15 PMLila DownsMexican roots, modern sound.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:30 PMCosì fan tutteMozart at the carnival.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaFrom $45View listing →7:30 PMFrom Cuba to the Crescent City The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton MarsalisAfro-Cuban jazz journey.MusicBroadway &View listing →7:30 PMNeoclassical WorksTriple bill of ballet.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:30 PMAmerican Ballet Theatre Fall SeasonWorld-class ballet residency.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →8:00 PMA Few Good MenGripping courtroom drama.Show150 W 65th StView listing →8:00 PMMusic For LoversJazz ballet beyond romance.Show60 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →

Saturday, October 24

8:00 AMOpera For All: Free Opera Tickets ProgramFree opera ticket lottery.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaFreeView listing →9:30 AMYoga at The ThrowbackAll-levels yoga class.Class710 Amsterdam AveView listing →10:00 AMCatacombs by candlelight TourUnderground basilica history tour.Tour170 Central Prk WFrom $32View listing →10:00 AMReading Classes and Talks at White Rabbit’s BooksFamily storytime & author talks.Shopping200 W 86th StView listing →10:00 AMBottomless BrunchWeekend drinks & brunch.Bar425 Amsterdam AveFrom $25View listing →11:00 AMAmerican Ballet Theatre Fall SeasonWorld-class ballet residency.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →11:00 AMABTKidsFamily-friendly ballet highlights.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaFrom $30View listing →11:00 AMLincoln Center Open HouseFamily-friendly arts and workshops.Class10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →11:00 AMMigraciones, éxodos y exilios por cuatro novelistas venezolanosVenezuelan fiction & diaspora.Talk524 W 59th StView listing →11:00 AMGossip Girl ExperienceBrunch with a side of scandal.Bar44 W 63rd StFrom $50View listing →12:00 PMWeekend Lunch SpecialBurger, beer & weekend vibes.Food228 W 72nd StView listing →12:15 PMMe & The ForestWhimsical tree's-eye tour.ShowLincoln Center PlazaView listing →12:30 PMSilent Rhythms' Salsa-ASL for AllAccessible dance party.Party30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →12:30 PMSaturday Brunch BeatBeats & brunch vibes.Bar710 Amsterdam AveView listing →1:00 PMOleaje en páginas: lectores conversan con Claudia PiñeiroCrime fiction author talk.Talk524 W 59th StView listing →1:00 PM[Presentación] Principio, medio, fin Valeria LuiselliMultigenerational family saga.Talk524 W 59th StView listing →2:00 PMNeoclassical WorksTriple bill of ballet.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →2:00 PMHuman ThingsVictoria Clark island drama.Show263 W 86th StView listing →2:00 PMNT Live: The MisanthropeSandra Oh does Molière.FilmLowerFrom $25View listing →3:00 PMHow to Be a Guerrilla Girl y Hacer RuidoFeminist art activism.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMFilnycCelebrating Spanish-language literature.Talk524 W 59th StFreeView listing →4:00 PMNational Book Foundation and Café Con LibrosCoffee-fueled storytelling.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMFIL Ciudad de Nueva York 2026Celebrating Spanish-language literature.Talk524 W 59th StView listing →4:00 PMSpooky SoundsNot-so-scary Halloween concert.Music263 W 86th StFreeView listing →4:00 PMMatinee with Ry DaddyIntimate stand-up showcase.Show236 W 78th StFrom $25View listing →5:00 PMThe Anatomy of the Orchestra: The Four SectionsUp-close orchestral minimalism.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:00 PMPlazaReimagine public space together.Art10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMFlying Dodos by Thingumajig TheatreInteractive dodo adventure.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMRubioChilean pop-trip-hop fusion.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →6:00 PMRuidosa FestChilean alt-pop celebration.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →6:00 PMArtists in Exile: Dmitry Krymov's Peter Pan. SyndromeThe artist who won't grow up.ShowLowerView listing →6:45 PMEdna VazquezSummer Latin folk under the stars.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:15 PMLila DownsMexican roots, modern sound.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:30 PMFrom Cuba to the Crescent City The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton MarsalisAfro-Cuban jazz journey.MusicBroadway &View listing →7:30 PMJane's Favorite ThingsClassical songs & storytelling.Show123 W 71st StView listing →8:00 PMMusic For LoversJazz ballet beyond romance.Show60 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →8:00 PMLincoln in the BardoSupernatural world premiere.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →

Sunday, October 25

8:00 AMOpera For All: Free Opera Tickets ProgramFree opera ticket lottery.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaFreeView listing →8:00 AMSunday Gluten-Free BrunchAll-day gluten-free brunch.Food472 Columbus AveView listing →9:00 AM79th Street Green MarketNeighborhood farmers market.ShoppingNew YorkView listing →10:00 AMCatacombs by candlelight TourUnderground basilica history tour.Tour170 Central Prk WFrom $32View listing →10:00 AMReading Classes and Talks at White Rabbit’s BooksFamily storytime & author talks.Shopping200 W 86th StView listing →10:00 AMBottomless BrunchWeekend drinks & brunch.Bar425 Amsterdam AveFrom $25View listing →10:00 AMGrand Bazaar: October 25thSpooky vintage & artisan market.Shopping100 W 77th StView listing →10:00 AMSpooky Spectacular BazaarHalloween market & street fair.Shopping100 W 77th StView listing →10:00 AMAcrylic Pumpkin Painting: Family Fun Date!Paint-your-own pumpkin party.Class177 Amsterdam AveFrom $35View listing →10:00 AMArt and Fashion BazaarIndependent art & vintage finds.Shopping100 W 77th StView listing →10:00 AMGrand Bazaar NYC 2026Weekly market for local goods.Shopping100 W 77th StView listing →11:00 AMGossip Girl ExperienceBrunch with a side of scandal.Bar44 W 63rd StFrom $50View listing →11:00 AMBroadway StorytimeInteractive family storytime.Show150 W 65th StView listing →11:00 AMCostume Try-OnHands-on arts play.Class10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →11:00 AMPuppet-Making StationPuppet crafting & parade.Class10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →11:00 AMVisual Art StationFamily art-making day.Class10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →11:30 AMThe Shape of Music with The Metropolitan OperaKids' music storytelling workshop.Class30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →11:30 AMJust Move: Dance and Drumming with Jamel Gaines Creative OutletAfrican dance & drums.Class30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →11:30 AMMini Relaxed Lincoln Center Campus ToursSensory-friendly backstage tour.TourLincoln Center PlazaView listing →12:00 PMNeoclassical WorksTriple bill of ballet.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →12:00 PMAmerican Ballet Theatre Fall SeasonWorld-class ballet residency.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →12:00 PMWeekend Lunch SpecialBurger, beer & weekend vibes.Food228 W 72nd StView listing →12:00 PMSoles of Duende - Can We Dance Here?Rhythm & movement celebration.Show10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →12:00 PMThe Brunch BeatLive music brunch ritual.Bar710 Amsterdam AveView listing →12:00 PMEvery Sunday Join us for great food and tunesLive music brunch.Bar710 Amsterdam AveView listing →12:00 PMThe Throwback - EventsSunday brunch with live music.Food710 Amsterdam AveView listing →12:30 PMSilent Rhythms' Salsa-ASL for AllAccessible dance party.Party30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →1:00 PMCome & Sing: Climate SongsParticipatory community choir.ClassLincoln Center PlazaFreeView listing →1:00 PMOppenheimer in New York: Upper West Side Walking TourAtomic history walking tour.TourThe Lyric BuildingFrom $42View listing →1:30 PMForces and Thank You with Jamel Gaines Creative OutletDance & reflecting pool.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →1:30 PMOur SinatraIntimate Sinatra tribute.Show10 W 64th StFrom $69View listing →2:00 PMHuman ThingsVictoria Clark island drama.Show263 W 86th StView listing →2:00 PMLlévame, adóptame, dame, espumoso mar: Homenaje a Gabriela MistralPoetry & the sea.Talk524 W 59th StView listing →2:30 PMSilent Clowns Film Series: The Cat and the CanarySilent horror with live piano.FilmLowerFrom $14View listing →3:00 PMMusic For LoversJazz ballet beyond romance.Show60 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →3:00 PMHow to Be a Guerrilla Girl y Hacer RuidoFeminist art activism.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →3:00 PMLet Your Light Shine: Jazz, Freedom, and the Power of SongInteractive jazz & gospel.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMFilnycCelebrating Spanish-language literature.Talk524 W 59th StFreeView listing →4:00 PMNational Book Foundation and Café Con LibrosCoffee-fueled storytelling.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMFIL Ciudad de Nueva York 2026Celebrating Spanish-language literature.Talk524 W 59th StView listing →4:00 PMGoing BacharachBacharach hits sung big.Show10 W 64th StFrom $69View listing →4:00 PMCWP Writing WorkshopCommunity writing workshop.Class263 W 86th StFrom $10View listing →5:00 PMThe Anatomy of the Orchestra: The Four SectionsUp-close orchestral minimalism.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:00 PMLincoln Center Open House: PLAZAParticipatory public art.Art10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMFlying Dodos by Thingumajig TheatreInteractive dodo adventure.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMRubioChilean pop-trip-hop fusion.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PM100 Years of Latin New YorkBig band mambo celebration.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMFresh Visions and Timeless ClassicsThree ballets, one night.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →6:00 PMRuidosa FestChilean alt-pop celebration.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →6:00 PMBirds of a Feather: Orchestral Music by Mozart and HaydnMozart and Haydn concert.Music152 W 66th StFrom $45View listing →6:30 PMReading Rhythms Upper West SideSocial reading party.Talk2273A BroadwayView listing →6:30 PMBorges escritura en flujoBorges literary conversation.Talk524 W 59th StView listing →6:45 PMEdna VazquezSummer Latin folk under the stars.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:15 PMLila DownsMexican roots, modern sound.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →9:00 PMBurger Shot Beer DealLate-night burger combo.Bar511 Amsterdam AveView listing →

On all weekend

No set start time for these, so go when it suits you.

King Solomon HicksGenre-blending blues guitar.MusicLowerFrom $25View listing →New York Comedy Club (Upper West Side)Classic NYC stand-up club.Show236 W 78th StFrom $28View listing →Scary and the Dancers!Candy‑colored inflatable spectacle.ArtLincoln Center PlazaView listing →Fridays Under 40Discount opera & cocktails.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →creation storiesIntimate new Off-Broadway play.Show150 W 65th StView listing →Free Wine Tastings at 67WineExpert-led wine discovery.Shopping179 Columbus AveView listing →Revolutionary WomenHistory's unsung heroines.Art170 Central Prk WView listing →Aperture Loves New York (Inaugural Aperture New York opening show)Photography gallery & bookshop.Art380 Columbus AveView listing →Art of the Street: Selections from the Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld CollectionStreet energy on gallery walls.Art170 Central Prk WView listing →Impact: The End of the Age of DinosaursThe day the dinosaurs died.Art200 Central Prk WView listing →Tipsy Tarot – Intuition SocialWine, cards & intuition.Games697 Amsterdam AveFrom $33View listing →Democracy MattersIdeas of American democracy.Art170 Central Prk WView listing →

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