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 2–4

136 things on: 22 gigs, 15 shows, 5 classes and 10 free. Listed by day and start time.

Friday, October 2

9:00 AMLouis Armstrong and Jazz Private Walking Tour with ConcertJazz legends & landmarks.Tour10 Columbus CirFrom $30View listing →10:00 AMReading Classes and Talks at White Rabbit’s BooksFamily storytime & author talks.Shopping200 W 86th StView listing →10:00 AMCatacombs by candlelight TourUnderground history tour.Tour170 Central Prk WView listing →11:00 AMChair Yoga for EveryoneGentle movement and breath.Class2 W 64th StFrom $15View listing →11:00 AMShadow Puppet WorkshopShadow puppet workshop.Class1887 BroadwayView listing →12:00 PMFall 2026Contemporary ballet double bill.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →12:30 PMSilent Rhythms' Salsa-ASL for AllAccessible dance party.Party30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →3:00 PMHow to Be a Guerrilla Girl y Hacer RuidoFeminist art activism.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMFrom Cultural Memory to Sound: Identity in Music ProductionFree music masterclass.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMNational Book Foundation and Café Con LibrosCoffee-fueled storytelling.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMNew York Comedy ClubClassic stand-up room.Show236 W 78th StFrom $33View listing →4:30 PMduenditaSoulful ancestral sounds.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:00 PMContemporary PortugalPortuguese dance & music showcase.Music1887 BroadwayView listing →5:00 PMFree First Friday at The Children’s Museum of ManhattanHands-on creative play.Games212 W 83rd StView listing →5:00 PMElsa y ElmarExperimental colombian vocals.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:00 PMThe Anatomy of the Orchestra: The Four SectionsUp-close orchestral minimalism.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:00 PMAmerican History and Artifact CollectionsPay-as-you-wish museum evening.Art170 Central Prk WView listing →5:00 PMPay-What-You-Wish Admission at New-York Historical SocietyExploring NYC's past.Art170 Central Prk WView listing →5:30 PMRubioChilean pop-trip-hop fusion.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMFlying Dodos by Thingumajig TheatreInteractive dodo adventure.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →6:00 PMRECOLLECTIONS (A Show and Tell of Memories and Mementos)Communal memory collage.ClassNew YorkFreeView 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 PMMatt Baker trioAward-winning jazz piano.Music242 W 76th StView listing →7:00 PMPASIÓN MILONGUERA OCTOBER 2nd EDITIONArgentine tango evening.Party263 W 86th StFrom $34View listing →7:00 PMOTHELLO Presented by BEDLAMIntimate Shakespeare tragedy.Show263 W 86th StView listing →7:15 PMDance Performances: Eurídice e o Instante & TriadPortuguese dance & film.Show1887 BroadwayView listing →7:15 PMLila DownsMexican roots, modern sound.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:30 PMYo-Yo Ma and Gustavo DudamelClassical music's dream team.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:30 PMCatherine Russell and Friends with Special Guest Cyndi LauperJazz royalty birthday celebration.MusicBroadway &View listing →7:30 PMContemporary Choreography IContemporary ballet premieres.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:30 PMLove Letter (on shuffle)Contemporary ballet meets electronic music.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:30 PMPulcinella VariationsNeoclassical ballet showcase.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:30 PMGoing Bacharach: Songs Of An IconSophisticated pop revue.Music10 W 64th StFrom $49View listing →8:00 PMIsraeli Chamber ProjectClassical chamber music performance.Music111 Amsterdam AveView listing →

Saturday, October 3

7:00 AMLouis Armstrong and Jazz Private Walking Tour with ConcertJazz legends & landmarks.Tour10 Columbus CirFrom $30View listing →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 AMReading Classes and Talks at White Rabbit’s BooksFamily storytime & author talks.Shopping200 W 86th StView listing →10:00 AMCatacombs by candlelight TourUnderground history tour.Tour170 Central Prk WView listing →10:00 AMBottomless BrunchWeekend drinks & brunch.Bar425 Amsterdam AveFrom $25View listing →11:00 AMShadow Puppet WorkshopShadow puppet workshop.Class1887 BroadwayView listing →11:00 AMExploring the Grand Apartments of the Upper West SideGilded Age apartment lore.Tour145-146 Central Prk WView listing →11:00 AMAutumn Crafts FestivalGlobal artisan craft showcase.Shopping30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →11:00 AMGossip Girl ExperienceBrunch with a side of scandal.Bar44 W 63rd StFrom $50View listing →12:00 PMContemporary PortugalPortuguese dance & music showcase.Music1887 BroadwayView listing →12:00 PMSong BridgeGlobal voices, open sky.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaFreeView listing →12:00 PMFamily-Friendly Animated Short Film ProgramFamily-friendly animated shorts.Film1887 BroadwayFreeView listing →12:00 PMWeekend Lunch SpecialBurger, beer & weekend vibes.Food228 W 72nd StView 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 PMOTHELLO Presented by BEDLAMIntimate Shakespeare tragedy.Show263 W 86th StView listing →2:00 PMThe Four TemperamentsMedieval moods, modern moves.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →2:00 PMLa SourceFrench classical ballet.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →2:00 PMThe Concert (or, The Perils of Everybody)Comedic ballet satire.Film20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →2:00 PMMasters at Work IBalanchine & Robbins triple bill.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →3:00 PMHow to Be a Guerrilla Girl y Hacer RuidoFeminist art activism.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →3:00 PMIn Conversation with Katherine VazLuso-American literary talk.Talk1887 BroadwayFreeView listing →4:00 PMFrom Cultural Memory to Sound: Identity in Music ProductionFree music masterclass.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMNational Book Foundation and Café Con LibrosCoffee-fueled storytelling.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMNew York Comedy ClubClassic stand-up room.Show236 W 78th StFrom $33View listing →4:00 PMMatinee with Ry Daddy ft: Olivia Stadler, Subhah Agarwal, Ryan DacalosMulti-comic stand-up matinee.Show236 W 78th StFrom $25View listing →4:30 PMduenditaSoulful ancestral sounds.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:00 PMElsa y ElmarExperimental colombian vocals.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:00 PMThe Anatomy of the Orchestra: The Four SectionsUp-close orchestral minimalism.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMRubioChilean pop-trip-hop fusion.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMFlying Dodos by Thingumajig TheatreInteractive dodo adventure.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →6:00 PMRuidosa FestChilean alt-pop celebration.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →6:00 PMSuicide Note (16mm) [1976-1984]Restored 16mm rarity.Film70 Lincoln Center Plaza #4View listing →6:00 PM15 Years of Joanne - An Anniversary PartyGaga-family trattoria turns 15.Food70 W 68th StFrom $25View listing →6:45 PMEdna VazquezSummer Latin folk under the stars.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:00 PMBen Golder-Novick & Adam Kubota summitNostalgic instrumental jazz.Music242 W 76th StView listing →7:00 PMJazz NightsStudent jazz & organic wine.Bar774 Amsterdam AveView listing →7:15 PMDance Performances: Eurídice e o Instante & TriadPortuguese dance & film.Show1887 BroadwayView listing →7:15 PMLila DownsMexican roots, modern sound.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:30 PMCatherine Russell and Friends with Special Guest Cyndi LauperJazz royalty birthday celebration.MusicBroadway &View listing →7:30 PMGoing Bacharach: Songs Of An IconSophisticated pop revue.Music10 W 64th StFrom $49View listing →7:30 PMRendez-Vous Orchestra presents Classical InspirationsChamber orchestra masterworks.Music120 W 69th StFrom $30View listing →7:30 PMExpresso TransatlânticoPortuguese jazz fusion.Music1887 BroadwayFreeView listing →8:00 PMLa BohèmePuccini's Parisian tear-jerker.Show30 Lincoln Center PlazaFreeView listing →8:30 PMNoiservOne-man indie-pop orchestra.Music1887 BroadwayView listing →9:15 PMClub Kid (2026)Festival premiere with cast.Film70 Lincoln Center Plaza #4View listing →

Sunday, October 4

7:00 AMLouis Armstrong and Jazz Private Walking Tour with ConcertJazz legends & landmarks.Tour10 Columbus CirFrom $30View listing →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 MarketFarm-fresh Sunday market.ShoppingNew YorkFreeView listing →10:00 AMReading Classes and Talks at White Rabbit’s BooksFamily storytime & author talks.Shopping200 W 86th StView listing →10:00 AMCatacombs by candlelight TourUnderground history tour.Tour170 Central Prk WView listing →10:00 AMBottomless BrunchWeekend drinks & brunch.Bar425 Amsterdam AveFrom $25View listing →10:00 AMDecor and Design BazaarVintage & handmade home goods.Shopping100 W 77th StView listing →10:00 AMGrand Bazaar NYC 2026Weekly market for local goods.Shopping100 W 77th StView listing →11:00 AMShadow Puppet WorkshopShadow puppet workshop.Class1887 BroadwayView listing →11:00 AMAutumn Crafts FestivalGlobal artisan craft showcase.Shopping30 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →11:00 AMGossip Girl ExperienceBrunch with a side of scandal.Bar44 W 63rd StFrom $50View listing →11:00 AMSummer on the Hudson: Sketch JamRiverside drawing session.ClassRiverside Dr & W 83rd StFreeView listing →12:00 PMFall 2026Contemporary ballet double bill.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →12:00 PMWeekend Lunch SpecialBurger, beer & weekend vibes.Food228 W 72nd StView 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 →2:00 PMOTHELLO Presented by BEDLAMIntimate Shakespeare tragedy.Show263 W 86th StView listing →3:00 PMContemporary Choreography IContemporary ballet premieres.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →3:00 PMLove Letter (on shuffle)Contemporary ballet meets electronic music.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →3:00 PMPulcinella VariationsNeoclassical ballet showcase.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →3:00 PMHow to Be a Guerrilla Girl y Hacer RuidoFeminist art activism.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →3:00 PMWorld Bay Area Choral Dialogue: Feature ConcertGlobal youth voices.Music524 W 59th StFrom $7View listing →3:00 PMParlando: Die Stadt ohne Juden (The City without Jews)Banned film with live orchestra.Film129 W 67th StFrom $35View listing →3:00 PMYPC and the Guangdong Experimental ChoirCross-cultural youth choir.Music524 W 59th StFrom $7View listing →4:00 PMFrom Cultural Memory to Sound: Identity in Music ProductionFree music masterclass.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMNational Book Foundation and Café Con LibrosCoffee-fueled storytelling.Talk10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →4:00 PMNew York Comedy ClubClassic stand-up room.Show236 W 78th StFrom $33View listing →4:30 PMduenditaSoulful ancestral sounds.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:00 PMElsa y ElmarExperimental colombian vocals.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:00 PMThe Anatomy of the Orchestra: The Four SectionsUp-close orchestral minimalism.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMRubioChilean pop-trip-hop fusion.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →5:30 PMFlying Dodos by Thingumajig TheatreInteractive dodo adventure.Show30 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 PMEvan Schwam duoSmooth sax & cocktails.Music242 W 76th StView listing →7:00 PMEl PénduloRoaming immersive dance.Show263 W 86th StView listing →7:15 PMLila DownsMexican roots, modern sound.Music10 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →7:30 PMGoing Bacharach: Songs Of An IconSophisticated pop revue.Music10 W 64th StFrom $49View listing →7:30 PMExpresso TransatlânticoPortuguese jazz fusion.Music1887 BroadwayFreeView listing →9:00 PMThe GiftPortuguese art-pop live.Music1887 BroadwayFreeView 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.

Ray LaMontagneSoulful folk-rock intimacy.Music2124 BroadwayView listing →New York City Ballet Season LaunchWorld-class ballet performances.Show20 Lincoln Center PlazaView listing →American “schoolgirl” art exhibitionHistoric needlework by young hands.Art2 Lincoln SquareView listing →Aperture Loves New York (Inaugural Aperture New York opening show)Photography gallery & bookshop.Art380 Columbus AveView listing →Tipsy Tarot – Intuition SocialWine, cards & intuition.Games697 Amsterdam AveFrom $33View listing →Cosi Fan TutteAmusement park opera.Show165 W 65th StView listing →New York Film FestivalCurated international cinema showcase.FilmLincoln Center PlazaView listing →Weekend Jazz BrunchLive jazz over brunch.Food519 Columbus AveView listing →East of Eden Audiobook WalkLiterary group stroll.Tour2020 BroadwayView listing →Street Fair on Columbus AvenueClassic NYC street fair.Party261 Columbus AveView listing →

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