Upper West Side, Manhattan, is a treasure trove of cultural landmarks with a rich history and quirky trivia. It’s like New York City’s cultural mixtape, blending historic structures, artistic hubs, and intellectual institutions.
The Dakota
This iconic building, completed in 1884, is famed not just for its architecture but also for its residents. It’s where John Lennon lived and was tragically assassinated in 1980. Fun fact: The building’s unique name comes from its remote location at the time of its completion, as it was considered as far away as the Dakota territories!
American Museum of Natural History
Founded in 1869, this museum is a wonderland for science and history buffs. The museum’s giant blue whale model, suspended in the Hall of Ocean Life, is actually a replica of a female blue whale found off the coast of South America in 1925. Here’s a kicker: The museum inspired the film Night at the Museum, though the movie was filmed on a soundstage.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Opened in 1962, the Lincoln Center is the world’s largest performing arts complex. It houses the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York City Ballet. Did you know? The Lincoln Center’s construction led to the displacement of thousands of families, a topic explored in the film West Side Story.
Riverside Church
This towering Gothic-style church, completed in 1930, has hosted notable speakers like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. The church’s carillon is one of the largest in the world, with 74 bells, the largest of which weighs 20 tons.
Zabar's
Since 1934, Zabar’s has been the go-to gourmet food store for Upper West Siders. The store was a pioneer in popularizing bagels and lox in America. Here’s a tasty tidbit: Zabar’s sells over 8,000 pounds of coffee per week!
The Ansonia
Built in 1904, this Beaux-Arts building was originally a luxury hotel. It has hosted a slew of celebrities, including Babe Ruth and Igor Stravinsky. The building had a rooftop farm with livestock, and rumor has it, there was once a bear in the basement!
Columbia University
While technically bordering the Upper West Side, Columbia’s influence is undeniable. Established in 1754, it’s one of the oldest institutions in the U.S. Trivia time: The university’s Low Library dome is modeled after the Pantheon in Rome.
Central Park
Spanning the eastern border of the Upper West Side, this urban oasis was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Fun fact: Sheep grazed in Sheep Meadow until the 1930s!
The Beacon Theatre
Opened in 1929, this historic theater has hosted everything from vaudeville to rock concerts. The Allman Brothers Band has performed there so often, it’s nicknamed “The Beacon Run.”
These landmarks enrich the Upper West Side with a blend of history, culture, and a dash of eccentricity.