Keeping up with my walks around New York City, here’s the longest one that I undertook. I spent a whole morning walking down the Upper West Side from Columbia University down to Columbus Circus (with a break for lunch). In my past visits in New York City I passed by the area with the hop on hop off bus, but didn’t remember a thing. I did some research on what to see (architecture mainly) and then set out on my walk!
Columbia University + Morningside Heights
I made Columbia University my starting point since I wanted to explore the grounds of this Ivy League university (which makes it the 3rd Ivy League institution that I visit after Harvard and Brown). On top of that Buzzfeed has listed Butler Library among the 49 breathtaking Libraries from all over the world.
I didn’t get in the library though, I just lurked around the campus snapping photos of the buildings and some Japanese lanterns I found on the grounds. I also admired the view from Morningside Park and realized that Manhattan isn’t a totally flat island and there is a reason why this area is called Morningside Heights!
Upper West Side
For the my journey from Columbia University to 83rd W street I alternated between Broadway, West End Avenue and Riverside Drive, checking out notable buildings in the perpendicular streets and shooting photos of architectural details. You will notice that this walk is much more photo heavy than the one in Brooklyn, which proves my point that I’m driven to decorative details and interesting architecture.
The quirkiest place to check out in Upper West Side is Pomander Walk, which is an apartment complex different from the tall buildings that surround it. My favorite place in the area though is the cafe where I had lunch: Café Lalo. I was tipped about this place by a friend of mine, who added that this café is featured in the movie “You’ve got mail”. I love this place for the French flair and the delicious desserts. My “light” lunch consisted of a grilled croissant – sandwich with roasted potatoes and a slice of pecan pie (delicious)! I was now ready to move south!
Central Park + Columbus Circus
My next stop was the Central Park as I longed to see it (somewhat) in bloom. This was my 3rd visit in NYC and still I haven’t had the opportunity to visit during late spring or summer when the trees will be green, but I was content with daffodils, wildflowers and magnolias! I made my way towards the Belvedere Castle, which is one of my favorite spots in the park and has amazing view over Turtle Pond.
Columbus Circus was the last stop of my Upper West Side exploration. Again it was a place I hadn’t explored in the past, so I walked around the circus, admired the Time Warner Center, the globe “sculpture” on the north side of the circus and a super cute ice cream truck.
Have you walked on the Upper East Side? What did you like the most?
If you’re interested in more walking routes in New York City, check out A walk around Greenwich Village and A walk in Brooklyn & Williamsburg.
I'm Anna and this is my lifestyle and travel blog! 
Τι εποχή πήγες? Έχω δει τη Νέα Υόρκη το καλοκαίρι και την άνοιξη, αλλά έχει πολύ ενδιαφέρον πως είναι όταν τα δέντρα δεν έχουν φύλλα. 🙂
Οι συγκεκριμένες φωτογραφίες είναι από τον Απρίλιο. Έχω επισκεφτεί τη Νέα Υόρκη Μάρτιο και Δεκέμβριο επίσης (με κανένα ίχνος λουλουδιών)
Λατρεύω τη συμμετρία που έχουν οι φωτογραφίες σου!
Σ’ευχαριστώ!!
When I was in NYC earlier this year it was on one of the coldest weekends of the year. The city is so visually stunning. I can’t wait to go back when it’s a tad warmer and not painful to walk around for extended periods. Until then, I’ll rely on your lovely photo diaries!
I was pretty lucky that I visited NYC with pretty good temperatures all 3 times I’ve been there. The coldest days that I encountered where last December, but I was there for just 3 days, so didn’t have to walk a lot!
New York, New York, I’m so envious! 🙂 Great blog series:)
From my point of view, the best thing on the UWS is Levain Bakery (but no one will be surprised, since I am the most food-obsessive person on earth!) Loved your pictures!
Amy
haha…it’s always about food isn’t it?! I haven’t come across this bakery to be honest, but I’ll keep it in mind!
Beautiful! I love getting to see different parts of NYC through your blog and especially through such gorgeous photos. I’ve been to NYC twice as a child but I would love, love to see it through my adult eyes 🙂
Thank you! Experiencing a city as an adult makes all the difference…I’ve been in this situation many times as I traveled a lot as a child.
Beautiful photos! My bf and I are heading to NYC at Christmas time and I’m so so excited (and slightly scared of freezing to death) and I can’t wait to just get out there and explore. NYC is such a huge place, every time I look at the map I can’t quite fathom its size, but I’m ready to get walking that’s for sure!
Walking is my absolute favourite way to see any place!
~ K
I’ve been there last Christmas…it was cold but with the proper attire: woolen scarf, gloves, woolen beanie you’ll be ok! The decorations are very pretty too!
One of my favorite things about NYC is all of the architecture of all the buildings! It always amazes me how all of those buildings can look so different and have so many details! You captured the city so beautifully!
Thank you! I do my best to capture those buildings and details beautifully!
Lovely pictures, we didn’t get to visit Central park when we were there during our layover last year.. so I can’t wait to go back!
Central Park is really iconic! I’ve passed by all 3 times I’ve been to NYC!
You capture NYC beautifully!! I love all of your “walks” posts! I’m from Long Island not too far from the city, but still haven’t really explored the Upper West Side .. you make me want to venture up there!! 😀
thank you! Well some times we tend to explore foreign cities more than our own! I initially visited UWS in order to see Columbia University and then decided to walk all the way down to Columbus Circus!