Steve: One of the great advantages of the Upper East Side is that Central Park sits right outside the front door.
The park is too large, too layered, and too personal for me to provide a full guide. What matters here is how naturally it folds into everyday life on the Upper East Side. Sanne and I have picnicked with friends, practiced yoga on Sheep Meadow, and wandered through the Ramble surrounded by glorious fall colors. I trained for the marathon there, running endless miles around the Reservoir.
The park’s eastern edge has a slightly calmer rhythm than some of the busier entrances farther downtown. Families, dog walkers, runners, museumgoers, and neighborhood regulars all seem to coexist at a pace that feels distinctly uptown. The East Side is also a great place to cheer on runners in the NYC Marathon, as runners push through the painful final miles before the final loop back up to the finish on the West Side.
Whether I go in or not, I love walking by the Central Park Zoo. The seals antics are always entertaining, as is watching the Delacorte Clock figurines on the half hour. Inside the park, my favorites are the red pandas and the tropic zone / rainforest. The latter is an indoor exhibit, where the animals are out an about all around you. Keep your eyes peeled above for various birds, lemurs, frogs and other animals, but also watch your feet, as you’re likely to round a corner and run into a peacock in full display.
The park is Manhattan’s premier picnic destinations. On a beautiful spring or fall day, the lawns fill with blankets, books, children, dogs, and enough food to turn lunch into an all-day event. All’Antico Vinaio, the wonderful sandwich shop from Florence, has opened on 60th street – directly between my old apartment and the park. Perfect!
Tal Bagels is another great spot to stock up for a picnic. Located on Lexington Avenue and 83rd Street, Tal has become a neighborhood institution, and its proximity to the park is an added bonus. On a sunny weekend, the line often stretches well out the door as New Yorkers stock up before heading west toward the grass.
And if carrying a picnic sounds like too much work, there is always the Central Park Boathouse. Few brunch settings can compete with sitting beside the lake while rowboats drift across the water. It is one of those classic New York experiences that somehow still works, no matter how many times you have seen it. We’ve celebrated birthdays there, enjoying the chance to dress up a little and make an event out of the afternoon.
Just East of the boathouse is “Stuart Little” Lake (officially Conservatory Water), where you can rent model boats to sail around the pond, and grab a delicious cappuccino or hot chocolate at the LPQ. One Saturday afternoon in the fall of 2018, my younger son and I were strolling around the Water when we happened upon a waterside, public wedding. With model boats in the background, the bride wore a gorgeous, formal kimono, and the groom looked dashing in a crisp suit and tie. The music came from a single guitar player. We joined the crowd, and gave a rousing cheer to the bride and groom after the nuptials. One of the most New York moments I’ve ever seen.
