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Perfect Day on the UES

Manhattan-Upper East Side

A guide for the perfect day on the UES from the MET on Museum mile to shopping on Madison capped with a cozy Italian dinner at a neighborhood spot.

Perry S.Perry S.

Perry  is a husband and Dad with a love for planning beautiful outings for family and  friends from New York to Nafplion. He loves shooting photos of the streets of the city and thinks Battery Park City remains one of the most underrated corners of Manhattan.

Bluestone Lane - Upper East SideRestaurants & Cafes
Coffee Shop Relaxed cafe with outdoor seating
$$
(718) 374-6858website
1085 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128

Bluestone Lane is a chain of cafes inspired by the coffee culture of Melbourne, Australia. Arrive early to grab a seat and enjoy the hustle and bustle of their Upper East Side location carved into a Church on 5th Avenue. It's a beautiful location and directly across the street from Central Park. The avocado toast is $16 and a flat white is around $4, so with tax and tip you can get in and out for around $20. The people watching is priceless.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)Museums
One of the world's greatest collections of art, from ancient to contemporary
$
(212) 535-7710website
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028

TIP: Pay what you want to get in. Casually referred to as "The MET", this fine arts and history museum attracts couples, friends, historians, writers, artists, musicians, and practically every other human identity. Vastly different from the Museum of Natural History, The MET is famous for its highly valuable, absurdly rare, original, and sought-after paintings, lithographs, sculpture, and artifacts. This museum features world renowned European painters and sculptors. Within, you will find works by Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Claude Monet. More into sculpture? That's great, because a large portion of the first and second floors features original Grecian and Roman sculpture. This museum is massive to the point of intimidation, but don't let too much beautiful art deter you from exploring the absolute beauty and originality within The MET. I'm sure you'll return.

Central Park Reservoir & Great LawnParks
Public Park
Free
website
Entrance on 5th Avenue near 90th Street

Across the street from Bluestone Lane you'll find an entrance to Central Park that will give you easy access to the Central Park Reservoir. Whether you've been a thousand times or never been to New York City before, the reservoir is always worth a visit. Beautiful views of the Central Park South skyline peak up behind the trees and if the weather is nice the water shimmers just right. After a stroll around the reservoir you can relax on the Great Lawn, which is just a short walk. Bring a magazine or book and something cool to drink and spread out a blanket and enjoy the day!

William Greenberg DessertsBakeries
Long-time establishment selling kosher baked goods, known for its black-and-white cookies.
$
(212) 861-1340website
1100 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028

William Greenberg is a neighborhood staple serving some of the best black and white cookies in the city. Which is saying a lot given it's New York City's unofficial cookie. The shop opened its doors in 1946 and has since been an integral part of holidays and family celebrations to generations of New Yorkers. In addition to black and whites, you can also find cupcakes, fruit tarts, pies and cakes, rugelach, linzer tarts, schnecken, babka, hot cross buns and hamantaschen, and even brownies that were immortalized in AMC’s Mad Men series.

Madison Avenue ShoppingShopping

From 60th - 80th along Madison, it’s wall to wall top designers and boutiques. The shops get a bit more local in the E 90s.

You'll see all of the major names along the way; Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Milly, Monique Lhuillier, Lanvin, Prada, Cartier, Goyard. Additionally, there are a couple of landmark spots you have to stop. Partly for the clothing but partly for their landmark status in the city. If you are a history or interior design lover you will also find the visit very inspirational.

Ralph Lauren’s Men’s and Women’s Stores are both beautiful inside and out.

SfogliaRestaurants & Cafes
Upscale rustic Italian | Cozy vibe
$$$
(212) 831-1402website
402 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128

After a pre dinner drink you will be just a short 7-8 minute walk to dinner at Sfoglia. Make sure you have a reservation. This is a neighborhood staple and it usually fills up fast with regulars. It’s a small intimate restaurant with a cozy collection of wood tables and chandeliers. The food is always a delight. While I always enjoying getting a few new dishes you must (I repeat MUST) also get the chicken. Usually chicken is one of those dishes I skip at a restaurant but this one is AMAZING! Enjoy a leisurely date night dinner here and cap your meal off with one of their homemade deserts and a couple of espressos (and by espresso I mean more wine ;).

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