AreaStays
The Central Park West entrance of the American Museum of Natural History, with its stone columns and carved 'Knowledge' inscription

Alberto-g-rovi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

New York City

Where to Stay in Upper West Side, New York City

The Upper West Side runs along Central Park's western edge, from Columbus Circle up past Lincoln Center and the American Museum of Natural History. Wide sidewalks, prewar apartment buildings, and a genuinely residential pace make it feel like a break from the rest of Manhattan, even though the park and the subway keep everything else close.

What it's actually like to stay here

Residential and unhurried — tree-lined streets, independent bookshops, and neighborhood coffee shops instead of billboards and souvenir stores.

Stay here if

Best for families and anyone who wants to be near Central Park and its museums, with a calmer, more local pace than Midtown or Downtown.

Stay elsewhere if

Consider another neighborhood if you want to be within walking distance of Broadway theaters or SoHo's shopping — the Upper West Side sits well north of both.

Walkability
Very walkable, with wide sidewalks and Central Park right there for a longer stroll or run.
Noise at night
Quiet for Manhattan, especially on the residential side streets between Central Park West and Broadway; busier right along Broadway itself.

Best Hotels in Upper West Side, New York City

Mandarin Oriental, New York

★★★★★
  • ✨ Best luxury

Our take The standout luxury address for Central Park views — a Columbus Circle tower hotel for travelers who want a 5-star stay with the park itself as the backdrop.

Good for

  • Luxury travelers

Travelers who want a landmark 5-star stay with direct Central Park views, right where the park meets the Upper West Side.

Why we like it

  • Occupies the top floors of the Deutsche Bank Center at Columbus Circle, with many rooms overlooking Central Park and the skyline
  • Large spa and an indoor infinity-edge pool with park views
  • Steps from the entrance to Central Park and a short walk into the rest of the Upper West Side

What to know

  • Rates run at the top end of this guide, in line with the views and service level
  • Columbus Circle is a busy traffic hub, so ground-level noise is noticeable right outside the building
  • It's a subway ride or longer walk to Times Square and the Theater District from here
Check availability on Booking.com

Hotel Beacon

★★★★
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Best for families

Our take The most practical family pick on this list — kitchenette suites with real living space, on a Central Park-adjacent block that's easy to manage with kids.

Good for

  • Families

Families who want extra space, including a kitchenette, close to Central Park and the Upper West Side's museums.

Why we like it

  • Suites and studios include a kitchenette, useful for families or anyone staying more than a couple of nights
  • A few minutes' walk from Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History
  • Family-run for decades, with a residential Upper West Side feel rather than a corporate chain atmosphere

What to know

  • It's a subway ride or longer walk to Times Square and the Theater District from here
  • Broadway carries steady traffic and bus routes, so ask for a rear-facing room if you want the quietest option
  • The building is adjacent to the Beacon Theatre, so check for concert nights that may add extra activity out front
Check availability on Booking.com

The Lucerne Hotel

★★★★
  • 🤫 Best for a quiet stay

Our take A landmark building on a calm Upper West Side street, close to Central Park and the Museum of Natural History, for travelers who'd rather stay somewhere quieter than Midtown.

Good for

  • Families

Travelers who want a quieter, residential base near Central Park and the Museum of Natural History.

Why we like it

  • A short walk from the American Museum of Natural History and Central Park
  • Set in a landmarked 1904 terracotta building with an ornate facade
  • On a residential block, noticeably calmer than a Midtown or Times Square address

What to know

  • It's a subway ride or longer walk to Times Square and the Theater District from here
  • Rooms and bathrooms are sized to the building's early-1900s footprint rather than modern hotel standards
  • 79th Street carries some traffic near Broadway, so ask for a rear-facing room if you want the quietest option
Check availability on Booking.com

Transportation & practical information

The 1, 2, and 3 subway lines run the length of the neighborhood under Broadway, and it's an easy walk into Central Park from almost anywhere here.

Don't rent a car for a Manhattan-based trip. Traffic is slow, parking garages are expensive, and the subway or a short taxi/rideshare gets you everywhere in this guide faster and cheaper.

Related areas

Times Square lit up at night with giant billboards and Broadway show marquees above the storefronts

Giorgio Galeotti / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

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Greene Street in SoHo at dusk, lined with 19th-century cast-iron building facades, fire escapes, and lit storefronts

CucombreLibre / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

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