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With the crazy, hectic traffic, most Manhattan visitors wouldn’t dream of using their car. The exception is visiting the increasingly popular neighborhoods of Upper Manhattan. With more hills and valleys than most of New York City, a car makes sightseeing in this part of Manhattan more convenient.
Experience the nation’s premiere medieval art collection, visit Alexander Hamilton’s historic home, walk Highbridge Park, enjoy the arts at the United Palace Theater, and see special exhibits at the Hispanic Society Museum and the Little Red Lighthouse. Here’s where to stay, eat, and explore.
Stay at the Radio Hotel
The Radio Hotel in Washington Heights, which opened in 2021, is your best bet for an overnight stay to explore Upper Manhattan. Convenient to I-95, the West Side Highway, the East River Drive, and the Henry Hudson Parkway, the hotel is easy to access and has a dedicated parking garage for hotel guests.
With its Lego-like stacked blocks, the hotel’s exterior design takes cues from nearby buildings, which are cleverly showcased on the outdoor garden terrace. Inside, the Latinx community of Upper Manhattan is reflected everywhere. Local artisans were commissioned to create indoor street art, and a colorful chandelier and festive carnival masks are showcased in the lobby.
View Medieval Art at The Cloisters
A branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Cloisters is a must-visit for art and history enthusiasts in Fort Tryon Park. The museum houses an extensive collection of medieval artifacts, including sculptures, tapestries, and illuminated manuscripts. The building itself incorporates four cloisters—Saint-Guilhem, Cuxa, Trie, and Bonnefont—that were dismantled in Europe and brought to New York. The Met Cloisters is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm except Wednesday.
Planning a last-minute trip to New York?
Top Experiences and Tours in New York:
- See the sights with a tour of NYC: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Timed-Entry Ticket
- See more with NYC: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket
- Explore New York with Go City®
Where to stay and transportation in New York:
- Find accommodation with Agoda
- Book a hotel through Booking.com
- Find a rental car through RentalCars.com
In addition to The Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park offers a serene and picturesque setting overlooking the Hudson River. Decades after its creation, parkgoers can run or walk on the park’s eight miles of pathways, play on the lawns, and enjoy the city’s largest garden with unrestricted public access.
Go Uptown as Hamilton Did to the Hamilton Grange
Fans of the musical Hamilton should visit the country home of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers. The Hamilton Grange, also known as the Hamilton Grange National Memorial, is a historic house museum located in St. Nicholas Park in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood, where it was moved in 2008 from a nearby location. The well-preserved rooms and informative exhibits provide insight into Hamilton’s personal and professional life. Guided 25-minute tours are offered through the Visitor Center from 10 am-5 pm Wednesday through Sunday.
Explore Spain and Latin Cultures at the Hispanic Society Museum
Outside of Spain, the Hispanic Society Museum in Washington Heights offers an unparalleled collection of Spanish art, including works by El Greco, Velazquez, Goya, and Sorolla, as well as art from Portugal and Latin America.
The museum’s extensive holdings include paintings, sculptures, textiles, and decorative arts, providing a comprehensive overview of Hispanic culture and history. Admission is free from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. At other times, visit the tranquil outdoor courtyard surrounded by the museum’s beautiful Beaux-Arts building.
Walk High Above the East River
In 2015, one of Manhattan’s most popular former attractions reopened high above the East River. The pedestrian High Bridge connects Manhattan to the Bronx but also carries water to the Bronx beneath the walkway. The bridge is part of Highbridge Park and offers hiking trails, sports facilities, and playgrounds. It’s within easy walking distance of the Radio Hotel.
Visit a Movie Palace
One of the city’s most spectacular and largest theatres, the United Palace has been transformed from a 1930s movie palace to a venue that blends spirituality, art, education, and entertainment.
The theatre’s stunning architecture features ornate interiors and a grand auditorium, making it a popular choice for movie screenings, comedy events, and concerts particularly geared toward the neighborhood’s Latin audience. It was the location for Broadway’s Tony Awards in 2023.
Muscota Marsh
In the Inwood neighborhood at the northern tip of Manhattan, Muscota Marsh is a vibrant wetland area and the location of Harlem Community Rowing and the Dyckman Marina Ramp.
With a design inspired by tidal flats and mudways, enjoy the solitude and quiet of the wildlife observation deck or venture out on to a wooden deck stretching out to the waterway. There are places to sit and host picnics across the river from the towering cliffs of the Palisades.
Take a Selfie at the Little Red Lighthouse
Located along the Hudson River, almost underneath the George Washington Bridge, the Little Red Lighthouse is a charming, historic landmark immortalized in a beloved children’s book, The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge.
This small lighthouse, officially known as Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse, is located in Fort Washington Park, where it was reconstructed after being dismantled in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, in 1917.
Walking Along an Historic Street to Manhattan’s Oldest Home
The Morris-Jumel Mansion, located in Washington Heights, is the oldest house in Manhattan. This historic mansion offers visitors a glimpse into colonial and early American life. The well-preserved rooms and period furnishings provide a fascinating look at the lives of its former residents, including George Washington.
Adjacent to the mansion is Sylvan Terrace, a row of 19th-century wooden houses that have been beautifully preserved. The cobblestone street and charming architecture create a unique and historic atmosphere, making it a must-visit for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.
Riverbank State Park
Riverbank State Park, located atop a water treatment facility in Harlem, is a unique urban park with a variety of recreational facilities. The park features sports fields, a skating rink, swimming pools, and a cultural center, providing activities for visitors of all ages. The elevated location offers stunning views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades.
Nearby Bronx Attractions: Bronx Zoo, Botanical Garden & Yankee Stadium
The Bronx offers a variety of attractions just north of Manhattan. The Bronx Zoo, one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the world, features a wide range of animal exhibits and interactive experiences.
The New York Botanical Garden, located nearby, offers beautiful gardens, conservatories, and educational programs. Yankee Stadium, home to the New York Yankees, provides an exciting experience for baseball fans with its modern amenities and historic significance. These three major destinations are easily reached via car from Upper Manhattan.
Jalao Restaurant
Jalao Restaurant, located within the Radio Hotel, offers a culinary experience celebrating Dominican culture. The menu features a variety of traditional dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and bold flavors. The lively atmosphere and vibrant decor make it a popular spot for locals and visitors.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a hearty meal or experience Dominican music and dance, Jalao provides a memorable dining experience that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Washington Heights.
Traditional Upper Manhattan restaurants include:
Malecon is a vibrant Dominican restaurant on Broadway in Washington Heights known for its authentic Caribbean cuisine. It offers a lively atmosphere and serves generous portions of traditional dishes like mofongo, tostones, and various seafood options.
Floridita is a well-known Latin restaurant that serves a fusion of Cuban and Dominican traditional dishes. It is famous for its sandwiches and is open 24 hours.
La Casa del Mofongo is a popular Puerto Rican and Dominican restaurant specializing in mofongo, a traditional dish made from fried plantains. It offers various mofongo preparations with different meats and seafood.
Tips for Visiting Manhattan
Convenient to I-95, the West Side Highway, the East River Drive and the Henry Hudson Parkway, the Radio Hotel is easy to access. There’s a dedicated parking garage for hotel guests. To reach Times Square and Midtown Manhattan from the Radio Hotel, take the 1 Train.
A one-way subway ride costs $2.90. Metro cards can still be used, but it’s easier for most phones to set up the Omny tap-and-go system.
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Author Bio: For more than 40 years, R.C Staab has been a tourism and culture expert who has been quoted by and had photos published in numerous publications including the New York Times, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, the LA Times, and CNN. He wrote 100 Things to Do at the Jersey Shore Before You Die, now in its second printing, and is a frequent contributor to New Jersey Monthly magazine. His latest book, New York City Scavenger: The Ultimate Search for New York City’s Hidden Treasures, explores Manhattan from Battery Park to Washington Heights with both famous and unexpected sites in all neighborhoods, including Times Square, Greenwich Village and Central Park. Pick up a copy of his Jersey Shore book and his new NYC book. He lives in New York his wife, Valari, and dog, Skye.
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