Central Park West, Central Park

When I traveled down W. 81st St., one day, the only highlight to the street was the American Museum of Natural History. This museum covers a large city block. You can get to it by any street surrounding the complex, but from W. 81st St., you get to see the Rose Center for Earth and Space first. What a breathtaking view of the area.

If you keep going past W. 81st St., it turns into 79th Street Transverse, where you are taken through the upper part of Central Park. What a view that is. It is worth seeing if you have the time.

On west 81st street there are plenty of beautiful brownstones. The street is very conveniently located in the middle of the Upper West Side. It is very close to all the local transportation options New York has to offer. It is also near the Museum of Natural History, Central Park and Riverside Park. Nearby is fantastic dining and great shopping. It is a really great neighborhood.

If you can afford to live here than you are blessed, not just because you are rich but because you are able to live in on of the prettiest streets in New York City. This street is perfect city living. You are minutes away from everything, as you are in every corner of New York city. However in central Park west you had the added Bonus of being within a short walking distance of escaping the hectic streets of New York, by visinting Central Park. The best of what New York has to offer is nearby. Like almost everywhere on the Island, traffic can be difficult to deal with, but not as hectic as most other New York City Streets. There is a lot of tourist traffic.
Everytime I visit this street I wonder what it must be like to live in one of those classy building, that line Central Park West.

I live between Amsterdam and Broadway on W 81st St. It's a great block, mainly because there's something for everyone within a single block. Let me name a few, these are literally a block away, like a minutes walking distance. Ready?
Stores/Retail:
Starbucks, Staples, Barnes & Nobles, Verizon Wireless Store, NYSC Gym, McDonalds, Zabars
Bars:
Jakes Dilemma, 420, Gin Mill, Brother Jimmy's
Restaurants:
Cafe Lalo, Tamarind, Nice Matin, Fred's

Not too far, is the Boat Basin cafe.

Parking: I have 2 cars, and street parking is easier than other parts of the city.

If you walk further east, you are on the same street as the grand Beresford residences, and the Museum of Natural History. If you head west, you hit the west side park.

Yup, you can't go wrong with West 81st Street!

Ah, Central Park West. It’s so gorgeous – even in the winter when the sky is all gray and the park is all brown, the architecture and people watching are still entertaining. During warmer, greener months the street is of course busier with both street and sidewalk traffic – but that goes for the city at large.

Central Park West is probably best known for hugging the west rim of Central Park but the Rose Center is doing a great job at increasing the popularity of this stretch of road. There is such a fascination with space and space travel that its hardly surprising this attraction is so popular and the Tom Hanks narrated Space Show is worth the admission fee alone. If you have ever been curious about space and travelling the universe, make this a stop in your New York stay.

Beautiful red brick apartment buildings line this street in downtown Manhattan. Excellent shopping and restaurants, plus whatever else you can think of. Don't forget to visit some museums and art studios while you are here. Very difficult to park in this area. I hope you are in a cab. Luckily it is within walking distance to Central Park west.

97th street is close to subway stops and has ample transportation options, however the street itself is about as interesting as a brick wall. Well actually, what you will end up seeing is a brick wall. 97th appears to be one of those streets that were simply drawn in after the fact. Walking down you will see very few entrances, even to residential buildings. Rather you will find yourself surrounded by the side of many buildings. It's quiet, even during the busiest hours in the city which might appeal to some, but to me it's just downright creepy.

Central Park West offers walkers the ability to enter the park or to stay on the street. It's a great place to walk and admire all the people who get to live in the buildings that line the street across from the park. As for entertainment there is not much. It is mostly just an interesting street to walk. On a nice summer day vendors and artists line the way along the street and you can check out some interesting finds. If you are afraid of the K-9 population you will likely want to stay away. You will see more dogs on Central Park West then you ever though existed within the city.

Central Park West is one of Manhattan's most attractive strolling locations, it has plenty to see with many buildings that boast different unique styles of architecture, and a spectacular contrast with the green of the park. Of course, the best part of Central Park West is that you can walk, and still feel the proximity to the park without having to worry about getting lost. If at any point you fancy a greener stroll, there are plenty of entrances into the park itself. Central Park West has stops on the C and D line, and offers good access to other areas of the city. In its higher proximities (80's 90's), Central Park West is generally quiet, and residential. At night, there isn't too much to expect here except for late night strollers, and people walking their dogs. It's a very picturesque street and definitely worth a visit!

You would think that this street's proximity to the W96th street subways would make it a more lively place to be, but it is not really somewhere you would want to do more than pass by. The street itself is mostly residential, and it does not offer so much as any sort of entertaining fare. Furthermore, at night, this area is essentially deserted and not such a great place to be, especially alone. Although the Upper West Side does offer its share of quaint areas to visit, this is not one of them. I would recommend, if you happen to get off the subway in this area to walk South. Don't linger here too long, there isn't much to do or see. On the other hand, living here is probably very quiet, and you are not too far from the express stops, so I think it does have its ups and downs. However, a night out on the town probably won't go very far on 97th street.

I didn't have to take care of anything but I stayed in an apartment overlooking the park for a month. Basically rented a friend's place for the month. Cost me all of $600 because that's what she was subletting the place for. Hooray for rent-control wonkiness. I gotta say it was the first time I'd ever spent a lot of time in a place I didn't need my car. And I was certainly disturbed that I got mugged for the first time in my life in a city where I couldn't carry my gun. It certainly was an experience.

Though the street is home to the Museum of Natural History and the New York Historical Society, the biggest draw to Central Park West is the park itself. The street runs right by Strawberry Fields, the tribute to John Lennon right across from the Dakota. It is an especially homey walk, filled with playgrounds, trees, and quiet.

This street is home to no other than the Central Park itself, obviously. It is also home to many others, including quite a few...what do we call them...oh yeah, celebrities. I'm sure that those celebrity tourism bus tours would get all kinds of business around here. One of the most infamous things that happened here was the shooting of The Beatle's John Lennon and apparently Yoko Ono still lives at the home he was shot in front of. Also, the sight of parts of the Ghostbuster movie is here, if you are a fan. A good place to visit for all you entertainment buffs.