Look, as much as we love the villages, sometimes waking up to perfect weather on a Saturday morning simply demands a day of being boujee. So don your high-society best, hop on the 6 line, and head over to the Upper East Side for the ideal New York day. And don’t worry, we’ve got the perfect itinerary prepped and ready.
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888 Madison Ave. / Website
Hop off the 6 line at 68th and walk up Lexington to 70th. Then stroll down 70th towards Madison and enjoy the gorgeous walk amongst some of New York’s most picturesque townhomes. Finally, window shop your way up Madison (hello, Prada, Chanel and Alexander Wang!) before coming to Ralph’s Coffee. Grab your iced latte and pull up a seat outside to soak up the UES vibes and do some excellent people-watching.
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17 E. 71st St. / Website
Now that you’re caffeinated, return to the pleasures of Madison Avenue’s gorgeous shopping. Whether or not you are planning on making any purchases, these designer destinations have such gorgeous window shopping that just seeing them is a treat. We recommend stepping inside Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s The Row, a stunning three-story townhouse-turned boutique full of fine and vintage jewelry and beautiful ready-to-wear pieces.
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1597 York Ave. / Website
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, fuel up with some breakfast. The UES is home to some lovely bakeries, but there are two in particular that always impress. For the pastry lover, Black Star Bakery & Cafe has mouth-watering croissant sandwiches (try the egg salad and chives), amazing Belgian waffles and much more. The hot menu is divine as well, so basically, you can’t go wrong here.
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1551 2nd Ave. / Website
For the bagel lover, head to H&H Bagels for a bite “like no other bagel in the world.” Since 1972, H&H Bagels has used its original recipe and artisanal water bagel method to produce its delicious all-natural bagels.
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W. 72nd St. / Website
Given the UES’ proximity to Central Park, it comes as no surprise that visiting is a necessity. Stroll along the wooded paths and catch some amazing busking. Enjoy the conservatory and watch the model boats sail. Or lounge on Pilgrim Hill and people watch. A few hours in Central Park is always time well spent.
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E. 86th St. & East End Ave. / Website
For an option further off the beaten path, head east to Carl Schurz Park, which lies along the East River. Truly a hidden gem, this park is straight out of a fairytale, and has some of the most gorgeous foliage in the whole city. Enjoy both the riverfront and garden paths before making your way back west for lunch.
12:30PM: Lunch
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1048 5th Ave. / Website
For the true boujee Upper East Side experience, Café Sabarsky is an excellent lunch choice. Drawing inspiration from the great Viennese cafes of the early 20th century, the decor is an experience in of itself. Period objects such as light fixtures by Josef Hoffman, furniture by Adolf Loof and Otto Wagner fabric adorn the space, completing the transformative space. Walking into the cafe is like teleporting to Vienna, and we are absolutely here for it. Not to mention, the food is delicious.
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1291 3rd Ave. / Website
For a more laidback lunch, opt for JG Melon, another UES staple since 1972. This cash-only resto has some of the most famous burgers in all of New York thanks to the griddle-cooked patties and warm toasted buns. The green and white table cloths, old-time jukebox and signature decor give this burger joint a distinct vintage vibe that we would call a quintessential New York experience.
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1000 5th Ave. / Website
One could hardly visit the Upper East Side without putting aside some time for a museum visit. Obviously, the Met is a must-see, and between the massive size and rotating exhibits, you could truly spend an entire day inside without seeing everything. Starting July 1, The Met will be hosting weekly Sun Sets on the roof, a music series spotlighting a rotating lineup of New York DJs. The Cantor Roof Garden Bar is open as well, and we highly recommend grabbing a quick drink and taking in one of the city’s best views of Central Park.
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1071 5th Ave. / Website
For the modern art lover, there’s the Guggenheim, a haven full of some of the world’s best modern art. Currently on view are Vasily Kandinsky: Around the Circle, Cecilia Vicuña: Spin Spin Triangulene and Thannhauser Collection. Starting July 8, Eva Hesse: Expanded Expansion and Sensory Poetics: Collecting Abstraction will go on display.
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864 Madison Ave. / Website
It’s been a long, hard day of being boujee, so you deserve a little treat. If you want to continue with the European vibes, head over to Ladurée for some macarons, loose leaf tea and pâtes de fruits. Everything at Ladurée is stunning, between the packaging, decor and service. The chocolate-coated raspberry macaron is back, so don’t walk, run.
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1484 3rd Ave. / Website
There’s a reason Levain has become world-famous, and it’s because the cookies genuinely are just that good. Take advantage of the proximity and swing by for chocolate chip walnut and dark chocolate chocolate chip cookies.
7PM: Dinner
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60 E. 65th St. / Website
There are plenty of top-notch dining options for dinner on the UES, so we’ll give you a few to choose from here. To start: DANIEL with the boujee-est option of them all. Since 1993, DANIEL has been a pillar of NYC dining thanks to its refined European cuisine. The restaurant sits in the original site of Le Cirque, where executive chef Eddy LeRoux, chef de cuisine Joshua Carpone and executive pastry chef Shaun Velez offer a seasonal menu highlighting some of the finest ingredients from around the world. Chef-owner Daniel Boulud has led his flagship to huge success, with the resto proudly boasting two Michelin stars.
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160 E. 64th St. / Website
For a slightly more relaxed evening, Jean-Georges’ first restaurant JoJo is an excellent choice. Named after the chef’s childhood nickname, the resto boasts modern and fresh design alongside a farm-to-table menu full of both organic and local ingredients. The rack of lamb is life-changing, though you can’t go wrong with the charred duck breast either. Throughout June, the bar is serving a ‘Love Wins Every Thyme’ cocktail to celebrate Pride Month.
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322 E. 86th St. / Website
Sandro’s is a delicious neighborhood Italian restaurant where the owner-chef crafts hand-made Roman pasta and innovative dishes. In addition to the pastas, Sandro’s has mastered chicken, veal and fish dishes, ensuring there is something for everyone to love at this New York favorite. Insider tip: Don’t miss the delicious wine list.
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1486 2nd Ave. / Website
Looking for a romantic end to your day on the UES? It’s gotta be Uva, home to one of the most gorgeous enclosed back gardens in the city. The atmosphere is incredibly warm and cozy, the Italian food is delicious and the wine list is extensive. Plus, Uva is very walk-in friendly if you forget to make a reservation. What more could you ask for?
Photography by: Ronny Rondon/Unsplash
