Upper West Side guide: Theatres, restaurants, and attractions to visit

Discover the best places to eat, shop, sightsee, relax, and experience Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in this historic neighborhood nestled between two parks.

More than just Central Park and beautiful brownstones, Manhattan's Upper West Side is home to theatres just as old and respected as some of those downtown — including a Broadway house.

Just a short ride away from the Theater District, the Upper West Side’s inviting, tree-lined streets are a great place to spend a day before catching a show that might be more off the beaten path. Stroll through a park, walk by the Hudson River and enjoy the views, and take your pick of the food and drink the neighborhood has to offer.

The Upper West Side is a great destination for a more relaxed, authentic New York experience than you might find in other more touristy neighborhoods. With the variety of theatres here, each with their own hallowed histories, it's easy to find the perfect entertainment for anyone looking for a show that suits their own taste.

Learn more about the neighborhood's theatres, plus restaurants and attractions to check out before or after your show, below.

Theatres on the Upper West Side

From massive concert halls to hidden-gem venues tucked away in historic buildings, the Upper West Side has it all. Learn more about the theatres you can visit in the neighborhood.

Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center has been drawing people to the Upper West from all over the world since its first buildings went up in the 1960s. The arts complex houses the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center Theater (which operates three venues, including Broadway's Vivian Beaumont Theater), New York City Ballet, and many more world-renowned institutions.

Learn more about all the theatres in Lincoln Center, plus nearby attractions, in our guide.

Beacon Theatre

Since 1929, the Beacon Theatre has been a fixture of the Upper West Side. Originally opened as a movie theatre, the space transitioned to live entertainment in the 1960s and soon became as popular enough as the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The Beacon has consistently offered live music and more ever since (other than a brief stint in the late 1980s when the owners tried to turn it into a nightclub).

The lusciously designed venue has hosted several artist residencies, from the Allman Brothers and Steely Dan to Mariah Carey’s annual show All I Want For Christmas Is You: A Night of Joy and Festivity. Today, the Beacon showcases live music, comedy, podcasts, and occasional Off-Broadway shows. The fall 2024 lineup includes comedians Seth Meyers and John Oliver and musicians Tom Jones and Leon Bridges.

Delacorte Theater

Home to the famous summer series Shakespeare in the Park, the Delacorte Theater was built in the middle of Central Park in 1962 to house the Public Theater’s New York Shakespeare Festival, which had already been running free Shakespeare productions elsewhere since 1954.

The Delacorte offers free Shakespeare to this day, although its popularity usually means these tickets can be tough to come by (unless you’re willing to wait in line for most of your day or you win the digital lottery). Shakespeare in the Park productions have showcased star performers since the very first summer show, attracting names like Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, and Al Pacino. The Delacorte closed for major renovations after its 2023 summer season, but it’s due to reopen in time for summer 2025.

Get tickets to Delacorte Theater shows on New York Theatre Guide.

WP Theater

WP Theater, founded in 1978 as Women's Project Theater, was opened to give women and other historically marginalized creators a space to showcase their work. Over the years, this Off-Broadway company has won the Lucille Lortel Award, the Obie Award, and more, cementing its place in the theatre world as a space to watch.

WP artist alumni include prominent playwrights such as V (formerly Eve Ensler), Dominique Morrisseau, and Sarah Ruhl, and the theatre has seen many Tony-winning and Tony nominated actors in its history as well.

Get tickets to WP Theater shows on New York Theatre Guide.

Symphony Space

Right off of the 1/2/3 trains at 96th and Broadway is Symphony Space, which officially opened as a theatre in 1931 and soon offered cinema as well. After several turbulent decades, Symphony Space reopened in its current form in 2002.

This multi-hyphenate venue puts on Off-Broadway plays, comedy shows, and dance performances. It also hosts screenings of recorded National Theatre Live productions from London as well as a wide variety of other cultural offerings. You can find author talks, panels, film screenings, and more.

Get tickets to Symphony Space shows on New York Theatre Guide.

West End Theatre at St. Paul & St. Andrew

In terms of off-the-beaten-path venues, there’s nothing quite like a theatre hidden on the second floor of a church. The Methodist church of St. Paul & St. Andrew is monumental enough to take up an entire street corner, but one door leads up to the West End Theatre underneath the church’s domed ceiling. Since 1999, this intimate space with just 72 fixed seats has been hosting theatre, opera, dance, and more.

Things to do before seeing a show on the Upper West Side

In addition to theatres, the Upper West Side has gorgeous parks, shops, and other cultural attractions.

Central Park

A prime destination for out-of-towners and locals alike, the attractions of Central Park never lose their charm. Visit the Shakespeare Garden, escape from the bustle of the city in the wooded Ramble, or walk around the enormous and picturesque Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. Right behind the Delacorte Theater, you can explore Belvedere Castle, a charming landmark in the center of the Park with fantastic views from any of its levels.

Price: Free

New-York Historical Society

Right next door to the better-known Museum of Natural History is the New-York Historical Society, whose archaic spelling is a nod to the 19th century, when the society was founded. Their exhibits are mainly centered on city history, like the recent “I’ll Have What She’s Having: The Jewish Deli,” or their fall 2024 exhibit, “Pets and the City.”

Address: 170 Central Park West between 76th and 77th Streets
Price: $

Westsider Rare & Used Books

Visitors come to Westsider Books for the stunning, old-world bookstore feel and stay for the wide selection of literature, nonfiction, modern first editions, and more. Browse the bargain bins outside or peruse the overflowing stacks indoors (reminiscent of Paris’s Shakespeare and Company) for the chance to take home a gem.

Address: 2246 Broadway between 80th and 81st Streets
Price: $

Riverside Park

It's sometimes hard to remember that Manhattan is an island, but a stroll along the Hudson River or a to-go lunch on a pier will certainly remind you. Riverside Park runs along the whole Upper West Side and then some, and it’s the perfect way to enjoy the waterfront. Walk along the water or rent a CitiBike and jump on the bike path that stretches from Washington Heights in upper Manhattan all the way to Battery Park at its southern tip.

Price: Free

American Folk Art Museum

Right near Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is the American Folk Art Museum — which has free admission for everyone all day, every day. Founded in 1961, the museum is dedicated to folk art and self-taught artists who received no formal artistic training. You can find examples of traditionally overlooked art forms here, such as quilts, embroidery, and other textile arts, as well as paintings, photographs, carved wooden sculpture, and handmade books.

Address: 2 Lincoln Square between 65th and 66th Streets
Price: Free

Where to eat and drink before seeing a show on the Upper West Side

No matter your budget or tastes, the Upper West Side has a dining option (or several) to satisfy your pre- and post-show food and drink cravings.

Made in New York Pizza

Look no further than Made in New York if you’re craving a top-notch slice of New York-style pizza. You can’t go wrong with a classic cheese pizza, but they also serve a mean buffalo chicken slice. This modest pizza joint is only two blocks from Central Park, making it a great stop to grab a slice (or a pie) for a pre-show picnic.

Address: 421 Amsterdam Ave. on the corner of 80th St.
Price: $

Absolute Bagels

Another classic spot for another classic NYC food, Absolute Bagels frequently tops lists of the best bagels in the city. The wide menu of bagels and bagel sandwiches is definitely worth the wait in what might be a long line. They only accept cash payments, so don’t forget to stop at an ATM.

Address: 2788 Broadway between 107th and 108th Streets
Price: $

Jacob’s Pickles

Always bustling, Jacob’s Pickles is a neighborhood favorite for Southern comfort food. Their enormous mac and cheese servings (for a very reasonable price) and equally large drink menu are a big draw, and definitely try out the Biscuits & Fixins appetizer.

Address: 509 Amsterdam Ave. between 84th and 85th Streets
Price: $$

Jin Ramen

Another neighborhood favorite, Jin Ramen is a laid-back spot for ramen, rice dishes, and other casual Japanese fare. On a chilly Upper West Side afternoon, it’s the perfect spot to warm up over a bowl of noodles and broth.

Address: 462 Amsterdam Ave. between 82nd and 83rd Streets
Price: $$

Caledonia

An intimate bar self-identifying as “the world’s least pretentious whisky bar,” Caledonia specializes in Scottish whiskeys. The bar serves up cocktails and bites as well, but you won’t find Jameson on this menu.

Address: 424 Amsterdam Ave. between 80th and 81st Streets
Price: $$

Joanne Trattoria

This cozy restaurant is perhaps best known for being owned by Lady Gaga’s family, and you can find homestyle Italian dishes and a smattering of Gaga references for diehard fans. Joanne's also features “Drag Me to Joanne’s,” a weekly drag show on Wednesdays.

Address: 70 W. 68th St. between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
Price: $$$

Da Capo

Da Capo is a great go-to because of its flexibility. An espresso bar by day and a cocktail bar by night, it’s a reliable stop for whatever time of day or frame of mind you’re in. Grab a cappuccino at the polished bar, and transition seamlessly into lunch or dinner if the mood strikes.

Address: 322 Columbus Ave. between 75th and 76th Streets
Price: $-$$

Get tickets to Upper West Side shows

The Upper West Side has long been a cultural destination for good reason. With so much to choose from, there are so many different ways to have the perfect day out here, no matter what your interests may be.

Photo credit: Camelot at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in Lincoln Center. (Photo by Joan Marcus)