Welcome to our luxurious New York City 2-bedroom apartment, located mere steps from Central Park. This prime location offers unmatched access to the city’s finest outdoor activities, dining, shopping, and cultural experiences, all within a short distance from our residence.
There is always something to do in New York City. We compiled the best activities you can partake in within walking distance of the Equity Residences 1 Central Park West apartment.
If you want to venture further, we recommend asking the building concierge for a black car with a driver or hopping on a subway. The 59 Street – Columbus Circle subway station is a major connecting point for blue, orange, and red metro lines that can take you pretty much anywhere you want to go in the city.
1. Outdoor Activities in Central Park
Stroll & Picnic:
Enjoy a leisurely walk through the picturesque landscapes of Central Park, just steps from our home. Pack a picnic and relax on Sheep Meadow. This 15-acre lawn is a favorite spot in the southern part of the Park, perfect for unwinding, sunbathing, reading, and enjoying picnics, while taking in the striking contrast between the lush greenery and Manhattan’s towering skyline. Sheep Meadow, along with other meadows in the Park, was crafted to offer visitors a glimpse of an idealized rural landscape—open, expansive, and reminiscent of the countryside.
Another great spot for a picnic is by the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, a 1.58-mile path that surrounds the Central Park Reservoir, frequently populated by runners and walkers who appreciate the beautiful water views and the surrounding skyline. Besides jogging, the area is also popular with birdwatchers, as the Reservoir attracts a variety of aquatic birds.
Rowboat Rental:
Take a serene gondola ride on the Central Park Lake or head to the Loeb Boathouse to rent a rowboat. This Central Park Boathouse is located only about 10 minutes away from our home and is a unique way to experience the park’s serene beauty.
Biking:
Rent a bike and explore the scenic 6-mile Central Park loop, stopping at iconic sites like Bow Bridge and Bethesda Terrace, one of the most iconic and well-known features in Central Park.
Central Park Zoo:
Visit a Central Park Zoo, a great spot for family fun, featuring exotic animals, a children’s zoo, and interactive exhibits. It is located about 8 minutes away walking distance from our luxury Central Park West apartment and, whether you want to see snow leopards and snow monkeys or plan your day around a sea lion feeding, it offers an unforgettable day with wildlife.
Ice Skate in Winter:
Between the end of October through March, head to Wollman Rink to ice skate and take in breathtaking views of the skyline that surrounds the iconic Central Park landscape. Ice skating in the heart of Manhattan creates a festive mood and leaves lasting great memories.
2. Fine Dining Recommendations
– This Three star Michelin restaurant is located at the Shops at Columbus Circle, just across the street from our apartment. The restaurant offers exceptional French cuisine with stunning views of Central Park. Known for its elegant ambiance and tasting menus, it’s perfect for a memorable evening. Make your reservations a few weeks in advance right on the restaurant’s website to get a table for dinner.
– Located in our building, this iconic restaurant offers innovative French-American cuisine by renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The luxurious dining room and unparalleled service make it an ideal spot for a sophisticated meal. Head down to the restaurant or order in and eat in your apartment – the choice is yours.
– A celebrated seafood restaurant located a few blocks away from our apartment offers contemporary Italian coastal cuisine. Marea is perfect for a refined dining experience featuring fresh fish and pasta dishes.
– Have dinner in the heart of Central Park by booking a table at the historic Tavern on the Green. Originally designed by Calvert Vaux and built in 1870 to house the sheep that grazed in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow, Tavern on the Green has proudly served locals, presidents, royalty, artists, actors, and first-time visitors since 1934. Take a stroll along Central Park West and arrive at the restaurant 10-15 minutes after departing our apartment.
– This restaurant has become a cultural phenomenon and a staple of NYC fine dining for crowds before attending performances at the nearby Carnegie Hall and the NYC Ballet. Founded 100 years ago by the Russian ballet dancers who immigrated to the United States after the Revolution, this restaurant became a hotspot for artists, intellectuals, and the Billionaires’ Row residents. We recommend ordering pancakes with caviar and elaborate cocktails made with infused vodkas. And, of course, come here for brunch and drink tea with red cherries, as Aleksander Petrovsky did on Sex and the City.
3. Upscale Shopping Nearby
– This New York City’s premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination is a high-end shopping mall that offers “only in New York experience,” from Michelin-starred restaurants under one roof to Jazz at Lincoln Center, Mandarin Oriental New York, Whole Foods Market, Equinox Fitness Club and more than 50 retail stores and pop-up experiences. It is located across the street from our 1 Central Park West apartment.
– Bergdorf is more than a retail destination. It is a famed and well-established New York institution known for its luxury fashion, accessories, and home goods. Featured in numerous movies and shows, this retail establishment occupies a few blocks on Fifth Avenue. Enjoy personal shopping services and discover exclusive collections from top designers. You can find Van Cleef and Arpels, Chanel, Prada, and contemporary designers under one roof. It is easy to reach Bergdorf from our apartment – just walk along Central Park South until you reach the corner of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue.
– To shop for your favorite brands at their individual boutiques, head east from our apartment towards Madison Avenue along Central Park South. You will find Dior, Celine, Bottega Veneta, Hermes, and more luxury stores along the way.
4. Cultural and Historic Experiences
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
– If you are a contemporary art enthusiast, MoMA houses an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by Picasso, Van Gogh, and Warhol. Don’t miss its rooftop sculpture garden. You can walk to the museum by taking Sixth Avenue down to 53rd Street.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
– One of the most prominent and prestigious art institutions in the world is located on Fifth Avenue. We recommend taking a pedicab across the park or walking along its windy paths to eventually end up on 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue on the stretch dubbed the “millionaire row”. Explore exhibits ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to European masterpieces. Met also hosts multiple special exhibits throughout the year. Make sure to head up to the rooftop bar to drink a glass of wine and enjoy breathtaking views of the Upper East Side and Central Park. Expect to spend a few hours at the museum to enjoy its vast collections.
– If you are a Medieval art enthusiast or simply prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan proper, take an A train uptown to 190 Street from the Columbus Circle subway station located just outside of our apartment, and head over to the Met Cloisters. This museum is shaped like a medieval monastery and offers a journey to the Middle Ages.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
– Explore a cultural hub offering world-class performances from the New York City Ballet, Metropolitan Opera, and the New York Philharmonic. Enjoy an evening of high culture with a performance at one of its renowned theaters.
– Walk down to 57th Street and Seventh Avenue and enter one of the premier cultural institutions in the United States. Since its opening in 1891, Carnegie Hall has been hosting the finest American and international musicians on its stage. Do not miss a performance during your visit.
– Most Broadway theaters are located on the West Side of Manhattan between Broadway and 9th Avenue and 43 to 53 streets. You can pick any show on any night and take a walk down Broadway to the theater of your choice. Some tickets sell out well in advance, while others you can pick up at the box office 10 minutes before the show starts. The website above provides many choices for shows that you can reach within a 15-20 minute walk from our 1 Central Park West apartment. After the show, we recommend visiting a local hangout Da Marino where you might run into an actor who just performed on stage and is now relaxing with a glass of wine.
Wrap-Up
Our luxurious 2-bedroom apartment located on the border of Central Park West and 59th Street has stunning Central Park views and places you in the heart of everything that makes New York City one of the world’s most exciting cities. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, fine dining, high-end shopping, or cultural enrichment, everything is within walking distance or a short ride from your doorstep. We hope this guide enhances your stay and helps you experience the best of NYC!
