Guide to Central Park West in New York City
🌳 Guide to Central Park West in New York City: 25 Essential Businesses
📍 Location: View full route on Google Maps
📏 Length: ~2.5 miles (4 km) from Columbus Circle (59th St) to Frederick Douglass Circle (110th St)
🚗 By Car: Two-way northbound/southbound; scenic but narrow; limited parking (mostly metered or resident-only).
🚇 By Subway: Served by the B/C** trains the entire length (local stops at 59th, 72nd, 81st–Museum of Natural History, 86th, 96th, 103rd, 110th).
✨ Curiosity: Central Park West was originally called “8th Avenue” until 1883, when it was renamed to reflect its grand views of Central Park.
It’s lined with historic “millionaire’s row” apartment buildings like The Dakota and The San Remo.
6 Streets Near Central Park West – Explore More
| Street | Distance from CPW | Main Niche |
|---|---|---|
| Broadway | 0.2 miles east | Theater, historic commerce, Columbia |
| Columbus Avenue | 0.2 miles east | Local shops, neighborhood cafés |
| Amsterdam Avenue | 0.4 miles east | Residential, local life |
| 59th Street (Columbus Circle) | Intersects CPW | Luxury shopping, transit hub |
| 72nd Street | Intersects CPW | The Dakota, Verdi Square, residential |
| 110th Street (Cathedral Parkway) | Intersects CPW | Cathedral of St. John, Harlem gateway |
Central Park West is New York’s most poetic residential boulevard—where Beaux-Arts mansions meet the wild beauty of Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History. These 25 businesses capture its quiet grandeur and cultural heartbeat.
1. American Museum of Natural History
History: Founded in 1869; one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world.
Founded: 1869
Differential: Home to the Rose Center for Earth and Space, dinosaur halls, and the iconic blue whale.
📍 Address: Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: amnh.org
📞 Phone: (212) 769-5100
2. The Dakota
History: Completed in 1884; one of NYC’s first luxury apartment buildings. Home to John Lennon until 1980.
Founded: 1884
Differential: Landmark Gothic Revival building; not open to public, but iconic to photograph.
📍 Address: 1 W 72nd St (Central Park West), New York, NY 10023
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
3. Cafe Lalo – Upper West Side
History: Opened in 1981; gained fame in You’ve Got Mail (1998).
Founded: 1981
Differential: European-style café with legendary hot chocolate—steps from CPW.
📍 Address: 201 W 83rd St (near CPW), New York, NY 10024
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: cafelalo.com
📞 Phone: (212) 496-6031
4. Zabar’s
History: Founded in 1934 by Ukrainian immigrant Louis Zabar.
Founded: 1934
Differential: Legendary gourmet market with house-smoked fish, coffee, and NY bagels.
📍 Address: 2245 Broadway (at 80th St, 1 block from CPW), New York, NY 10024
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: zabars.com
📞 Phone: (212) 787-2000
5. Barney Greengrass
History: Opened in 1908; “The Sturgeon King” of the Upper West Side.
Founded: 1908
Differential: Historic appetizing shop with smoked fish, caviar, and Sunday brunch.
📍 Address: 541 Amsterdam Ave (at 86th St, 2 blocks from CPW), New York, NY 10024
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: barneygreengrass.com
📞 Phone: (212) 724-4707
6. The San Remo
History: Completed in 1930; twin-towered landmark designed by Emery Roth.
Founded: 1930
Differential: Iconic residential tower with twin temples; home to celebrities like Steven Spielberg.
📍 Address: 145 Central Park West (74th–75th St), New York, NY 10023
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
7. The Beresford
History: Completed in 1929; one of CPW’s grandest pre-war co-ops.
Founded: 1929
Differential: Ornate terra-cotta façade; home to Jerry Seinfeld and other icons.
📍 Address: 211 Central Park West (81st–82nd St), New York, NY 10024
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
8. Shake Shack – Upper West Side
Differential: Popular burger chain near 72nd St and CPW.
📍 Address: 160 Central Park West (72nd St), New York, NY 10023
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: shakeshack.com
9. Pret A Manger – CPW
Differential: Fresh sandwiches and coffee for museum-goers and residents.
📍 Address: 160 Central Park West (72nd St), New York, NY 10023
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: pret.com
10. Duane Reade – CPW
Differential: Convenient pharmacy and essentials near 72nd St.
📍 Address: 150 Central Park West (72nd St), New York, NY 10023
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: duanereade.com
11. Levain Bakery
History: Opened in 1995; famous for its 6-oz chocolate chip walnut cookie.
Founded: 1995
Differential: Warm, gooey cookies and artisan breads—5 minutes from CPW.
📍 Address: 167 W 74th St (Amsterdam Ave), New York, NY 10023
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: levainbakery.com
12. Barnes & Noble – Upper West Side
Differential: Large-format bookstore with café near 82nd St.
📍 Address: 504 Columbus Ave (82nd St), New York, NY 10024
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: barnesandnoble.com
13. Eataly UWS
Differential: Italian marketplace with fresh pasta, wine bar, and pizza—near 62nd/CPW.
📍 Address: 225 W 57th St (at Broadway, 5 blocks from CPW), New York, NY 10019
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: eataly.com
14. The Museum of Arts and Design (Near CPW)
Differential: Contemporary craft and design museum at Columbus Circle.
📍 Address: 2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: madmuseum.org
15. Jazz at Lincoln Center – Frederick P. Rose Hall
Differential: World-class jazz performances with Central Park views.
📍 Address: Broadway & 60th St (Time Warner Center), New York, NY 10019
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: jazz.org
16. The Plaza Hotel (Near CPW)
History: Opened in 1907; literary and cinematic landmark.
Founded: 1907
Differential: Luxury hotel with Palm Court tea service—steps from 59th/CPW.
📍 Address: 768 5th Ave (59th St), New York, NY 10019
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: theplazany.com
17. Godiva – Columbus Circle
Differential: Premium Belgian chocolate near CPW’s southern end.
📍 Address: Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: godiva.com
18. Whole Foods – Columbus Circle
Differential: Organic grocery and prepared foods on top floor of The Shops.
📍 Address: 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: wholefoods.com
19. Au Bon Pain – CPW
Differential: Reliable bakery-café for breakfast or lunch.
📍 Address: 160 Central Park West (72nd St), New York, NY 10023
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: aubonpain.com
20. Walgreens – CPW
Differential: Convenient pharmacy near 72nd St subway.
📍 Address: 155 W 72nd St (CPW), New York, NY 10023
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: walgreens.com
21. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (Near CPW)
Differential: Interactive kids’ museum on 83rd St.
📍 Address: 212 W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: cmom.org
22. The Museum of Biblical Art (Former – Now Private)
History: Operated 1997–2015; space now used for cultural events.
📍 Address: 1865 Broadway (61st St), New York, NY 10023
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
23. Le Pain Quotidien – UWS
Differential: Belgian organic bakery near 85th/CPW.
📍 Address: 2145 Broadway (85th St), New York, NY 10024
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: lepainquotidien.com
24. H&M – Columbus Circle
Differential: Large-format store with fashion for all ages.
📍 Address: 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: hm.com
25. Central Park Bike Rentals (Near CPW)
Differential: Rent bikes to explore Central Park directly from CPW entrances.
📍 Address: Central Park loop near 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
🌐 Website: centralparkbikes.com
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