You should know one thing about the legendary neighborhoods flanking one of the most famous parks in the world: if you think you’ve fully explored them, think again.

The glitz and glamor of Park Avenue and the mesmerizing Museum Mile are certainly some of the headliners of these coveted NYC areas. But past the multi-million dollar co-ops, melting pots of cultural attractions, and expensive restaurants (sometimes too expensive), a special layer makes this slice of the Big Apple unforgettable.

Meander past 96th Street, and you’ll discover Manhattan Valley, a biome of cultural richness evident on almost every corner, from unique eateries to historic monuments. Head to Carnegie Hill and find yourself gawking at some of the most magnificent (and priciest) residential architecture found in New York. But keep going east, and you’ll find some of the Upper East Side’s most treasured haunts and its signature neighborhood charm.

New York City is chock full of desirable places to live, but few can offer the bucolic escape of Central Park. Below, we will provide you with a tour of some of the best neighborhoods near Central Park and the myriad perks they come with.

Top neighborhoods near Central Park

• Manhattan Valley

• Upper West Side

• Lincoln Square

• East Harlem

• Lenox Hill

• Carnegie Hill

• Midtown East

Manhattan Valley

Even some seasoned locals tend to lump everything from 59th Street to 110th Street as the Upper West Side. But we like digging into the details, and within those fifty streets are pockets of unique neighborhoods that easily stand alone. One of them is Manhattan Valley.

Stretching from West 96th St. to West 110th St. (though the exact borders are sometimes debatable), Manhattan Valley is one of the few remaining Central Park neighborhoods that can still toy with the word “affordable” in its vocabulary. And we mean affordable compared to the rest of the Upper West Side.

Manhattan Valley began to develop during the 19th century, as elevated rail lines stretched to connect the region to the rest of the island and spurred a wave of new residents. It once bore the name “Bloomingdale District” - not because of the famous department store; it was an anglicized version of the name Dutch settlers gave the area - but soon rebranded itself to Manhattan Valley.

Rich in diversity and culture, the Valley quickly displays that community makes it unique. Of course, having the upper reaches of Central Park right on your doorstep (along with Columbia University and Riverside Park) also helps.

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Upper West Side

Nestled between Central Park and the Hudson River, the Upper West Side offers an escape from the frenetic pace of other parts of Manhattan while still providing the urbane experience you'd expect from the city that never sleeps.

Art aficionados will find themselves at home, given the presence of prestigious institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Historical Society. The Upper West Side claims a unique stretch of Central Park, which includes gems like the Bow Bridge and the Bethesda Terrace.

Then there’s the diverse architectural portfolio, showcasing a mix of classic brownstones, an exquisite selection of some of NYC’s most coveted pre-war architecture, and a range of more contemporary high-rise apartments. It isn't uncommon to find beautiful tree-lined streets that transport you back to a bygone era, where ornate detailing on buildings evokes a sense of historic New York charm.

One of the Upper West’s biggest perks is that it’s entirely self-sustainable; you virtually never have to leave its limits to have everything you need. 

The real estate options, though versatile, don't often come cheap. But then again, the price of admission guarantees a slice of one of Manhattan's most cherished enclaves.

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Lincoln Square

One of the most famous sections of the Upper West Side, Lincoln Square is one of the few NYC areas that miraculously blends a neverending entertainment scene with a laid-back residential oasis. 

It’s hard to imagine that a tiny square (by New York City standards) is home to cultural powerhouses like The Julliard School, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the Metropolitan Opera. Become a resident here, and your neighbors will rotate from renowned jazz pianists to world-famous philharmonic orchestras. Needless to say, you’ll never run out of weekend or weekday plans if you decide to live in Lincoln Square.

Compared to other high-traffic areas, Lincoln Square tends to be more tame. Sure, you’ll have to surf through crowds on high-profile performance nights and learn to tolerate the rush-hour traffic, but slip into any of the connecting streets, and you’ll quickly insulate yourself from all the noise. 

Central Park West is just a few blocks away, giving you access to the vast Sheep Meadow. Or, if you want something a bit more secret, head west toward the river, and you’ll discover the hidden West End Park. A few more blocks west, and you’ll arrive at Riverside Park South, replete with all the waterfront views you could want.

Naturally, homes here are in high demand, especially if you want views of Central Park. But you’ll find a vast selection of majestic pre-war builds, amenity-packed modern high-rises, and the unbeatable townhouses that have long defined the area’s desirable housing stock.

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East Harlem

It may be a cliche thrown around about every area since the inception of NYC, but there really is no other neighborhood like East Harlem. 

From the mouth-watering Latin American eateries to the historic streets that served as chapters to the incredible stories of Puerto Rican and Dominican-American immigration, East Harlem’s universe is a divine portrait of NYC’s multi-layered diversity.

Known by locals as “Spanish Harlem,” a blitz of Latin-American flavor and sound will be the first thing you likely notice as you take in its lively avenues. You’ll have no trouble getting to know your neighbors and maybe even sharing a cafe con leche on the weekends. You’ll also have no trouble finding delectable cuisine: Mexican, Dominican, and South American restaurants pepper the entirety of East Harlem and almost always deliver an unforgettable experience.

East Harlem enjoys a unique portion of Central Park that’s also packed with vivid attractions. The North Meadow is a casual maze of winding trails that can as easily deposit you at the Butterfly Gardens as it can on the western side of the park so you can explore the Glen Span Arch.

El Museo Del Barrio, the City Museum of New York, and the Conservatory Gardens are all in your backyard if you want to plan a weekend activity.

Homebuyers will mostly be exploring a wide range of condos and pre-war buildings. The closer you are to the park, the higher the price may get. But any street you settle on will still provide you with easy access to the area’s best attractions.

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Lenox Hill

Like the Upper West, the Upper East Side is home to its vast array of characteristic neighborhoods. The largest of these is Lenox Hill, stretching all the way from E 77th St. to E 59th St. The westernmost limit of Lenox Hill is the legendary 5th Avenue, hugging a large swathe of Central Park’s eastern limits and serving as a direct route to Museum Mile’s foremost attractions.

The neighborhood packs an incredible amount of culture and industry within its borders, from the renowned Lenox Hill Hospital to the plethora of art galleries and antique shops that line its streets.

This is a neighborhood where upscale dining establishments share the block with cozy bistros and corporate avenues wind and loop with laid-back sidewalk cafes, homegrown eateries, and college bookstores. 

Lenox Hill is home to Hunter College and the nearby Park Avenue Armory, which is a nucleus for many of the Upper East’s most avant-garde art installations and performances. It can get dizzying to feel the neighborhood shift from a 9 to 5 corporate machine to a relaxed oasis with a neverending list of top eateries to explore, but you’ll get used to it quickly enough. 

Aspiring buyers will have their itineraries full of unique condo offerings to explore. Many are pre-war masterpieces, while others injected modern amenities and style into their design. You’ll have plenty to explore within the busier avenues like Lexington and Park as you will in the quieter artery streets.

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Carnegie Hill

No, you won’t find Carnegie Hall here - even though the neighborhood gets its name from the same person - but you will find some of the most palatial real estate available in Manhattan.

Carnegie Hill’s illustrious streets are fittingly married to the nearby Museum Mile; it’s hard to discern whether you are looking at consulates, hidden museums, or someone’s private townhouse. One thing is certain, however: the area’s immaculate architecture commands some of the highest price points in the nation and can be extremely limited in availability. 

Don’t be discouraged; even though Carnegie Hill stretches only ten blocks long, it can still offer multiple condo options for the curious buyer.   

Much of the area is a residential paradise: Tree-lined streets, historic mansions, and an almost insulated calm that separates this area from the business of nearby Lexington Avenue. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Jewish Museum are just some of the world-class attractions you’ll have at your front door when living in Carnegie Hill.

Then, of course, there’s Central Park. As if the exuberance of world-famous museums and multi-million dollar mansions wasn’t enough, Carnegie Hill lays claim to another unbeatable perk: it overlooks the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the largest body of water found in the park.

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Midtown

If you can survive the neon-spiked onslaught of Times Square - and the swaths of tourist attractions that sometimes even draw the locals in - head north on 7th Avenue. 

Cruise past the famous Radio City Music Hall, enjoy the view of the Rockefeller Center in the distance, take note of the nearby Museum of Modern Art, and then pay attention to how the neighborhood changes.

The closer you get to Midtown’s section of Central Park, the more drastic the change in atmosphere. High-octane pedestrian and vehicular traffic give way to a slew of ultra-luxury boutiques and a slightly tamer pace. French-themed cafes and bakeries will start replacing the Hard Rock Cafe and the Hershey Store. 

Keep going until you reach 57th Street (this is where you’ll find Carnegie Hall) and you’ll see one of the most popular stretches of Central Park open up in front of you.

Surrounded by an array of coveted condominium high-rises, this portion of the park is one of the most desirable areas in NYC. Thanks to nearby Columbus Circle, the entirety of the island, and, in turn, all of the five boroughs, is at your fingertips. From there, you’ll gain access to all the major subway lines that can connect you to almost every part of the Big Apple. 

This accessibility makes this part of Midtown a commuter’s dream. However, be prepared to live every minute like a New York minute. The streets can get busy, and nearby attractions can quickly pack the neighborhood. But you’ll soon learn that this slice of the island also lives the best of both worlds. If you want to escape the pace, just slip into Central Park and wander off. After all, it’s right on your doorstep.

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