Virtually synonymous with high culture, the Upper West Side is the seat of the City's groundbreaking opera, dance and orchestral productions. It's an intellectual's paradise: between institutions like the Met, the American Museum of Natural History, the New-York Historical Society and, just to the north, Columbia University, the area's practically flooded with thought. But that's not to say that the neighborhood's joys are solely theoretical—dining and shopping options are equally numerous. That makes sense, since the Upper West Side is so family-oriented. From fresh-baked delicacies at H&H Bagels and silky sturgeon at Barney Greengrass to the Latin-Chinese revelations at Flor de Mayo, the neighborhood's staggering variety of ethnic cuisines, brunch spots and date-night diners are available to please any palate. Similarly, the variety of shops—from vintage racks to spare high-fashion boutiques—are absurdly diverse. And the Upper West Side's nightlife holds its own, too. Where else can you enjoy an aria, a dive-bar beer and some rooftop jazz, all in the space of a few hours? Our pick for the latter: The Empire Hotel, whose elegant aerie offers a stunning view of the neighborhood.

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