Great New York City Walks
by Barbara Barton Sloane
Long a refuge from the riffraff (some call it character) that permeates New York, the Upper East Side (UES) is in the doldrums. Wall Street is crumbling and the economy is in the dumper. However, the sophistication and creative offerings of this neighborhood endure. Here are some of its highlights you may just want to check out the next time you’re in the City.
Gracie Mansion (88th St. at East End Avenue)
Two hundred years ago, country estates like this iconic old home lined the river and wealthy businessmen traveled by boat rather than car. These days, this 1799 mansion is the official mayor’s residence – lived in by everyone but Bloomberg since 1942 – and open only on Wednesdays for tours ($4-$7). Reservations required. 212-570-0985
Doyle New York (175 E. 87th St., between Lexington and Third Aves.)
This is where boom-time extravagances hit the block. The auction house holds exhibitions before every sale. Some recent exhibits included “Belle Epoque, 19th & 20th Century Decorative Arts” and an auction of the famed soprano, Beverly Sills. 212-427-2730
Beaux Arts Neue Gallerie (1048 Fifth Avenue @86th St.)
Get some marble beneath your feet at this former Vanderbilt home that now houses the most opulent painting in the city, Gustav Klimt’s lustrous gold Adele Bloch-Bauer I. 212-628-6200
Crawford Doyle Booksellers (1082 Madison Avenue@82nd St.)
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| Courtesy of Ed Reed/Office of the Mayor |
Probably the only store along Madison Avenue that one can afford. There’s an afternoon’s worth of browsing here, with used auction catalogs on carts outside and clerks eager to talk fiction. Don’t miss Burlington Antique Toys in the basement. It’s lined with cases of toy soldiers and oil paintings. 212-288-6300
The New York Society Library (53 E. 79th St, between Madison and Park)
This is a surprisingly welcoming venue where non-members can use the reference room to read books from the extensive history and arts collection or tour the wood-paneled study. 212-288-6900
Locals giving you cashmere envy? Find armloads of it at
The Arthritis Thrift Shop (1430 Third Ave. between 81st and 82nd Sts.)
Here you’ll find a trove of luxe bargains like Ferragamo coats ($145) and Manolo Blahniks ($75). 212-772-8816
Investment bankers should rummage at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Thrift Shop (1440 Third Ave. between 81st and 82nd Sts.) To keep up appearances, you’ll find fine wool Brioni suits, normally $4000 which go for $350. 212-535-1250
Walk On……
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