Sundays in New York: the UWS

My sister-in-law Rachel is in town for a few days, so we've had a great excuse to get out and enjoy the city. Last night we saw Mary Poppins (her first Broadway show) and went to the midtown Shake Shack. The day before she and CM rented bikes in Central Park and then walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and explored Brooklyn. We met for dinner at Jack the Horse, one of our favorite spots. After dinner we walked along the Promenade and gawked at the lights of Manhattan. Having someone in from out of town (and CM for good measure) is a surefire way to fall in love with this city all over again.

Sunday we took it easy with some light exploration of the Upper West Side, with the help of City Walks cards (thanks for the tip, Laura!). First we swung by the Seinfeld restaurant—Rachel is a big fan. Have you ever been to Tom's? You'll recognize the exterior right away, but the interior looks nothing like the set from the show.

Then we explored the Columbia University campus a bit. It's so pretty and peaceful there! It must feel like a real oasis from the city to the students there.

Next we went inside the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. I had never been! We lit candles for loved ones who recently passed away, and sat quietly for a minute. Don't you love those grand old cathedrals?

Right next door to the cathedral is the Children's Sculpture Garden, a small sweet space that apparently sometimes has peacocks wandering around but on this particular day had none.

We finished off our time on the UWS with a long walk through Riverside Park. I hadn't been there since my very first summer in New York TWELVE years ago. The park features wide paths and a plethora of benches looking out over the Hudson. On a Sunday afternoon it was filled with people reading, families on bikes, and couples strolling hand in hand.

The more time I spend in cities, the more I feel the need to find pockets of respite from the unrelenting pace of city life. Discovering peaceful spots in New York seems like the perfect way to spend my precious Sundays.

Where's your favorite place to relax in the city?