86th Street (1)

This station brings you to Broadway and 86th street, which is usually scaffolding-heavy and a bit elderly in terms of population. The local elders seem to love French Roast right outside the station for a good meal, which, hey, someone of any age can enjoy.

For a more vibrant scene, go east to Amsterdam Ave for a drink or noms, or west to Riverside Park for a stroll.

Amsterdam Ave

Try Fellini’s for a coffee, and bring a friend, book, or your laptop for a sit-down experience. For a bustling food and drinks vibe, try Tiki Chick, e’s Bar, or Jacob’s Pickles.

The oddest and most interesting food option out here is Barney’s Greengrass, which is a Jewish deli within a … print shop? I’d go for the novelty of the setting alone.

Riverside Park

This is a long and skinny park most certainly worth a stroll. Head north once you enter the park, and in summertime you’ll find a beautiful flower patch.

Some Park Notes:

The park has two layers to it: the upper green stroll, which you’ll hit first, and the lower riverside walk/bike/run path, which also has some green patches for a river-facing picnic.

Park accessibility is really well coordinated with the subway system. The entrances to the park match with the subway stops. For example, there’s an entrance to the park on 86th street, but not immediately above or below. So, if you’re going to the park, just walk west straight from the subway exit.

I promise you there’s a deli in here.

Right outside the subway station

The upper level of Riverside Park, near the 86th St entrance