96th Street (1, 2, 3)

This stop brings you to the northern edge of the Upper West Side, where it starts to feel a bit more diverse, less wealthy white.

The station brings you right to Symphony Space, where you can catch events ranging from book launches to comedy shows to avant garde films. There are also thrift stores like Housing Works Thrift and St. Francis Thrift Store right off the stop. I wouldn’t seek these out for cool finds the way that I’d go the Lower East Side or Greenpoint/Bushwick - these are more for functional items than vintage style.

Go west to Riverside Park, and you’ll find: an incredible riverside picnic spot (map to this spot, just trust me), tennis courts, and a pretty summertime garden.

If you need a cafe surrounded by plants, the Plantshed on Amsterdam is pretty cool. Compared to other Plantsheds throughout the city, this one feels like a legit plant and gardening store that also serves coffee.

Project472’s little picnic haven in Riverside Park.

The 96 St Tennis Courts

The garden within Riverside Park.

Housing Works Thrift off this stop

The view right outside the station.