Neighborhood

Hudson Heights is the area of Upper Manhattan bordered on the south by 173rd St., on the north by 190th St./Fort Tryon Park, on the west by the Hudson River and on the east by Fort Washington Ave. It is a neighborhood rich in history, scenery, and lots to do.

Castle Village and the Hudson River Greenway

Hudson Heights is known for its proximity to several amazing public parks. Bennett Park is bounded by Fort Washington Avenue, Pinehurst Avenue, 183rd, and 185th Streets. Home to the highest natural point in Manhattan, Bennett Park stands on the former site of Fort Washington, an important point of defense during the Revolutionary War where in 1776 George Washington and his troops delayed the advancement of British troops. A commemorative plaque is located on the eastern wall of the park.

Saint-Guilhem Cloister in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

J. Hood Wright Park is located between 173rd and 176th Streets from Fort Washington Avenue to Haven Avenue. It is named after the former owner of the site, J. Hood Wright (1836-94), a wealthy banker and financier who made large contributions to what is now the Washington Heights branch of the New York Public Library. His mansion and the land on which it stood was acquired by condemnation in 1925 and converted into much needed public park space. In the park, you will find handball, volleyball, and basketball courts, a multi-purpose playing field, and a dog-walking area! There is also a recreation center on-site offering a fitness room, computer room, and game room. Fort Tryon Park sits atop a 67-acre ridge overlooking the Hudson River.

Fort Tryon Park

The park opened in 1935 and was later redesigned and restored in 1983. In Fort Tryon, you will find plenty of trails and green space overlooking the Hudson River, making it the perfect place for an afternoon stroll in the picturesque scenery. If you get hungry, treat yourself to lunch or dinner at the New Leaf Restaurant and Bar, located within the park. Fort Tryon is also known for its gorgeous heather garden, containing more than 2,500 heathers, heaths, and brooms, along with 15,000 bulbs, 5,000 perennials, 500 shrubs, and 5 trees. Perhaps the most visible landmark in Fort Tryon is the Cloisters Museum and Gardens, the branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. The Cloisters was assembled from architectural elements from five medieval French cloisters that date from the twelfth through the fifteenth century!

Frank’s Market

The nearest corner deli is never more than a block away, and there are also many great neighborhood supermarkets to choose from. Jin’s Superette, on 181st St. and Fort Washington Avenue, has been a long-time neighborhood favorite. Here you’ll find some of the freshest produce in the neighborhood, a good beer selection, and a wonderful offering of vegetarian, vegan, and kosher items 24 hours a day! For health food, try Nature’s All, located on 181st Street just west of Broadway, and New Age Nutrition at 178th and Broadway. Also, check out the farmer’s market at 175th Street and Broadway from 8am-4pm every Thursday, late June to mid-November.

Frank’s Market on (187th and Fort Washington) offers grocery staples, fresh greens and good meats as well as a gourmet deli and a fantastic selection of cheeses. Just across Ft. Washington, a neighborhood fought to keep the local Associated open—it offers great prices on a wide selection of food.

GWB Market | Mercado

Originally designed and built in 1963 by Italian master Pier Luigi Nervi, the newly renovated George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal recently completed a multiyear, $200 million transformation. Conveniently situated at the foot of the bridge near the entrance to the A train, visitors and locals alike can enjoy numerous retail shops on the lower levels before making their way across the Hudson and beyond, with daily departures from the immaculately modernized and expanded 3rd-floor bus pavilion.

Shops at the new terminal include a Marshalls, a Gap Factory Outlet, Citi Bank, Blink Fitness, and a large Fine Fare Grocery Store.

Hudson Pilates

When it comes to getting fit, there are several options in Hudson Heights. Hudson Pilates, on 181st/Cabrini Blvd, is a great place to go for one-on-one training; they offer a special introductory rate for 3 sessions as well as group sessions. Studio in the Heights, on 500 Fort Washington Ave., is also a great option for getting fit. They offer private and group classes in spinning, yoga, kickboxing, core strengthening, and Pilates.

Buunni Coffee

Most of us will admit to using Starbucks for quick fix (and with one just steps from the A at 181, it’s sure convenient), but if it’s an eco-conscious almond-milk latte you’re after Buunni Coffee on Pinehurst and 187 has got you covered. Strong brews, communal seating, and Ethiopian lunch fare make this a sweet spot to read the morning paper or to caffeinate before a trip to the Cloisters. A new addition to the neighborhood are: Café Bark, “a place for furry friends to hangout with their hoomans too!”, Forever Coffee Bar on 714 West 181 Street and Terravita on 4193 Broadway.

Cabrini Wines offers a vast selection of varietals from all regions of the globe. Further north on 187th, Vines on Pine offers a terrific selection at any price point.

Refried Beans Mexican Restaurant

Hudson Heights boasts a mecca of restaurants. 187th and Fort Washington is home to several great eateries, including Kismat Indian Cuisine, Refried Beans Mexican Restaurant, The Pandering Pig (for delicious French cuisine with a northern Californian flair, live jazz on the weekends & an extensive wine list) and 107 West & Next Door Restaurants. These outposts are vegetarian-friendly spots which offer an eclectic menu of traditional Southern, Tex-Mex and Asian dishes- as well as a full bar. Las Tapas offers Iberian fare with an open air patio out back. For bar eats and a good beer selection try the Monkey Room, which offers $3 premium pints at Happy Hour every day.

Photo By: Robin Stickel

Just south of 187th St., you’ll find lots of great neighborhood places offering a wide selection of dining options. Saggio’s Southern Italian eatery serves fresh pasta & classic Italian cuisine in a rustic, intimate, yet inviting setting. For a quick delicious takeout option, try No. 1 Chinese (181st St. at Pinehurst). The name is no joke – it’s seriously top-notch Chinese takeout! 181 Cabrini across the street is great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving up yummy food all hours of the day in a relaxed atmosphere with exceptional service. Just up the road, Hudson View Café is a great place to grab breakfast or lunch. For great sushi and Japanese fare, try Sushi Yu next door to No. 1 Chinese.

Refried Beans Mexican Restaurant

For a vegan twist on Carribean cocktails & small bites, head to Pocion Lounge (177th & Fort Washington), where fresh ingredients, live music & open mic nights are sure to impress! And, for probably the neighborhood’s only Irish Pub, check out Le Cheile – where, according to The Village Voice “every bite was a sensation, the whole experience a revelation” – on 181st St between Pinehurst and Cabrini.

Hudson Heights is most certainly a neighborhood full of exciting things to do and see, but for all the goings-on elsewhere in the city, transportation couldn’t be simpler. Getting downtown is really easy — the A train runs through Hudson Heights along Fort Washington Avenue making stops at 191st, 181st, and 175th Streets. From 168th Street the A runs express and is a quick 15 minutes to Columbus Circle, and 25 minutes to West 4th Street. The M4 and M98 buses run along Fort Washington Avenue and provide a great option for getting down to the Upper East Side. The Bx7 and M100 run up and down Broadway. There is also the George Washington Bridge Station, providing several options for getting to places outside of Manhattan. Drivers will also enjoy the proximity to the GW Bridge, Henry Hudson Parkway, I-87, and I-95.