Key Takeaways:
- Walk the Columbia University campus to see Low Memorial Library, Butler Library and the Alma Mater statue.
- Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Riverside Church and Grant's Tomb, three of the neighborhood's landmarks.
- Spend time in Morningside Park and Riverside Park, then stop at The Hungarian Pastry Shop or Tom's Restaurant.
Morningside Heights sits on a high plateau on the West Side of Upper Manhattan. It runs from 110th Street to 125th Street, between Morningside Park on the east and Riverside Park on the west. Much of the neighborhood is the campus of Columbia University, and the concentration of colleges and churches has earned it the nickname "Academic Acropolis."
The result is a neighborhood you can explore on foot in an afternoon: Ivy League architecture, one of the largest churches in the world, a presidential tomb, two parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and a handful of long-loved cafes.
Columbia University: A Historical and Academic Hub
Columbia's original campus stretches from Broadway to Amsterdam Avenue between 116th and 120th Streets. The South Field section runs from 114th to 116th Streets. The campus is open to walk through, and three buildings anchor most visits.
Low Memorial Library
Low Memorial Library is the domed building at the center of campus. Seth Low, Columbia's president, funded it in memory of his father, Abiel Abbot Low, which is where the name comes from. It is a National Historic Landmark and a city-designated landmark inside and out.
Alma Mater Statue
Daniel Chester French's sculpture Alma Mater sits on the steps of Low Library. It is the university's best-known symbol and a common meeting point for students and visitors.
Butler Library
Butler Library stands across 116th Street from Low Library. The Neoclassical building was designed by James Gamble Rogers and built from 1931 to 1934. It opened under the name South Hall and was later renamed for Nicholas Murray Butler.
Barnard and the other campuses
Across Broadway, Barnard College occupies the blocks between 116th and 119th Streets. Teachers College, Union Theological Seminary, the Manhattan School of Music and the Jewish Theological Seminary are all nearby, so the walk north along Broadway passes one campus after another.
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine stands at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, between 110th Street (also called Cathedral Parkway) and 113th Street. It was the first institution to commit to building in Morningside Heights, and construction moved so slowly that the cathedral remained unfinished a century after its first section opened in 1911.
By most measures it is the largest church in North America and one of the largest Christian cathedrals in the world. Inside, the nave and side chapels are worth a slow walk. The cathedral also hosts concerts, special events and art exhibitions, so check the calendar before you go.
Exploring Morningside Park and Riverside Park
The neighborhood is framed by two Olmsted parks. Frederick Law Olmsted designed Riverside Drive and Riverside Park in the 1870s, and he co-designed Morningside Park with Calvert Vaux in 1873.
Morningside Park
Morningside Park runs along the eastern edge of the neighborhood, below Morningside Drive. It exists because the land drops sharply here: a cliff separates the high ground of Morningside Heights from Harlem below, too steep for cross streets. The paths wind down the slope, which makes for a good walk with views east over Harlem.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park runs along the Hudson River on the west side. It is the place for a riverside walk, a run or a bench in the shade after a morning on campus.
Grant's Tomb
Grant's Tomb, officially the General Grant National Memorial, sits in the median of Riverside Drive at 122nd Street, just east of Riverside Park. It holds Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia Grant. Architect John H. Duncan designed the tomb, and it was completed on April 27, 1897, Grant's 75th birthday. It is a city landmark and a national memorial.
Iconic Landmarks in Morningside Heights
Beyond the campus and the cathedral, a few more stops round out a visit:
- Riverside Church. One of several major churches in the neighborhood, along with the Church of Notre Dame and Corpus Christi Church.
- 116th Street and Broadway. The main gate to Columbia's campus and the busiest corner in the neighborhood, served by the 1 train at the 116th Street–Columbia University station.
- The Battle of Harlem Heights plaque. On September 16, 1776, the Battle of Harlem Heights was fought here, with the heaviest fighting in a wheat field that is now the site of Barnard College. A plaque by the Columbia gate at 117th Street and Broadway marks the battle.
- The Bloomingdale Insane Asylum site. Before Columbia arrived, much of the land was occupied by the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum, which moved to Westchester County in 1888. Columbia then bought the property for its new campus.
Dining Options in Morningside Heights
Most of the neighborhood's shops and restaurants are on the ground floors along Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.
The Hungarian Pastry Shop
The Hungarian Pastry Shop has long been a regular stop for Columbia students and professors, writers and neighborhood residents. Come for coffee and pastry, and plan to linger.
Tom's Restaurant
Tom's Restaurant, on Broadway at 112th Street, is a classic diner with a pop-culture past. It inspired Suzanne Vega's song "Tom's Diner," and its exterior stood in for the characters' diner hangout on the sitcom Seinfeld.
Planning a Day in Morningside Heights
A simple route covers the highlights:
- Start at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Amsterdam Avenue at 110th Street.
- Walk north to Columbia's campus and enter at 116th Street to see Low Library, Alma Mater and Butler Library.
- Stop for coffee at The Hungarian Pastry Shop or lunch at Tom's.
- Head west to Riverside Drive and north to Grant's Tomb at 122nd Street.
- Finish with a walk in Riverside Park along the Hudson, or loop back east to Morningside Park.
Getting to Morningside Heights from JFK or Newark
BLADE offers helicopter flights between Manhattan and JFK or Newark in about 5 minutes, from $195 per seat. BLADE's Manhattan lounges are BLADE Lounge West at the West 30th Street Heliport, BLADE Lounge East at the East 34th Street Heliport and BLADE Downtown at the Wall Street heliport. From the West Side lounge, continue uptown by car, or take the 1 train to the Cathedral Parkway–110th Street or 116th Street–Columbia University station.
FAQs about Fun Things To Do Near NYC's Morningside Heights
What are some fun activities near Morningside Heights?
Walk the Columbia University campus, visit the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Grant's Tomb, and spend time in Morningside Park and Riverside Park. For food, The Hungarian Pastry Shop and Tom's Restaurant are neighborhood institutions.
What universities are located in Morningside Heights?
Columbia University is the largest. Barnard College, Teachers College, the Manhattan School of Music, Bank Street College of Education, Union Theological Seminary and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America are also in the neighborhood.
Are there historical sites to visit in Morningside Heights?
Yes. Grant's Tomb is the burial place of President Ulysses S. Grant and Julia Grant. Low Memorial Library is a National Historic Landmark, and a plaque at 117th Street and Broadway marks the 1776 Battle of Harlem Heights.
Where is Morningside Heights?
It is on the West Side of Upper Manhattan, bounded by Morningside Drive to the east, 125th Street to the north, 110th Street to the south and Riverside Drive to the west.