Still planning the upcoming 10-day trip to New York and determined to fill it with things I haven't done or seen in the city before.

I'm wondering if renting a bike to explore the Riverside Park area is a good idea. Looks like Toga Bike Shop rents bikes and is located fairly near the park (110 West End Ave near 65th St). Any thoughts?

Riverside Park is pretty - and good for exericse - but there's not a whole lot to explore. It's mostly a very thin strip of land - in many places 1/2 block wide - between the Hudson River and the West Side Highway.

To explore a Park by bike I would do Central Park instead - dozens of things to see and do - just make sure you get a really good lock for the bike.

Thanks nytraveler

I've spent lots of time in Central Park but none in Riverside Park so I was thinking we might see more on bike than on foot. I planned on visiting the park as park of a day put aside for the UWS. Perhaps it's not even worth hitting Riverside Park - what do you think?

During this trip I'm trying to spend time in areas I haven't had the time to see in the past. Do you have any other suggestions for the West Side other than just enjoying the neighborhoods? I've been to Zabar's - I was wondering about Filene's Basement. Maybe we should make it a shopping day.

Riverside Park is a nice place to stroll, watch the water, watch the people...There's a small grill where you can order burgers, fries, and drinks around 68th Street, near what is called Pier 1. Maybe it's not worth a whole day, but it would be worth it for lunch or a casual dinner.

I assume you know about the museums and have spent time at Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side already so I won't go into those.

There's also the Boat Basin for food--I think it's 72nd street--but I prefer this small grill where you can sit outside to the Boat Basin which is large cavernous and usually crowded and loud (just MHO, though).

There's free kayaking as well, but I'm not sure where you put in.

There's tons to explore on the upper west side - I just wouldn't put Riverside Park at the top of the list - except for locals. Looking at some of the mansions along Riverside Drive can be fun - if envy-making.

Have you done the Cloisters?

St John the Divine?

the New York Historical Society?

Just walking up Broadway and back down Columbus or Amsterdam?

And to me the Natural History is always worth another view - there's always new stuff.

(Filene's is very small and definitely hit or miss. but if you walk up Broadway there are a lot of smaller shops - and a nice large Barnes and Noble I can never resist.)

Thanks all. Sounds like we should plan to make it a "comes what may" day exploring the UWS. Probably good to have a day that's not too planned since that was what we were hoping for this trip.

I haven't done the Cloisters and did suggest it for this trip but my friend wasn't interested - maybe next time.

I think Riverside Park is definitely worth a visit. The park is not that big, so, as nytraveler says, a bike is not necessary. But if you want to ride, there's a "greenway" that runs along the Hudson River (including Riverside Park) that would be a nice ride. Here's some info
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_thing...ml#hudsonriver

Another idea is a bike tour of the city. Here's one I found that sounds like fun and includes areas outside of Manhattan
http://toursbybike.com/

I don't find Filene's basement that good. Daffy's and Loehmann's seem to have better things.

A walk along Columbus Ave. is always fun though. Here's a website that lists what's on every street in the area
http://www.nysite.com/

Thanks mclaurie - can always count on you for great advice. I'll planned for a stroll in Riverside Park for the day in the UWS followed by exploring the main streets. I'll put a bike ride on the backburner for another trip.

The "toursbybike" looks great - unfortunately the friend I'm going with this time hasn't biked in some time so she's not up for that. That's why I was thinking a leisurely bike in RP but it looks like it wouldn't be worth the hassle of renting the bikes and then getting over to the park. I'll definately look into taking one of the bike tours during another trip.