Riverside Drive, Scenic thoroughfare in Upper Manhattan, US
Riverside Drive runs north-south along Manhattan's west side as a wide street with divided roadways and curved service roads connecting the main drive to residential buildings. This layout allows traffic to flow smoothly while giving pedestrians and residents direct access to the neighborhood on both sides of the street.
The street opened in 1880 originally as Riverside Avenue and was designed to connect the area between 72nd Street and Grant's Tomb. Its layout was shaped to respect the natural hills and valleys of the land, creating a road system that worked with rather than against the existing terrain.
The street takes its name from the Hudson River nearby and connects directly to Riverside Park, where residents and visitors spend time walking along paths beside the water. It reflects the bond between city and river that shapes how many New Yorkers experience their neighborhood.
The street is easy to explore on foot, especially in connection with Riverside Park alongside it, where paths line the river. It makes sense to visit during daylight hours to best enjoy the views and find access points to the side streets and waterfront areas.
Above 96th Street, the drive splits into the main roadway and separate service roads, creating an unusual two-level street design that differs from typical Manhattan layouts. This setup makes the northern section distinctive for those who explore it and shows how traffic and residential access were handled differently in this part of the city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
