Explore NYC’s East River
NYC's East River: A Local's Waterfront Guide
New York City has no shortage of things to do, but some of the best experiences here are the ones that feel a little unexpected. The East River waterfront is one of them. It doesn't get the same attention as Central Park or the High Line, but spend an afternoon walking along the esplanade, taking in the skyline from a different angle, and watching the city move around you, and you'll understand why locals keep coming back. From Hotel 57 New York City in Midtown East, the waterfront is a short walk away, making it one of those easy additions to any NYC trip that ends up being a highlight.
Here's a look at what the East River has to offer and how to make the most of it during your stay.
The East River Esplanade runs along the eastern edge of Manhattan and gives you a completely different perspective on the city. There are no taxis, no crowds spilling off the pavement, no department stores. Just the river, the bridges, and the skyline of Queens and Brooklyn on the other side. It's the kind of walk that slows you down in the best way.
From Midtown, you can pick up the esplanade around East 53rd Street and walk north or south depending on how much time you have. Heading south takes you through some of the more residential stretches of the Upper East Side waterfront before opening up near the bridges. Heading north, you pass through quieter sections with benches and green patches where people sit and read or watch the boats go by.
The walk is flat, well maintained, and genuinely pleasant in May when the weather is mild and the river has that specific quality of light that makes New York look like it belongs on a postcard.
Sutton Place Park and Riverview Terrace
A short walk from Hotel 57, Sutton Place Park is an intimate lovely green space that sits right on the river at the end of East 57th Street. It's the kind of place that feels like a local secret, even though it's been here for decades. The views from the terrace look straight out at the Queensboro Bridge, one of the most handsome bridges in the city, and across to the waterfront on the other side.
Just below Sutton Place Park, Riverview Terrace is a quiet private street that manages to feel completely removed from the bustle of Midtown, even though it's a few minutes' walk from some of the busiest blocks in Manhattan. It's worth the short detour just to see it.
The Queensboro Bridge, also known as the 59th Street Bridge, is one of those New York landmarks that tends to get overshadowed by the more famous Brooklyn Bridge further south. That's a shame, because it's a genuinely beautiful structure and much easier to walk across without fighting through tour groups. The pedestrian and bike path runs along the south side of the bridge and gives you sweeping views up and down the river as you cross. On a clear May day, it's spectacular.
If you cross into Queens, Long Island City on the other side has a good coffee shop and gallery scene that's worth an hour or two of exploring before heading back.
Just off the eastern edge of Midtown, Roosevelt Island sits in the middle of the East River and offers one of the more unusual perspectives on Manhattan you can get. The easiest way to get there is the Roosevelt Island Tramway, which departs from Second Avenue and 60th Street, close to Hotel 57. The tram ride itself is short but the aerial views of the river and the city on either side are genuinely impressive.
On the island, Four Freedoms Park at the southern tip is a beautifully designed memorial to Franklin D. Roosevelt with some of the best views of the Midtown skyline you'll find anywhere. The park is serene, thoughtfully laid out, and often much quieter than you'd expect given how close it is to the city. It's a great spot to sit for a while and take it all in.
For a more modern side of Roosevelt Island, make a detour along Tech Walk to explore the innovative Cornell Tech campus, one of the island’s newest landmarks. Opened in 2017, the campus is known for its striking architecture and sustainable design. The Bloomberg Center features a distinctive copper façade made up of thousands of small metallic panels that help regulate the building’s temperature, while the Tata Innovation Center showcases dramatic glass wings topped with solar panels. Stop by The Café for a coffee or light snack before strolling through Cornell Hills, a landscaped green space with sandy walking paths and unique views of both sides of the East River. From here, you’ll also get an incredible perspective of the iconic Queensboro Bridge.
Staying Close to It All
The East River waterfront is one of those parts of New York that rewards the visitors who take the time to find it. It's calm, scenic, and full of small moments that feel very different from the typical Midtown experience, but it's all right there, a short walk from Hotel 57.
As a boutique hotel in Midtown East, Hotel 57 is perfectly placed for guests who want to explore beyond the obvious. Whether you are after a quiet morning walk along the esplanade, a tram ride out to Roosevelt Island, or just a bench at Sutton Place Park with a good view and a coffee, the East River has something worth building into your itinerary. Before you visit, take a look at the special offers available on the Hotel 57 website so you can make the most of your stay from the moment you arrive.
