West 116 St, Morningside Heights

On W 116th st between Broadway and Amsterdam lies Columbia University and in between those avenues, the street is closed to traffic. Instead, it’s the heart of the Columbia campus, called College Walk. There are beautiful trees surrounding College Walk and during the winter, Columbia puts Christmas lights on the trees, which makes it a gorgeous urban oasis. W 116th st also borders Barnard College and has a few businesses, including FedEx Kinko’s and a sketchy Chinese restaurant, Ollie’s.

In the heart of Spanish Harlem, this street is bustling with life and the real city vibe. Each corner has a bodega (convenience store) where a hot deli-style sandwich or a cold beverage is ready. This block is not a touristy area of the city, though the Upper East Side encroachment seems inevitable on this part of the historic neighborhood. In the meantime, it is a good block for a summer stroll in this family area. There are schools, trees, and access to the metro. When you get off the train, across the street from one of many convenience store, you can hear Spanish music being played. Join the party! It truly is an experience!