Located off of St. Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights between 160th and 161st Streets visitors will find the architectural gem of Sylvan Terrace. Originally built in the late 19th Century, these row houses were made as an entrance street to the elegant Morris-Jumel Mansion. The wooden houses and cobblestone street were restored after falling into disrepair over time, however in the 1970s, community benefactors as well as the city started improvements to the area. Today, with all the houses restored to the original glory, the street has once again become one of the most quaint spaces in New York.
A visit to Central Park offers the visitor a number of interesting attractions, one of them undoubtedly is The Mall. Built in the year 1858, the Mall was initially known as the Promenade and it was the spot for Knickerbockers to strut their Sunday best. Along the pedestrian path, the American Elm trees bend and arch to provide an elegant canopy for visitors strolling below. At the southern end of what is known as the Literary Walk, there are several statues paying homage to literary icons such as Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott. At the northern end of the park you can find the Naumburg Bandshell represented by a stoic statue of Beethoven. Overall, the Mall still retains its bucolic character and a walk here is a great way to recharge after a typically urban New York excursion.
Patchin Place is a dead-end little alleyway in which it's original buildings were created for the staff of nearby hotel, thereafter it was known to be inhabited by famous writers, authors such as E.E. Cummings, Theodore Dreiser and John Cowper Powys. This small alley is a popular stop for those on New York City tours of literature haunts. Today, it is now home to affluent medical practitioners and psychiatrists, but the quiet picture still looks the same with gas lamps of antiquity hanging on the wall.
The Church of St. Barnabas was started using by the community for worship in 1853. It is the oldest chapel in the area which has functioned continuously over the last few centuries. The church has a Gothic Revival stone architecture and has expanded itself extensively over the years. Spread over a vast area of 2.74 acre (1.11 hectares) it has a vintage feel to it. It holds regular services and choirs for all ages, thus making the atmosphere lively.Generations of people living in the area have worshiped in this chapel and kept the church functional from its point of inception.
Established in 1849, Grace Church was one of the earliest places of worship to serve City Island. Though the growing congregation was firmly in place, it wasn't until 1862, that it found a permanent structure for worship. The beautiful Gothic Revival structure features striking architectural details. Besides worship services and religious activities, the church is actively involved in cultural activities, and hosts performances by the City Island Theater Group. Check website for more.