Washington Heights- A Bookish NYC Neighborhood Guide
Read on for my bookish guide to Washington Heights, Manhattan. A perfect neighborhood to visit while in NYC!
Hi! I’m Hayley, your bookish travel gal. I put hours of research into all my trips to make sure I visit some of the best places I can!
I started my travel Instagram (@bookmoretravels) in May of 2024. And while my insta content focuses on more bookish and nyc- I wanted another space to share all the fun places I go to!
My visit to the The Little Red Lighthouse!
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The Bookstores of Washington Heights
Recirculation, a project of Word Up | 876 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032 My Visit Here!
This has become my new favorite used bookstore in Manhattan! It is a large room full of great quality used books. I picked out three that were on my TBR and all seemed brand new. It is pay what you wish and all the proceeds go back into community building. They also host community events (the night I visited they were hosting a women’s self defense class!)
Sister's Uptown Bookstore | 1942 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10032
A hub for black culture, art and books! Not just a bookstore, but a place for history and gathering. It is one of the few remaining black owned bookstores in NYC, which have played a large part of New York City’s literary and bookstore culture. You can find many gems here.
Word Up Community Bookshop/Librería Comunitaria | 2113 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10032
This volunteer run bookstore is such a key part of the community. Books of all types, with many price points and many languages. Make sure to stop by to help forward their mission of bringing reading to all!
The Fountain Bookshop | 803 W 187th St, New York, NY 10033 My Visit Here!
Books and ice cream- need I say more? Two of the best things ever are sold here along with local art and items!
Where to Eat and Drink
Five Flies Coffee | 554 W 158th St, New York, NY 10032
A funky coffee shop with a large place to sit and stay a while in the back. It’s good coffee and pastries too!
Dutch Baby Bakery | 813 W 187th St, New York, NY 10040
This bakery and kitchen serves up classic American breakfast, including varieties of the Dutch Baby Pancake for which they are named!
Malecon Restaurant (175th Street) | 4141 Broadway, New York, NY 10033
One of my favorite restaurants in all of NYC! This Dominican restaurant serves all the classics- my favorites are the rotisserie chicken, passion fruit juice, and their classic breakfast!
Points of Interest
American Academy of Arts and Letters | Audubon Terrace, Broadway between West 155th and, W 156th St, New York, NY 10032
This historic society operates a free museum displaying some of the work they have collected over the years. It is a quiet and interesting museum to visit.
Fort Tryon Park | Riverside, Dr To Broadway, New York, NY 10040
A gorgeous local park with sweeping views at the top of Manhattan. A great place to rest and relax from the busy city.
Hispanic Society Museum & Library | 3741 Broadway, New York, NY 10032
This free museum is small but mighty. The highlights are the stunning Sorolla "Vision of Spain" gallery and Goya paintings, but they rotate through artists frequently.
Morris-Jumel Mansion | 65 Jumel Terrace, New York, NY 10032
The oldest house in Manhattan. While it is currently closed for refurbishment (as of September 2026) it is still a cool building to see from the outside.
Sylvan Terrace
One of the few places you can truly step back in time in NYC- it is a cobblestone street with 20 preserved historic houses. Step up and take some photos- but be respectful of the families currently living there!
The Little Red Lighthouse | Fort Washington Park, Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10032
This lighthouse used to be a guiding light for sailors and important to shipping. It is now decommissioned but still a fun landmark- and the subject of the book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge from the 1940s!
The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center | 3940 Broadway, New York, NY 10032
This local community center has many well designed exhibits and knowledgeable stuff to honor and celebrate two main leaders in the Civil Rights Movement.
The Met Cloisters | 99 Margaret Corbin Dr, New York, NY 10040
This former French monastery is now home to the Met’s collection of Medieval art. It is a stunning space with wildflowers and worth a visit!
Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum | 770 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032
One of three active and historic cemeteries of Trinity Church. It is a good place to sit and rest and see the final burial places for some NYC’s famous past residents.
