Walking Route Museum Mile in New York

This walking route is for anyone who wants to discover the best museums on New York’s ‘Museum Mile’. While you won’t be able to visit them all in a day, you’ll pass some of the city’s greatest along the way. Even if you don’t want to visit any museums, the walk itself is well worth doing. You’ll enjoy impressive architecture, culture, Central Park, and New York’s rich history along the way. You can always find the up-to-date route in the Eric’s New York App.

Download the app and buy your walking route for New York here

Highlights of the Museum Mile Route

This walk is a little different from most, and that’s precisely why it’s so enjoyable for anyone who wants to discover the cultural side of New York.

You’ll start in Spanish Harlem, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the colourful local life. It’s a lively neighbourhood with an atmosphere all of its own, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas. From there, you’ll take a short but lovely stroll into Central Park, just long enough to enjoy the greenery for a while.

You’ll then arrive at the Museum Mile, the famous stretch of Fifth Avenue that is home to numerous museums. From art and history to religion and other topics, there’s something for everyone. You can visit one or more museums along the way, or simply enjoy the Upper East Side’s stunning architecture.

At each stop, I’ll tell you the story behind what you see. You’ll discover that this route has more to offer than just the museums, from Spanish Harlem to the stately homes of the Upper East Side.

The Cultural Side of New York

Museum Mile is one of the richest cultural areas in the world. Along a stretch of Fifth Avenue just under 2 km long, numerous museums are lined up on one side, with Central Park on the other. It is a place where lovers of art and history can spend a whole day.

What makes this route so special is the combination: the vibrant Spanish Harlem, the tranquillity of Central Park and the posh Upper East Side, all in a single walk. In just a short space of time, you’ll see just how different New York’s neighbourhoods can be, and that’s what makes this walk just that little bit different from the rest.

How’s this walking route?

This walk is about 5 km long and takes about 3 hours, including a (short) visit to a museum of your choice. The route is very flat, with a short stretch through Central Park, so it’s quite manageable. To cover the distance a little faster, it’s possible to take the bus for some sections. I’ll let you know along the way when this is an option. You can catch the bus with a 7-day OMNY card.

There are plenty of opportunities to take a break along the way. Central Park is a lovely place to sit for a while, and on the Upper East Side you’ll find plenty of cafés and coffee shops. You set your own pace, and the walk is easily manageable even with children.

Practical Information

• Starting point: 103 Street subway station
• Distance: 5 km
• Duration: approximately 3 hours
• Price: from $2 as part of a package
• Best time: This walk is enjoyable at any time of day. Please bear in mind the opening times of any museums you wish to visit.

Pairs well with:
With the route package, you can explore every part of New York at your own pace. This route ends exactly where the Central Park route begins, so you can walk them one after the other and explore both the museums and the park in a single day.

How does the walking route work in the app?

All you need for this walk is my Eric’s New York App. The route works offline, so even without a signal, you’ll know exactly where you’re going. It only takes a few minutes to get everything ready:

1. Download the free Eric’s New York App from the App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Tap the ‘Routes’ icon at the bottom, or the menu button in the top right-hand corner of the home screen.
3. Select the Museum Mile walking route.
4. Tap ‘Buy route’ and complete the payment.
5. You’ll now see the full route in the app, with all the points you’ll pass. At each point, you’ll find my stories, tips and photos.
6. On the map, click on the green figure to view the route and your own location. That way, you won’t get lost along the way.

It’s handy that you can buy the route before your trip. This way, you can see at home which museums you’ll be passing by and, if necessary, arrange tickets in good time. Once in New York, all you have to do is follow the map, and of course you can always stop for a break or take a detour.

If you’re on your mobile, you can open this link directly to the walking routes in the app

Tip: Budget-friendly walking routes through New York

Are you planning to follow more than one walking route during your city break? If so, opt for the package in the app. It allows you to buy several routes at once, which works out cheaper than buying them individually. That way, you can explore the most beautiful parts of New York on foot in just a few days.

View all walking routes and packages in the app