What’s Great about Amsterdam Avenue
Though every street in Manhattan has its stories and secrets, 10th Avenue (formerly known as a part of the seemingly endless Amsterdam Avenue) has enough to outlast even the longest-standing haunts of the city.
Running from 59th Street all the way up to 193rd Street, it was originally meant to call to mind the early 17th Century Dutch settlers that created the first settlements in what is now the Upper West Side. (Rumor has it, the Dutch of the early 1600s bought part of the island for about $24.) In The Commissioner’s Plan of 1811, which was the original design for the layout of Manhattan, (and is responsible for the beloved grid that New Yorker’s depend on today) originally called the area from 59th Street to Fort George Avenue “10th Avenue,” but was changed to “Amsterdam Avenue” in 1890. However, in the late-1940s, when traffic was rerouted, the name was changed back to 10th Avenue. Today, the names are synonymous with one another.
Today, 10th Avenue is the path for all uptown traffic until 110th Street Cathedral Parkway, (also known as the home of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine) where it becomes a two-way street. It begins in what is known today as the Meatpacking district, just a block below Gansevoort Street. Though probably best accessible by bus, (the M7 and M11 lines) 10th Avenue can also be seen by walking a few blocks off the 1 train line.
Tenth Avenue is home to many historical sites, and even a simple walking tour provides nearly endless opportunities to learn about both Old and New Manhattan. The City College of New York, founded as a public university in 1847, as well as the world-famous Columbia University, are both located off of 10th Avenue. The popular celebrity hangout, and hub of Art Moderne architecture, The Empire Diner, is also located on 10th Avenue and is a staple of the city for both Native New Yorkers and tourists alike. The iconic Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (home to the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Ballet and Symphony, among others) is also on the Avenue.
Verdi Square, located between 72nd and 73rd Street on Amsterdam Avenue, was created in 1906 to honor famous opera composer Giuseppe Verdi. Finally, the recent High Line park attracts thousands of visitors per year, offering scenic views of the city, an alternative to Central Park, and, not to mention, prime real estate. The High Line is the perfect way to spend an afternoon and the ideal commencement point for a journey on 10th/Amsterdam Avenue, as it begins on Gansevoort Street and drops walkers and bikers off on 34th Street.
Whether visiting or residing in New York City, the history and modern-day excitement of 10th/Amsterdam Avenue is not to be missed.
