Quick Profile
If you take a walk through Kips Bay, which is loosely defined as the area between 23rd street and 34th street and the East River to almost Lexington, you’ll quickly learn it's a hodgepodge of sorts and not as well defined as other neighborhoods in New York City. Some New Yorkers say Kips Bay has an identity crisis because 1st, 2nd, and 3rd avenues are distinctly different from one another as you traverse them. Despite the perceived lack of neighborhood vibe there are others that appreciate its affordability and convenience.
First Avenue is dominated by hospitals and hospital buildings such as NYU Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital to name a few. Second Avenue is a mosaic of convenience stores, fast food joints and nondescript brick buildings. Third Avenue is saturated with small bars and gastropubs and the twenty somethings that patronize them.
No judgement against Kips Bay here. It’s a great neighborhood that is just as much a part of New York City as any other neighborhood. Kips Bay It’s bordered by Murray Hill to the North, Stuyvesant Town and Gramercy Park to the South, and Rose Hill to the West. The neighborhood is partly defined by newer high-rise apartments, brick rowhouses, and former tenement buildings.
Destination Spots
The Asser Levy Recreation Center, pool and playground is a hidden gem in the Neighborhood. Besides basketball courts and a playground for the kids it offers an indoor / outdoor pool and a gym with an insanely low membership.
For those of you that like a little booze in their ice cream, Tipsy Scoop may soon be your new go to dessert joint. The ice cream flavors are inspired by your favorite cocktails. Cake batter vodka martini, tequila hot chocolate ice cream and chocolate whiskey salted caramel are few of the delicious flavors that are waiting for you. Cheers!
If you’re just passing through (like many of us do) make sure you check out Spot, the 38-foot sculpture of a dalmatian balancing a NYC taxi on her nose. It's a short stop along the way and it doesn’t cost anything to look at. Spot is perfect for the kids and it’s located on E 34th St and 1st Ave in front of the Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone. Artist Donald Lipski created the sculpture to cheer up young patients and the medical personnel who care for them.
What You Might See
On First avenue you’ll see a lot of medical professionals in scrubs walking to and from. You’ll also see ambulances and people headed to doctor appointments. Keep walking west and you’ll see a lot of small convenience stores along Second Avenue selling everything from cellular phones to socks. If fast food is your guilty pleasure then you’re in the right location. There are all types of fast food establishments selling a variety of food. Keep walking to Third avenue and you’ll see more bars and eateries than you know what to do with. They’re everywhere.
What You Don't Know
Kips Bay is named after Dutch settler Jacobus Hendrickson Kip. His farm stood at 30th and the East River.
The island of Manhattan is rich with history. Especially during the Revolutionary War. The neighborhood marks the site where the Landing at Kips Bay occurred. On September 15, 1776, during the height of the Revolutionary War, 4,000 British troops stormed what is now East 33rd Street and defeated 500 American militiamen. Soon after the British occupied New York City for a period of 7 years.
What You Don't Know
Kips Bay is named after Dutch settler Jacobus Hendrickson Kip. His farm stood at 30th and the East River.
The island of Manhattan is rich with history. Especially during the Revolutionary War. The neighborhood marks the site where the Landing at Kips Bay occurred. On September 15, 1776, during the height of the Revolutionary War, 4,000 British troops stormed what is now East 33rd Street and defeated 500 American militiamen. Soon after the British occupied New York City for a period of 7 years.
What We Love
There are a handful of great parks with access to the East River Waterfront. These outdoor spaces are great for running, biking, or just watching the river from a park bench. Kips Bay is close to the heart of Manhattan and Grand Central Station, which makes getting around the city all the more easier. It’s walkable to exciting neighborhoods like NoMad, Union Square and Murray Hill. This might only excite the movie loving crowd, but Kips Bay has a movie theatre, which is always an added perk.
Houses, Co-ops, and Condos for Sale and Rent in Kips Bay
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