Hotel Lucerne

Twelve stories of pre-war brick on West 79th Street mark Hotel Lucerne's Upper West Side corner at Amsterdam Avenue, three blocks from the American Museum of Natural History and a five-minute walk to Riverside Park — a solid base for families and museum-goers who'd rather skip Midtown's crowds.

Rooms keep original ceiling heights and deep window sills rare in newer builds nearby. The 1 train at 79th Street reaches Times Square in under twenty minutes, while Zabar's and H&H Bagels sit within four blocks for anyone wanting a neighborhood breakfast instead of a hotel one.