The Wander List

Potter strikes SoHo.

I might argue that advertising is a blight on New York City. That billboards have no place hanging from lovely, historic buildings. That flat-screen TVs needn’t obliterate us with products outside subway stations, which are tedious enough as it is.

But if I’m honest, I don’t mind the Harry Potter franchise’s advertising blitz on our city. We could do worse than Goliath-sized teen heart throbs.

And it worked on me, because against my better judgement, I stood in line with hundreds of overzealous teenagers to see the movie on opening day. I even sent out TwitPics of the theater. Oh the shame.

Flat-screen ads at the subway station.

Welcome Britt Gambino to The Wander List. She’s an NYC-based writer and editor who grew up New Jersey, loves a good brunch, and has accumulated a trove of knowledge about culture, food and entertainment in the city. Check out her first post, a primer on Washington Heights/Inwood and other neighborhoods of “Upstate Manhattan”:

I’ve heard some New Yorkers refer to any neighborhood above 59^th Street as “Upstate Manhattan.” So when you find yourself at the corner of 190^th and St. Nicholas, I say, you’re at the end of the universe.

While I enjoy poking fun at my very uptown residence, I am also the first to defend its charms and character. The rent is relatively low, the ceilings are extraordinarily high, and the subways have elevators and passageways. Washington Heights/Inwood was not where I expected to end up, but I’m glad to have made a home in one of the last quiet and not-so-discovered blocks of Manhattan.

If you’re interested in exploring life beyond 96^th Street (my personal cut off for “upstate”), hop on the A or the 1 and see where the ride takes you.

Here is a sampling of good reasons to trek up to the end of the universe:

If you're fond of San Francisco's terrain, check out the hills of Upper Manhattan.

1. Hills – Yes, New Yorkers, we have our very own San Francisco up here. I’ve been told the highest elevation point in Manhattan is around 184^th Street and Fort Washington. In addition to the unique landscape, these mini mountains provide a heck of a good work out. Don’t worry, there are several community gardens to take a breather.

2. The Cloisters/Fort Tyron Park – You’ll find a museum, gardens and park all in one. The park spreads out around and beyond the Cloisters museum and has plenty of good trails and sitting spots. And, of course, there’s the amazing view of the George Washington Bridge. You can look across the Hudson and thank the gods you don’t live in Jersey. (Jersey is admittedly my home state, so I’m allowed to take shots at it.)

View of the Cloisters museum and Fort Tyron Park.

3. 225^th Street/Marble Hill– This is the 1 train’s last Manhattan stop – although the train crosses the Harlem River, tricking passengers into thinking they’ve entered the Bronx. Not. Quite. Yet. Here, you’ll find a little piece of suburbia: Target, Marshall’s, Planet Fitness and more stores you won’t find in other parts of the city. I’m particularly fond of this neighborhood for the red bulls-eye that is so difficult to get to unless you live in Brooklyn or Queens.

4. 175^th Street Farmers Market– Hooray, uptowners don’t have to travel to Union Square! Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays from mid-June through November, according to NFT (Not-for-Tourists guidebook) and the NY Farmers Market web site. Being that this is my first summer in the neighborhood, I haven’t been able to check this out yet, but I will report back.

George Washington Bridge, through the fog and trees.

5. 187^th Street and Fort Washington, aka, Restaurant Row – Thanks to a friend who lives a bit farther west than I do, I discovered a wonderful group of food establishments. I even know where to get a good brunch without taking a train (Bleu Evolution at 808 W. 187^th Street). Stay tuned for a longer post all about good eats in Upstate Manhattan.

Guest blogger Britt Gambino writes social commentary at her site, gritsforyou.wordpress.com.