Barnard is a private women’s liberal arts college located in New York City directly across the street from the Columbia University Campus. Barnard is affiliated with Columbia University, a unique partnership that allows students to take classes at both schools. It’s the best of both worlds; Barnard students experience the advantages of attending a small college, yet have the resources and opportunities of one of the world’s best research universities at their fingertips.

Visitor Information: Register for The Barnard College campus tour. 

Transportation: New York City is served by three major airports, LaGuardia, JFK and Newark, and several small regional airports. LaGuardia Airport is the closest to campus, approximately 35 minutes without traffic. Taxis and Uber is the most efficient means of transportation, but car services and buses are also available. Amtrak trains arrive into Pennsylvania Station and you can travel by subway, bus or taxi to campus. For detailed directions click here. 

Stay: A short walk from Barnard, check in to Aloft Harlem, the neighborhoods first boutique hotel. Manhattan has endless hotel choices all just a short cab or subway ride away, but the Upper West Side is undoubtedly the most convenient choice. Good options include the Hotel Beacon, Hudson New York, Courtyard by Marriott Central Park, 1 Hotel Central Park or the boutique Arthouse Hotel. If you feel like splurging, the Mandarin Oriental located at the top of the Time Warner Center offers incredible views of Central Park.

Coffee: You’ll find students getting their morning fix at Oren’s Daily Roast or Joe’s Coffee. Liz’s Place, the cafe in Barnard’s Diana Center, also serves good coffee.

Breakfast: One student raves about the yogurt parfait at Le Monde while others state that hands down the best brunch/breakfast place is Community Food and Juice. (Community is a popular all day spot—great for lunch and dinner as well!) Order the peach pancakes and a slice of homemade pie at retro diner Kitchenette.

Lunch: Serving the most unique pizza, Mama’s Too has a serious cult following. There’s always a long line at uber-popular Sweetgreen, a healthy mini-chain that has been expanding across NYC. Choose one of their excellent signature salads or design your own--we suggest the spring chicken with pesto vinaigrette. Friedmans is popular for American comfort food—think burgers, sandwiches, and veggie bowls. More than one student told us we must try the burritos and tacos at tiny, no frills Taqueria y Fonda la Mexicana where everything is made fresh daily. Weather permitting; pick up one of the killer sandwiches at Milano Market and picnic on the Barnard quad.

Dinner

Casual: The Tang offers an authentic Chinese experience with an emphasis on noodle dishes. We think it’s one of the best restaurants near Barnard. On a cold night, brave the line at Jin Ramen, one of the better ramen joints in Harlem. Try Lolo’s Seafood Shack’s flavorful Caribbean food, brick oven pizza at under the radar Sottocasa or head to Harlem Shake for their classic burger and an addictive red velvet milkshake. (Trust us, it’s that good!) One Barnard student, a lifelong New Yorker, raves about the Italian food at Celeste, lower down on Amsterdam at 84th St.

A Step Up: They don’t take reservations at Pisticci’s, a longtime Columbia favorite offering solid Italian fare, so expect to wait or go early. Marlow Bistro serves up a modern Mediterranean menu on Amsterdam. Clay, located in the heart of Harlem, serves deceptively simple farm to table fare showcasing ingredients in inventive pairings. They have an excellent selection of cocktails – we highly recommend the Lazy Bird.

Late Night Snack: Toast, a popular Barnard, and Columbia hangout is open until 11 PM weeknights and midnight on the weekends serving elevated diner food in a bare bones, lofty setting. Students take a well-deserved study break at cozy Kitchenette indulging in cupcakes, peach pancakes or a slice of homemade pie. Hungarian Pastry Shop is a classic old-world bakery, a neighborhood institution. City Diner, at Broadway and 90th, is open 24 hours for those embracing the lifestyle of the city that never sleeps.

Local Attractions: One student tells us: “If it’s springtime make sure to see the magnolia trees in Central Park and venture to as many museums as you can throughout the city, especially MoMA--that’s my favorite.” Close to campus visit Grant’s Tomb, the resting place for President Ulysses Grant and his wife, Julia.

Even More: For more great places to eat on the Upper West Side including the iconic Barney Greengrass dive into this curated guide on Daytripper 365 here.