Kips Bay

Kips Bay may not have the same name recognition as neighboring Gramercy, NoMad, or Murray Hill, but its laid-back, under-the-radar quality is what contributes to its charm. Stretching across a small section of Manhattan’s east side, Kips Bay is a neighborhood of contrasts, offering everything from prewar and postwar apartments to newer developments and shiny high-rises. One of its most notable architectural standouts is the I.M. Pei-designed Kips Bay Towers, located between First and Second Avenues along East 33rd Street, while Bellevue Hospital and NYU Langone anchor the neighborhood’s busy medical corridor to the east. Second and Third Avenues keep everyday life convenient with restaurants, bars, shops, and grocery stores. The neighborhood isn’t big on green space, but there is some to be found, along with close proximity to the East River waterfront. Residents have to trek a bit farther to the subway, but bus and ferry options help fill the gap.

The Mood

Relaxed, residential side streets are balanced with busy avenues that offer a little bit of everything.

Heart of the Neighborhood

First and Second Avenues both play vital and distinct roles. First Avenue is home to “Hospital Row,” with Bellevue Hospital, NYC Langone, the VA Medical Center, and other healthcare and research institutions dominating the stretch. Second Avenue serves as Kips Bay's backbone, lined with restaurants, bars, shops, residential buildings, and other conveniences.

Neighborhood Quirk

Despite its name, there’s no bay in Kips Bay — at least not anymore. The neighborhood takes its moniker from Kip’s Bay, an East River inlet that once bordered the Kip family farm, prominent Dutch settlers in 17th-century New Amsterdam. The bay was eventually filled in, but the name stuck.

Best Perk

The neighborhood offers close proximity to Gramercy, Flatiron, and Midtown at lower price points.

Biggest Downside

While charming and chill, Kips Bay lacks a major cultural hub compared to nearby Manhattan neighborhoods.