Hamilton Heights Commerce & Culture
Alexander may get naming rights, but Hamilton Heights has been home to countless other greats recognizable on last name alone, from Belafonte to Gershwin to Rockwell. Hamilton Heights, itself part of the greater “West Harlem” area, contains the subsection of Sugar Hill. Recognized as a National Historic District, Sugar Hill is immortalized in the lyrics of the jazz standard “Take the ‘A’ Train,” a number often performed by another notable resident of the area, Duke Ellington. It’s also got a set of significant buildings, including some eye-catching Queen Anne homes. Riverbank State Park is one of the few state parks in Manhattan and provides waterfront vistas across its acreage, along with an Olympic-size swimming pool and a rink for roller or ice skating. Food falls into the diverse set one comes to expect in NYC, meaning you’re covered for pub fare, pasta, or sushi — and close to numerous exciting eateries.