If you’re standing outside the brownstones of the Upper West Side and looking toward Midtown, the skyline feels close. It’s deceptive. You look at the steel needle of the Empire State Building and think, "Yeah, I could probably just walk that." People do it every day. But honestly, the walking distance 189 w 89th st to empire state building isn't just a quick stroll around the block; it’s a cross-neighborhood trek that spans roughly 3.5 miles.
Most people don't realize that New York blocks are basically built on a grid that tests your knees more than your lungs. From 189 West 89th Street—which is a lovely residential spot right near the AMC 84th Street and a stone's throw from Riverside Park—to the world’s most famous Art Deco skyscraper on 34th Street, you’re looking at about 60 to 75 minutes of solid movement. That's if you don't stop for a bagel. If you do stop for a bagel (and you should), you’re looking at ninety minutes.
Breaking down the trek: What the maps don't tell you
Google Maps will tell you it’s a straight shot down Broadway or Central Park West. Technically, it is. But walking in Manhattan isn't like walking in a park. It’s an obstacle course. You have delivery bikes, tourists stopping mid-sidewalk to take photos of pigeons, and the eternal "Don't Walk" signs that everyone ignores anyway.
From 189 W 89th St, your most direct path is heading south. You'll pass the American Museum of Natural History. It's massive. It takes up four city blocks on its own. If you stay on Columbus Avenue, you get the local vibe—boutique coffee shops and people walking dogs that cost more than my rent. But if you shift over to Central Park West, you get the views. You’ll see the Dakota building where John Lennon lived. It’s eerie and beautiful.
Once you hit 59th Street (Columbus Circle), the energy shifts. It gets louder. The "walking distance 189 w 89th st to empire state building" starts to feel real here because you’ve already been walking for 30 minutes and you’re only halfway there. This is where most people give up and hop on the 1 train or the B/C lines. Don't. Not yet.
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The Broadway vs. 7th Avenue debate
When you hit Midtown, you have choices. Broadway cuts diagonally across the grid. It’s weird. It creates these little "squares" like Times Square and Herald Square. If you take Broadway, you’ll hit the chaos of 42nd Street. It’s bright. It smells like roasted nuts and desperation.
If you want a slightly "faster" feel, stick to 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas). It’s wider. The buildings are taller and more corporate. It feels like Succession. But eventually, you have to cut back east to 5th Avenue and 34th Street. That’s where the prize is. The Empire State Building.
Why the distance varies by your "New York Pace"
Let’s talk about the "New York Minute." It’s real. If you walk like a local, you’re hitting 4 miles per hour. At that speed, the walking distance 189 w 89th st to empire state building is roughly an hour. If you’re a tourist wearing flip-flops (please don't do this), it's a two-hour ordeal.
- Distance in blocks: You are traveling 55 street blocks south and roughly 2-3 avenue blocks east.
- The Elevation factor: Most people think NYC is flat. It’s not. There’s a slight downhill trend as you move from the 80s down to the 30s, but your calves will still feel it by the time you reach Macy’s at Herald Square.
- Weather variables: In July, this walk is a swamp. The heat reflects off the asphalt and turns the city into a convection oven. In January? The wind tunnels on the avenues will make you regret every life choice.
Is it worth it? Sorta. You see the city transition from the quiet, leafy Upper West Side into the high-octane madness of Midtown. You see the architecture change from 19th-century masonry to glass-and-steel monoliths.
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The logistics of 189 W 89th Street
189 West 89th Street is situated in a prime spot. You’re between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway. It’s a classic stretch of the UWS. If you’re starting your journey here, you’re likely near the 86th Street subway station.
If you decide the walk is too much halfway through, the M7 and M104 buses are your best friends. They run south. They’re slow, but they’re better than a taxi stuck in gridlock. Honestly, a Yellow Cab from 89th to 34th can take 40 minutes and cost $30. You might as well walk and save the money for a $20 cocktail at the Top of the Rock later.
Safety and Sidewalk Etiquette
New York is generally safe for walkers, even at night. However, the stretch between 42nd and 34th Street gets incredibly crowded. If you’re walking this distance, keep your phone in your pocket. Not for safety, but because you’ll trip over a curb.
Real-world timing: A breakdown
I've timed this. On a Tuesday at 10:00 AM, with moderate foot traffic:
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- 89th St to 72nd St: 15 minutes. High energy, lots of strollers.
- 72nd St to 59th St (Columbus Circle): 18 minutes. This is a long stretch past the park.
- 59th St to 42nd St (Times Square): 17 minutes. This is where you’ll slow down because of the crowds.
- 42nd St to 34th St (Empire State Building): 12 minutes. The home stretch.
Total: 62 minutes.
That’s a solid workout. If you do the math, you’re burning roughly 300 to 400 calories depending on your weight. That’s exactly one slice of New York pizza. It’s a wash.
What most people get wrong about this route
Everyone thinks you should walk through Central Park to get there. Don't do that if you're in a hurry. The park is beautiful, but the paths wind. You'll end up at the Zoo or the Metropolitan Museum of Art and realize you're three avenues away from where you need to be. If your goal is the walking distance 189 w 89th st to empire state building, stay on the grid.
The most efficient route is actually taking Columbus Avenue down to 59th, then cutting over to 6th Avenue. 6th Avenue is a straight shot to 34th Street. Once you hit 34th, look up. You can't miss it. The building is right there at the intersection of 5th and 34th.
Actionable steps for your trek
If you’re actually going to do this, don't just wing it.
- Check the wind speed. If it's over 15 mph, the avenues become wind tunnels. It will add 10 minutes to your walk and ruin your hair.
- Wear real shoes. New York sidewalks are unforgiving. Concrete has no give.
- Hydrate at 72nd Street. There are plenty of drugstores (CVS/Duane Reade) there. Once you hit the 50s, prices for a bottle of water double.
- Use the "L" rule. Walk South (down) for the bulk of the trip, then East (across) at the very end. It's mentally easier than zig-zagging.
- Enter the Empire State Building from 34th Street. The main visitor entrance is on 34th, not 5th Avenue. If you walk to the 5th Avenue side, you'll just have to walk back around the building.
Walking from the Upper West Side to Midtown is a rite of passage. It’s how you actually learn the scale of the city. Just remember that 3.5 miles on paper feels a lot longer when you’re navigating the heartbeat of Manhattan.