Once upon a time, Manhattan's Upper West Side was considered a haven for New York City's bohemian intellectuals. While the gentrification projects of the past two decades have changed the ambiance of this once unique neighborhood, thanks to historic preservation, shadows of the Upper West Side's artistic past can still be seen. As such, baby boomers who are looking for a less frantic and more contemplative view of New York City might be well-served by spending a day exploring the area between 66th Street and Broadway and 112th an Amsterdam Avenue. Let's begin at the Lincoln Center of the performing Arts.

First Stop: Lincoln Center

The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts was developed with the hopes of renovating a once downtrodden neighborhood. In fact, the project, which was led by Mayor Robert Moses, had the somewhat insulting title of the Mayor's Slum Clearance Committee. When the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts was completed in 1969, people came from all over the world to see it. So should you. Even if you don't see a performance, you should explore the grounds, which are a perfect example of artistry in architectural design. Be sure to take a look at the Marc Chagall paintings in the lobby of the Metropolitan Opera. A magnificent fountain sits in the center of the various theaters. Damrosch Park and the Guggenheim Band Shell are situated behind the theaters. In the summer, there are a variety of concerts and crafts fairs. Your next stop along this tour is the Ansonia Hotel, which is located on 74th and Broadway. If you are in need of refreshment, cross to the east side of 72nd and Broadway and check out Gray's Papaya. Other New York businesses may come and go, but Gray's Papaya has been an Upper West Side tradition since the 1970s. If the thought of papaya juice is unappetizing, try their coconut juice or pina colada.

The Ansonia Hotel

The Ansonia's history is as bizarre as its builder, Earl Stokes. He married a 16-year old girl who he fell in love with after seeing her picture in a photographer's window. Stokes set up a farm on the Ansonia roof and built a huge swimming pool in the basement. Many people lived at the Ansonia. Some of the most colorful residents included Enrico Caruso, Igor Stravinsky, Arturo Toscanini, Florenz Ziegfeld, Theodore Dreiser, and Babe Ruth. It eventually became a popular hangout for gamblers. In 1919, the plot to fix the World Series was hatched within the Ansonia's rooms. During the 1970s, the Ansonia's

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