The Dakota Apartments
The Basics
Designed by architect Henry J. Hardenbergh (who also created the Plaza Hotel and the Waldorf Astoria) and built in 1884, the Dakota has been listed as a National Historic Monument since 1976. Roberta Flack, Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall, and Leonard Bernstein are some of the celebrities who have called the Dakota home over the years—and musician Yoko Ono is still a resident today. Recognizable for its soaring gables and ornamented exterior, the Dakota remains one of the most desirable luxury apartment buildings in the city, despite—or perhaps because of—its spooky lore.
Numerous Upper West Side tours feature the Dakota Apartments, including neighborhood walking jaunts, architecture-themed excursions, and filming location itineraries.
Things to Know Before You Go
The Dakota is a popular stop for pop culture junkies and architecture enthusiasts.
According to several accounts, the Dakota is supposedly haunted, and ghost sightings have been reported.
How to Get There
Located at 72nd Street and Central Park West, the Dakota is easy to get to by subway. Take the B or C train to 72nd Street station, or the 1, 2, or 3 train to 72nd and Broadway. Several bus lines also serve the landmark.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The Dakota isn’t generally open to the public, but its imposing facade is impressive from every angle. Stop by at twilight to capture photos as the sun goes down.
Nearby Attractions
The Dakota is located just steps from Central Park and the Strawberry Fields memorial, dedicated to John Lennon. Other nearby cultural attractions include the New-York Historical Society, the American Museum of Natural History, and Lincoln Center.
- Things to do in New York
- Things to do in Brooklyn
- Things to do in Long Island
- Things to do in Philadelphia
- Things to do in Boston
- Things to do in Salem
- Things to do in Washington DC
- Things to do in Williamsburg
- Things to do in Buffalo
- Things to do in Niagara Falls
- Things to do in Niagara Falls & Around
- Things to do in Montreal
- Things to do in Toronto
- Things to do in Pennsylvania
- Things to do in Massachusetts
- Strawberry Fields (John Lennon Memorial)
- New-York Historical Society Museum and Library
- Bethesda Fountain
- Hayden Planetarium
- American Museum of Natural History
- Belvedere Castle
- David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center
- Central Park
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
- The Metropolitan Opera
- Vivian Beaumont Theater
- New York City Ballet (NYCB)
- David H. Koch Theater
- New York City Fifth Avenue
- Frick Collection