Nothing ends a perfect New York day like a showstopping New York sunset. Just as shops and galleries are closing and the first frissons of excitement for the evening’s plans start to sweep through, the entire city begins to shimmer from the rosy orange reflections of the setting sun bouncing off its rivers and glass towers. It’s the only show in town that everyone agrees is 10 out of 10, no notes — and there’s always an available seat. Here are some of the magic hour vantage points our guests and staff love most.

(cover image by Lerone Pieters on Unsplash)

Top of the Rock

It’s a classic for a reason. The observation deck on the 70th floor of Rockefeller Center puts you right in the heart of panoramic views of the city. Purchase tickets ahead of time to watch the spectacle of the sun dipping behind skyscrapers that feel so close you could reach out and touch them.

St. Cloud Rooftop Bar

From its perch overlooking Times Square, St. Cloud Rooftop Bar is a legendary place to spend New Year’s Eve, but our views of the daily ball drop are just as spectacular. Every Sunday this summer (4 p.m.-11 p.m.), make St. Cloud a part of your setting sun salutations with our exclusive menu of St. Germain spritzes and excellent DJ-spun playlists.

The Battery

One of the best places to capture the actual moment when the sun dips below the horizon, The Battery also has Instagrammable views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and New Jersey. Grab picnic provisions from Eataly at 4 World Trade Center and spend the golden hour rambling among the perennial gardens of this 25-acre greenspace. If you’re with children, the enchanting Sea Glass Carousel is sure to be a highlight of your visit.

 

The Cantor Roof Garden at the Met

From 5:30-8:30 on Friday and Saturday nights, the Met’s lush rooftop greenspace presents Sun Sets, a live music series complemented by a bird’s eye view of the sun setting on Central Park. This year’s lineup celebrates New York-based electronic artists and the diversity of cultural influences they bring to their music.

From the Water

One of the best things about being on an island is the option to get around by boat. You can join a 2-hour tour or private charter an NYC Sunset Boat Cruise (feel free to pack a picnic and BYOB) to take in up-close views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, plus a fresh perspective on the Freedom Tower, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building at sunset. An iconic and free alternative is the Staten Island Ferry, which departs Whitehall Ferry Terminal every 15-30 minutes but is best saved for weekend trips to avoid the commuter crowds.

Manhattanhenge

Thanks to Manhattan’s grid system, there are a few nights a year when the sunset is perfectly framed by the buildings on the city’s east-west oriented streets, creating a Stonehenge effect. New Yorkers and in-the-know tourists flock to spots like 34th and Fifth, by the Empire State Building, 42nd and Third, which includes the Chrysler Building in its view, and 57th and Eighth, by the Hearst Tower, to observe and snap the phenomenon. This summer, you can catch Manhattanhenge in full effect on July 12th and 13th.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Whether you’re making a day of it that includes kayaking, pickleball, roller skating, or bouldering, or coming for Thursday night movies on Harbor View Lawn, the Summer Fridays live music series, or Saturday evening Waterfront Dance Socials, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers activities for all ages, plus fabulous views of the sun dipping below the Manhattan skyline.

Studio Bar & Café at The Whitney

On Friday evenings when the museum is open until 10 p.m. (they close at 6 p.m. the rest of the week), you can round out your visit to The Whitney Museum of American Art with Hudson River and New Jersey views from floor to ceiling windows at the eighth floor Studio Bar & Café. Or, join the lively crowd al fresco on the Thomas H. Lee Family Terrace for cocktails and tapas courtesy of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group.

 

Roosevelt Island Tram

For the cost of an MTA fare, you can have an aerial adventure while experiencing one of NYC’s best-kept sunset secrets. The Roosevelt Island Tram is a unique way to get a west-facing view of the city at sundown as you sail toward it via a unique urban ski gondola.

 

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