Top 10: Where Can You Get the Best Sunset Views in NYC?

Whether you’re visiting New York City for the first time or the tenth, there’s always something to discover in this eclectic city! With its constant hustle and bustle, it can be hard to get away from it all and find a moment of calm in the Big Apple, especially at sunset. As streaks of orange and pink stain the NY skyline, you’ll find pockets of calm in various corners of the city—and at Civitatis, we know where to find them! Read on to discover where you can find the best sunset views in New York City.

1. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Okay, this is hardly a ‘hidden gem’, but we just couldn’t ignore it when devising a list of sunset views in NYC. That said, one of the best places to see the sunset in New York is SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, located next to the iconic Grand Central Terminal. This viewpoint offers incredible views of the New York skyline from Midtown Manhattan.

This ticket to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt will give you access to the skyscraper’s observation deck, located between the 91st and 93rd floors of the building. The observatory is divided into several levels that combine open-air terraces, interior rooms, and glass boxes suspended in the air, allowing you to see a wonderful sunset at 1,000 ft (305 meters) high! And that’s not all! At the SUMMIT, you’ll also be able to enjoy lights, balloons, curious optical effects created by mirrors on floors and walls, and avant-garde sculptures—a truly unique experience!

2. The Roosevelt Island Tramway

Another cool NYC sunset view can be enjoyed from the Roosevelt Island Tramway, which runs parallel to the Queensboro Bridge over the East River. Whether you’re going to Roosevelt Island or to the Upper East Side, we recommend trying to get a spot where you’re facing Manhattan. As you slowly ascend over New York, with the bustling streets below your feet, marvel at the orange sunset, and the golden hue it leaves over the city.

3. The Staten Island Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry is not only the best way to see the Statue of Liberty but also one of the best places to watch the sunset in New York! Operating every day of the year, 24 hours a day this ferry has become a major tourist attraction, as well as being a part of lots of New Yorkers’ daily commute between Staten Island and southern Manhattan.

Setting off from the pier of Battery Park, you’ll see how the sun sets over Manhattan and Brooklyn and how the lights of New Jersey begin to twinkle. If you time it right, you can enjoy the sunset views, framed by the towering, iconic Statue of Liberty. For a more private experience, check out this sunset cruise in New York City.

4. Brooklyn Bridge Park

Another iconic sunset spot in New York is Brooklyn Bridge Park, where you’ll have an amazing vantage point on the East River side of Brooklyn. This 34-hectare park is not only famous for its views and sunset but also for being next to one of the most emblematic bridges of the city.

The perfect spot to take your Insta-worthy Manhattan skyline sunset pictures, we recommend arriving early, as many other photographers will have the same idea as you. In fact, it’s not surprising to see couples taking advantage of this engagement-worthy backdrop. Check out tours & experiences at the Brooklyn Bridge with Civitatis!

5. Hudson River Park

The next best sunset viewpoint in New York is Hudson River Park, the second longest park in Manhattan, it runs all the way from 59th Street to Battery Park. The park has numerous bars and restaurants with fantastic views from which to admire the New York sky, making it an ideal location for an unforgettable sunset in New York. From its docks, you can see the entire city of New Jersey up to the Statue of Liberty! This park has a dedicated cycle path, so why not the sunset on two wheels? Need a bike? Check out this NYC bike rental!

6. Little Island

And, a special shoutout goes to Little Island, a floating public park within the extensive Hudson River Park, at the height of 13th Street and Chelsea neighborhood. Definitely an incredible place to see the sunset in New York.

In recent years, the shore of the Hudson and its former industrial docks have been repurposed to make more recreational areas for New Yorkers. Little Island was built on top of the wooden poles of the abandoned Pier 54 and Pier 56. The structure consists of more than 1,000 concrete columns of different heights emerging from the water in the shape of tulips—a very original design and the perfect place to watch the sunset!

7. One World Trade Center

Can you imagine watching the sun go down from the tallest building in the Big Apple? Get your camera ready to marvel at a New York City sunset from the One World Observatory. The One World Trade Center, including the antenna, is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere at 1,775 ft (541 meters). By purchasing a ticket, you’ll be able to enjoy the main facilities of the building. The One World Observatory is the highest point of the building and has a 360-degree panoramic viewpoint located on floors 100, 101, and 102. From this point, you’ll have an incredible sunset view over the island of Manhattan and the entire New York skyline!

8. Central Park

And of course, last but certainly not least, we have to mention Central Park. Despite being the most visited park in the city, this expansive green space is surprisingly peaceful, making it easy to disconnect from the typical hustle and bustle of New York streets. The perfect place to watch the sunset is the park’s main lake, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

You can also simply explore New York’s lovely green lungs and discover its main landmarks as part of this Central Park free tour.

9. Gantry Plaza State Park

Tucked away in Long Island City, Gantry Plaza State Park is one of our favorite spots to watch a sunset in New York. This waterfront haven provides unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline. Its iconic gantry structures and relaxed vibe make it an underrated spot to catch a vibrant sunset and just people-watch!

Insider tip: head towards the western edge for the best photo ops as the city lights begin to sparkle.

10. Top of the Rock

To finish off our list, the Top of the Rock, perched atop Rockefeller Center, offers a 360-degree vista of New York’s iconic landmarks. The largest observation deck in the city, Top of the Rock is perched 850 feet (260 meters) high, and provides some of the best views of the Empire State Building, Lower Manhattan, the aforementioned One World Trade Center, and other iconic New York landmarksThe observation deck is especially magical at sunset. Buy a ticket to the Top of the Rock with Civitatis!

There you have it! Those are the best sunset views in NYC, according to us here at Civitatis! What did we miss? If you’re visiting NYC or simply looking for things to do, check out more tours & experiences in NYC with Civitatis!