Like moths to a flame, millions of people visit NYC every year for a chance to see the epic New York City skyline for themselves. From the soaring heights of observation decks to the picturesque views of skyscrapers in Central Park, there’s no shortage of great viewpoints worth exploring.
So, I hope you enjoy!
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The 10 Best Neighborhoods & 3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Viewpoints in New York City
(Table of Contents)
Free Viewpoints in NYC (Table of Contents)
- The Best Free Views of New York City’s Skyline
- The Rooftop at the Time Out Market
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
- From the Manhattan Bridge
- The Manhattan Skyline from Central Park
- Bonus. Columbus Circle
- Views of Manhattan from Governors Island
- The High Line
- Pier 57
- Tudor City Bridge
- The views of Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry
- Skyline Views of New York City from Roosevelt Island
- Best New York City Viewpoints (Payment Required)
- The Observation Decks in New York City (Ranked)
- List of the Best Viewpoints in NYC (Post Summary)
Free NYC Viewpoints
The Rooftop at the Time Out Market
Let’s kick off our list of the best free views of the New York City skyline with a classic spot you absolutely can’t miss, the Time Out Market in DUMBO. Seeing the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn is hard to beat, and nothing tops the views from the rooftop at the Time Out Market.
The market is a collection of some of the best restaurants in the city, and the roof top terrace is open to the public (there’s also a bar!). You can’t do much better for an impromptu observation deck in NYC. There’s a small outdoor seating area, but unless it’s freezing cold or blistering hot it’ll likely be full.
The Brooklyn Bridge takes center stage as the jaw-dropping NYC skyline looms in the background. This my go-to spot for visitors that ask where to see the best views of New York City for free, it doesn’t get better than this. You’d normally have to make reservations a month in advance and slip the host a crisp $20 bill for views like this.
Website— Time Out Market
Address. 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY
Featured in.20 Top-Notch Things to Do in DUMBO (+Local’s Tips)
Brooklyn Bridge Park
The irresistible view of the Brooklyn Bridge takes center stage as happy couples pepper the lawn with picnic blankets and pizza boxes in tow. The 80-acre park hosts outdoor movies during the summer months, which takes date night to a whole new level.
Watching a movie while sneaking peaks at one of the best views of New York City, it’s an unforgettable experience to be sure. Afterwards, stroll the Brooklyn Promenade at night, it’s one of the most romantic things to do in NYC.
Website— DUMBO Movies With a View
Location.Harbor View Lawn, 80 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY
From the Manhattan Bridge
This a lesser-known spot but the view of New York from the Manhattan Bridge shouldn’t be missed. You’ll get two very interesting viewpoints. a stunning view over Chinatown (pictured above) and the Brooklyn Bridge as you approach DUMBO featured below.
This one of my personal favorite views of NYC because it’s seldom crowded (thanks to the noisy subway that runs every few minutes). But I’ll be honest, I also love this viewpoint for sentimental reasons.
Living in NYC was a longtime dream of mine, as motivation, I would often replace my screensaver with photos of NYC. This iconic shot of Manhattan’s skyline was my inspiration for months before I finally took the leap of faith and moved to NYC. To this day, this exact view of New York City is still one of my favorites, even if for sentimental reasons. ;
The Manhattan Skyline from Central Park
There’s so much to love about Central Park, not least the breathtaking views of skyscrapers poking through the trees. My favorite viewpoints in Central Park are from Sheep Meadow, Wollman Rink, and the Bow Bridge.
You May Enjoy Reading.15 ICONIC Things to Do in Central Park (our most popular article!)
Bonus. Columbus Circle
While exploring Central Park, don’t miss a quick trip to the Time Warner Building near Columbus Circle. Located at the southwest end of the park, there’s a Whole Foods in the mall, making it a great stop for water and snacks.
Head to the fourth floor for one of the best free views of New York City. This area is especially lovely in the fall when the contrast between the fall foliage and gray buildings puts the height of the city’s skyscrapers into perspective.
This one of those places that makes you fall for Free Viewpoints in NYC (Table of Contents) all over again.
Views of Manhattan from Governors Island
Governors Island is a peaceful island, just a short ferry ride from Manhattan that offers a unique and breathtaking view of the New York City’s skyline. The best part? The ferry to Governors Island is free Saturdays & Sundays before noon (ferry info here).
You can wander around the island while soaking in the stunning backdrop of the Financial District and Statue of Liberty. The island is one massive park, we saw folks picnicking, napping and riding bikes along the esplanade (there’s Citi Bike stations on the island).
There’s also a few food trucks and a great oyster bar (called Island Oyster) for light bites and drinks. It’s a very relaxing place to hang out with friends for a few hours. Whatever you do, don’t miss the cool rock outcropping to get the best views of NYC (that’s where I got the photo).
The High Line
The High Line is one of the more unique parks in New York City. Before the High Line was even conceived, this area was used as an distinctive rail-line for freight trains delivering cargo into the city. The demand for this service became moot with the rise of trucking and the railroad track was abandoned for ages, until Mayor Bloomberg approved a plan to transform it into a city park.
The High Line was opened in 2009 and became an instant success.The distinctive promenade stretches for 1.5 miles and receives an average 8 million visitors annually. The best time to visit the High Line is either spring or summer when the plants are in bloom. Regardless of when you visit, you’ll see beautiful murals, unique art and rotating sculptures.
The people-watching opportunities are endless! Plus, the views of NYC from this vantage point are some of the most interesting in the city. You’ll see the Empire State Building and get great views of the Hudson River.
Further Reading.10 Enchanting NYC Parks Locals Love as Much as Visitors
Pier 57
Pier 57 is a part of a slew of new attractions bringing foot traffic to the Hudson Yards neighborhood. Neighbors with Little Island, it’s home to a multi-use building that includes a food-hall, green spaces and a stunning viewpoint of New York City.
Access is free and it doesn’t close until 1AM, which means you’ll be able to get the best views of NYC at night for free. From Pier 57’s viewpoint you can see the Edge, Empire State Building and the One World Trade Center in the Financial District.
The sweeping vistas are priceless (which is great because again, it’s free). You can enjoy a budget-friendly date at Pier 57. Or simply find reprieve in the fact it’s still largely void of locals because it’s still so new (opened in 2022).
Local tip. Pro tip that most travel blogs won’t tell you. visit on a weekday afternoon for the most authentic experience.
Tudor City Bridge
We’ve visited the Tudor City Bridge several times and usually get the bridge to ourselves, even during sunset which shows just how underrated this NYC viewpoint is. However, there’s a well-known annual phenomenon called Manhattanhenge, which is when the sun aligns perfectly with east-to-west streets during sunset.
As you can imagine, the bridge swells with photographers during this time because this easily the best view of NYC during Manhattanhenge. The Chrysler Building steals the show and the fast moving cars below make this a great spot to practice your photography skills. But damn. you’ll need to arrive 2 hours before sunset to get a good spot.
The views of Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry
As you may know, the Staten Island Ferry is a great way to see the Statue of Liberty up close for free. The ferry departs from lower Manhattan and offers striking views of New York, so you’ll want to be as close to the side of the ferry as possible.
The view of the Statue of Liberty is epic (hell, it made me emotional the first time I saw it). I’m so glad NYC has a free ferry that passes Lady Liberty because tickets to Ellis Island were sold out when my in-laws were in town.
Averaging 22 million visitors a year (70,000 per day), the Staten Island Ferry is crowded most of the time. The majority of folks hop on for the views of the Statue of Liberty before heading back to Manhattan, expect the entire trip to take one hour. Just know that you must disembark the ferry when it reaches Staten Island queue up board again (about 90% of folks will be doing the same!).
Skyline Views of New York City from Roosevelt Island
You may have heard that Roosevelt Island is one of the best spots to see cherry blossom in NYC. But did you know that it also offers one of the best views of New York City?
The adventure starts with a tram ride over the East River (Tap-to-Pay and MetroCards accepted). The departs from the Upper East Side every 15 minutes and drops you off on Roosevelt Island. Enjoy the great NYC views from the tram, but brace yourself. it gets even better.
When you get off the tram head towards the promenade that hugs the East River, which swells with visitors eager to see the stunning cherry blossoms in spring. Roosevelt Island is also popular during the warm summer months and there’s a great rooftop bar on the island called Panorama Room.
Best New York City Viewpoints (Payment Required)
Rooftop Bars
New York City is no stranger to rooftop bar. Cocktails come at a premium though, you’re paying for the views just as much as the libation. We did the heavy lifting for you, here’s a roundup of the best rooftop bars in Brooklyn.
The Cantor Roof Garden at the Met
You’ll find the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in Central Park along Fifth Avenue (between East 80th and 84th Streets). Its location means you get to look over the lush canopy of Central Park and beyond, towards Billionaires’ Row and Midtown.
The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden is home to a bar and additional art installations most visitors miss. The best piece of art doesn’t belong to the museum though – it’s the skyline view. Impressive, right?
You’ll need to purchase a ticket into the museum to have access to the rooftop, but trust me, the price of admission is well worth it. With more than 2 million pieces of art spanning 5,000+ years, the Met is the largest museum in the country and one of the best museum in New York City.
The Observation Decks in New York City (Ranked)
#1. Top of the Rock (Best NYC Views from an Observation Decks)
If you’re looking for the absolute best viewpoints in New York City, it’s hard to beat the Top of the Rock NYC Observation Deck. I’ve visited all of the observation decks in NYC and consider Top of the Rock the cream of the crop.
The reason I like this New York City viewpoint so much is because the large glass panels offer unobstructed views the NYC skyline, unlike some of the other observation decks that use fencing. It makes sense to use clear glass panels here because the sweeping view of Central Park is downright stunning and obstructing that view would be a crime!
From Top of Rock you’ll see the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building and the One World Trade Center. There’s a reason this New York City viewpoint attracts people in hoards. It’s definitely worth a visit!
Tip. Visit the Rainbow Room, a bar on the 65th floor that doesn’t have an admission fee but does have an order minimum of $65 (about 2-3 drinks).
#2. Summit One Vanderbilt
General Admission to Summit One Vanderbilt starts at $42 making it the second most-expensive observation deck in NYC. However, the views of NYC from this observation deck are easily worth the price!
This ticket provides access to the observation deck, Après (restaurant) and the Levitating experiences (glass boxes you can step into, hanging 1,100 feet out of the side of the building). You can also purchase the Summit Signature Experience, which provides everything previously mentioned and one free signature drink at Après.
For a more comprehensive review of NYC’s observation decks (including the pros and cons of each), read.All 5 NYC Observation Decks (Ranked by Locals)
#3. Edge
Edge’s claim to fame is that it’s the highest outdoor sky-deck in the Western Hemisphere. It opened in March 2020, and is considered an architectural feat! The observation deck is jaw-dropping, it suspends in mid-air (how did they build this thing?!) and offers some of the best panoramic views of New York City. Tickets can be purchased here.
#4. The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is arguably the most famous building in New York. Thankfully, the sweeping views from the observation deck lives up to the hype.
There’s actually two observation decks (86th floor & 102th floor). To visit the 102nd floor observation deck, you’ll need to purchase an additional ticket (at a hefty price point, which is not worth it in my opinion). The views from the Main Observation Deck on the 86th floor are remarkable!
Crowds are guaranteed most of the day, but especially at sunset. However, it gets cold quickly and folks tend to move fast, so it’s pretty easy to get close to the fence and take in the stunning view. From here, you’ll see the One World Trade Center, Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Plaza Center, Times Square and the Brooklyn Bridge. Tickets can be purchased on their website.
#5. One World Observatory
The One World Observatory sits high atop the 102nd floor of the One World Trade Center, making it the highest indoor observation deck in New York City (1,268 feet above street level). The panoramic views of NYC from this vantage have a tendency to shrink the city’s monolithic skyscrapers in a unique way.
The elevator ride to the observation deck is an experience in itself. You’ll get to see a time-lapse of the development of lower Manhattan from pre-Colonial times to present day. Brace yourself from the views from the top, this observation deck has the best New York City views.
You’ll see Rockefeller Plaza Center, the glorious Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Hudson River and all 5 boroughs from this epic viewpoint. If you’re not terrified of heights, I suggest checking out the Sky Portal (glass floor overlooking the city streets 100 floors below).
Fun fact. The One World Trade Center stands at 1,776 feet (including the spire), in honor of the year America declared independence.
The New York City Skyline from an Airplane
One of the best things about living in New York City is returning home. There’s an inexplicable feeling that overwhelms me every time I catch a glimpse of the stunning NYC skyline from a plane.
Seeing the view of New York from a plane gives you a unique vantage point that allows you to absorb the massive scale of this city. I mean, look at Central Park! Have your camera ready when flying into or out of NYC because these are easily some of the best views you’ll get during your trip.
List of the Best Viewpoints in NYC (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s the best viewpoints in New York City.
- Top of the Rock NYC Observation Deck
- Central Park
- Time Warner Building
- One World Observatory
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Empire State Building
- NYC views from Dumbo, Brooklyn
- The High Line
- Edge
- Pier 57
- Roosevelt Island
- Governors Island
- The Staten Island Ferry
- From a rooftop bar
- Manhattan Bridge
- Tudor Bridge
- Cantor Roof Garden at the Met
- From an airplane
Map of best spots to see New York City skyline
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“},{“id”:”012f60af-d11c-4d39-a4c4-bbc2d9045695″,”jsonQuestion”:”How were these spots chosen?”,”question”:”How were these spots chosen?”,”jsonAnswer”:”Every spot on this list was personally visited and reviewed by our team of NYC locals. We evaluate based on quality, atmosphere, and value.”,”answer”:””}]} –>Based on our experience as NYC locals, Free Viewpoints in NYC (Table of Contents) tops our list. See our full ranked list above for all 18 recommendations.
Every spot on this list was personally visited and reviewed by our team of NYC locals. We evaluate based on quality, atmosphere, and value.
And there you have it, my friends. I hope you enjoyed this quick list of the best viewpoints in New York City. Let me know if you think I missed any spots, happy to add more to the list!
Cheers!
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our guide to Jaw-Dropping Skyline Views of New York City (For All Budgets). Have a favorite spot we missed?
Hungry while exploring? Check out our guide to the best food in Upper West Side for local dining picks.
Planning a visit soon? Tell me in the comments what you’re most excited to try. I might have a few extra tips for you.
If you liked this guide, you might also enjoy exploring my other local recommendations.
Great list overall! I just wanted to comment to let you know that you left the best overall view of NYC off of your list! Hamilton Park in west NY/Weehawken NJ is easily the best. View of NYC in my opinion. You should deff check it out for sure.
Hi Anthony! Thanks for the comment, we are definitely adding that to our list to check out!
Great comprehensive write-up. Thank you!
How do I get in touch with the image owners?
Hi Dennis, all of the photos are my own.