It’s hard to get a sense of how big New York City is from the streets of Manhattan. After living in New York City for nearly two years, I’ve rounded up the best places for incredible views of New York City. The best views of New York City are found at the Top of the Rock, The Empire State Building, East River State Park, The Whitney Rooftop, the High Line, in Central Park & more! These spots are perfect for inducing those “pinch me I can’t believe I’m in New York” moments.

The Top of the Rock

The Top of the Rock has the best view of New York City. Located at the top of the Rockefeller Center, It’s one of three major observation decks in New York City, alongside the Empire State Building and The One World Observatory. The benefit of the Top of the Rock is that you’ll get views of the Empire State Building, as well as over the rest of Midtown Manhattan.

When I visited the Top of the Rock, we timed our visit so we arrived in the late afternoon, and stayed for sunset and night time views. I loved getting the views from these different times of day!

The Empire State Building

It’s iconic for a reason. The Empire State Building has some of the best views in New York City, from it’s vantage point in the middle of Midtown Manhattan.

Make sure you book tickets in advance, and time your visit to arrive in the late afternoon before sunset. You’ll catch daylight, sunset and night time views over New York City, and get the most out of your visit! Factor in some extra time to reach the deck before sunset, because there is an exhibition to go through before you reach the observation deck. Reaching the top can take 30 or 40 minutes.

You can buy skip-the-line tickets just for the Empire State Building, or you can also ensure you get the best of both worlds, and take a combined tour of both the Empire State Building & Top of the Rock.

East River State Park, Williamsburg

One of the best views of New York City is free to visit, at the East River State Park in Brooklyn. Located in Williamsburg, East River State Park is surprisingly uncrowded, and has stunning views across the East River and of the Manhattan skyline.

Westlight Rooftop Bar

One of the city’s most impressive views of New York City isn’t in Manhattan. Head to Westlight rooftop bar in Brooklyn to get some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline.

Westlight is one of the very best bars in New York City, located at the top of the William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg. It’s extremely popular, be prepared to queue if you’re visiting on the weekend, or visit on a weekday if you can. Reservations are only for indoor tables.

The Reservoir in Central Park

It doesn’t get much more silver screen New York than a jog around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. The quickest way to get to this part of the park is to enter at the corner of E 90th St and Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side, which is just a block north of the Guggenheim.

The view across the reservoir to Central Park West is one of my favourite views in New York City, especially in late April when the bubblegum pink kwanzan cherry blossoms are in bloom.

The Whitney Rooftop

The Whitney Rooftop is one of New York City’s best kept secrets. The Whitney Museum of American Art is one of New York City’s best museums, but few people know that you can visit the Whitney Rooftop.

From the roof, you’ll get a unique view over downtown Manhattan, including the Meatpacking District and the High Line.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Some of my favourite views of the Brooklyn Bridge are not on the Bridge at all, but from Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo, in Brooklyn.

Catch the ferry from the Financial District to Brooklyn Bridge Park, to get some of the best views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge, before arriving at pretty Brooklyn Bridge Park. I love this view of New York City, especially as you can also spot the Statue of Liberty in the far distance!

The Skylark Rooftop Bar

This was the second stop on a Midtown rooftop bar crawl I planned one night for my David and I. I couldn’t believe the view over Manhattan from the Skylark, it is one of the best places to watch the sunset over the Empire State Building. The Skylark gets pretty busy, so prepare to wait if you come later in the evening.

The High Line

Walking the High Line is a great way to take in views of New York City neighbourhoods. The groundbreaking urban renewal project converted an abandoned railway track into a skypark, which stretches from Chelsea to the Meatpacking District.

Start at the Chelsea End, so you can reward yourself with a cold drink at Santina, the bar at the end of the High Line in the Meatpacking District.

Bergdorf Goodman Restaurant

If you can book a table by the window at BG Restaurant, you’ll be treated to views straight over Central Park. An Upper East Side institution, Bergdorf Goodman Restaurant is on the 7th floor of the eponymous luxury department store.

It’s surprisingly tourist-free, for the most part. Except for you and me!

The Staten Island Ferry

Not only is the Staten Island Ferry your free ticket to cruising past the State of Liberty, you’ll also get sweet views of the Financial District as you leave Manhattan.

You can still enjoy the view of the iconic skyline from the outdoor bar & cafe at the Staten Island Ferry terminal.

When we took the Staten Island Ferry, the entire cohort of passengers except for David and I disembarked in Staten Island, and immediately waited for the return ferry. We walked around Staten Island for a bit instead, but quickly decided to head back to the ferry terminal. I’m not saying there’s nothing to see for tourists on Staten Island, but you would want to know where you’re going.

The Met Rooftop Bar

The Cantor Garden is the rooftop bar on the roof of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, open on Friday & Saturday evenings in summer and autumn. I love the fluffy treetop views over the top of Central Park! Spend an hour or two exploring The Met, before heading to the roof for sunset cocktails.

The Central Park Lake

One of my favourite views of New York City isn’t from the sky – it’s from the water on the Boating Lake in Central Park. Not to be confused with the reservoir, the Central Park Lake is at the end of The Mall, behind Bethesda Fountain.

We hired boats one morning before brunch at The Boathouse, overlooking the lake. Bring cash for the boat hire!

Top of the Strand Rooftop Bar

Top of the Strand was the final stop on my Midtown rooftop bar crawl one night, as we inched closer and closer to the Empire State Building. This rooftop bar has one of the best views of the Empire State Building!

One World Observatory

The One World Observatory has New York City’s newest and highest observation deck. Located at the southern tip of Manhattan in the Financial District, the One World Observatory has some pretty incredible views of New York City.

You feel more like you’re in a helicopter than on an observation deck, but the only drawback is that as its at the southern tip of Manhattan, you don’t get the best view of some of the big sights like the Empire State Building or Central Park.

Further Reading

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