25+ Best Manhattan Skyline Views in New York City [With Pictures] | Marco Feng (2023)

Besides its famous Broadway shows, concerts, food, festivals, and events, the Big Apple also boasts some of the most beautiful views in the nation, one of which is its skyline.

In this post, we will share some of our favorite spots, from tall buildings and observation decks to landmarks in the city, where you can enjoy the beautiful skyline of Manhattan and snap some epic pictures.

1: From Your Airplane

Unexpectedly, the best and cheapest way to enjoy the city’s skyline is from your airplane! So, if you approach or depart the city by air, be sure to look out of the window. You will be surprised by what’s in front of you.

• Views you will get: The entire New York City, and the best time to see is at night or during sunset or sunrise.

2: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Opened in October 2021, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt joins the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, and the Edge as the latest place for unobstructed skyline views in Manhattan! But does the city really need another outdoor observation deck? Hmmm, maybe yes!

Occupying the top three floors of One Vanderbilt, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is no traditional observation deck - it offers an immersive, multi-sensory experience with art installations (think of mirrored rooms and glass sky boxes) byKenzo Digital, floor-to-ceiling windows, and, of course, great views.

At 1,401 feet, One Vanderbilt is NYC’s fourth tallest building, after One World Trade Center, Central Park Tower, and 111 W 57th Street, and one of the top 30 tallest buildings in the world.

Views you will get: Midtown Manhattan (with great views of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building) and parts of New Jersey.

3: One World Observatory At The Tallest Building In NYC

Located in the city’s bustling financial district in Downtown Manhattan, One World Trade Center, also called Freedom Tower, the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex, offers a breath-taking view of the city up the 102-story One World Observatory.

At the top, the Forever Theatre audio-visual exhibition welcomes you into the lively city life, and the interactive displays and presentations will help you get to know New York’s culture and history.

When up there, don’t miss the Sky Portal, a glass floor that looks down onto the streets that are 100 stories beneath you.

• Views you will get: The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and the like.You can seeas far as Staten Island and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, too.

4: Brooklyn Bridge Park

Located on the East River, the waterfront Brooklyn Bridge Park offers breathtaking views of lower Manhattan and is a perfect spot for a picnic in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The best spot to snap some epic photos here isWater Street & Washington Street,located close to the Brooklyn Bridge Park, where the Empire State Building aligns perfectly with the pylon of the Manhattan Bridge. Another great place to snap some epic pictures here is Fulton Ferry Landing.

• Views you will get: Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge, and how perfectly they complement each other in the picture.

5: Take a Helicopter ride

Another great way to enjoy the amazing New York skyline is to take a helicopter. The thrill of the ride and the unique experience of soaring over the city’s iconic landmarks make it one of the most iconic things to do in NYC.Hereis a list of some of the best NYC helicopter rides for you to choose from.

• Views you will get: What you will see during the ride depends on the tour you chose. Our favorite is the photography tour that cruises past some of the best viewpoints and landmarks in NYC.

6: Empire State Building

Your visit to the Big Apple won’t be complete without a visit to Empire State Building, a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan.

There are two observatory decks in the building: the 86th floor and the 102nd floor. The 86th-floor outdoor observatory is often crowded, but it doesn’t take too long to get to the edge, where the views are excellent but slightly limited, as you are looking through a wire-mesh fence.

If you want a freer view of the city, you can plop down $33+ a person to go to the 102nd-floor observatory, though the scenery is not so much different from the 86th floor. But you are no longer looking through a fence but ceiling-to-floor windows.

• Views you will get: From the 86th floor, you will get one-of-a-kind views of Central Park, the Hudson River, and East River, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and much more.

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  However, the102ndFloor offers you the chance to experience unparalleled panoramicviewsof New York City and beyond.

7: Brooklyn Bridge

Connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn is an iconic cable-stayed bridge that every visitor to New York City should not miss - Brooklyn Bridge. It spans over the East River and will typically take you about 30 to 35 minutes to cross, during which you will be overlooking both Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty.

The Brooklyn Bridge is open 24 hours per day, and it is beautiful at any time of day, but sunset is particularly nice. It is also a perfect time for you to capture the fantastic Manhattan night view coming to life as it gets darker.

• Views you will get: Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Bayonne Bridge, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and Lower Manhattan.

8: Vessel

If you visit New York after March 15, 2019, you will have a chance to admire and climb this $200 million beehive-shaped structure, Vessel, which offers you remarkable views of the city, the river, and beyond. This architectural wonder is 16 stories tall, with 154 interconnected staircases and 2,500 individual steps.

We recommend visiting it at sunrise when the crowds are thinner, while the views are breathtaking.

Tickets are available to purchase online or at the box office. The general admission is free, and the Flex Pass, which allows you to visit during any time of the day, is $10 per person.

Vessel accepts 700 visitors at a time, with each ticket assigned a one-hour window. However, you won’t feel rushed, and it seems that they won’t kick anyone who stayed longer than an hour out.

Expect to spend at least 15 minutes climbing up and down the Vessel and another 15 minutes taking photos. So, you have enough time.

• Views you will get: The Hudson River and Lower Manhattan.

9: Edge NYC

Opened in March 2020, just days before the city locked down for COVID-19, the Edge is the newest addition to NYC’s architectural wonders.

Thanks to its unique design that suspends the observation deck in mid-air, you will experience the feeling of floating in the sky with 360-degree views of the city that never sleeps. Adding to the thrill is the triangle glass floor in the middle that gives you a killer vantage point below.

In 2021, the Edge added City Climb NYC to the experience. So if you consider yourself a true adventurer, give it a shot. You will wear a harness and climb outside the skyscraper to the Apex. At 1,271 feet (387 meters), it is the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.

• Views you will get: Lower Manhattan, Midtown, and parts of New Jersey. The Edge also offers thrills that other options on this list don’t have.

10: Roosevelt island Tram

A single swipe of a Metro Card is all you need to get on the Roosevelt Island Tram, which connects the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island and offers beautiful views of Manhattan skyline and the East River. It is a great way to enjoy what the city and Roosevelt Island have to offer.

• Views you will get: Manhattan skyline and the East River.

11: The Rooftop Bars

New York offers some of the best cocktails in the world, and the city is full of charming bars with beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline. Some of our favorites are Mr. Purple on the Lower East Side, 1 Rooftop in Brooklyn, 230 & 5 Ave, Hotel Americano Rooftop, and Refinery Rooftop in Midtown, Le Bain and Top of the Standard in the Meatpacking District, and the Press Lounge on the West Side.

• Views you will get from one of our favorite bars (230 & 5 Ave): Empire State Building and the busy Lower Manhattan.

12: Elevated subway platforms

There are many great spots to enjoy amazing views of the Big Apple in addition to Empire State Building, and the Smith/9th Streets station is one of them.

As the highest station (90 feet above the ground) in the NYC subway system, Smith-9th Streets station features striking views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, including One World Trade Center, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and Green-Wood Cemetery.

The best time to visit this stop is either dawn or sunset when the views are the best. Another great stop for some amazing Manhattan skyline views is Queensboro Plaza in Long Island City.

• Views you will get: Amazing Manhattan skyline.

13: Staten Island Ferry

If you are looking for a free way to enjoy a scenic view of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, hop on the Staten Island Ferry, which goes between the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan and the St George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island.

The ferry operates 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Check out the schedule if you are interested. Food and beer concessions will also be available on each boat.

There are also some great sunset cruises, which circle Manhattan and offer great views from the river as the sun begins to set. One of our most memorable experiences was on a yacht cruise on the Hudson River. If you are interested,hereis more information about it.

• Views you will get: The Statue of Liberty and the stunning vistas of New York Harbor and Manhattan skyline.

14: Top of the Rock

If you are looking for the best views of midtown and Central Park, head to the top of Rockefeller Center - Top of the Rock. This 67th-floor viewing platform is surrounded by glass panels and allows you to enjoy sweeping, unobstructed views of Central Park and Manhattan’s midtown and downtown skyscrapers.

• Views you will get: Central Park and Manhattan’s midtown and downtown skyscrapers.

15: Bar SixtyFive at the Rainbow Room

Located on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center, the Rainbow Room is a cocktail lounge, offering top-tier drinks, small plates, and a stunning view of New York City. It is an excellent complement to a visit to Top of the Rock or as an alternative if you would like to sip on cocktails while enjoying the views.

The bar has an outdoor terrace which requires a minimum spend of $65. However, it isn’t difficult to achieve in NYC due to the high price of cocktails here ($15 per glass at least.) Also, as this is a pretty popular place, make sure to reserve a table in advance.

• Views you will get: Central Park and Manhattan’s midtown and downtown skyscrapers.

16: Liberty State Park

Located at the mouth of the Hudson River, the Liberty State Park in Jersey City offers fantastic waterfront views of the Manhattan’s skyline and the Statue of Liberty. It’s also home to the Empty Sky Memorial, a beautiful and poignant memorial to New Jersey’s victims of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

If you are planning to visit Ellis Island or Liberty Island, which also offers stunning views of the city and a closer look at the Statue of Liberty, you can take the ferry at Liberty State Park.

• Views you will get: Waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

17: R Lounge, Times Square

Times Square,with its bright lights, Broadway marquis, crowds of people, honking horns, yellow taxis, and street performers, will give you a hustle introduction to the city that never sleeps. One of the best ways to appreciate what this famous crossroads has to offer is from above.

There are many hidden bars and restaurants in Times Square that allow you to do so. Our favorite spot is the R Lounge in the Renaissance Hotel, which offers incredible views of the bright lights and yellow cabs the Big Apple is famous for.

• Views you will get: The bustling Times Square, and the best time to visit is after the sun has set.

18: Time Warner Building, Columbus Circle

Another great spot to overlook Midtown, Manhattan is the Time Warner Building located at 59th Street - Columbus Circle. The best free views are from the public space on the 4th floor, where you can capture the beautiful contrast between the lush green of Central Park and the towering skyscrapers in the far distance.

If you want to pair the amazing views with some delicious food or drinks, take the elevator to the 35th floor and tryAsiate. It is a Micheline restaurant, tucked in the 5-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel, offering delicious and elegant modern American cuisine.

• Views you will get: Central Park and the towering skyscrapers in Midtown, Manhattan. If you visit during Christmas, you will also enjoy the “Holiday Under the Stars” light show that plays throughout the season.

19: The Cantor Roof Garden Bar, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Also called “The Met,” it is the largest art museum in the U.S. with three locations across the country. It’s so massive that you can easily spend several days here.

People come here to appreciate its extensive collections of classic artworks. However, our favorite activity at The Met is to hang out at The Met Roof Garden Bar and enjoy the beautiful views of Central Park.

The museum now is no longer pay-what-you-wish. Tickets are $25 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $12 for students, and free for Members, Patrons, and children under 12. Tickets include all exhibitions and are valid for three consecutive days.

• Views you will get: A close look at Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.

20: Belvedere Castle

Itsnamemeans “beautiful view” in Italian, and indeed, as the highest point in Central Park, Belvedere Castle offers stunning views of the Great Lawn, the lush Central Park woodlands, and the parts of the amazing Manhattan skyline.

Despite its main decorative function, the castle was used for years by the National Weather Service to read the weather of the city. The castle is now converted into a visitor center, where people can get information about the flora and fauna of the park and rent bird-watching kits.

• Views you will get: The Great Lawn, the Turtle Pond, Delacorte Theatre, and the nearby forests.

21: Gantry Plaza State Park

Situated on the East River in Long Island City, this 12-acres of waterside greenery plus playground boast spectacular views of the midtown Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building and the United Nations.

The best time to visit is at sunset when the yellow, pink, and orange skies blend behind the towering buildings, and when the city starts to come alive with beautiful lights.

• Views you will get: Midtown Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building and the United Nations.

22: Governors Island

The Hills on Governors Island comes alive every day not with the sound of music, but park-goers who flock here to enjoy the majestic views of the New York Harbor and Lower Manhattan.

Another great activity here is to bike around the island and take in some picturesque sights. You can bring your bicycle or rent one fromBlazing Saddles, and there are also several Citi Bike docking stations.

• Views you will get: The New York Harbor and Lower Manhattan.

23: The High Line

Snaking above the industrial West Side neighborhood is a 1.45 mile-long park, the famous High Line, from where you will be overlooking the beautiful Hudson River, massive murals, and downtown New York’s skyline.

This spot is most popular during the warm months when the flowers and plants are in full bloom. Sunset is also a very popular time. Additionally, there are rotating works of sculpture and art every season, and free star gazing nights and lively cultural events like Latin dance nights.

• Views you will get here: The Hudson River, massive murals, and downtown New York’s skyline.

24: North River Lobster Company

Departing from Pier 81 on West 41st Street and the Hudson River, this 900-foot boat offers a stunning view of Manhattan skyline and full-service bars of fresh lobster rolls and delicious cocktails on all three decks.

Their frequent sailing schedule makes this your ideal spot for everything from quick lunches and happy hour drinks, to casual dinners and weekend brunches.

There is no need for reservations. However, boarding is first come, first served. It’s $10 to board and cruise, and they also offer a $25 season pass, which can be purchased online, or at the Pier 81 box office.

• Views you will get here: The Hudson River and Manhattan skyline.

25: East River State Park

Located on the bank of the East River in Williamsburg, East River State Park offers a sweeping view of the city’s skyscrapers. If you visit it on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM from April through November, be sure stop by Smorgasburg, the largest weekly open-air food market in America that hosts over 100 local food vendors that purvey delicious edibles, including the legendary ramen burger.

• Views you will get here: The Hudson River and Manhattan skyline.

26: Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Also called the Esplanade, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade is a 1,826-foot-long platform and pedestrian walkway that is perfect for a leisure stroll.

In addition to the incredible views of Manhattan’s skyscrapers, expect to see locals and visitors reading or drawing on benches. If you want a little more action, wander into Brooklyn Heights’ streets, which are busted with charming brownstones, cozy shops, restaurants, and cafes.

To get to the promenade, you can take the 2 or 3 train to Clark Street, which will leave you just steps from the promenade. You can also take the R to Borough Hall/Court Street, or the 2, 3, 4, or 5 train to Borough Hall and walk down Montague Street until you reach the promenade.

• Views you will get here: The amazing Manhattan skyline.

27: WNYC Transmitter Park

This Greenpoint park is another great waterfront spot to have an unobscured view of midtown and lower Manhattan. It is the go-to place for locals who are looking to picnic, socialize, or sunbathe on the grass. Because of this, it is often less crowded than other viewing spots on this list.

• Views you will get here: The amazing Manhattan skyline.

28: The Brooklyn Barge

Located on the East River in Greenpoint, The Brooklyn Barge is New York City’s only permanently floating bar, where you can enjoy New American bites, cocktails, and draft beer with a side of stellar Manhattan skyline views. If you want to get a few feet closer to those skyscrapers, free paddle boarding and kayaking are also available during the summer.

• Views you will get here: The amazing Manhattan skyline.

29: Manhattan Bridge

Though it might not be as popular as its sister (or brother?) - Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge offers a majestic view that has been featured in many iconic movies and souvenirs.

To enjoy this sight, hike across the modest Manhattan Bridge, which spans from Manhattan’s Chinatown to Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood. If you visit DUMBO the first Thursday of each month, you will come across gallery openings, artist meet-and-greets, and tons of restaurant and bar specials.

• Views you will get here: The amazing Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge.

30: Hoboken Park

To get some of the best free views of Manhattan, head to Pier A Park in Hoboken, New Jersey. I knew this place when I was working for The Home Despot in a nearby office building. If you enjoy laying on the grass under the stars, this is also a great place to catch outdoor movies while overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

• Views you will get here: The amazing Manhattan skyline.

31: Calvary Cemetery in Queens

I admit that it does require a lot of courage to visit a cemetery. However, you will be rewarded with a unique view of the city - with tombstones in the foreground while the skyline in the background.

TheCalvary Cemeteryis one of the mostantiqueand largestburial places in the city, where many famous people rest in peace. Also, it is the filming location of Vito Corleone’s funeral in the Godfather movie.

• Views you will get here: The amazing Manhattan skyline.

Alright, these are some of our favorites spots to capture the beautiful NYC skyline. I hope you enjoy them and have decided which one to visit. If you have any questions or know any other great viewing points that deserve to be included in this list, leave a comment below!