When you think of New York City, the first thing you think of is probably not charming, beautiful sunsets. Instead, what comes to mind is something along the lines of fabulous pizza, Coney Island Amusement Park, the Empire State Building and Yankee Stadium. However, once you see the long shadows cast by the Midtown skyscrapers and the evening sky when it’s set on maximum saturation, you’ll be hooked on NYC sunsets (and sunrises, too!). For your enjoyment, Sea the City has put together a list of top places in The Big Apple and nearby where you can take advantage of magnificent views.
Astoria Park
19 St. between Astoria Park S. and Ditmars Blvd. Queens
Located on the western shore of Queens, Astoria Park extends from the Hellgate Bridge to the Triborough Bridge. The park offers shoreline sights, sounds and plenty of fun activities to help you pass the time while you wait on a brilliant sunset to light up the NYC horizon. Astoria Park also offers panoramic views of midtown Manhattan, the largest municipal pool in the City and a great walking path along the East River.
Coney Island
Corbin Pl. to W. 37 St., Boardwalk Brooklyn
Iconic Coney Island is one of the most popular family attractions in New York, and there are so many places to watch sunsets there. Whether you’re lolling on the beach, leisurely walking on the boardwalk or riding on the amusement park’s enormous Wonder Wheel, the picturesque view of the skies on fire at Coney Island is truly something to behold.
Sea the City Tours
84 Audrey Zapp Drive, NJ
Watching the sun go down around the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges from your jet ski on the water is an experience for the books! Just 10 minutes from Manhattan, Sea the City features some of the best sunset views from different vantage points on the New York Harbor. Our One Hour Jet Ski Tour lets you get up close and personal to many NYC sights and famous attractions.
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
45 Rockefeller Plaza NY
A sunset view from the Rockefeller Center makes for an unparalleled NYC romantic moment, and you haven’t lived until you see the sun go down behind the Empire State Building from its tallest heights. A swift elevator ride on the Sky Shuttle brings you to the 70th floor of the Top of the Rock Observation Deck where you are greeted with breathtaking, 360° views of Midtown Manhattan.
Sunset Cruise, New York Harbor Tours
Pier 25 at Hudson River Park 215 West St, NY
Departing from Pier 25 downtown, and looping around the tip of Manhattan and up the East and Hudson River, is New York Harbor Tours. Take a tour with them, and you will get to see all the historic and beautiful sights NYC has to offer from your private boat. What’s more? You’ll catch the golden hour on a New York 2-hour Sunset Cruise as the sun sets behind the Statue of Liberty.
Roosevelt Island Tramway
E 59th Street & 2nd Avenue NY
This modern aerial tramway runs over the East River, and it connects the Upper East Side of Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. Its red bucket cars transport passengers every 7 to 15 minutes – so grab a special someone or some socially-distanced friends and time your ride at just the right time of day. Once you do, you’ll get to see stunning views of the sun setting over Midtown’s urban skyline.
The High Line, Chelsea
Gansevoort St. To W. 30 St. bet. Washington St. and 11 Ave, Manhattan
The High Line is an elevated linear park that’s laden with sculptures, wildflowers and modern art throughout. While there, you can take in the surrounding gorgeous scenery while walking or sitting beside the historic freight rail line. With plenty of benches for relaxing, this is a wonderful place to take in exquisite skies over New Jersey as the sun goes down.
Gansevoort Hotel Rooftop
18 9th Ave NY
Considering a glorious staycation? If you are, know that many NYC hotels offer ample opportunities to see panoramic views from the roofs of skyscrapers. The Gansevoort Hotel in the Meatpacking District is no exception, and you can watch the sunset from their heated pool while sipping on cocktails from their rooftop bar and lounge.
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
41 St., 44 St., bet. 5 Ave. and 7 Ave. Brooklyn
With that kind of name, it has to feature magical sunsets, right? Sunset Park in Brooklyn doesn’t disappoint, and the park’s picturesque hill offers impressive sunset vistas setting behind Manhattan skyscrapers. The park also rewards you with views of the Statue of Liberty, Staten Island and park greenery.
Shore Park and Parkway
4 Ave, Shore Rd, Belt Pkwy, Verrazano Bridge Brooklyn
Shore park lies on the southernmost point of Brooklyn, in Bay Ridge, and it is mostly popular for stunning views of the sunset and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The dramatic lighting from behind the bridge makes for a perfect dark silhouette when the setting sun hits it just right. Shore Road Park features playgrounds, hand courts and local food trucks for grabbing some quick eats when you’re famished.
The Battery
Battery Pl, State St and Whitehall St Manhattan
New York’s birthplace park boasts perennial gardens, urban farms, harbor views and the lovely Sea Glass Carousel. The park is also the go-to location for park goers who visit it to observe brilliant sunsets. There are plenty of benches to sit down on while watching the sky change colors over the harbor.
Hamilton Park
McWilliams Pl 8th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Hamilton Park is a lovely place to watch sunsets just outside of New York City. Located in Weehawken, NJ, the park offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline you can see from across the Hudson River. The park is named after American statesman Alexander Hamilton who was shot and killed there July 11, 1804 during a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr.
Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier
Ferris St. between Coffey St. and Van Dyke St. Brooklyn
Valentino Pier in Redhook is a relic of a bygone shipping industry in the 1900s, and today it is flanked by historic, industrial and residential buildings. For breathtaking views of sunsets in the NY Upper Bay area, however, the view from the pier can’t be beat. You can catch a ferry to go there and back from Manhattan’s Pier 11.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Dumbo
334 Furman St Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a perfect place to throw a picnic blanket as it offers premium views of the impressive Brooklyn Bridge, Jane’s Carousel and downtown New York skyline. Before twilight, you can watch as the sun slowly sinks over and behind skyscrapers, leaving a glistening trail across the waters as it does. If you didn’t pack a picnic dinner – no worries – Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is in the neighborhood, and you can stop by for world-class pizza and beer.
Hunter’s Point
Center Blvd. bet. 50 Ave. and 2 St. Queens
Last, but not least, is Hunter’s Point in South Park. The park abounds with entertainment options, including a waterside promenade, a bikeway, and, of course, a 30-something foot tall-cantilevered structure where you can marvel at beautiful waterfront sunsets. This spot is ideal for family picnics, a brief walk with your dog or a romantic Valentine’s Day rendezvous.
