Sometimes, a person living in a busy metropolis such as NYC can forget how to connect with nature. But one effective way to remember the green and natural spaces woven throughout the Big Apple’s concrete jungle is to simply enjoy a gorgeous sunset.
You just have to know the best place to see one.
All the boroughs have places offering great sunset views, especially in local parks.
“New York City is constantly moving, yet our parks give us a place to stop, breathe, relax, and reflect. At the end of a busy day, there is no better reminder of why these spaces matter than a sunset— when the city slows just enough for us to notice the sky changing above it,” NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura said.
One stand-out park for sunsets is right off a major thoroughfare in Brooklyn, Shimamura told amNewYork.
“One of my personal favorites is Shore Road Park along the Belt Parkway, where you can watch the sun set over the harbor with boats on the water and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in the distance,” she said. “However, all of our parks offer New Yorkers the chance to take in the beauty of nature right here in the city.”
There are many spots in NYC that offer great views of sunsets, whether they be in parks, on local streets or along the city’s vast shores. Browse this list of places known for spectacular sunsets, and see how easy it is to enjoy a skyline of a different kind in NYC.
Where to see breathtaking sunsets in NYC
The Great Lawn in Central Park, Manhattan
Central Park sunsetPhoto by James Donohue
Central Park is world-renowned for its celebrity sightings, music and theater performances, gorgeous greenery and lots of places to walk, jog and bike. Visitors love the park’s 55-acre Great Lawn for enjoying concerts, playing sports and sunbathing, but come sundown, it also offers spectacular sunset views.
Upper West Siders love the sunset view along four miles of Riverside Park, stretching from 72nd to 158th Streets along the Hudson River. In addition to sunset views, the park offers recreational activities such as hiking trails, dog-friendly areas, natural areas, kayaking, sports courts and more.
Lemon Creek, Staten Island
Just before NYC’s southern city limits is a quaint shoreline park on Staten Island called Lemon Creek. It features a long windy creek that empties into Prince’s Bay. Dotted with piers and benches, it is a great place for Staten Island residents to sit back, relax and enjoy a calm sunset. Sometimes, harbor seals are even be seen basking on rocks alongside or in the water.
Great Kills Park – National Park Service, Staten Island
Great Kills Park. Photo by Teresa Mastoros; photography_by_teresamarie
This expansive 523-acre park, located in the borough’s mid-Island section along its shores, offers a wealth of activities including walking trails, beaches, and kayaking. In addition to recreational opportunities, the park provides a serene setting to watch the sun set beautifully above the water.
Wave Hill, located in northwest Bronx along the Hudson River is a scenic escape from the city with flowers, greenery and peaceful ambiance. The view from its west side is absent of buildings, offering a great look onto the river and the New Jersey Palisades.
The name says it all! Here, New Yorkers can climb to the top of the park for a panoramic view of NYC and a magnificent horizon that lines up with the green space. Across the distance, park-goers can see the sun set over Brooklyn neighborhoods, the Manhattan skyline, Lady Liberty and other city points of interest.
This popular neighborhood park has a gently sloping hill that provides a perfect vantage point for boat watching along the East River and to see the sun set over the southern end of Randall’s Island and northern Manhattan. When you’re there, find a spot along the water near the Hell Gate and RFK Bridges for optimum views.
Manhattanhenge is May 28
Manhattanhenge, the sunsets of all sunsets in NYC, is expected on May 28. The phenomenon occurs twice a year, and allows New Yorkers to see the sun set, unobstructed by buildings, along key crosstown roadways.
In anticipation of the event, the NYC Parks Department recommends the following locations to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience: 57th Street, 42nd Street, 34th Street, 23rd Street, 14th Street, Tudor City Overpass (Manhattan) and Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City (Queens).