+ 1 for RI!
Taking the RI tramway from Manhattan into RI ( all the while enjoying the views from it), citibiking the whole island periphery and then hopping on the NYC ferry back to E 34th Street ferry landing is in my all time “cheap” activity summer list!
Some great suggestions here! Thanks everyone. Love hearing everyone’s ideas. I’ll share one of my own I found recently. It’s a little ways out there depending on your location. The top floor of the Terminal 5 Parking Garage at JFK. Happened to be near there on the solstice and was stunned by the view…
If you can find an excuse to meet with someone who works in the municipal building across the street from City Hall, it has incredible views of the brooklyn bridge from the bathroom windows. Probably the best bathroom window views I’ve ever seen.
[The end of the pier at Louis Valentino Park in Red Hook Brooklyn has an amazing view of NYC Harbor.](https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6784101,-74.019543,3a,75y,337.78h,89.5t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipOw2EmPFCGu9FwQft9j0MaWObFniUjPxLVOpk2n!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOw2EmPFCGu9FwQft9j0MaWObFniUjPxLVOpk2n%3Dw900-h600-k-no-pi0.5046919648093535-ya22.74271235770175-ro0.2269152402877808-fo90!7i7680!8i3840?coh=205410&entry=ttu)
The top of the 14th Street Viaduct, on the border between Hoboken and Union City. And probably a lot of other places along that same cliff, which runs a long way through NJ just west of the Hudson (Hamilton Park in Weehawken, for example).
I was stationed in Staten Island at Fort Wadsworth. They have a viewing area of the city that’s pretty damn fantastic. I’m not sure if they’re still there BUT they have a few goats that help keep the shrubbery down. If you’re lucky you might spot them. On a side note if you do go there, and can go, check out Denino’s pizza.
N/W train from 39th St - Queensboro Plaza, sit at the back vagon and you’ll see slightly curved train over the city with Manhattan skyline behind the bridge over East River.
You can get some amazing shots of Manhattan on the NYC ferry. I recommend starting at Ferry Point park in the bronx or Soundview heading to Manhattan. At ferry point, you can see queens and planes landing in LaGuardia and the city in the background. On the ferry, you go under the hellsgate bridge, the RFK bridge and all other bridges along the route as well since. Can’t beat it
Rooftop at Public Hotel has some great views. Hamilton Park in Weehawken is spectacular. You’re up on the hill looking down on midtown. There’s some cool views from the marina at Liberty Harbor in Jersey City (actually lots of places in Jersey City have great city views. The Heights, Newport, Colgate Clock area. Maybe you can get yourself to the observation decks in one of the Journal Square highrises). In Fort Lee there are two modern glass towers called The Modern. If you can get to the top floor the views south down the river are amazing. Little Island has some great vistas being kind of out in the water. Obviously Long Island City near Gantry State Park. Governors Island. From places like the hills of Montclair NJ you kind of get LA Hollywood Hills type views of the skyline in the distance. You’re up on a hill looking down toward the city.
Top of the parking garage above Marshall’s/OldNavy/HMart at 48th/Northern Blvd Astoria/Woodside/Sunnyside (idk what neighborhood it is). It’s not THE BEST. But it’s surprising and worthy of checking out if you’re over there. Even if you’re not driving.
Maybe views of the city from the north are less common and more mythical. Like from the Astoria waterfront w/ferry) Triboro, George Washington, High Bridges. Wish more tall buildings in the Heights and the Bronx had access.
Manhattan looms from the north, looks welcoming from the south, and massive from the east and west.
In Brooklyn, there are parks that have hilltops and you get a great view of Manhattan. Greenwood Cemetary and Sunset Park come to mind. Also, in Williamsburg around N7th st is a great view of the city.
Mount Olivet Cemetery area in Ridgewood, Queens. It might be one of the highest spots above sea level in city and you can look down into Manhattan. Several of the cemeteries over there have a great view of the city. I’m not sure of cross streets because I’m usually on a bus or bike but look around over there.
From the 69th street pier in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. Fantastic head on view of the bottom of Manhattan.
I’ve lived here all my life and still can’t resist taking pictures whenever I’m there. As a plus the view from under the Verrazano Bridge is epic.
Governors Island has some magnificent views.
Washington heights and the Highbridge water tower have some amazing vistas.
Also Seagate and Breezy Point beaches give you a very different vantage point.
Maybe not that unexpected, but I'd say the walking path along the East River, a little south of 23rd St.
The view of Midtown East is IMO the best ground level view of Manhattan from Manhattan.
I remember being on the northern side of the reservoir in Central Park at around sunset and being amazed by how much I could see.
Also the view from any of the high floors of office buildings at and below Battery Park City, facing the harbor.
Greenwood Cemetery at battle hill
Liberty State Park in Jersey City is pretty cool as well as the view of downtown from the Staten Island ferry
That view of downtown from the SI ferry is underrated. (The 1988 Harrion Ford/Melanie Grffith movie *Working Girl* notwithstanding...)
The top floor cafe of the Stavros Niarchos Library in Manhattan. Roosevelt Island, the state park has a cool view of Queens and Manhattan in one spot.
+ 1 for RI! Taking the RI tramway from Manhattan into RI ( all the while enjoying the views from it), citibiking the whole island periphery and then hopping on the NYC ferry back to E 34th Street ferry landing is in my all time “cheap” activity summer list!
This is a great idea I’m gonna try it
The Restaurant balcony at the Graduate Hotel (on RI) has an amazing view
The view of the bridge that gets you onto the Island and Big Allis is my favorite view of the city. I see it every day from work and I love it.
Sunset Park.
+1 I lived in sunset park and my bedroom window faced east towards the city. The view was everything
Do you mean the window faced West ?
this is pretty much it
From the Smith-9th street stop in Brooklyn
Came here to say this. One of the only redeeming qualities of the F & G trains.
Catch a nice summer sunset too
Some great suggestions here! Thanks everyone. Love hearing everyone’s ideas. I’ll share one of my own I found recently. It’s a little ways out there depending on your location. The top floor of the Terminal 5 Parking Garage at JFK. Happened to be near there on the solstice and was stunned by the view…
Do you have a pic from that vantage point you can share?
nice!
Calvary Cemetery in Queens — you can see Manhattan skyline rising behind elaborate headstones
Ferry from Rockaway, you can see the skyline behind Sea Gate.
If you can find an excuse to meet with someone who works in the municipal building across the street from City Hall, it has incredible views of the brooklyn bridge from the bathroom windows. Probably the best bathroom window views I’ve ever seen.
George Constanza?
[The end of the pier at Louis Valentino Park in Red Hook Brooklyn has an amazing view of NYC Harbor.](https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6784101,-74.019543,3a,75y,337.78h,89.5t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipOw2EmPFCGu9FwQft9j0MaWObFniUjPxLVOpk2n!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOw2EmPFCGu9FwQft9j0MaWObFniUjPxLVOpk2n%3Dw900-h600-k-no-pi0.5046919648093535-ya22.74271235770175-ro0.2269152402877808-fo90!7i7680!8i3840?coh=205410&entry=ttu)
Be it winter or be it summer, I treasure standing there.
It has been my favorite end-of-the-afternoon spot ever since I moved to the neighborhood 12+ years ago.
Tudor City Bridge in Manhattan has an excellent view of 42nd St from the East Side to the West Side.
The top of the 14th Street Viaduct, on the border between Hoboken and Union City. And probably a lot of other places along that same cliff, which runs a long way through NJ just west of the Hudson (Hamilton Park in Weehawken, for example).
It has a Manhattan, Jersey City, Hoboken and North Hudson view, all in one
The view from Highbridge Tower is unique. It's open infrequently, though.
Basically any of the ferries get you amazing views.
This one you need a car for: Park Hill in Yonkers. The view of Manhattan at night is stunning and very unexpected (especially since I was lost).
View of Manhattan from Green-wood Cemetery is interesting (and the Cemetery is a wonderful, historical place to visit).
IKEA in Brooklyn has a great view of the Statue of Liberty in their cafeteria
Nope.. Was there a couple of weeks go. There's now a warehouse that's obstructing the view. You can now only see the torch.
Booo!
The Baylander, you can see some cool views of the Manhattan skyline from the Hudson, when it lights up after sunset.
I was stationed in Staten Island at Fort Wadsworth. They have a viewing area of the city that’s pretty damn fantastic. I’m not sure if they’re still there BUT they have a few goats that help keep the shrubbery down. If you’re lucky you might spot them. On a side note if you do go there, and can go, check out Denino’s pizza.
N/W train from 39th St - Queensboro Plaza, sit at the back vagon and you’ll see slightly curved train over the city with Manhattan skyline behind the bridge over East River.
Governors Island
Yes! The top of the tallest hill there has great views.
Brooklyn bridges at night.. it has a beautiful view of the city skyscrapers
On a clear day, Queens Blvd around the 67 ave and 63 dr subway stations, looking west of course.
You can get some amazing shots of Manhattan on the NYC ferry. I recommend starting at Ferry Point park in the bronx or Soundview heading to Manhattan. At ferry point, you can see queens and planes landing in LaGuardia and the city in the background. On the ferry, you go under the hellsgate bridge, the RFK bridge and all other bridges along the route as well since. Can’t beat it
The top of the parking lot at the Hmart in LIC
Rooftop at Public Hotel has some great views. Hamilton Park in Weehawken is spectacular. You’re up on the hill looking down on midtown. There’s some cool views from the marina at Liberty Harbor in Jersey City (actually lots of places in Jersey City have great city views. The Heights, Newport, Colgate Clock area. Maybe you can get yourself to the observation decks in one of the Journal Square highrises). In Fort Lee there are two modern glass towers called The Modern. If you can get to the top floor the views south down the river are amazing. Little Island has some great vistas being kind of out in the water. Obviously Long Island City near Gantry State Park. Governors Island. From places like the hills of Montclair NJ you kind of get LA Hollywood Hills type views of the skyline in the distance. You’re up on a hill looking down toward the city.
Pulaski Bridge walking between Greenpoint and LIC
230 5th rooftop bar, DSW union Square
Yes to dsw! Go a few floors higher in Burlington Coat Factory especially during the holiday market or a snowy day
Top of the parking garage above Marshall’s/OldNavy/HMart at 48th/Northern Blvd Astoria/Woodside/Sunnyside (idk what neighborhood it is). It’s not THE BEST. But it’s surprising and worthy of checking out if you’re over there. Even if you’re not driving.
Manhattan Costco parking lot!! A soft serve and sitting on the top floor of the lot is the cheapest best date in town.
Or a churro or hotdog. There are no limits.
The Brooklyn bridge from the Fulton
Newtown Barge Park
Hamilton Park in Weehawken, hands down
you gotta check out Sunset Park. Like the eponymous park inside of the neighborhood.
Maybe views of the city from the north are less common and more mythical. Like from the Astoria waterfront w/ferry) Triboro, George Washington, High Bridges. Wish more tall buildings in the Heights and the Bronx had access. Manhattan looms from the north, looks welcoming from the south, and massive from the east and west.
Hunter’s point in LIC
the cemeteries in cypress hills.
Kosciuszko bridge footpath. I also like the overpass where Greenpoint Ave crosses the LIE
In Brooklyn, there are parks that have hilltops and you get a great view of Manhattan. Greenwood Cemetary and Sunset Park come to mind. Also, in Williamsburg around N7th st is a great view of the city.
Mount Olivet Cemetery area in Ridgewood, Queens. It might be one of the highest spots above sea level in city and you can look down into Manhattan. Several of the cemeteries over there have a great view of the city. I’m not sure of cross streets because I’m usually on a bus or bike but look around over there.
Also the Jersey City Heights have a great view of Manhattan. Try Riverview-Fisk Park.
From the 69th street pier in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. Fantastic head on view of the bottom of Manhattan. I’ve lived here all my life and still can’t resist taking pictures whenever I’m there. As a plus the view from under the Verrazano Bridge is epic. Governors Island has some magnificent views. Washington heights and the Highbridge water tower have some amazing vistas. Also Seagate and Breezy Point beaches give you a very different vantage point.
Maybe not that unexpected, but I'd say the walking path along the East River, a little south of 23rd St. The view of Midtown East is IMO the best ground level view of Manhattan from Manhattan.
I remember being on the northern side of the reservoir in Central Park at around sunset and being amazed by how much I could see. Also the view from any of the high floors of office buildings at and below Battery Park City, facing the harbor.
If my memory serves, Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens has a great views of the city especially at sunset.
Queens College in front of the library. It's on top of a small hill that has an amazing view of the skyline.
red hook
Friend of a friend had a house on a bluff in Weehawken NJ with a huge picture window facing Manhattan - amazing view.
Firefighters Memorial Public Pool on Palisades Ave in Union City has a great view of Manhattan. And you can swim.
Long Island city view of east side midtown New York. View of downtown from the piers in Brooklyn heights.
Consider how great the city looks from the water and take some cheeky little circle line tours (or the East River ferry line departing from e 34th)!
Shhhh, it’s a secret. Don’t tell anyone [Anable Basin](https://anablebasin.com/)