The 10 Best Places to Watch the Sunset in NYC

You might not think the Big Apple is a great place to watch the sunset since it’s on the east coast. However, you’d be wrong, there are tons of NYC places you can scout out to enjoy the sunset. Here are just the top 10.

The Best Places to Watch the Sunset in NYC

1. The Rock Observation Deck at the Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center may not be a “secret” spot to visit, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great place to visit. The same can be said for going up to the observation deck for the sunset!

Thanks to its pretty central spot in the city, the Rock Observation deck offers you a great, all-around panorama of the city so you can watch it come alive in different colors at dusk.

Since most visitors opt to go to the deck during the day, crowds will start to die down as well, so you’ll have some privacy.

2. Marriott Marquis Hotel

The Marriott Marquis might be a hotel, but it’s got plenty of reasons to visit. Its view of the sunset is just one of them!

While obviously, being a guest at the hotel puts you right on location to enjoy the sunset experience the hotel offers, anyone can come to watch the sunset!

Make an early dinner reservation at The View restaurant or grab a drink at the lounge, and you’ll be right there, ready to see the sunset.

The hotel is often overlooked for sunset viewing, so it’s like your secret spot!

3. Astoria Park

NYC might be a concrete jungle, but you can still watch the sunset from someplace a little greener. Astoria Park, for example, might be the perfect spot for you.

This park is outside of Manhattan and is, instead, in the much calmer borough of Queens.

Watching the sunset here will give you more local vibes since most visitors don’t think of coming to this part of the city. You might share your view with a few people who call Queens home, but other than that, you’ll get to the sunset all to yourself.

4. Fort Tryon Park

If you’re planning to visit the Big Apple with your furry friend, you have to head to Fort Tryon Park to see the sunset.

This park is home to the largest dog run in the city. It also comes right up to the water. So, it’s not only the perfect place to take your pup for a walk, you can enjoy the views while you’re at it.

Even by yourself without your dog, the park gives off a more homey vibe which means it doesn’t attract as many tourists or crowds.

5. High Line Park

A city as large as New York has tons of parks, but most tourists only think of Central Park, so that’s where they all go.

If you want a secret spot in plane site to watch a NYC sunset, High Line Park is the place to go. You can enjoy walking around the 1.45-mile walkway and admire how the city repurposed train tracks to become this little city oasis.

When it’s time for sunset, just pick a bench and relax. You won’t have to fight crowds and can find a little peace.

6. Coney Island

Coney Island might be known as one of America’s oldest amusement parks, but there’s more to this NYC treasure than meets the eye.

Since the island is removed from the rest of the city, you can get unobstructed views of the sunset you just can’t get from other boroughs.

During the high seasons, you can watch the sunset from the Coney Island Cyclone for some thrills or from the Ferris wheel for a relaxing experience.

Even when the amusement park closes, however, you can walk around and enjoy a unique sunset from the island.

7. The Staten Island Ferry

Most people who visit New York forget all about Staten Island. It’s not hard to see why, it’s a mostly working-class residential borough that doesn’t have much draw for tourism.

However, you might want to rethink that.

The ferry ride to Staten Island is one of NYC’s best-kept sunset secrets. If you board a dusk ferry, you’ll be able to see the Hudson River explode into color as the sun sets.

The ferry is mostly used by commuters, so you’ll also feel like a local without dealing with tourist crowds.

8. North Cove

North Cove is the premier spot for NYC yacht owners to keep their boats. However, you don’t need a boat to come to the area.

Since it’s right on the water, you’ll get a glittering sunset your friends and family will envy.

Watching the sunset with the boats in the foreground will make you feel like you’re somewhere much more tropical than New York for a few moments. You’ll also have the place virtually to yourself.

However, be respectful and mindful since most people in the marina work or dock there.

9. Roosevelt Island Tramway

If you’re looking for a unique sunset viewing experience while in NYC, look no further than the Roosevelt Island Tramway.

This aerial tramway connected Roosevelt Island and the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

You can see the sunset from up in the air while watching part of the city go by in a one-of-a-kind city experience most people overlook.

The tram only takes 4 minutes, however. So time it perfectly, or be prepared to ride a few times if there isn’t much of a wait to get the perfect sunset viewing experience.

10. The Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge tops most people’s list of places to see in New York City. However, most visitors are fine with seeing it at a distance or walking across it during the day.

If you want to know a secret though, go to the bridge at sunset. Sure, there’s traffic, so it might be a noisy viewing experience, but the actual scenery will make up for it.

You can watch the sun glittering on the water as it goes down and really see the cityscape glow in the magical NYC way you’ve dreamt of.