WITH the opening of Edge, a new observation deck at Hudson Yards this month, along with a reimagined Empire State Building and countless new and classic experiences, there has never been a better time to see New York City from above. Across the five boroughs, visitors can pair remarkable views with world-class art, urban farms, thrills, shopping and expertly crafted cocktails.
Here are some of the best places to discover New York City from up high:
FOR VISTAS FROM ICONIC SKYSCRAPERS
1. Edge at Hudson Yards will open on March 11 as the tallest outdoor observation deck in the western hemisphere at more than 1,000 feet. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Hudson River and the New York City skyline, as well as walk across a section of see-through glass floor. Indoor spaces on the 100th and 101st floors will feature a champagne bar, restaurant and event space. For another nearby vantage point, climb the bronze spiral staircases of Vessel, an interactive public landmark at the center of Hudson Yards’ Public Square.
2. The Empire State Building has been completely reimaged over the past year, boasting an interactive museum experience on the 2nd floor and a newly renovated 102nd floor observatory with 360-degree views through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Another new addition is NYC: Above and Beyond, an interactive itinerary building experience that helps travelers plan their five-borough adventure in partnership with NYC and Company.
3. With breathtaking views on three different levels, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck offers 360-degree views of New York City, including Central Park, from Rockefeller Center. A few floors below, Bar SixtyFive, across from the renowned Rainbow Room, provides a picture perfect option for dinner with city views and a new seasonal menu.
FOR A DOSE OF CULTURE
1. Take a stroll along the High Line, a 2.3km-long elevated walkway along Manhattan’s west side built on an old freight rail line. The newest portion, the High Line Plinth, features public art among sweeping views, with Simone Leigh’s Brick House currently on display until Sept 20.
2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, and after visiting the reimagined British Galleries that just opened yesterday at the Fifth Avenue location, head up to the roof for artwork, refreshments and splendid views of Central Park. Another branch of the iconic museum, The Met Cloisters, focuses on medieval artwork in a French-style monastery atop Fort Tryon Park, and features views of the Hudson River, the park and Inwood neighborhood.
3. Recently launched tours of the Riverside Church Bell Tower invite visitors to step inside the tallest steeple in North America for panoramic views of the City and a look into the historic Morningside Heights church.
4. The Whitney Museum of American Art offers outlooks from 1207sq meter of outdoor exhibition space and terraces. Look for the Hudson River, High Line and the trendy Meatpacking District below, as well as icons including One World Trade Center.
FOR SHOPAHOLICS
1. For retail, dining and even jazz music, visitors can head to The Shops at Columbus Circle. The fourth floor features multiple Michelin-starred restaurants with views of bustling Columbus Circle and the southwest corner of Central Park.
2. The newly-opened Nordstrom NYC Flagship, on Broadway and 57th Street, offers seven floors of attire, beauty products, home goods, restaurants, cafés and bars. Grab a drink at Broadway Bar to soak in iconic views of Broadway post-shopping spree.
3. Empire Outlets, New York City’s only outlet shopping destination, offers incredible views of Lower Manhattan from its multilevel space and sustainable green roof in St. George, Staten Island.
FOR A GREEN PERSPECTIVE
1. Brooklyn Grange’s urban farms at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and Long Island City, Queens, offer visitors farmers’ markets, workshops, yoga and more along with three unique vantage points of New York City.
2. Open seasonally from May to October, Governors Island offers a natural retreat from the bustle of the City via 7-minute ferry from the Battery Maritime Building. Climb the island’s man-made hills for views of the lush island, along with the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan.
3. The Javits Center boasts a state-of-the-art nearly 7-acre green roof—that includes gardens, produce and even honeybees—with arguably the best view of Hudson Yards the City has to offer. The space gives tours as well as serves as an example of New York City’s sustainability.
4. A new addition to one of the most iconic places in NYC, visit the Statue of Liberty Museum, including a climb to the building’s green roof, which offers unobstructed views of Lower Manhattan and Liberty Island, including the statue herself.
FOR ADVENTURERS AT HEART
1. For thrill-seeking visitors, explore the Bronx Zoo Treetop Adventure Climb and Zipline. This unique experience truly transports participants out of the concrete jungle, whether climbing through ropes courses among the trees or ziplining above the Bronx River.
2. Costing the same as a subway ride, the Roosevelt Island Tramway provides spectacular views of Manhattan and Queens as passengers rise through the City then descend across the East River to reach Roosevelt Island.
3. New York City’s highest natural point, Todt Hill in Staten Island, is accessible via the Greenbelt’s Yellow Trail, an eight-mile hike (one way) geared toward advanced hikers and nature lovers.