15 Breathtaking Views in NYC: Best Free & Paid Views You MUST See
Some of the most breathtaking and best views in NYC aren’t from the top of an observation deck.
While those views are epic, there are some amazing views that aren’t only free, but give you a unique slice of all that New York City has to offer.
In this article, we’ll cover the best views in NYC, including:
- The Great Lawn
- MET Cloisters Garden
- Top of Forest Hills Stadium
- The Edge Observation Deck (or any observation deck)
- Governor’s Island
- Brooklyn Bridge Park & Brooklyn Heights Promenade
- Newport Green Park
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Times Square at Night
- Flying In or Out of LGA
- Beaches
- Biking Down the Hudson River Parkway
- Little Island & Top of Pier 57
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
- Any Ferry – Sound View, Staten Island, Rockaway Beach
Let’s look at each one below. 👇
Note: This article was written by a real human who lives in NYC, not artificial intelligence. 🥸
Best NYC Views Podcast Episode
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1- The Great Lawn (Free)
The Great Lawn is just what it sounds like… An absolutely sprawling grassy area, with lots of baseball fields, in Central Park.
Plus, the views of the Midtown skyline are unbeatable. You get completely unobstructed views of the iconic mega skyscrapers!
The Great Lawn has also played host to massive, iconic concerts. I’m talking Queen, Simon & Garfunkel, and Global Citizen Festival, which has seen names like Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Cat Stevens, Metallica, and even Cardi B.
It also makes for a very fun place for a picnic!
The beauty of The Great Lawn is that you can pick a nice grassy spot, OR you can head to any of the hundreds of benches that surround the lawn. It’s truly unbeatable in that regard.
Location: Here is a Google Maps link to The Great Lawn.
The best views of the Midtown skyline are from the most northern part of the Great Lawn loop.
2- MET Cloisters Garden (Paid)
Travel back to the past at the beautiful Met Cloisters. This museum is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but it’s in Upper Manhattan—and it’ll feel like a whole new world.
Plus, it has unbelievable gardens (breathtaking in their own right) and life-changing views of the Hudson River and surrounding area.
The Cloisters offers medieval Europe in the heart of NYC. Check out the monastery-style building filled with illuminated manuscripts, sculptures, and information on medieval life.
Once you’ve gotten your fill of the Cloisters, remember that your ticket will still get you into the Met that same day.
Cost: Tickets are normally $30, but NYC residents can pay whatever they wish!
3- Top of Forest Hills Stadium (Paid)
Forest Hills Stadium is an old tennis stadium that’s been converted to a phenomenal music venue.
Related Reading: US Open Tennis Experience & Tips
We’ve seen some great artists here, but the views from the top are second to none. If you go to the very top of the stadium seating, you get unreal views of the Manhattan skyline in the distance, coupled with the lights, vibes, and music down on the stage.
It’s bliss.
Check out Forest Hills Stadium’s schedule here.
4- Edge Observation Deck or Any Observation Deck (Paid)
Observation decks are arguably the best way to get sweeping views of New York City.
While you have to spend roughly $35-$50, you’ll experience views you just can’t get anywhere else.
We recommend the Edge, but check out our breakdown of the best observation decks in NYC here.
5- Governor’s Island (Free)
While there aren’t loads of things to do on Governor’s Island, it is a beautiful spot that offers amazing views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan’s lower skyline. Even the views from the ferry are iconic!
Plus, the ferry is free on weekends until 10:30 am. Getting back from Governor’s Island to Manhattan is always “free”.
We’d recommend checking out a Citi Bike and cruising around the island, especially to where you can see the Statue of Liberty.
Cost: Free if you take the ferry out before 10:30 am on weekends.
Get all the info on the ferry and what to do on Governor’s Island here.
6- Brooklyn Bridge Park & Brooklyn Heights Promenade (Free)
Near the water in Dumbo is the Brooklyn Bridge Park. The park boasts phenomenal views of downtown Manhattan!
It’s a great spot to take in the ambiance of New York City, enjoy the waterfront, read a book, or walk with a friend.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park also has a full schedule of free activities and events.
Nearby is the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, which offers slightly elevated views on a tree-lined walkway.
7- Newport Green Park (Free)
Newport Green Park isn’t in New York City, but right across the Hudson River in New Jersey.
Roughly parallel to the West Village, Newport Green Park provides stunning views of downtown Manhattan and the Midtown skyline.
This 4-acre park includes a sandy beach, play area, and special events throughout the year. You can take the PATH train across the Hudson for $3.
Cost: Free, once you get to the New Jersey side of the Hudson.
You’ll Have to Check It Out Segment – Russian Vodka Room
The best restaurants pick a vibe, capture it, and stick to it. The Russian Vodka Room in Midtown is simple, authentic, and true to its vibe. 🇷🇺
Funky lighting and decor, friendly staff, and delicious dishes at various price points complement frequent live music during most evenings.
The best part? Their daily happy hour from 4-7 pm includes their vast array of flavored vodkas for only $7.
You can try pomegranate, raspberry, and even horseradish-infused vodkas. 👇
Check out the Russian Vodka Room in Midtown here.
8- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Paid)
New York City’s best views aren’t just skyscrapers and expansive cityscapes. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a 52-acre space featuring cherry blossoms, rose gardens, Japanese gardens, and much more.
What’s in bloom will depend on the time of year, but there are some views here that will take your breath away!
And don’t miss the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, it’s like being transported to Kyoto.
Cost: $22 per ticket, but NY residents can get in for free via Culture Pass.
9- Times Square at Night
Times Square is one of the most iconic landmarks in New York City, and for good reason.
The first time you step out of the Times Square subway at night and into the flood of bright lights, screens, and energy, it can be awe-inspiring.
It truly is a spectacle you must experience during a visit to NYC.
After that? We recommend getting out and exploring somewhere nearby, like Hell’s Kitchen.
Cost: Completely free to walk around and explore.
10- Flying In & Out of LGA (Paid, Duh)
While we believe La Guardia is the best airport in New York City for many reasons, one of those reasons is the epic views you get at takeoff and landing.
Its location lends itself to unparalleled views of the expansive New York City skyline. Just make sure you have a window seat. 🤪
Cost: You’ll likely pay for any flight into NYC, so all things equal, choose LGA.
11- Beaches (Free)
Rarely do travelers think of lying on the beach when planning their New York City adventures, but the city has some top-notch beachfront areas in the summer.
The best part? Most of the best NYC beaches are accessible via public transportation.
Popular beaches in the summer include Coney Island Beach, Long Beach, Rockaway Beach, and Orchard Beach.
Cost: Free in most cases.
Explore great beach options in NYC here.
12- Biking or Walking Down the Hudson River Parkway (Free-ish)
The Hudson River Parkway is one of our favorite spots in all of New York City.
On the far west side of Manhattan, along the water, is a picturesque walkway and bike path with unbeatable views of the Hudson River and the surrounding city.
You can pop over to walk for 10-15 minutes, or even snag a Citi Bike up near Midtown and follow the trail all the way downtown to the Financial District.
Cost: Free to walk, paid to rent Citi Bikes.
13- Little Island & Top of Pier 57 (Free)
During your exploration of the Hudson River Park, you may stumble upon a unique, on-the-water park, Little Island.
This landscaped oasis provides beautiful views of downtown Manhattan, and you’re literally on top of the Hudson River.
Right next door, you’ll find Pier 57 with its food hall and rooftop park.
Both of these are some of the best views in New York City, especially since they’re free!
Cost: Free to explore.
14- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir (Free)
While similar-ish to the Great Lawn mentioned in this article, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park has unobstructed views of ALL sides of the skyline that surrounds Central Park.
What I love most about the reservoir is that it is typically pretty quiet and serene. Other bodies of water in Central Park (like The Lake) are often crowded, noisy, and busy. The reservoir is a bit more secluded and typically lends itself to some peaceful moments.
It can be a really romantic spot to just chat, listen to some music, or go for a stroll. It also has a 1.58-mile track that is perfect for joggers or an evening stroll to catch a sunset.
The views are unbeatable!
Cost: Free.
15- Any Ferry – Sound View, Staten Island, Rockaway Beach (Paid & Free)
One of the easiest ways to get amazing views of New York City is to get out on the water near the city.
While there are plenty of paid boat tour options, which can be worth the money, there are also loads of free or cheap ferries that provide transport around the city on the water.
Some of the best ferry options for New York City views are:
- Sound View Ferry ($4.50)
- Rockaway Beach Ferry ($4.50)
- Staten Island Ferry (Free)
While other ferries are available, these offer some of the best views.
The Staten Island Ferry offers relatively close views of the Statue of Liberty, and it’s completely free! Don’t fall into the tourist trap of paying for the Staten Island Ferry…
Cost: Paid & free.
Learn more about the ferry options in New York City here.
Best Views in NYC Recap
New York City is home to phenomenal, unmatched views of skylines and cityscapes. And if you dig a little deeper, you’ll also find epic gardens, waterfronts, and more.
As a recap, here are the best views in NYC:
- The Great Lawn
- MET Cloisters Garden
- Top of Forest Hills Stadium
- The Edge Observation Deck (or any observation deck)
- Governor’s Island
- Brooklyn Bridge Park & Brooklyn Heights Promenade
- Newport Green Park
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Times Square at Night
- Flying In or Out of LGA
- Beaches
- Biking Down the Hudson River Parkway
- Little Island & Top of Pier 57
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
- Any Ferry – Sound View, Staten Island, Rockaway Beach
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Devin Stagg
As long-time lovers of New York City we made the plunge to move across the country to NYC in early 2021... with our 3 dogs at the time (RIP Buddy). We consider ourself experts in exploring new restaurants, finding the best-rated bars, and activities actually worth doing. Plus, my Google Maps organizational skills are 2nd to none. 😜
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