Sunday was the first day of daylight savings time and the official beginning of the end of our winter doldrums. Tonight, the sun won’t set until 6:59 pm, people, and nothing, but nothing makes us happier than that extra hour of sunshine. Those 60 sun-filled minutes means that we have more time to get to a place where we can enjoy a good sunset. Sunset at 4:30 in the afternoon? No thank you. It’s kind of hard to get in the mood for a night on the town when it’s even too early for an early bird special with grandma, for God’s sake.
Check out a few places where we plan to take in the view:
The Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Plaza offers 360 degree views of every corner of Manhattan. The Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Central Park and downtown skyscrapers are all included in the price of admission. Head to the tippy-top–the 70th floor–to get the grandest vistas. Tickets cost $36 for adults, $34 for seniors and $30 for kids 6 to 12. (Be aware that visiting at sunset tacks on another $5 per ticket.) The good news? Visitors can take their time to really savor the scene. Whatever you do, don’t forget your camera! (There will be people who will offer to take your picture but they aren’t cheap; your iPhone can do just as good a job.)
The 102nd floor of the Empire State Building boasts of views up to 80 miles away on a clear day. Visitors can make like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in the iconic film Sleepless in Seattle or Will Ferrell in Elf. Or even King Kong if the mood should strike you. (You won’t get any judgment here.) Tickets to the 86th floor are available online and cost $38 for adults, $36 for seniors and $32 for kids. Once you arrive on the 86th floor you can purchase an add-on ticket that gets you to the 102nd Floor Observatory. Our advice? See if you get your fill not he 86th Floor…you may not have to shell out the extra bucks.
The Top of the Standard in the Standard Hotel on the High Line will provide a stunning panorama for the cost of an admittedly expensive cocktail. True, you’re only on the 18th floor, but the views are amazing nonetheless. Unless you relish the nightlife, get out of there pronto post-sunset, when the place will fill up with clubbers.
But you know what? You don’t have to spend a dime to catch a great sunset. Step outside of the Standard onto the High Line. Stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge or spread out a blanket in the Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo. Hop onto the Staten Island Ferry. Valentino Pier in Brooklyn, North Cove in Battery Park, Astoria Park in Queens….all these locations offer a New York City sunset, one like no other.
Image via Matheus Otero/Flickr
