New York City has one of the most beautiful and iconic skylines in the world, thanks to all of the tall and unique buildings on the island of Manhattan.
But of course, you can’t photograph the full skyline while on the island — you have to travel outside of Manhattan to do it.
While there are many spots to photograph the skyline, I feel one place is much better than all of the rest to do it, and in this article I’ll explain where that is and why.
So Where Is It?
The best spot to photograph the skyline is found in Long Island City, Queens. Specifically in Gantry State Plaza Park. Not only is it a nice place to hang out, it also offers a great unobstructed view of the skyline.
Not only can you see the Empire State building from there, but you can also see the Chrysler Building, the United Nations building, and even One World Trade Center. You’ll need a very wide angle lens (or your cellphone) to fit all of it into one shot, or you could go with a normal lens and shoot segments of the skyline instead.
At night the view is spectacular. Try to time your visit to coincide with the sunset. As the sun sets, watch as the buildings begin to light up. The Empire State Building will dominate the night sky as usual, and you’ll also get wonderful reflections on the water.
How Do I Get There?
This is part of what makes it a great spot — it’s very easy to get to. Just go to Grand Central Station and take the 7 train one stop to Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue. It’s like a ten minute ride on the subway. Once you get off the subway at Vernon Boulevard, you’ll have to walk west for a few blocks to get to Gantry State Plaza Park, but it’s a nice walk through a lovely revitalized neighborhood.
In the warmer weather the park itself offers concession stands, beach volleyball, a large field where children play and practice games like soccer, and many places just to sit and relax. There are also nearby bars and restaurants. You can make a day or evening of it.
If you’re visiting New York City and want to get a great shot of the skyline without a lot of hassle, hopping on the train to Long Island City and walking to Gantry State Plaza Park is your best bet. Do you have a favorite spot to shoot the skyline? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram.