9 Selfie-Worthy Views Of NYC Skyline
What's a trip to the Big Apple without a photo of its iconic skyline? Check our guide to some of the best views you can get while at Interop New York.
![](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt69509c9116440be8/bltde491a6eea20f73a/64cb56f0e2a1d804293b55f9/New-York-City-Skyline.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Manhattan's skyline ranks near the Grand Canyon and Old Faithful as an iconic image of America. Majestic in the daylight, it can be magical at night when "the city that never sleeps" lives up to its nickname and glows through the evening. When you come to New York, though, you may find that catching one of the trademark views can be challenging unless you know where to go. That's where we come in.
There are a number of ways to scratch your scenic itch and find a view worth whipping out your smartphone. We found nine selfie-worthy spots where you can go and take in the kind of view that just isn't available anywhere else. On our list you'll find places to eat, places to drink, two very moving locations, and two that are out of town. Each has something to recommend, but the list in its entirety comes with a caution: If you try to hit each and every one of these spots you might not have time to attend Interop New York. You have been warned.
First up on our list is your trip into the city. If you're flying into LaGuardia, you should abandon your standard aisle-seat practice and choose a window seat on the higher end of the alphabet. That should put you on the port side of the plane heading in and, assuming the weather cooperates just a little bit, provide you with an outstanding view of the city as you head toward your carrier-like landing in Queens. LaGuardia's location makes it the perfect airport for city watching on approach: Kennedy has its fans for modern convenience and international connections, but the city views when you're coming in from the rest of the continental US just can't compare with those of its northern neighbor.
Once you're on the ground, you can really get busy filling your skyline-viewing dance card. If you come in a day early (or stay a day after the conference), a small park across the East River could be your perfect choice. You also should check our list when setting up business meetings and dinners: There are choices here that will provide superb opportunities for business networking while allowing you to bask in the glow of city lights and colleague compliments on your ability to choose great locations for drinks.
With all our expertise, we know that it's a big city: What's your favorite spot for catching views of Manhattan? Take to the comments and let us know -- this list, like New York City, can simply keep getting bigger and better.
In its ninth year, Interop New York (Sept. 29 to Oct. 3) is the premier event for the Northeast IT market. Strongly represented vertical industries include financial services, government, and education. Join more than 5,000 attendees to learn about IT leadership, cloud, collaboration, infrastructure, mobility, risk management and security, and SDN, as well as explore 125 exhibitors' offerings. Register with Discount Code MPIWK to save $200 off Total Access & Conference Passes.
Once upon a time the meatpacking district of Manhattan was a place to be avoided unless you needed a side of beef. Today, the beef is still there, but it tends to come in much smaller portions on plates in trendy restaurants. Before you head to one of those restaurants, though, you might want to stop by the Plunge Bar + Lounge at the top of the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC hotel.
Plunge provides a wraparound view of New York City and is a prime location for watching the sun set over the Hudson River. If you decide to arrive after sundown, Plunge can still help you out with "American Bistro-styled dishes" and entertainment that stretches deep into the night.
Plunge Bar + Lounge
Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
18 Ninth Ave, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212.206.6700 or 877.426.7386
gansevoorthotelgroup.com/hotels/gansevoort-meatpacking-nyc
On top of the James New York -- Soho is a rooftop with quite a view. The scene from the upscale lounge features a 360-degree view of the Manhattan skyline. More than just a bar, the roof also has a private rooftop pool featuring teakwood decking and outdoor showers, since you never know when you're going to need to shower surrounded by scores of incredibly tall buildings.
The Soho rooftop bar, Jimmy, is a 70s-informed classic pub seen through a thoroughly modern set of eyes. Wood, brick, upholstery, and working fireplaces are all there helping you to mellow out and enjoy the view. Those who make the trip to the top of the James will find well-made drinks and a view of Midtown, Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge, and beyond.
The James New York -- Soho
27 Grand St., New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212.465.2000
jameshotels.com/new-york
Situated off the southern tip of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty is an iconic piece of the New York City skyline. It's also, as it turns out, a superb place from which to view the rest of the skyline. You'll need to make reservations ahead of time, but that will allow you to walk up the 377 steps to the crown of Lady Liberty. Cardio and a great view -- what's not to like?
There are conditions on your climb: You can take a single camera and lens and practically nothing else. Fortunately, lockers are available to safely store the rest of your stuff at ground level. The Statue of Liberty is one of those "bucket list" visits: Go ahead and take in some very inspiring sights. Statue Cruises is the only way you can make a reservation to climb to the crown, so click the link or call 1.877-LADYTIX (877-523-9849), then get ready to see the New York skyline in a manner that might leave you as thoughtful as inspired.
Statue of Liberty National Monument
nps.gov/stli/index.htm
The problem with most of the places on this list is that they're, well, places. That means they stick to a single location pretty much all of the time. The view is going to be great, but there won't be a lot of variation in the view from moment to moment (or from one visit to another). That source of potential boredom isn't an issue with the Best of NYC Cruise since it takes you all the way around the island of Manhattan during its two-and-a-half hours afloat.
The days leading up to Interop NY should be just about perfect for enjoying a smooth voyage and great views of the New York skyline, as well as sections of the island that don't usually make the tourist highlight reels. You'll spend $40 on the trip, but if you do the math you'll find that it's about as frugal a way to legally pass the time as you're likely to find on a trip to New York City.
Circle Line Cruises
Best of NYC Cruise
Pier 83, West 42nd Street, NY, NY 10036
Phone: 212.563.3200
circleline42.com/new-york-cruises/home.aspx
If two-and-a-half hours seem more than you can invest in nautical sightseeing, you still have a great option for getting out on the bounding waves and seeing the New York skyline. The Staten Island Ferry takes just 25 minutes to travel roughly five miles between the southern end of Manhattan and Staten Island. During those minutes you'll have a great view as you look north along the island.
The price of the ticket is a solid match for the view: The Staten Island Ferry is free. Let me repeat that in case you lost consciousness during the last sentence: The Staten Island Ferry is free. Show up and ride without slipping the captain a five.
The Staten Island Ferry
Departs Manhattan at Whitehall Terminal Manhattan (also known as South Ferry)
4 South Street, New York, New York 10004
siferry.com
Sometimes it's important to get a little distance on a subject in order to gain some perspective. If that distance is off to the west of Manhattan, then Port Imperial, a planned development in Weehawken, N.J., could be the perfect place to go. The ferry ride from the 34th Street Terminal takes only seven minutes, and it's likely that your ideas about New Jersey don't include a place like Port Imperial.
One of the best ways to see the New York skyline from Port Imperial is to choose one of the restaurants that sit along the waterfront along Port Imperial Boulevard. If you're missing Miami (hey, work with me, here), you might try Son Cubano, a restaurant with reasonable TripAdvisor reviews and spectacular views of the city. Enjoy your ropa vieja and a nice flan, then take the ferry back across the Hudson in time to head to one of the rooftop bars in this list for a nightcap.
Port Imperial, N.J.
Son Cubano
40-4 Riverwalk Place, West New York, NJ 07093
Phone: 201.399.2020
soncubanonj.com
When you need a little distance but you don't want to change states, then Long Island City can be the perfect place to gain a little perspective on (and a ton of great views of) Manhattan. The westernmost tip of Queens, Long Island City is full of restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, and people much, much hipper than you.
Before you head over to Queens you can try reading what the folks at TimeOut New York have to say about the place. If you've got a little time during the day, take the 7 Subway to Vernon Blvd-Jackson Ave, and walk to the Gantry Plaza State Park. That's right, a 12-acre pocket state park just across the East River from Manhattan. Sit, breathe, and look at the city across the river. It's a good thing to do.
Gantry Plaza State Park
4-09 47th Road, Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: 718.786.6385
nysparks.com/parks/149/details.aspx
Ink48 is a Hell's Kitchen hotel in a building that once housed a printing company, hence the name. A Kimpton hotel, Ink48 is the perfect place to stay if you want to bring your pet with you: Kimpton is perhaps the most pet-friendly hotel chain in the nation -- they'll even provide a goldfish if you find yourself missing your animal companion too much.
If it's human companionship and lovely views that you miss, then the Press Lounge, Ink48's rooftop bar, is the place to go. Decorated in the same contemporary style as the rest of the hotel, the Press Lounge is happy to let views of Manhattan and the Hudson River take care of most of the visual fireworks. Seriously, though, with a good libation, a light bite, and some pleasant conversation, the Press Lounge could be the perfect spot to ease the transition from show floor to evening activities.
The Press Lounge
Ink48 Hotel
653 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212.757.2224
ink48.com
Ink48 is a Hell's Kitchen hotel in a building that once housed a printing company, hence the name. A Kimpton hotel, Ink48 is the perfect place to stay if you want to bring your pet with you: Kimpton is perhaps the most pet-friendly hotel chain in the nation -- they'll even provide a goldfish if you find yourself missing your animal companion too much.
If it's human companionship and lovely views that you miss, then the Press Lounge, Ink48's rooftop bar, is the place to go. Decorated in the same contemporary style as the rest of the hotel, the Press Lounge is happy to let views of Manhattan and the Hudson River take care of most of the visual fireworks. Seriously, though, with a good libation, a light bite, and some pleasant conversation, the Press Lounge could be the perfect spot to ease the transition from show floor to evening activities.
The Press Lounge
Ink48 Hotel
653 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212.757.2224
ink48.com
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