10 Most Amazing Viewpoints in New York

The Statue of Liberty is among the most iconic sites in New York City and offers the chance to capture a truly unique view of the city and surrounding harbor. Over the years, the statue has been under restoration and closed for various reasons, so check ahead if you'd like to access the crown and viewing deck. Even if you can't climb up into the statue, however, the pedestal, the museum, the island itself, and even the ferry offer fantastic views of the iconic NYC skyline.

While you're here, check out the Statue of Liberty Museum to learn all about the statue and the role of Liberty Island and Ellis Island in the nation's history. It's about 30 minutes off the shore of Manhattan.

The Empire State Building offers one of the most famous observation decks in the city, delivering awe-inspiring views of the city skyline from the very heart of downtown. The trip to get here can get crowded, as thousands of people journey here every day for the wild-eyed romance of this viewing deck that absolutely lives up to the hype. For the lower deck, you'll ride up 86 stories to experience an open-air view of downtown Manhattan from one of the world's most recognizable buildings.

You can get an upgraded ticket to go even higher, to a 102nd-story observation deck that has even greater views and fewer crowds. The Empire State Building is right in the heart of downtown.

There are 2 reasons the Brooklyn Bridge is known as one of the city's best viewpoints: the view of the harbor and city from the bridge, and views of the bridge from Brooklyn Park. The bridge was built in the 19th century, and its engineering was the height of progress for its day. Even today it's a sight to behold. The bridge offers a walking path from which you can see expansive views of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the harbor. The 1.1-mile walk is especially spectacular at sunrise when the sun reflects off the metal and water below.

The park lets you capture photos of the bridge and is also worth a trip. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn and south Manhattan.

The High Line is a public park that's something of a hidden gem among viewpoints, offering a walk across abandoned, elevated train tracks through Lower and Midtown Manhattan. As you walk the tracks of this former railway-turned-park, you'll pass through the Meatpacking District, now a thriving shopping and dining area; the historic Chelsea neighborhood; and a vibrant mixture of historic architecture juxtaposed with brand-new developments. The High Line draws millions of visitors annually but remains one of the lesser-known photo spots in the city.

Come here during spring and summer when the multicolored flowers bloom next to public art installations. It's only about 15 minutes north of central downtown.

The Top of the Rock Observation Deck lets you catch open-air views of the city from the rooftop of one of the world's most famous television studios. You can climb to the top of 30 Rockefeller Center, 70 stories in the air, and capture views of landmark skyscrapers as well as look down upon Central Park. If you want a view that rivals that of the Empire State Building and lets you photograph that building, the Top of the Rock can make that happen.

In addition, you can buy tickets to tour 30 Rock itself and see the spots where famous TV shows like "The Tonight Show" have been filmed. 30 Rock is located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

One World Observatory offers you the chance to reach the top of one of New York's tallest skyscrapers, with breathtaking views of the city from 102 stories up. Also called the Freedom Tower, One World Trade Center is the heart of the rebuilt World Trade Center Complex. At the top you'll find the See Forever Theater, which offers a multimedia presentation, interactive displays, and activities showcasing the city's history and culture. The Sky Portal offers a glass floor that makes you feel like you're floating 100 stories in the air.

If there's one word to describe the wealth of experiences and views here, it's "epic." It's right in the heart of downtown Manhattan.

The Manhattan Bridge is a lesser-known viewpoint that offers 2 unique and interesting photo opportunities of different sections of New York City. The first is a fantastic view of Chinatown at one end of the bridge, and the second is an incredible view of the Dumbo neighborhood from the other end. The Dumbo is especially buzzing on the first Thursday of every month, as the neighborhood hosts art events, and you can enjoy everything from gallery openings to a thriving dining and nightlife scene.

One of the best things about this view is that despite having been used in movies and postcards, it's not well known. That means fewer crowds to worry about as you enjoy the view.

The Edge Observation Deck lets you ascend an architectural wonder to capture views from one of the Western Hemisphere's highest outdoor sky decks with a truly unique design. From the suspended observation deck jutting 65 feet out from the building, you'll feel like you're floating in the sky with panoramic views of the city. You'll also capture an awesome vantage point of people walking the street a full 1,100 feet below the deck from a see-through glass floor.

The sheer nature of this deck isn't for the faint of heart, but if you can handle the heights, it's a sight you're not likely to forget. It's just 17 minutes north of central downtown.

Gantry Plaza State Park along the East River in Long Island City offers 12 acres of green space with spectacular Midtown Manhattan skyline views. The photo opportunities here are especially stunning at sunset, when the sky turns a brilliant kaleidoscope of pink, orange, and yellow behind the city towers, and the lights of New York twinkle to life within the buildings. From here you'll see the Manhattan skyline including the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and the United Nations building as well as other iconic structures that rise behind the flowing East River dotted with boats.

This park area is a wonderful place to escape the crowds and catch unique views. It's 20 minutes north of downtown Manhattan.

Summit One Vanderbilt is one of NYC's highest vantage points, as it sits atop a 1,401-foot-high tower where you can enjoy an immersive journey and stunning views. To reach the viewpoint, you'll pass through a mirrored hallway with interactive and immersive displays, then ride an elevator to the 91st floor. The "Air" infinity room reflects the city, streets, and skies over and over, making the immersion into NYC's surroundings go on endlessly. The deck spans 2 stories, offering a vast space to enjoy your endlessly repeating reflection.

If you're looking for a spot to capture a photograph that will stun social media viewers, snap one of yourself going on into infinity. It's just 20 minutes north of central downtown.