Six of the best: New

Globe hopping 16 / Six of the best...

New York viewpoints

Whether it’s admired from over 1,000 feet or the ground, New York City’s skyline never fails to impress. April Waterston reveals the city’s best vantage spots

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Based in the One Vanderbilt building, the SUMMIT is as close to touching the clouds as most of us will ever reach. Mirror-lined rooms at over 1,000 feet infinitely reflect the iconic skyline, and art installations by Yayoi Kusama and Kenzo Digital make the SUMMIT one of the most immersive ways to take in the city views. Stick around after for a drink at the rooftop bar, APRÈS. summitov.com

The High Line

Recommend a meander through the Meatpacking District on this repurposed elevated rail line. You will catch a glimpse of various sightlines, juxtaposed against Piet Oudolf’s expertly-curated selection of grasses, flowers and trees – all chosen to encourage birds and insects to flourish. If it weren’t for the surrounding skyscrapers, it would be easy to forget you are still in the city. thehighline.org

Empire State Building

An icon on the city skyline, the Empire State Building is a must on any New York City itinerary. Shortly before COVID hit, the attraction benefited from an extensive redevelopment, reviving the observatory and adding new interactive exhibits. Visitors can now uncover the building’s rich history, and take a selfie with King Kong on their way up to the 102nd floor. What more could you want? esbnyc.com

Edge

Not for the fainthearted, Edge is the viewing deck of choice for adrenaline junkies. If leaning against the angled glass walls and peering down to the streets 1,100 feet below isn’t scary enough, the bravest of visitors can scale the crown of the building with City Climb – the highest open-air building ascent in the world. A tipple at the Champagne Bar, or another of Hudson Yard’s eateries, is surely a must after that! edgenyc.com

Central Park

Maybe a romantic trope (but enjoyable all the same!), a horse carriage ride through Central Park proves both relaxing and educational. Expert drivers are keen to point out the buildings lining the park, from The Plaza and the Guggenheim to John Lennon’s final abode. With a perimeter of six miles, it’s a lot to cover by foot. The horses are well looked after too, with regular holidays in the countryside. nychorsecarriageride.com

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Take a breather and enjoy a waterfront picnic lunch in Brooklyn Bridge Park along the East River. Soak in the downtown NYC skyline and the mile-long neo-Gothic bridge with a takeaway Maine-style lobster roll from Luke’s Lobster, based just under the bridge. Burn off lunch with a cycle, roller skate or even take to the water with a kayak for a completely different perspective. brooklynbridgepark.org