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The biggest celebrity sighting in NYC this week? The sun.
The twice-yearly solar spectacle known as Manhattanhenge returns Wednesday, May 28 and Thursday, May 29. On these days, the setting sun aligns just so with the Manhattan street grid, creating an Instagram-perfect glow that slices through the city’s skyscraper canyons. Wednesday night features a “half sun” at 8:13 pm, and Thursday delivers the full solar showstopper at 8:12 pm.
But good news for outer borough dwellers: you don’t need to be elbowing tourists on 42nd Street to get the full Manhattanhenge experience. “You want to be as far east as you can get,” Dr. Jackie Faherty, astronomer at the American Museum of Natural History, told the New York Post. That means Queens, Brooklyn and even Randall’s Island offer top-tier vantage points, without the Midtown mayhem.
Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City is the only outer-borough spot officially endorsed by NYC Parks for Manhattanhenge. Its waterfront perch gives crystal-clear views—and bonus points for East River reflections. A bit north, Gantry Plaza State Park is Dr. Faherty’s personal fave: “It’s got a really good long view,” she told the Post. Want even more drama? Head to the pedestrian path on the Queensboro Bridge for panoramic views over the river and the Manhattan skyline.
Brooklynites don’t have a ton of ideal spots, but Greenpoint scrapes into the viewing zone. Find a west-facing street or rooftop view north of 59th and south of 110th, and you’re golden—literally.
While it's technically still Manhattan, Roosevelt Island’s southern tip at Four Freedoms Park offers a centered perspective on the phenomenon, and you can even catch it from the iconic tram. Over on Randall’s Island, head to the ballfields for unobstructed views minus the skyscraper squeeze.
And even if you are stuck in Manhattan for the sighting, you don’t have to battle the crowds. With more than 150 crosstown streets in Manhattan, you can seek out your own secret spot to frame the sun. So whether you're in Queens, Brooklyn or somewhere in between, cue up your sunset playlist and grab your camera. The solar party is on, and everyone’s invited!