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The muse of writers, poets, photographers and filmmakers, almost every glimpse of New York is iconic. The magnificence of its unparalleled skyline can only be fully appreciated when elevated above ground level. The upper floors of most of the city’s skyscrapers, apartment buildings and hotels are the preserve of the privileged few. Thankfully, however, the public is blessed with access to the very best views in town. Here’s our guide to the top five vantage points in New York.

Helicopter Ride

New York’s spectacular cityscape is undoubtedly best viewed without your feet on the ground. A 15-minute flight over Manhattan promises a truly unique and memorable perspective of the city. From about $150pp for 15 minutes with Liberty Helicopters.

Top of the Rock

Rockefeller Center is a Manhattan institution. The Observation Deck – situated on top of the 70-story Art Deco skyscraper – arguably possesses the best panoramic views of the city, not least because the Empire State building is part of them (Adult $25 / Child (6-12) $16)..

Roosevelt Island Tramway

Okay, so half the view from the Roosevelt Tramway comprises an extreme close-up of the Queensboro Bridge. Looking north, however, passengers can capture privileged views of Manhattan’s East Side, Queens and Roosevelt Island – all for the price of a subway ride (one Metrocard ride).

The Highline

Above streets, yet below the roofs of neighboring buildings, wind your way through Manhattan’s West Side. Today a mix of idiosyncratic walkways and gardens, New York’s newest public park is a conversion of a historic elevated rail freight line (free entry).

Empire State Building Observatory

The observatories on the Empire State Building’s 86th and 102nd floors are undoubtedly the most famous and romantic of New York’s vantage points. Make like King Kong and ascend for 360-degree views of the world’s most famous skyline (Main Deck and Top Deck: Adult $37 / Child (6-12) $31).

Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…

(Images: Helicopter Ride – Liberty Helicopters, Top of the Rock – Tishman Speyer / Bart Barlow, Roosevelt Island Tramway – Silveira Neto, Empire State Building – mbshane)

About the author

Brett AckroydBrett hopes to one day reach the shores of far-flung Tristan da Cunha, the most remote of all the inhabited archipelagos on Earth…as to what he’ll do when he gets there, he hasn’t a clue. Over the last 10 years, London, New York, Cape Town and Pondicherry have all proudly been referred to as home. Now it’s Copenhagen’s turn, where he lends his travel expertise to momondo.com.

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