There’s something magical about a summer evening on Manhattan’s Upper West Side – the way the light glows against the prewar buildings, the hum of locals out for their evening strolls, and above all, the golden hour spectacle of the sun setting over the Hudson River.
Whether you’re a visitor looking for a quiet moment or a romantic evening walk, the UWS offers some of the best sunset spots in NYC.
We’re highlighting some of the most scenic places to enjoy a sunset in NYC.
A quick five-minute walk from The Wallace Hotel takes you to Riverside Park, a 4-mile stretch of greenway that hugs the Hudson River from 59th to 158th Streets. The park offers unobstructed views of the sunset in NYC, with hues of orange, lavender, and pink bouncing off the water and distant silhouettes of New Jersey’s Palisades.
Start your walk at 76th Street and meander down to the waterfront paths. Benches along the way make it easy to pause and soak in the view. The Cherry Walk section between 72nd and 125th Streets is especially lovely in the warmer months, while the 79th Street Boat Basin gives you a slightly elevated perspective perfect for photos.
Treat yourself to an ice cream cone from a street vendor and settle in on a bench just before sunset. It’s a quiet, reflective end to a day in the city.
Walk a little farther south through Riverside Park and you’ll find Pier I at 70th Street, one of the best sunset spots in NYC. This long wooden pier juts into the Hudson and provides panoramic views with just enough distance from the city bustle to feel serene.
At only a 10-minute walk from The Wallace Hotel, Pier I is ideal for early evening strolls, especially in the summer when outdoor concerts and events occasionally pop up nearby. For a casual pre-sunset dinner, Pier I Café (open seasonally) offers light bites and drinks with a waterfront view.
Bring a light jacket, especially in the spring or fall—cool breezes off the river can roll in just as the sun dips below the horizon.
Perched at 89th Street and Riverside Drive, just a 20-minute walk from The Wallace, this spot offers a unique blend of history and scenery. The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument honors Union Army soldiers and sailors from the Civil War, but it’s the elevated terrace behind it that draws locals in the evenings.
This often-overlooked jewel offers sweeping westward views and a peaceful setting beneath mature trees. Fewer crowds make it feel like a private lookout point, perfect for a quiet moment or a romantic pause during your evening walk.
While most sunset seekers head west, Central Park’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir offers a different but equally beautiful sunset in NYC. About a 25-minute walk from The Wallace Hotel, the 1.58-mile running track around the reservoir gives 360-degree views of the city skyline and dramatic skies.
In the evenings, the sun sets behind the buildings on the west side, casting a golden hue over the water. For an especially scenic shot, stand near the East Side of the reservoir around 86th Street and look west. It’s one of the best sunset spots in NYC if you're hoping to photograph the skyline bathed in amber light.
The Hudson River Greenway is one of the longest continuous waterfront paths in NYC, and the entrance at 72nd Street, just an 8-minute walk from The Wallace Hotel, offers one of the more peaceful sections for watching the sunset. Joggers and cyclists pass by, but the west-facing benches here are often open and quiet in the early evening.
This is a great spot if you’re looking to simply sit and unwind after a day of sightseeing. Watch the sky shift through a spectrum of pastels while river traffic floats by and the breeze cools the pavement.
Watching the sunset in NYC isn’t just a photo-worthy moment—it’s a chance to slow down, appreciate your surroundings, and experience a different pace of city life. The Upper West Side, with its leafy streets and riverside paths, is an ideal neighborhood for evening walks that lead to stunning views.
Whether you’re gazing over the Hudson from Pier I, admiring the skyline across Central Park’s Reservoir, or taking in the quiet grandeur of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, you’ll find that sunset in NYC is best enjoyed when you’re within walking distance of it all.
Make your golden hour even more special by booking a stay at The Wallace Hotel, ideally located amidst the charming and vibrant core of the UWS. With luxurious rooms and proximity to the best sunset spots in NYC, it’s the ideal home base for soaking in the city at its most beautiful.