Nothing quite matches the feeling you get in your chest when you see the New York City skyline.
And though you’ve surely viewed it from many different angles, whether an observation deck, rooftop or driving in from one of the bridges, you may not know that one of the best spots to take it in is in a Queens park (at least for views of the East Side!)
The 12-acre Gantry Plaza State Park, located on the waterfront of Long Island City, is a beautifully landscaped public space with breathtaking views of Manhattan.
Bonus: see our full list of 10 Best Waterfront Parks In NYC With Amazing Views.
It’s also where the giant Pepsi-Cola sign is located, if you’ve seen it from the other side before!
The Park was created in 1998 and was restored from a former industrial loading site. In fact, you can still see gantries in the Park — and of course is where the name of the Park comes from — which were once used to load and unload rail car floats and barges (and then cargo was often ferried to Manhattan).
There are four piers, manicured gardens, a unique mist fountain, and of course, incredible views. It’s one of the best shots of the Midtown Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building and the United Nations building.
Our favorite feature is the copious lounge chairs along the riverside walk, the perfect spot for kicking up your feet on a beautiful day (or to see the city lit up at night).
There are playgrounds (the Tot Lot Playground), playing fields, and adult and kid basketball courts and handball courts. There’s also a fishing pier with its own cleaning table.
Find Gantry Plaza State Park at 4-09 47th Road. You can easily get there by taking the 7 train from 5th Ave, Grand Central, Times Square, etc. It’s only a few stops away!