You’ve seen the sunset crowds of Manhattanhenge, when the rising sun aligns perfectly with the Manhattan street grid, but its lesser-known, equally magical twin is about to take center stage. Reverse Manhattanhenge–the sunrise version of NYC’s most photogenic event–is occurring this weekend.
Long before skyscrapers, ancient monuments marked the movement of the sun. Today, our skyline does the same, sending New Yorkers wandering into intersections, phones raised, like beautifully caffeinated zombies. Reverse Manhattanhenge is your cue to set an early alarm, grab your camera, and catch one of the city’s most quietly jaw-dropping moment.
Here’s everything you need to know:
What is Reverse Manhattanhenge?
Opposite of Manhattanhenge–which occurs when the sun sets on the Manhattan grid’s horizon and the rays shine through major cross streets from west to east–a Reverse Manhattanhenge happens during sunrise.
The American Museum of Natural History notes that the sun actually only rises due east and sets due west twice per year–on the spring and autumn equinoxes. Since Manhattan’s street grid is rotated 30º east from geographic north, though, it’s not perfectly aligned with the geographic north-south line.
Thus, the spectacle does not occur on the equinoxes (but it does still occur twice a year!).
When to See Reverse Manhattanhenge 2026?
For the first event of 2026, set your alarms for:
- Sunday, January 11: ~7:15 AM
- Monday, January 12: ~7:15 AM
As of now, AccuWeather is forecasting cloudy skies for Sunday morning, which could throw a wrench in your viewing–and photographing–plans. Thankfully, Monday is set to be mostly sunny, so that may be your better chance to catch the spectacle!
Our advice: keep an eye on your weather app.
Best Viewing Locations
In order to get the best Reverse Manhattanhenge views in the city, New Yorkers should make their way toward a sidewalk on a major Manhattan cross street that runs from west to east.
Keep in mind that you’ll want unobstructed views in order to get the full experience. Here are some go-to spots to bookmark. (FYI, you’ll want to get there early–you certainly won’t be the only one heading over!):
- 57th Street
- 42nd Street
- 34th Street
- 23rd Street
- 14th Street
- Tudor City Overpass, Manhattan
- Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City
In general, the views for Reverse Manhattanhenge improve as you move farther west. Pro tip: the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building make 34th and 42nd streets especially picturesque!
How rare is Reverse Manhattanhenge?
Considering the event only takes place twice per year, we’d say it’s pretty rare—especially considering it only lasts a few moments! Other cities have a similar experience, including:
- Chicagohenge
- Baltimorehenge
- Phillyhenge
- Bostonhenge
- Torontohenge
- Montrealhenge
Each city experiences its own “henge” at different points throughout the year–but as for those of us who are staying local, prepare yourself for this weekend!
Tips for photographing Reverse Manhattanhenge
If you’re planning to be one of the thousands of New Yorkers taking to the city streets to catch the stunning phenomenon, here are some tips for photographing:
- Arrive early and make sure you’re ready–it only lasts for a few minutes!
- Use portrait mode–on many phones, this helps capture the depth of the street canyon
- Tap the sun on your screen and manually lower your phone’s exposure to keep the sky from looking “blown out” and white
- Turn off your flash–you’ll want the sun alone without any glare caused by a bright light
- Stay on the sidewalk–don’t let the “zombie” state lead you into traffic, safety first!
Here’s a look at some beautiful photos of the event from past years.