Manhattan has quite possibly the best skyline in the world, but it's hard to know that when you are in the midst of it. To get a better view of this majestic skyline, it can be helpful to head to Brooklyn or Queens. One park in Long Island City, Queens offers a great view of the skyline, along with other attractions: Gantry Plaza State Park. It might be the best park to view the New York City skyline in all five boroughs, and we think it is a bit underrated. To learn more, keep reading, below.
Gantry Plaza State Park is a 12-acre park in Long Island City, Queens, which is right across the river from Manhattan and adjacent to Brooklyn to the south.
The park takes its name from its restored gantries that were, at one point, used to assist rail car floats and barges. The serve as a nice piece of history—a living museum to the city’s earlier days.
The view of the Midtown Manhattan skyline from Gantry Plaza State Park is indeed majestic—visitors can take in the Empire State Building and the United Nations.
The park boasts four piers, gardens and a very cool mist fountain.
But it is perhaps its view of the skyline that is most impressive.
Recreational facilities at the park are plentiful. Visitors can get into handbill courts, basketball courts and playgrounds. There is even a fishing pier that comes complete with a cleaning table.
Then there is that iconic Pepsi-Cola neon sign, which was built in 1940 and is composed of a 50-foot rendering of a Pepsi bottle next to handsome lettering. It was designated as a New York City landmark in 2016.
This former dockyard has come a long way! It's one of the most underrated parks in New York City for relaxing and catching a great view.
For a truly excellent view at the best park to view the New York City skyline that might be a little less known than other famous New York City spaces, check out Gantry Plaza State Park. While in Queens, why not also check out nearby Donovan's Pub in Woodside? They make some of the best burgers in New York City. And, for those looking for a hotel in Long Island City, we recommend Hyatt Place Long Island City.
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