People watch the sun sets over Manhattan aligned exactly with the streets in a phenomenon known as "Manhattanhenge", in Times Square, July 12, 2019. © REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
(New York, NY) – Manhattanhenge is a popular urban phenomenon observed in New York City. It refers to the time of year when the setting sun perfectly lines up with the buildings of Manhattan’s skyline, lighting up the city grid’s corridors with an orange glow. Looking east to west, the streets are illuminated in a stunning light show.
New York City’s grid allows this twice-yearly phenomenon. So what makes a “reverse” Manhattanhenge? The traditional version is when the rising sun creates the light show, during the summer months. It’s “reversed” when the setting sun perfectly lines up with the grid, in the early parts of the year.
Unfortunately, the event just passed. Saturday and Sunday had a “reverse” Manhattanhenge for around 2 minutes each time.
The next chance to see the “traditional” Manhattanhenge will be in late May, then again in mid-July.
These are the best viewing spots:
- 42nd Street (often with Chrysler Building views)
- 34th Street (great Empire State Building bonus)
- 23rd Street
- 14th Street
- Tudor City Overpass
- Hunter’s Point South Park (Long Island City)
Views tend to improve farther west; more central spots like 34th & 42nd are popular but crowded.
