How to See Manhattanhenge and 9 Urban Solar Alignments in 2025

Plan to stand on the west side of 57th Street at the long axis of the grid, looking west at sunset. The moment begins roughly 20 minutes before sunset and lasts about a quarter of an hour, when the city blocks intersect the sun’s path and align with the avenues.

Observed patterns show azimuths near due west around 270 degrees; these alignments favor a clear skyline, so particularly pick a place near 57th and Fifth that has an open sightline to the west.

Next, chase the nine urban solar alignments in 2025 by mapping the best viewing spots along the grid where the alignments intersect. Particularly, select a place each week to test the next intersection as the sun moves.

To maximize success, plan for weeks ahead and compare notes with observers in chicago during similar windows; the alignments typically occur when the sunset line matches the grid within approximately 15 minutes, revealing a glow beyond the skyline. Pack a compact tripod, a wide lens, a flashlight for safety, and a simple map to mark vantage points; this will help you avoid missing the moment.

Where to watch it in 2025: a practical viewing plan

Watch from the west-facing spot along the Hudson River Park piers, and arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset to secure a clear view. This spot gives a direct line toward the southern horizon as the skyline is rising, with streets and avenues framing the moment. Bring a blanket, a compact chair, water, and your phone to capture observations as light shifts with the crowd.

The term Manhattanhenge was coined to describe this alignment along the city grid, and the pattern has drawn locals since the first observations. Based on long-running observations, in 2025 there are typically two prime evenings per alignment, twice per season, with windows that cluster around late june and early july. For consistency, watch along the east–west streets–14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th–while you stand on a convenient avenue to frame the view. If one date doesn’t cooperate, the next day offers a similar chance to see the glow across the streets. A national calendar helps coordinate these days as part of the routine plan.

Weather and pollution can blur the effect. On days when pollution is high, move to a higher spot on the west side or shift to an east-facing viewpoint that still catches the grid glow. If the right moment aligns, you’ll see the rising line of light sweep across the blocks in a way that feels almost crafted. Observations from nearby spots often line up, so you can compare the vibe across avenues and streets without moving far; the experience remains similar regardless of the exact block.

Plan your logistics around transit and safety. Take the subway toward the riverfront or a park with a clear view, then walk to your chosen spot; since the grids center on the same set of streets and avenues, you can switch vantage points to maximize your chance. In june, the overall window is forgiving, and you can often catch the event twice on back-to-back days if you time it right, so bring a watch and stay flexible to observe the sequence as the sun sinks.

Know Manhattanhenge dates, durations, and local time conversions

Plan two windows in 2025: late May and mid-July. Pick a spot along the grid on 14th Street with a clear horizon view, ideally near a landmark or a pier for an unobstructed line to the sun. If you’re a photographer, bring a sturdy tripod and a versatile lens to capture the sun’s disk as it sits in the street pattern. Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset to set up, watch the sky, and anticipate a stunning moment when the sun aligns with the avenues for a few minutes. True travel experiences come from the details, so scout different spots and monitor the forecast for clouds that can change the mood of the skyline.

Dates and duration: The two main windows occur around late May and mid-July each year. The peak alignment moment lasts roughly four minutes as the sun’s disk sits in line with the grid, at a precise degree. The surrounding hours offer partial henges depending on clouds and visibility within the period around the peak. For a longer sequence of views, compare the day before and after the core moment.

Local time conversions: NYC runs on Eastern Time. In daylight-saving months, use EDT (UTC-4); in standard months, use EST (UTC-5). To convert to UTC, subtract four hours (DST) or five hours (standard). Example: the 8:40 pm moment in EDT equals 00:40 UTC the following day. For London, 00:40 UTC equals 01:40 BST; for Paris, 02:40 CEST. Keep this as a quick reference when planning travel with a group in different time zones.

Where to watch: a good spot is along riverfront piers or a public plaza near a landmark; choose where to stand along the riverfront to get a clear line to the horizon. The Roosevelt Island tram stop, the 14th Street corridor, or a long overlook at a pier gives a clean line to the skyline. Bring a camera or a phone to capture the moment; a telephoto to compress the horizon and a wide lens to keep the disk in frame. If the sky is cloudy, focus on silhouettes and the colors in the clouds for dramatic memories. After the main moment, you can watch sunrise from a nearby pier.

Comparison note: Manhattanhenge sits among urban alignments; scrippshenge on the campus offers a similar pattern of sun interacting with built spaces. Both are monument-like experiences that show how the sun meets human-made landscapes and landmarks. If you want to expand your route, consider visiting scrippshenge to see a different scale of the same phenomenon, then return to a city spot for a final moment.

Best viewing streets and vantage points in New York City

Head to 14th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues for your-city-henge moments; the straight grid here creates a clean line with the skyline rising behind it. In 2025, target windows around late May and late July for the strongest displays, and sept sessions can offer a calmer alternative. Morning readings can reveal a softer glow when the river reflects the first light, though the dramatic sunset view remains the favorite for most visitors.

1. 14th Street Corridor (Union Square to the Meatpacking District)

   • Best starting point is Union Square Park’s north edge, where you get an unobstructed line toward the west as the suns dip. Stand on the curb on the north side of the street to keep the buildings from crossing the frame.
   • Recommended vantage points include crosswalks around 14th St & 9th Ave and 14th St & 7th Ave; from there the skyline and open sky align with the street line for an iconic your-city-henge moment.
   • Tips for mornings or slightly overcast days: arrive earlier, around 7:30–8:15 pm in summer, and use the river-side angles to catch a glimmer of auroras on clear nights near dawn.

2. 23rd Street Corridor (Chelsea to Gramercy)

   • Choose vantage points near the west edge of 23rd St to frame the skyline along the river valley; the street’s straight line works well with buildings of varying height, creating a crisp transition between light and shadow.
   • Top spots include intersections at 23rd St with 1st Ave and near Madison Square Park’s southern end, where the grid line sits against midtown towers for a balanced shot.
   • Events on warm evenings yield a slightly more intimate view; plan approximately 8:50–9:20 pm during summer, with sept sessions offering earlier light and calmer crowds.

3. 34th Street Corridor (Herald Square to Bryant Park)

   • This is the most classic frame for the setting sun along the midtown skyline. Stand near Macy’s Herald Square or at Bryant Park’s eastern edge to capture the sun slipping between tall towers along the line of 34th Street.
   • Best viewing lines run from 34th St between 5th Ave (Empire State Building side) and 7th Ave, where the street’s width empties into a broad vista toward the west.
   • Summer evenings bring the strongest color; arrive roughly 8:40–9:05 pm, and consider a rooftop or elevated public deck to avoid street-level glare.

4. 42nd Street Corridor (Times Square to Grand Central)

   • For a monumental frame, start near Times Square’s western edge and walk east along 42nd St toward Grand Central; the broad skyline and river view behind create a powerful silhouette as the suns descend.
   • Vantage points along 42nd St & 6th Ave or 42nd St & 5th Ave offer clearer sightlines than densely built blocks in other sections, especially in late spring and summer.
   • Plan your timing around 9:00–9:30 pm in summer; sept sees the light shift earlier, so adapt your schedule accordingly to keep the alignment sharp.

Beyond these streets, try elevated or riverside spots for additional geometry: Roosevelt Island north promenade, the East River promenade near Long Island City, and Brooklyn waterfront viewpoints across from the skyline. For a broader frame, look for public rooftops and park edges along the river that let the skyline rise behind you, creating a wider, more cinematic composition. If a rare clear night brings stars or even faint auroras, your city-henge moment can deepen under a quiet, dark sky.

Chart all 9 urban solar alignments: locations and optimal times

Plan New York City first: Manhattanhenge on May 29–30 or July 11–12, 2025. Those chosen days bring the sunsets in line with the grid on 14th Street and 42nd Street, producing a spectacle that feels like a monument in motion. Expect the best sets around 8:15–8:50 pm local time, with the sun at an azimuth near 270 degrees and a pleasant golden hour that lasts well over an hour for those ready to shoot and wander the adventure outside the mass of spectators.

Next, Chicago offers a bold State Street alignment: choose dates around May 28–30 or July 12–14, 2025. The sun drops along the north–south grid, aligning with The Loop’s skyline and delivering crisp silhouettes against the river. Time the moment around 8:20–9:00 pm CDT for the strongest alignment, and bring a tripod to capture those long hours of light on glass and stone.

San Francisco adds a Market Street version: plan for late May 26–28 or early July 8–10, 2025. The setting sun travels along the grid toward the western hills, creating a vivid, city-scale corridor. Target 8:25–8:45 pm PDT, and allow a few minutes before and after to improvise with street-facing monuments and the star-like glow of the skyline.

Boston provides Beacon Street as a chosen axis: look at late May 27–29 or July 9–11, 2025. The sun’s path along the Back Bay grid lines up with the street canyon, turning concrete into a colossal monument of light. The best sets occur roughly 8:15–8:55 pm EDT, with the degree of azimuth hovering near 270°, offering comfortable hours for an intimate photography walk.

Philadelphia follows Broad Street for a downtown alignment: plan around May 29–31 or July 12–14, 2025. As the sun sinks along the grid, the skyline frames the avenue in a line that feels cinematic. Aim for 8:20–8:55 pm local time, and note that those hours give you multiple angles to capture the glow on brick and glass alike.

Toronto centers on Yonge Street: choose May 28–30 or July 11–13, 2025. The city’s north–south spine meets an east–west horizon for a striking corridor light show. Best windows run 8:30–9:15 pm local, with the sun’s azimuth near 270° and the downtown glow lifting the streets into a memorable alignment.

Montreal highlights Saint-Catherine Street as a core axis: plan for May 31–June 1 or July 9–11, 2025. The approach of sunset across the grid creates a luminous street-channel effect through Old Montréal’s silhouettes. Target 8:25–9:05 pm EDT, keeping January in mind–winter sessions are rarer and shorter, so these days offer the more reliable spectacle.

Vancouver frames Granville Street as a downtown alignment: look at May 26–28 or July 8–9, 2025. The sun drifts along the grid toward the water, turning the city blocks into a narrow corridor of light. Set your plans for 8:40–9:10 pm PDT and stay flexible for cloud cover, since those hours provide the most forgiving conditions for long-exposure adventures.

Mexico City closes the chart with a Reforma corridor emphasis: choose May 28–30 or July 12–14, 2025. The sun aligns with major north–south avenues in the heart of the metropolis, delivering a striking urban glow over the historic center. Expect dusk around 7:15–7:45 pm local time, with the degree of alignment influenced by the tall silhouettes of towers and the shape of the cathedral plaza for those chasing a more dramatic star-like flare in the final frames. Those nine paths together show how many cities map their sunset into a unified line across streets, monuments, and skylines, creating an urban adventure that feels almost cinematic. Since these windows can shift a little by year, use a quick check with a local sunset app on days you plan to shoot. This chart provides the core rhythm, while your personal eye will decide the exact moments to press the shutter. January-light sessions, while possible, rarely deliver the same density of color as summer sessions, so plan ahead for that days lists and those hour-long windows. All nine alignments leverage the same principle: street grids built by human hands meeting the star-led cycle of the day, providing a shared spectacle across cities and continents.

Logistics for a smooth experience: transit, crowds, and accessibility

Arrive 90 minutes before sunset to secure a good head start. Position your viewpoint on a sidewalk near an east-west street such as 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, or 57th to watch the sun drop between back-to-back building façades; when clouds drift, the moonlight over the city adds a second photo opportunity.

Transit keeps crowds manageable. Take a major line to a midtown hub near these east-west streets and walk straight to your chosen viewpoint. Use cardinal directions to orient yourself when you choose viewpoints. If you arrive from the north or west, a quick transfer can place you at a vantage where you can compare the sun’s path against the city lights. Timings on the ground shift by the hour, so check the local calendar and target the hours just before the sunset window. What does the city calendar say about timings?

To avoid bottlenecks, pick a slightly off-street viewpoint and arrive early. The most popular destinations draw a crowd, but you can still find a back-of-the-block moment if you move along the sidewalk. If you want a better angle, try another street as a fallback; these other viewpoints offer different lighting as the sun falls behind a tall building, revealing a softer glow and more city lights. For them who want a broader set, explore multiple viewpoints and compare how the sun plays with gaps between the façades.

Accessibility matters. Most sidewalks include curb cuts and ramps, and major transit entrances provide elevator access. If you use a mobility device, choose a viewpoint with a clear path from the nearest station, and look for a spot near the north or south side where the crowd flow is smoother. The east-west alignments at streets like 14th or 42nd remain accessible longer into the evening to accommodate them.

Weather can reshape the experience. A clear sky breaching the edge of the horizon makes the sun a crisp disk between the buildings; a light cloud cover slightly softens the glare. If the forecast calls for clouds to dominate, plan for the moonlight phase when the city transitions into after-sunset colors and the lights start to pop. These effects influence fall evenings across manhattan and nearby destinations.

Stay aware of traffic and construction zones. Keep to the sidewalk, yield to pedestrians, and avoid blocking entrances to building lobbies or transit stations. Protect the experience for others by not obstructing the view; don’t lean on glass, and avoid using flash if it distracts other observers. If security staff appear, follow guidance and move to another viewpoint so the flow remains smooth for everyone.

Heres a practical list to simplify planning: know these name alignments–14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th streets–and the nine urban solar destinations across manhattan; take notes on their timings and expected crowds; carry a compact charger and a light jacket for fall evenings; acclimate to the city culture by mapping the routes you want to visit in advance; if a street viewpoint fails, switch to another, and compare the east-west and north-south lines for a fuller set of photos.

Photography, gear, and etiquette for a respectful crowd experience

Start with a lightweight tripod and a fast wide-angle lens (16–35mm on full-frame, 11–24mm if you shoot from an νησί or along the river) to lock the skyline in place as crowds move and the spotlight shifts with the sun. The glow begins at civil twilight and skies start to brighten, so a stable setup saves you from fumbling in the dark.

Set manual exposure to begin: f/5.6, 1/125s, ISO 200. Shoot RAW. For brighter skies, move to f/8 and ISO 100. Bracket ±2 EV for key sunrise moments and use a remote trigger or 2-second timer to avoid shake, keeping the space clear for others.

Plan your spots: research a few vantage points. Popular views along the river or skyline fill within days, so arrive early. If the nearest spot becomes crowded, switch to a nearby place with a clear line of sight to the henges. In toronto, the waterfront serves as a destination with multiple angles, and those known spots are shared among photographers, so have a fallback near a bridge or νησί edge.

Etiquette first: give space to those around you, avoid backing into someone’s line of sight, and limit tripod height. Be mindful of the astronomers and experts who study the alignments; respect their setup and avoid asking them to move. If you shoot with others, coordinate angles–let one person shoot the first pass while another watches the second appearance. Keep noise low during the moment of alignment; flash and loud talk disrupt the experience for many, especially families and students.

Practical tips: carry weather-ready gear, spare batteries, memory cards, and lens cloths. Use a compact bag that stays out of walkway traffic near the νησί vantage or along the river. For sunrise, bring a light layer and a small rain cover for your camera; a hood reduces flare. Keep your belongings close to avoid loss and, since crowds can swell quickly, have a plan to move calmly if the vantage becomes congested.