Since we live in the most insane, overpopulated, urban metropolis in America, it's often more necessary for New Yorkers to feel connected to nature.
We probably deal with more smog, piss, and rats than any other city in the nation.
To that end though, we need to appreciate what we have. We have all these glorious rivers and skyscrapers. And we need to look at them.
Here's the thing.
In order to fully appreciate this city, we need some spots with views to do it. When done right, those views collide nature with skyscrapers. And the result is absolutely sensational.
So, with that idea in mind, we've made a list of some spots where the views of New York City will absolutely blow you away.
And when you're standing on the roof, in the park, or at the river's edge, you'll feel stunned about just how amazing it is to live in NYC.
So what are you waiting for? There are plenty of overwhelming views in this city. Now you need to go see them. Get on it!
1. Brooklyn Bridge Park
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Everyone's all "boo we don't want to leave Manhattan." And to those naysayers we say, shut it.
Because how can you ever look admiringly at Manhattan from afar if you never leave? The answer is, you can't. You can have no perspective on how wild it is to live in Manhattan until you've glimpsed it from across a river.
There are plenty of great reasons to visit Brooklyn Bridge Park. It has Wi-Fi, it's relaxing, and beholding the Manhattan skyline from its shores will basically make you want to pitch a tent and never leave Brooklyn Bridge Park again.
There are plenty of awesome happenings at Brooklyn Bridge Park, like Syfy Movies With a View, Wednesday Night Tours, and Books Beneath the Bridge.
So go check it out, will ya?
2. Gantry Plaza State Park (4-90 47th Road - Long Island City)
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This is a wonderful park, and not just because it's large and has plenty of space for roaming and relaxing.
It's so wonderful because A., it's views of Manhattan are deliriously off the chain, and B., because it's placidly off the radar.
We're not making any judgements, but some say Gantry Plaza State Park has the best views of Manhattan, and is the best park, in all of the five boroughs. But, like we said, we're not here to judge.
It's a 12-acre riverside oasis with amazing seating, and unlike the High Line where you'll never get a seat, getting one of the excellent chairs at Gantry Plaza State Park is a superbly realistic dream.
3. Manhattan Bridge
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Everyone is always going on and on about the Brooklyn Bridge.
And for good reason. The Brooklyn Bridge is great. But what's not so great about the Brooklyn Bridge are the crowds that swarm it daily.
So if you're looking for a relaxing afternoon walk above one of NYC's rivers while gazing at this city's skyline, and let's be real, everyone is, then the Manhattan Bridge is probably where you should take your next stroll.
Stretching from Chinatown to Dumbo, strolling atop the Manhattan Bridge offers a rush of joy at the skyline and the water. If you want to skip the Brooklyn Bridge crowd, you should check it out.
4. Brooklyn Grange (63 Flushing Avenue - Brooklyn)
brooklyngrange Amazing shot by @annesaintpierre ! #roof2015 #rooftopfarm #urbanfarm #brooklyngrange #flowersandtowers
The world's largest rooftop farm is, of course, in Brooklyn.
And they're doing their part to rescue the environment. Their rooftop vegetable farm in Brooklyn happens to have absolutely killer views of Manhattan, and Brooklyn Grange also cultivates an apiary with over 30 naturally-managed honey bee hives.
Their Navy Yard rooftop garden in Brooklyn is massive and gorgeous, with 65,000 square feet of rooftop farming space. There's nowhere else in the world, much less in NYC, where you will feel so entwined with nature and humanity all at once.
The rooftop is not open to the public, but in order to offer public access to the farm, they offer bi-weekly tours also hold events like rooftop yoga and open houses. Check them out right here.
,5. Pier 25 (225 West Street)
With beach volleyball, sand, beach chairs, and a dope view of the Hudson River and the Jersey City skyline, there's nothing not to love about Pier 25.
But, if you need more things to love, here you go. Pier 25 also offers 18 holes of mini-golf for only $6, which is hands down one of the best deals in the city.
If you're looking for a playfully competitive date with a spectacular view, or just a spot to lounge and hang pals, Pier 25 is where it's at.
And if you're looking to treat yourself to some solo scenery, might we suggest bringing your own beach chair, a book, and setting yourself up at the end of the pier to read and watch the sunset?
6. Astoria Park (Queens)
Let's talk about one sensational Queens park with Wi-Fi, a plethora of benches, historical relevance, a public pool, a skatepark, and tennis courts.
Really, what does Astoria Park not have?
We don't know. We thought about it for a while, and couldn't think of anything. But one thing it does have is a dope view of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge and the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
It also has plenty of space for picnicking, sunbathing, general lounging, in addition to the athletic facilities we already listed.
So you can come here to work out, to be lazy, or both. But one thing that's sure to happen is that the view will blow you away.
7. Top of the Rock Observation Deck (30 Rockefeller Plaza)
vesierrag Casi dos horas y media esperando que se ocultará el sol para poder tomar esta fotografía. No contaba que en verano el sol desaparece a las 8:15pm. Pequeño detalle. Igual valió la pena la espera, logré apreciar esta vista durante mucho tiempo para que se quedara grabada en mi mente para toda la vida. Está foto fue tomada desde el edificio #TopOfTheRock #NewYork #Vacaciones2015 #NightSight #viajar #RelaxTime
Here's the thing. From the observation deck at the Empire State Building, you can't actually see what was once referred to as the eighth world wonder, the Empire State Building itself.
And from the observation deck at Rockefeller Center you can.
It's also much less crowded than the observation deck at the Empire State Building, for the simple fact that it's blissfully below-the-radar... for now.
And at $30/adult for tickets, it's $2 less than the Empire State Building and One World Trade's observatories.
Think of what you could do with that extra $2! There is Ben and Jerry's ice cream for sale at the Top of the Rock, so it could at least contribute to that refreshing purchase.
Plus, the view is stunning. It's as simple as that.
Skip the line and buy online tickets here.
Check out 10 Wonderful Things Every New Yorker Needs to Cross Off Their Summer Bucket List.