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Manhattanhenge returns to NYC this week with street sunsets
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published May 25, 2025
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Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published May 25, 2025
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Manhattanhenge is coming back this week.
The phenomenon happens when the sunset exactly lines up with Manhattan’s street grid. The buildings along the island’s crosstown streets frame the sun as it goes down on the western horizon, suffusing the canyons created by the skyline with the day’s last rays of light. The alignment occurs May 28, 29 and July 12.
“They're the best sunsets of the year in Manhattan,” said Jackie Faherty, astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History.
Normally, the sun doesn't rise due east and set due west. This only happens on the equinoxes, the first day of spring and fall. But Manhattanhenge doesn’t land on those days because the borough’s grid is not fully aligned with the north-south geographic line. Otherwise, the phenomenon would occur on the equinox days.
Instead, city streets are rotated 30 degrees east from the geographic north, according to the American Museum of Natural History. Any city with a rectangular grid, like Chicago, can experience sunsets similar to Manhtattanhenge.
New Yorkers who miss the May 28 sunset can still witness some sort of “Manhattanhenge effect” into July — it just won’t have the same perfect alignment. During that time of the year, New York’s sunsets are far north enough in the sky to create the appearance of the sun dipping into the streets.
Facing west on a crosstown street like 42nd and 72nd streets is the best way to see Manhattanhenge, according to experts. One of the most popular spots is the Tudor City overpass near the United Nations.
Outer-borough residents can catch equally stunning sunsets on the North Brooklyn and Queens waterfronts such as Hunter’s Point and Gantry Plaza State Park.
The climax of the event, when the sun touches the grid, occurs around 8:15 p.m. on May 28 and 29. Faherty recommended securing a spot no later than 7:30 p.m.
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new york city
environment
manhattan
Rosemary Misdary
Rosemary is health & science reporter. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 646-544-9524.
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