Manhattanhenge is a twice-annual event where the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan’s street grid, creating a breathtaking spectacle of light. This phenomenon, often compared to England’s Stonehenge, happens in the evenings and offers incredible photographic opportunities as the sun illuminates both the north and south sides of every cross street in Manhattan.
Where and When to See Manhattanhenge:
- Best Viewing Streets:
- 14th Street
- 23rd Street
- 34th Street
- 42nd Street
- 57th Street
- Find a spot as far east as possible with views of New Jersey across the Hudson River.
- Additional Viewing Locations:
- Tudor City Overpass, Manhattan
- Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens
Manhattanhenge 2024 Times:
- Half Sun on the Grid:
- Tuesday, May 28 at 8:13 pm ET
- Saturday, July 13 at 8:21 pm ET
- Full Sun on the Grid:
- Wednesday, May 29 at 8:12 pm ET
- Friday, July 12 at 8:20 pm ET
Manhattanhenge is more than just an alignment of streets and the sun; it’s a spectacular convergence of urban planning and celestial mechanics that offers a unique experience for New Yorkers and visitors alike.
To read more about Manhattanhenge, visit Neil deGrasse Tyson’s article on the American Museum of Natural History website.
Photo: Fred Hsu on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
