7 of the Best Views of the Manhattan Skyline for (Practically) Free

Hop on the Staten Island Ferry at Whitehall Terminal, located at the southernmost tip of Manhattan, and enjoy, quite possibly, the best free panoramic view of New York City. See the views of Lower Manhattan, then keep your camera ready for prime shots of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The ferry runs 24 hours a day, so spontaneous travelers can hop aboard for a daytime or evening cruise—whatever fits your schedule.

If you're up for a walk, don't miss the dramatic views from the Manhattan Bridge or the Brooklyn Bridge. Both offer pedestrian walkways, from which you'll get amazing views of Downtown Manhattan. Passing subway trains can make the Manhattan Bridge noisy, but this landmark offers what its counterpart does not: unique views of the stunning Brooklyn Bridge. To get to the Manhattan Bridge, take the B or D to Grand St, and to get to the Brooklyn Bridge, take the 4, 5, or 6 subway to Brooklyn Bridge City Hall. Each walk takes about 30 minutes one way at a brisk pace.

If you choose to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, walk just 10-minutes more for one of the most scenic spots with no cost in New York courtesy of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. This historic waterfront neighborhood is known for its elegant brownstones and tree-lined streets. At the elevated promenade along the river, you can relax on benches facing the city to take in sweeping views of landmarks, including One World Trade Center and the Brooklyn Bridge. If you don't want to walk the bridge, take the 2 or 3 subway to Clark St.

Take a quick trip to Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City, one of Queens' most scenic riverside oases, where you can find a photo-worthy look at Midtown and East River landmarks such as the United Nations Headquarters and the Chrysler Building. Maybe the best part (besides the view of NYC of course) is the vintage Pepsi-Cola sign located on Gantry Plaza State Park's piers. From Grand Central Station, it's only one stop to the Queens waterfront on the 7 train.

For a closer view of some notable Manhattan buildings, head to the High Line, a former elevated rail line converted into a flora-covered park that runs from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards. As you stroll, you can see the Standard Hotel (the path goes right under it), the Empire State Building, and the striking public art installation, the Vessel. Start or end your trip at the Whitney Museum to see a different kind of spectacular view.

One swipe of your MetroCard offers access to the Roosevelt Island Tramway for a budget-friendly skyline view of NYC. After departing from E. 59th Street, you're whisked high above the Queensborough Bridge for a fantastic look at Manhattan's skyline across the East River. Since you need to hop off on Roosevelt Island before heading back, stretch your legs on a loop along the island's promenade, with only the river between you and the Big Apple.

One of the best views of Manhattan is from across the Hudson River. Not only is this top viewpoint of NYC severely underrated, it’s just a short ride away on the PATH train to Hoboken Station. All the views of the city from the New Jersey city's waterfront are terrific, but if you walk about a half-hour north (or take a bus), Pier 13 provides another stellar vantage point, plus a seasonal beer garden with food trucks if you're looking for a quick snack or meal before the trip home.