Manhattanhenge: What It Is, The Best Places To See It

Building-lined streets usually make it hard to enjoy a Manhattan sunset, but today you’ll have a clear view—for four to five minutes anyway.

Derived from Stonehenge, where the sun aligns with the stones on the solstices, “Manhattanhenge” happens twice a year, when the setting sun aligns with the east-west streets of Manhattan’s main street grid above 14^th Street. What does this mean?

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At sunset, around 8:15 p.m., the sun will fully illuminate every cross street from the west, and for the entire day, there will be perpendicular shadows that exactly line up with sidewalks, street corners and painted lines.

The best places for photos and viewing—and the worst places to drive—are along 14^th, 23^rd, 34^th, 42^nd, and 57^th Streets.