Solar alignment event
Manhattanhenge Sunset Direction, Dates & Viewing Guide
Manhattanhenge is the name for the evenings when the setting sun lines up with Manhattan’s street grid, dropping straight down the middle of cross streets like 42nd Street and 34th Street.
This guide shows when Manhattanhenge happens, which direction to face, where to stand, and how to use SunPoint’s live direction map to compare today’s sunset bearing with the Manhattanhenge alignment.
Manhattanhenge happens when sunset lines up with Manhattan’s angled street grid.
Look west along Manhattan cross streets toward the Hudson River and New Jersey skyline.
Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset, especially for 42nd Street and 34th Street.
Use the live direction map to compare today’s sunset azimuth with Manhattan’s street-grid angle.
What is Manhattanhenge?
Manhattanhenge is a sunset alignment event in New York City. A few evenings each year, the setting sun aligns with Manhattan’s numbered east-west cross streets and appears framed between buildings on both sides.
When does Manhattanhenge happen?
Manhattanhenge usually happens twice a year in pairs of evenings: once around late May and again around mid-July. Exact dates change slightly each year because the effect depends on sunset direction relative to Manhattan’s angled street grid.
Half Sun vs Full Sun Manhattanhenge
Half Sun is when only part of the sun disc is visible during the alignment. Full Sun is when the entire sun disc sits above the horizon, framed between the buildings. Full Sun is usually the more photographed version.
Compare today’s sunset direction with Manhattanhenge
The key question is not only what time sunset happens, but whether today’s sunset direction lines up with Manhattan’s grid. Use SunPoint’s live direction map to compare today’s sunset azimuth with the west-facing street corridor before choosing a viewing spot.
Compare today’s sunset directionBest Manhattanhenge viewing streets
- 14th Street
A wide downtown cross street with a long westward view toward the Hudson.
- 23rd Street
A strong midtown option with a clear corridor effect when the western view is unobstructed.
- 34th Street
One of the classic Manhattanhenge streets, with wide sightlines and strong skyline framing.
- 42nd Street
The most famous Manhattanhenge viewing street, but also one of the busiest.
- 57th Street
A good northern option that can be less crowded while still giving a strong west-facing alignment.
The long straight streets create an urban canyon. Buildings on either side frame the sun, while the open view toward the Hudson provides a low western horizon.
Longer camera lenses can compress the street and make the sun appear larger between the buildings.
Photography tips
- Arrive 30–45 minutes early, and earlier for 42nd Street.
- Choose a wide street with a long, clear view toward the Hudson.
- Stand farther east if you want more buildings framing the sunset.
- Check for haze or low cloud near the western horizon.
- Avoid scaffolding, construction, traffic obstructions, and unsafe road positions.
- Use sidewalks or safe pedestrian areas only.