Gantry Plaza State Park: A Park with Views of Midtown

Gantry Plaza State Park is located in Long Island City, Queens. It offers you incredible views of Manhattan. Here's how to get there.

What to Know About Gantry Plaza State Park

In New York, you’ve probably visited or will visit Central Park, Bryant Park, or Battery Park — the city’s most famous parks. But there’s another park worth your attention: Gantry Plaza State Park. It’s far less crowded and offers something different.
This park sits on the East River waterfront in Queens. It’s a chance to explore beyond Manhattan.
Getting there is easy: take the 7 line from Grand Central Terminal and get off at Vernon Bvld-Jackson Av. Head toward the East River along 51st Street or 50th Street, and you’ll reach the waterfront.

Gantry Plaza State Park itself is simple: open lawns between the East River and office buildings. But the location is everything. You get sweeping views of the Midtown skyline. Directly across the water, you’ll see the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and all of Midtown’s newer towers.
Visit in the morning for bright sunlight on the skyline, or in the evening for dramatic night views. At dusk, you’ll often see anglers fishing in the East River. Strike up a conversation — it’s a genuine slice of New York life.