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|Saturday, January 10, 202620 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
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Empire State Views: Landmark‑Spotting by Compass
Turn by compass: what you’ll see north/east/south/west from ESB, with quick notes on distance and photo angles.
1/8/2026
15 min read
North
- Central Park green band; Museum Mile beyond.
- On very clear days: George Washington Bridge and Palisades.
- Lens tip: 70–200mm compresses park + skyline layers.
East
- Chrysler Building spire; Queensboro Bridge; East River traffic.
- Long Island City towers as modern counterpoint.
- Lens tip: Mid‑tele for spire details; wide for bridge sweeps.
South
- One World Observatory; Flatiron wedge; a ribbon of bridges to Brooklyn.
- Sunset silhouettes are strongest facing south/west.
- Lens tip: Wide at golden hour; tele at blue hour for sparkle.
West
- Hudson River, New Jersey skyline, Hudson Yards and Vessel.
- Late golden hour paints glass warm; boats trace light lines.
- Lens tip: Polarizer sometimes helps mid‑day glare.
Use the deck’s corner posts to anchor panoramas — they keep horizons level.
Landmark Cheat‑Sheet
| Direction | Landmark | Quick Note |
|---|---|---|
| N | Central Park | Green grid; seasons change the palette |
| E | Chrysler Building | Deco spire; catch reflections from ESB |
| S | One World | Downtown anchor; best at blue hour |
| W | Hudson Yards | New glass vs old stone contrast |
Bottom Line
Rotate slowly; landmarks appear in layers. The joy is in discovery — and in noticing light shift across the compass.
About the Author
NYC Observatory Expert
I put this guide together to make your Empire State Building visit simple, insightful, and full of New York tips.
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Landmarks
Compass
NYC
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