Nestled in North Jersey, Essex County is super close to Manhattan — which means there are fantastic views of the skyline from the Watchung Mountains, multi-level apartment buildings, and more. Onlookers can catch a glimpse of the skyline from golf courses, restaurants, while driving, from within their homes, and more. Some locations allow you a quick glance by car, while other noteworthy spots provide a direct vantage point. Read on to learn some of the best spots in Essex County to see the Manhattan skyline.
Apartments, Hotels, + Housing Units
^ Villas at Eagle Ridge
Housing units located alongside the First Watchung Mountain such as The Claridge House I + II and the Villas at Eagle Ridge provide residents with fantastic views of the Manhattan skyline. Views are not only possible from the mountains. High-rise apartments in the Orange Valley located in Downtown East Orange such as Aura 240 and Essence 144 provide residents with rooftop options, and select units even have views of the skyline.
Every dwelling below is different, providing rooftop views, select unit views, and a combination of both. Check out the individual features for the specifics.
- Allure 258 | 258 South Harrison Street, East Orange
- Aura 240 | 240 South Harrison Street, East Orange
- Claridge House I + II | 1-2 Claridge Drive, Verona
- Crossing Elite | 92 Burnett Avenue, Maplewood
- Eleven80 | 1180 Raymond Boulevard, Newark
- Essence 144 | 144 South Harrison Street, East Orange
- Hahne & Co | 50 Halsey Street, Newark
- Indigo 141 | 141 South Harrison Street, East Orange
- One Theater Square | 2 Center Street, Newark
- SilverLake Belleville | 165 Belmont Avenue, Belleville
- The MC Hotel | 690 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- The Colonnade Apartments | 25 Clifton Avenue, Newark
- The Pavilion Towers | 108-136 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Newark
- The Pointe at Crystal Lake | 2 O’Connor Circle, West Orange
- The Top | 616 South Orange Avenue, Maplewood
- Troy Towers | 40 Conger Street, Bloomfield
- Two South Willow | 2 South Willow Street, Montclair
- Valley and Bloom | 34 Valley Road, Montclair
- View on the Park | 320 South Harrison Street, East Orange
- Villas at Eagle Ridge | 1 Leonardo Court, West Orange
- 50 Rector Park | 50 Rector Street, Newark
Read More: A Day Trip to Chinatown in New York City
Dining
^ View from Chit Chat Diner
Alto | 690 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Alto is an awesome place to sip on cocktails and soak in the views of the Manhattan skyline in Downtown Montclair. Located atop the MC Hotel, this venue has both indoor and outdoor seating. The rooftop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 4PM to 12AM and Sunday from 1PM to 9PM.
Chit Chat Diner | 410 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange
The Chit Chat is a fantastic dining location in West Orange. Located atop the First Watchung Mountain, diners can enjoy pancakes and omelets with views of the Manhattan skyline. With such high elevations, onlookers can also gaze at Orange, East Orange, and Newark.
The Highlawn | 1 Crest Drive, West Orange
The Highlawn is an upscale New American dining venue in West Orange. The building used for The Highlawn was built in 1909 as a casino. During WWI, the federal government took control of the building and allowed Thomas Edison to use it to conduct experiments for the Navy. Over the next few decades, the property decayed until it became The Highlawn. This venue’s location upon the First Watchung Mountain and within the Eagle Rock Reservation provides diners with amazing views of the city. And for anyone looking to get married with views of the Manhattan skyline: The Highlawn also does weddings.
Nature + Recreation
Eagle Rock Reservation | Crest Drive, West Orange
Eagle Rock Reservation is a 408-acre forest with walking paths, automobile-accessible roads, a restaurant, a baseball field, a grilling area, and picnic tables located in Verona, West Orange, and Montclair. The Lenape Trail passes through this park located atop the First Watchung Mountain. A portion of the reservation that overlooks the Manhattan skyline has been dedicated as a 9/11 Memorial. One can either sit in their car or stand along the barrier overlooking the Orange Valley to gaze at the skyline.
Kip’s Castle | 22 Crestmont Road, Verona
Kip’s Castle is a 9,000-square-foot mansion resting on eleven square acres on the First Watchung Mountain in Verona. This location allows an excellent vantage point for the Manhattan skyline, from the parking lot, and from several rooms inside the building.
Mills Reservation | Normal Avenue + Reservoir Drive, Cedar Grove
The Mills Reservation is a 157-acre forest in Cedar Grove and Montclair with several walking, biking, and running trails as well as the Lenape Trail. Several of these trails lead to a cliff atop the First Watching Mountain that overlooks Manhattan. This cliff, Quarry Point, is a 500-foot basalt ledge on a ridge at the south end of the park. Head north along this ridge and follow the Yellow Lenape Trail for half a mile to continue gazing at the skyline.
Rock Spring Golf Club | 90 Rock Spring Road, West Orange
Rock Spring Golf Club is a 128-acre course in West Orange with views of the Manhattan skyline. This 18-hole course, which opened in 1925, was designed by Seth Raynor as a private club and is now West Orange’s only municipally owned course. The course was named after a mineral spring discovered near Northfield Avenue in 1820.
South Mountain Reservation | Crest Drive, Maplewood
South Mountain Reservation is a 2110-acre nature reserve in Millburn, Maplewood, and West Orange. For a time, viewers were able to see the Manhattan skyline from an outlook on Crest Drive. A walking path and several benches sat overlooking the land east. Currently, the trees have grown so high that the view is obstructed, but maybe that will change in the future and this iconic spot can regain its full potential.
Views While Driving or Walking
^ Rock Spring Road
Belleville
- Various points facing east on Washington Avenue
Montclair
- Driving east on Berkeley Place
- Various points facing east on Highland Avenue
- Various points facing east on Lloyd Terrace
- Various points facing east on Mountain Avenue
- Various points facing east on South Mountain Avenue
- Various points facing east on Upper Mountain Avenue
Newark
- Driving east on the Essex Freeway
- Driving east on the Pulaski Skyway
Nutley
- Driving east on Centre Street between Saint Mary’s Place and Passaic Avenue
- Various points facing east on Washington Avenue
West Orange
- Driving east on Northfield Avenue between Mountain Drive and Linden Avenue
- Driving east on Monroe Terrace
- Driving east on Woodside Terrace
- Various points facing east on Eagle Ridge Way
- Various points facing east on Mountain Avenue
- Various points facing east on Mountain Drive
- Various points facing east on Rock Spring Road
- Various points facing east on Undercliff Terrace South
See More: Hoboken + Jersey City Wedding Venues With a View of NYC
Other Noteworthy Spots
Montclair State University | 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair
^ Views from the School of Communication + Media
We’d be remiss to leave off our beautiful Montclair State University on this list — which features multiple viewing points of NYC throughout campus. Some of the best spots for views include the rooftop and the outdoor courtyard of the Environmental + Life Sciences Building; inside the School of Communication and Media; as well as dorm buildings like Bohn Hall and Stone Hall. It’s safe to say you’ll be seeing a lot of the Manhattan skyline while visiting Montclair State.