The Rooftop Park at Pier 57 is absolutely the most mind-blowing free attraction from our New York trip. Stepping onto this rooftop feels like entering a secret oasis right in the middle of the city's hustle and bustle. You get Little Island, the New York skyline, and stunning Hudson River views all in one spot—and the most amazing part? It's completely free! In this post, let's explore why Pier 57 is an absolute must-visit!

New York Travel Info

★ [Transport] Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus | Car Rental
★ [SIM Cards] US/Canada/Mexico SIM Card Delivery | USA eSIM
★ [Tickets] City Pass | American Museum of Natural History | The Vessel | 9/11 Memorial & Museum
★ [Family Friendly] Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum | Central Park Zoo | LEGOLAND New York
★ [Observatories] SUMMIT One Vanderbilt | Top of the Rock | Edge | Empire State Building
★ [Broadway] Harry Potter | The Lion King | Aladdin
★ [Guide] New York With Kids | Top 5 Observatories Guide | Must-Buys at Target

Pier 57 Information

★ Location: 25 11th Ave, NY | Google Maps Link
★ Opening Hours: Daily 6 AM - 1 AM ★ Admission: Free

Located on the Hudson River waterfront in Lower Manhattan, Pier 57 is actually a building with an incredibly rich history. Built in 1952, it originally served as a bustling hub for passenger and freight transport. As New York's port operations gradually declined, Pier 57 fell into disrepair. Then, in 2004, the city began planning its redevelopment, aiming to preserve its historic structure while giving it a brand-new purpose. In the spring of 2022, Pier 57 finally made its glorious comeback, transforming into a magnificent urban public space that perfectly blends history with modernity!

Besides housing part of Google's New York headquarters, this massive complex also features the Market 57 food hall and a breathtaking rooftop public park and observation deck!

Walking into Pier 57, you'll spot displays on the walls sharing the fascinating history of the pier.

Inside, the Market 57 food hall offers plenty of delicious food options to choose from.

With its high-ceilinged industrial architecture and gorgeous river views through the windows, the vibe of Pier 57 reminds us a bit of KW2 (the renovated warehouse in Kaohsiung, Taiwan)! However, because Pier 57 has fewer shops inside, the space feels incredibly soaring and expansive. The overall atmosphere here is just so much more relaxed and unhurried.

From the ground-floor dining area, huge glass windows offer fantastic views of "Little Island" (one of New York's hottest new attractions in recent years) and the towering One World Trade Center in the distance.

Even though you can see Little Island from the first floor, you absolutely must go up to the Rooftop Park! Just follow the signs and take the elevator straight to the top.

As soon as you step onto the rooftop garden, you're greeted by two hot pink chairs shaped like inflatable sofas—so cute and eye-catching! Right behind them is a breathtaking tapestry woven from sweeping river views and the bustling cityscape.

Compared to most New York attractions that are packed with people, Pier 57's Rooftop Park still feels like a well-kept secret. When we went, there were only a handful of visitors scattered around!

Without a doubt, the most stunning view from the rooftop is Little Island, located right next door to Pier 57. Little Island is a "floating park" built right on the Hudson River. Instead of a traditional land-based park, it's a lush green space elevated over the water, looking exactly like a floating island hovering on the edge of the city.

Opened in May 2021, Little Island is another of New York's newly popular free attractions. It's famously supported by 132 concrete "tulip pots," each set at a different height to create a unique undulating landscape. The design is incredibly striking! Inside the park, there's an amphitheater and winding pathways perfect for a leisurely stroll. With over 400 species of plants, the park takes on a completely different look in every season. Little Island itself is definitely worth a visit, but here's the catch—you can't actually see its unique exterior when you're standing inside it! That's why Pier 57 is undoubtedly the best vantage point to admire the stunning architecture of Little Island.

Various boats glide by on the Hudson River from time to time, painting a picture that's both poetic and relaxing. Looking out into the distance, you can even spot the Statue of Liberty (she's quite far, so you have to look closely!) along with parts of the Manhattan and New Jersey skylines across the water.

Over on the other side, you can take in the architectural landscape lining the Hudson River.

This includes Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere ~ seeing that massive triangular deck extending straight out from the middle of the building is incredibly visually striking!

Beyond the gorgeous views, this rooftop park spans over 80,000 square feet! The sprawling lawns and open walkways make you feel so refreshed and carefree.

The Rooftop Park requires no reservations, no tickets, and is completely free and open to the public—which is just amazingly generous. With its spacious, quiet, and comfortable environment, it's a fantastic spot to let the kids run around and burn off some energy. Kids get to play while adults soak in the views… talk about killing two birds with one stone!

If you visit in the right season, you might even get the chance to take a walk on the rooftop alongside some Canadian geese!

There are stairs on the rooftop leading up to an even higher observation point.

The viewing deck at the top of the stairs is a bit smaller, but it happily provides some much-needed shade.

Looking down at the river from this higher vantage point, framed by the lush greenery of the rooftop park, makes the scenery look even more beautiful!

Even though going up a level lets you see further, those light green metal frames on the lower level end up blocking the view of Little Island. Cherry's personal favorite is actually the lower level—she feels the view from there is much better for certain angles!

There are so many fantastic attractions located right around Pier 57, including Little Island, Chelsea Market, and the High Line. You can even take a scenic stroll along the High Line all the way up to Hudson Yards, New York's most futuristic neighborhood. Hudson Yards is home to several incredibly unique buildings, including the ultra-trendy "The Vessel." You can easily link all these spots together for a fabulous half-day or full-day itinerary. Checking them all off your list at once is incredibly convenient!

📌 Recommended Reading: [New York] Walking in the New York Sky | How to Explore the High Line?

The Rooftop Park at Pier 57 is a true secret corner nestled on the Hudson River. Here, you can quietly gaze out over the riverfront scenery, admire the Manhattan and New Jersey skylines from afar, and get an up-close look at the incredible Little Island floating over the water. The noise of the city seems to fade away here, leaving only people enjoying a fleeting moment of peace. It's a rare, tranquil attraction in the city that never sleeps, and we highly recommend checking out this beautiful urban oasis next time you visit New York!

New York Travel Guides

★ [New York] Top 25 Family-Friendly Things to Do | Attractions ➕ Map ➕ Guide
★ [New York] Which of the 5 Observatories to Choose? | Map ➕ Prices ➕ Quick Comparison
★ [New York] 5 City Passes Compared | Which is the Best Value? Ultimate Money-Saving Guide!
★ [New York] Walking in the New York Sky | How to Explore the High Line?
★ [New York Must-See] Statue of Liberty Guide | Island Landing ➕ No-Landing Options
★ [New York] Step Into New York's Dreamiest Toy Kingdom! | FAO Schwarz Flagship Store for All Ages
★ [New York] The Super Colorful M&M's World in Times Square
★ [New York] Teleport into the Wizarding World 🪄 Harry Potter New York Flagship Store
★ [New York] LEGOLAND Ultimate Guide | How to Conquer 7 Themed Lands in One Day?
★ [New York] Top 10 Must-Visit Spots at Grand Central Terminal
★ [US Target] Top 13 Must-Buy Souvenirs! How to Shop & What to Buy at Target?

For more New York family travel tips, check out 👉🏻 [New York] Top 25 Family-Friendly Things to Do | Attractions ➕ Map ➕ Guide

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