Municipal Building Free Observation Deck in New York

The Municipal Building observation deck is one of the free viewing points in New York. Located in Downtown Manhattan, it offers unique views stretching from New Jersey to Brooklyn. The Manhattan Municipal Building, officially known as the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building, is located at 1 Centre Street in Civic Center and serves as a government building. Take the lift to the top floor and admire the panoramic views.

The Municipal Building observation deck opens in June

Eric's Index

1 Free Observation Deck in Manhattan
- 1.1 Tour of the Municipal Building
2 Free Rooftops in Downtown Manhattan
3 Visit the Historic Manhattan Municipal Building
- 3.1 Practical Information
4 FAQ
- 4.1 Which observation deck is free in New York?
- 4.2 Can you visit the Municipal Building in New York?

Free Observation Deck in Manhattan

There is a cupola on the roof of the building that has always been closed to the public. This space has now been opened up, giving you the chance to enjoy the unique view for yourself. Best of all, it’s completely free!

Tour of the Municipal Building

You will visit the free observation deck in New York on a tour led by a municipal guide. The guide will take you through the building to the rooftop cupola. From here, you will have a panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the skyscrapers of Downtown and the rest of Manhattan.

Tickets for this tour have limited availability, so be sure to make your reservation before you leave for New York.

Eric’s Tip: “The view from this government building is somewhat comparable to that from a rooftop bar. While it offers a beautiful view of Downtown Manhattan, it is very different from the views from the much higher One World Observatory or Summit, for example. For a truly special experience, I recommend purchasing tickets for one of the other observation decks in New York.”

Free Rooftops in Downtown Manhattan

This viewpoint is one of the best free views in New York and a great place to enjoy the surroundings on a budget.

Can’t get tickets or looking for more free views in Downtown Manhattan? Then visit some of the rooftop bars in New York. My favourite rooftop bar, Overstory, is a fifteen-minute walk from 1 Centre Street, and here too you’ll be amazed by the incredible 360-degree view of Lower Manhattan.

Visit the Historic Manhattan Municipal Building

The Manhattan Municipal Building is one of the largest government buildings in the world. This Beaux-Arts building is 180 metres high and the viewing cupola is on the 36th floor. (For comparison: One World Observatory is located at a height of 386 metres, on the 102nd floor.)

Eric’s Tip: “Would you like to view the building and see more of the surrounding area? Download the TriBeCa walking route in my Eric’s New York app. I will take you on a walk through the neighbourhood, passing the New York Municipal Building along the way.”

Practical Information

Book your free ticket online before your trip. The tour departs in groups of six from the NYC CityStore at the bottom of the building.

Location: 1 Centre Street
How to get there: Located beneath the building is the Chambers Street subway station. Take lines JZ to get here.

FAQ

The observation deck at the Municipal Building in Downtown Manhattan is free to visit. However, as the experience at the paid observation decks, such as the One World Observatory and the Summit, is quite different, I would still recommend visiting those as well.

Yes, the cupola on the building's roof is accessible. Book your free tickets online to join the tour.