Best Places to Catch the Sunset for Golden Hour Views

The sunset is the perfect time to unwind, reflect and appreciate the beauty of nature as the colorful skies of golden hour shine through.

From Miami’s scenic beaches and panoramic rooftops with views of the cityscape to New York’s iconic 360-degree rooftop views overlooking the skyline and sparkling rivers, we’ve curated the ultimate list of places for sunset gazing.

If your future’s so bright you have to wear shades, then checkout these fantastic places to watch the sun go down.

NEW YORK CITY

Arlo NoMad

Perched 31 stories in the sky and neighboring the Empire State Building, Arlo NoMad’s A.R.T NoMad is a rooftop lounge boasting 360-degree views of New York City’s iconic skyline where guests can enjoy the orange skies of the sunset spanning over the cityscape. NoMad’s Sky View rooms feature wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows and unmatched views of Manhattan where guests can soak up the sunset from the comfort of their own room and capture the ultimate Instagram-worthy photo opportunity.

Arlo Midtown 

Locals and guests alike can mingle and experience New York City sunsets among Arlo Midtown’s buzzing social spaces such as The Rooftop at Nearly Ninth, which offers garden vibes and sweeping views of New York’s urban skyline. Guests can enjoy golden hour paired with a perfectly mixed cocktail on the rooftop as they gaze over the colorful skies and bright lights of Times Square and Broadway while 26 stories up in the sky.

MIAMI

Mamey on 3rd at THesis Hotel 

An island-minded rooftop oasis, Mamey on 3rd, is an extension of Coral Gables’ popular Mamey restaurant created by James Beard Nominee and Food & Wine Best Chef 2020 Award Winner, Chef Niven Patel. Located in the THesis Hotel, Mamey on 3rd offers patrons gorgeous sunset views, refreshing cocktails, and exquisite bites influenced by vibrant Caribbean, Asian, and Polynesian flavors.

Bella’s Bar at The Gabriel Miami 

A hidden gem, Bella’s Bar is situated on the 14th floor of The Gabriel Miami’s glittering tower in downtown Miami. Next to the pool and cabanas, guests can experience the essence of Miami’s sunset at Bella’s while taking in the scenic views of Biscayne Bay and Downtown.

Glass Bottom Rooftop Pool at The Gabriel South Beach 

The Gabriel South Beach has a secret rooftop sun deck offering gorgeous sunset views and a glass-bottom pool that reflects dancing images on the interior walls of the atrium. The rooftop pool, located on the hotel’s breathtaking roof terrace, overlooks the Atlantic coastline.

The Rooftop at The Elser Hotel & Residences

The Elser Hotel & Residences is an all-new luxury 646-room hotel in Downtown Miami set to open this fall. The 49-story tower captures all the energy of the city with innovative design and a community-driven approach. Travelers can seek refuge on the hotel’s 19,000-square-foot sun deck, offering pristine views of FTX Arena, MacArthur Causeway and iconic South Beach. The space features a 132-foot-long pool with a large area for sunbathing on relaxing daybeds and chaise lounges. The sun deck also includes eight charcoal grills, an outdoor bar and an expansive event lawn, serving as the ultimate destination for outdoor celebrations with unparalleled waterfront views. 

Sun Deck at Shelborne South Beach 

Originally built in 1940, The Shelborne was designed by famed Art Deco architects Igor Polevitsky and Thomas Triplett Russel. The property houses an iconic sun deck that overlooks Shelborne’s Art Deco pool and cabanas, making it an Instagrammable spot to catch the South Beach sunsets. The sparkling pool is equipped with an original 1950s diving board with poolside cabanas, making it the ideal sunbathing experience. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the warm ocean breeze while basking in the South Beach sun.

Address: 1801 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Fl 33139

FORT LAUDERDALE

Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort 

Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort houses a blissful rooftop area overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway with a perfect birds-eye view of the city making it the best spot in South Florida to catch a show-stopping sunset. Admire the golden hour in the rooftop’s pool or take a seat on the plush outdoor furniture and order from the bar’s extensive cocktail menu to end the day.

MIRAMAR BEACH

Hotel Effie at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Ara Rooftop Pool & Lounge

To catch the sunset, guests and locals alike will delight in the rooftop pool scene at Hotel Effie’s Ara Rooftop Pool & Lounge, located at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Named for the southern constellation, Ara is Northwest Florida’s only rooftop pool bar with cuisine by James Beard Award Winner chef Hugh Acheson. The open-air event environment welcomes a poolside DJ spinning beats by day and up-tempo music by night.