Why the New York Skyline is special
New York City has the world's most recognized and inspiring skyline. Its buildings soar upward, as if sprouting. This occurs in two Manhattan clusters, midtown and downtown, with a "valley" of low buildings in between.

Viewing tips
To enjoy the New York skyline view at its spine-tingling best, you must know both the best times and vantage points.
The most sensational daytime views occur on sunny days, particularly in the morning (when looking west) and late afternoon (east).
However, the best evening viewing time is not so obvious. It's incredibly romantic on workday nights but rather humdrum on Saturday, Sunday and holiday nights. Reason: When the New York office workers go home, the lights are kept on for the evening cleaning crews. On non-work nights, the crews stay home and you cannot see the fabled New York curtain of diamonds.
The best New York skyline vantage points are on top of the 110-story Empire State Building and aboard the Circle Line excursion boats, Staten Island Ferry and sightseeing helicopters. The view from the Brooklyn Heights' Esplanade is a close runner-up.

World Trade Center Tragedy
On September 11, 2001 the New York skyline drastically changed as the twin 102-floor towers of the World Trade Center collapsed as a result of terrorist attacks. Loss of life was staggering.

What leading travel books say about the Manhattan Skyline
The skyline of the New York financial district is the one you see in all the movies - dramatic skyscrapers crammed into the southern tip.
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Rough Guides

You can tell New York tourists from a mile away - they are all looking up.
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Let's Go Guidebooks