Timeline
15:23
Pick up a pastry or grab a coffee at Union Square Café. It is one of the city's best-loved spots for American and Italian cuisine. Since you are starting early, aim for lunch hours if you prefer a hot meal, but for a quick bite before the sunset, their bakery items are a reliable start. Check the route from your current location to get here.
16:23
Walk three minutes south to the Metronome. This large public art installation sits along the south end of the park. It is the perfect vantage point to wait for the light. The sun sets toward the WSW, so position yourself with the park behind you and the skyline ahead.
16:53
Watch the sunset. At 16:53, the sun dips below the horizon, casting the final golden light over the square. The Metronome’s lights will begin to glow as the natural light fades.
17:38
Head to Mission Ceviche Union Square for dinner. Located just four minutes north-northwest of the anchor, this Peruvian restaurant is a great place to end the evening. The shift from day to night makes for a lively atmosphere. Check the route to get there.
Local tip
Union Square Café opens for lunch at noon on weekdays and Saturdays. If you arrive before 16:10, you have plenty of time to eat. The Metronome is the best spot for the sunset view because it faces the WSW direction of the setting sun.
Check before you go
- Union Square Café: Lunch Mon-Sat noon-2:15PM; dinner Sun-Thu 6-10:15PM, Fri Sat 6-11:15PM.
- Metronome is an outdoor public art installation, accessible at all times.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to New York City (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).