Ferry to a 1918 Concrete Atrium, Then Sunset Over the Harbor

The ferry lands at the terminal's own pier, so the walk starts between the warehouses rather than on a city street. Building B holds the atrium: the full height of the building, two disused rail tracks across the floor, and a pair of old train cars still parked on the western one. Cass Gilbert drew these warehouses for the army in 1918, and the public spaces run sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year. The atrium closes at sunset, so spend the daylight here and save the hill for last light. Entry is free. Give it 45 minutes, then walk the Pier 4 promenade.

From the terminal the park sits about a mile and a half east, and the grade climbs most of the way. Allow 30 to 40 minutes at an easy pace, with the steepest blocks at the end. Sunset Park rides a 164-foot rise on the Harbor Hill Moraine, the debris ridge left behind by the last ice sheet, and the lawn between 41st and 44th Streets tilts toward the water. From the top rail you get New York Harbor, the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the hills of Staten Island in one sweep. Arrive 40 minutes before sunset to claim a spot at the rail.

NYC Ferry's Rockaway–Soundview line stops at Sunset Park/BAT, and weekend boats leave Wall St/Pier 11 about once an hour for a crossing under twenty minutes. A one-way ride is 5 dollars, and any transfer within 120 minutes is free. Land with two hours of daylight left. Sunset runs near 6:00 PM in late October, then drops to about 4:50 PM once the clocks change on November 1. Clear skies are the whole show; the hill runs windier and colder than the street. Coming back, the last weekend ferry leaves Sunset Park/BAT around 8:45 PM, and the R at 45th Street is ten minutes downhill, though the November 1 marathon shuts Fourth Avenue through Sunset Park.