Event · City Hall Area

At Lower Manhattan's Dinkins Municipal Building, NYC Opens Its Cupola to Free Centre 360 Tours

Centre 360 takes small groups up to the cupola of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building for free 360-degree views of the skyline, bridges and harbor. Weekdays 9 to 5, about 15 minutes, with reservations required.

By NBT Editors · 2026-10-14

At Lower Manhattan's Dinkins Municipal Building, NYC Opens Its Cupola to Free Centre 360 Tours — Image: Centre 360 (cupola of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building)

The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building, at Centre and Chambers Streets across from City Hall Park, has opened its crowning cupola to the public for the first time since the building was completed in 1914. The free program, Centre 360, is run by the city's Department of Citywide Administrative Services, with its grand opening on June 11.

Cupola of the Dinkins Municipal Building crowned by the gilded Civic Fame statue — Image: a856-centre360.nyc.gov

Visitors step onto a balcony about 580 feet above the city and can walk a full circle. North brings Midtown and the Empire State Building; east, the East River and the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges; south, the harbor and bay; west, the courthouses, City Hall and the Hudson. On a clear day the list also includes the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center and the Woolworth Building. The balcony sits directly beneath Civic Fame, the 25-foot gilded statue by Adolph Weinman, and the city says it is the only spot where a visitor can stand there.

Civic Fame, the 25-foot gilded statue atop the tower — Image: a856-centre360.nyc.gov

Each experience lasts about 15 minutes and takes eight visitors, with reservations limited to parties of five. Groups meet at the CityStore entrance on Centre Street, show photo ID to building security, and get a short welcome. An elevator climbs to the 24th floor, where the group transfers to the tower elevator up to the cupola, then returns together afterward.

Panoramic view east from the cupola over the East River and bridges — Image: a856-centre360.nyc.gov

Tours run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., departing hourly on the hour; the building is closed on weekends. Bring a photo ID and wear closed-toe shoes. Children under 18 must be with an adult and stand at least 42 inches tall. Phones and cameras are welcome; tripods and drones are not. Access depends on the weather.

View west from the cupola over City Hall Park toward One World Trade Center — Image: a856-centre360.nyc.gov

The nearest subway stops are Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall (4, 5, 6, J, Z) and City Hall (R, W). Reservations are free through the Centre 360 website, and a phone-based Landmark Hunt helps visitors pick out sights from the balcony.