Event · City Hall Area

Civic Center, NYC: Free Centre 360 Tours Open the Municipal Building's Cupola

The cupola of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building is open to the public for the first time since 1914. Free, reserved 15-minute visits reach a balcony about 580 feet up, with 360-degree views, on weekdays.

By NBT Editors · 2026-10-14

Civic Center, NYC: Free Centre 360 Tours Open the Municipal Building's Cupola — Image: Centre 360, David N. Dinkins Municipal Building cupola (reservations via CityStore)

The cupola of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street, in Lower Manhattan's Civic Center, is now open to the public. The city says it is the first time this view has been available since the building went up in 1914. Visitors walk a full circle around a balcony about 580 feet above the street and take in 360 degrees of New York. Admission is free.

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

Visits are by reservation. Each group is limited to eight people, and the experience runs about 15 minutes, ascent included. Reservations are for parties of up to five. Guests meet at the CityStore entrance on Centre Street, show a photo ID to building security and hear a short welcome. An escort then takes the group by elevator to the 24th floor, where they switch to the tower elevator up to the cupola. Afterward, everyone descends together to the CityStore.

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

The views change with each compass point. North looks to Midtown, with the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. East takes in the East River and the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges. South opens onto the harbor and bay, and west faces the courthouses, City Hall and the Hudson. One World Trade Center and the Woolworth Building can be picked out on a clear day. A phone-based Landmark Hunt is offered on the balcony.

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

The balcony is the only place where a visitor can stand directly beneath Civic Fame, the gilded 25-foot statue by Adolph Weinman, installed in 1914. The Beaux Arts building, designed by McKim, Mead and White, was also the first U.S. government building constructed directly over a working subway line.

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

The cupola is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with visits departing hourly on the hour. It is closed Saturday and Sunday. Bring a photo ID and wear closed-toe shoes. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and be at least 42 inches tall. Cameras and phones are welcome, but tripods and drones are not, and access depends on the weather. The Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall stop is served by the 4, 5, 6, J and Z, and City Hall by the R and W.