Will be in town a few days in mid-February to view Christo's Gates. Have been looking forward to his installation for about a year now and can't wait to actually walk through Central Park, but would also like to get an aerial view. Are there any recommendations of buildings one could get a good view of the park from this perspective?

If it's within your budget, you should be able to get a nice view from a park view room at the Manadarin Oriental.

I've read that the Met Museum will open their roof garden esp. for this event. It's normally closed in winter. I think the Mandarin will be a bit too far from the installation but I could be wrong.

Nirvana restaurant at 40 central park south might afford a good view - it's at the very top : ) good luck
p.s. the food there isn't the tops however, but the atmosphere is very lush and hopefully will have the views you are looking for

The Gates don't live in NY. They live on a private island near Seattle, WA.

I saw the very interesting exhibit about the Gates at the Met last spring. I thought the installation was much more up in that area, isn't it? I can't imagine a good view from Nirvana either. By the way is that place good? Sounds like no. I always see such big ads for it in all the tourist magazines which has turned me off. You don't see big ads for good restaurants in those magazines.

Patrick, for one of our anniversaries, we stayed at the Plaza and had a lovely dinner at Nirvana, candlelight, wonderful view.
I was up the rest of the night sick from food poisoning

whoops - I didn't see this post before I posted on another post!- Patrick my understanding is that The Gates will wind through the park and will be visible from many vantage points. I was thinking the second floor of the Time Warner Mall would be good . . . here's the website for christo:
www.christojeanneclaude.net

mclaurie, since the Metropolitan Museum of Art is presenting the display, I'm sure they'll have the rooftop terrace open.

The installation is been cut down from its original 15,000 gates winding through Central Park to 7,000. Apparently there were many who thought the installation of that many gates would damage Central Park. Should be interesting and I can't wait to see the display.

Well, Scarlett, you'll have to admit it made your meal memorable!!!

Hi. we're in NYC from the UK on Feb. 12-15th. The Met web site says that it will open the roof for a good view of 'The Gates' that weekend, "weather permitting". Not sure if they plan to extend this?

I could be wrong, but it was my understanding that the Met rooftop would be open for the entire duration of The Gates exhibit.
Anyway, my camera is already set to click away!

I believe some of the restaurants in the Time Warner Center have nice views - even if the hotel is a bit out of your price range you could consider splurging on dinner.

I suggest you keep checking the New York Times as the exhibit gets closer. I'm sure the paper will offer viewing and photographing tips.

http://www.nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm?pagePkey=1382

The January 24-31 issue of New York magazine (Topher Grace with the word STRESS above his forehead is on the cover) has a article about Christos' Gates.

Or you could read the article here:

http://www.nymetro.com/nymetro/arts/...897/index.html