Empire State Building, One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) & Hudson River

I took a helicopter with FlyNYON to capture this aerial view of Midtown and Lower Manhattan. The flights last about 15-30 minutes and range from $120-$500, depending on how long you're in the air. All flights depart from Kearny, NJ. For this particular flight, we were flying between Hell's Kitchen and the Upper East Side, and I photographed southward. For more information check out https://www.flynyon.com or call 1-855-696-6247.

Enjoy aerial views of the city and these iconic landmarks any month of year.

I definitely recommend going on a sunset ride to see the city illuminated in soft, warm light.

Bring as little as possible. The helicopter ride doesn't allow a lot of equipment, so try to pack lightly.

Before going on the ride, review the helicopter's route. You want to know which buildings are in the area so you can make them a focal point in your shot.

Use a high shutter speed to capture a clear shot. Without a fast shutter, your photos will be on the blurrier side.

Enjoy the flight! It goes by quickly — you're only in the air for about 15 or 20 minutes, so take in the sights around you.