African Burial Ground Memorial
  1. Home
  2. National Parks
  3. New York
  4. African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument Photography Guide

National Monument · New York

  • Bortle 9
  • 1 photo spots
  • Clearest: September
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (NPS)

African Burial Ground National Monument is a National Monument in New York. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 1 photo locations inside or next to the park.

The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of African communities whose labor, resilience, and cultural contributions were fundamental in shaping the development of New York.Description: National Park Service (public domain) — nps.gov
Photo spots
1
matched locations
Sky darkness
Bortle 9
Inner-city sky
Clearest month
September
51% cloud
Milky Way peak
June
Mar–Sep
Nearest town
New York City
100 m

Light at African Burial Ground

Live
Sunrise
7:13 AM
Sunset
6:10 PM
Golden hour AM
6:56 AM – 7:51 AM
Golden hour PM
5:32 PM – 6:27 PM
Blue hour AM
6:45 AM – 6:56 AM
Blue hour PM
6:27 PM – 6:38 PM
Full darkness
7:41 PM – 5:43 AM
Moon
Waxing Gibbous · 70%
Moonrise / set
3:25 PM / 1:08 AM
Day length
10h 57m
Sunrise azimuth
103°
Sunset azimuth
257°
000306091215182124
NightTwilightBlue hourGolden hourDaylight

Times in America/New York. Golden hour = sun −4° to +6°; blue hour = −6° to −4°.

Clouds at sunrise & sunset

NWS

Hourly sky cover from the National Weather Service. 20–60% cloud often gives the most colorful sunrises and sunsets.

Best photo spots in African Burial Ground

We matched 1 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to African Burial Ground. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.

Lakes (1)

Sunrise, sunset & golden hour

At African Burial Ground the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 58° (ENE) at the June solstice and 121° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 303° (WNW) in June to 239° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 73° in summer but only 26° in winter.

NESW60°30°
June solsticeEquinoxesDecember solstice
Month (15th)SunriseGolden hour endsGolden hour startsSunsetSunset az.Daylight
January7:19 AM8:01 AM4:11 PM4:53 PM243°9h 35m
February6:51 AM7:29 AM4:53 PM5:31 PM254°10h 40m
March7:09 AM7:45 AM6:27 PM7:03 PM268°11h 54m
April6:18 AM6:55 AM6:59 PM7:35 PM284°13h 17m
May5:40 AM6:19 AM7:27 PM8:07 PM296°14h 27m
June5:25 AM6:06 AM7:48 PM8:30 PM302°15h 04m
July5:38 AM6:18 AM7:47 PM8:27 PM300°14h 49m
August6:07 AM6:45 AM7:18 PM7:56 PM290°13h 49m
September6:37 AM7:13 AM6:31 PM7:07 PM275°12h 30m
October7:08 AM7:45 AM5:40 PM6:17 PM260°11h 10m
November6:44 AM7:24 AM3:59 PM4:39 PM246°9h 56m
December7:14 AM7:57 AM3:47 PM4:30 PM240°9h 17m

Computed for the park's reference point (40.7145, -74.0045); large parks span several minutes of difference.

Milky Way & dark skies

From African Burial Ground, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from March through September. June gives the longest window (about 4.7 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 20° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 9 (inner-city sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.

MonthCore visible (15th)HoursMax altitude
JanuaryNot visible in darkness——
February5:13 AM – 5:13 AM0.011°
March4:24 AM – 5:34 AM1.217°
April2:24 AM – 4:34 AM2.220°
May12:19 AM – 3:39 AM3.320°
June10:36 PM – 3:16 AM4.720°
July10:27 PM – 1:47 AM3.320°
August9:39 PM – 11:49 PM2.220°
September8:40 PM – 9:50 PM1.217°
October7:48 PM – 7:48 PM0.011°
NovemberNot visible in darkness——
DecemberNot visible in darkness——

9 Estimated Bortle 9 — Inner-city sky. Only the Moon, planets and a few bright stars are visible.

Weather & best time to visit

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=New+York&state=NY&site=OKX&lat=40.7198&lon=-73.993#.Vqj8OvkrJlZ

Weather overview: National Park Service.

Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show September as the clearest month (about 51% average cloud cover) and December as the cloudiest (64%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.

Average cloud cover (%)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Average high (°F)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Photography permits, drones & fees

Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.

Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.

Getting there

The African Burial Ground National Monument is located on the first floor of the Ted Weiss Federal Building located at 290 Broadway in Lower Manhattan; close to Foley Square and just north of City Hall. Our visitor center is located mid-block on Broadway between the cross streets of Duane Street and Reade Streets.

Directions: National Park Service.

Activities

  • Arts and Culture
  • Guided Tours
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Nearby parks

FAQ

When is the best time to photograph African Burial Ground National Monument?
September has the clearest skies on average; june is best for the milky way core. For light, plan around the first and last hour of sun. Spring and autumn usually bring softer light and fewer crowds; check the monthly table for sunrise and sunset times.
Do you need a photography permit in African Burial Ground?
Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Can you fly a drone in African Burial Ground?
Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Can you see the Milky Way in African Burial Ground?
Yes — from March to September, best in June. Estimated sky: Bortle 9.
What time is sunset in African Burial Ground?
On the 15th of October the sun sets at about 6:17 PM local time; see the live widget for today.