Best NYC Observation Deck: We Visited All 5
The setting sun is reflected off lower Manhattan and the One World Observatory. All photos by John O’Boyle / The Empty Nest Explorers
New York is lucky. The city has five first-class observation decks, and every one is worth your time.
Four of them sit close together in Midtown, so the choice there comes down to style more than location. One World Observatory is the exception. It stands at the southern tip of Manhattan, which gives it a completely different view.
Debbie and I personally visited all five NYC observation decks — cameras in hand — so this isn't a comparison based on research. It's what we actually experienced at each one.
The short version:
First-time visitor: Top of the Rock
Kids or something you have never seen before: The Summit at One Vanderbilt
A thrill and a walk on the High Line: The Edge
History and the classic icon: The Empire State Building
Downtown, the harbor, and the Statue of Liberty: One World Observatory
Best for photography: Top of the Rock
Best for bad weather: One World Observatory
Visitors to The Edge take photos with the Empire State Building in the background. I used a telephoto lens to compress the distance between the two buildings
| Observation Deck | Height | Outdoor? | Approx. Price | Best For | Our Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top of the Rock | 850 ft | Yes | ~$45 | Photography, the Empire State Building view, Central Park | Best overall |
| SUMMIT One Vanderbilt | ~1,063 ft | Partly | ~$44 | Immersive mirror rooms and photography | Most unique |
| The Edge | 1,131 ft | Yes | ~$40 | Thrill and Hudson River views | Most dramatic |
| Empire State Building | 1,050 ft | Yes | ~$44 | History and the iconic building | Best history |
| One World Observatory | ~1,268 ft | No | ~$44 | Downtown, the harbor, Statue of Liberty | Best downtown |
Which NYC Observation Deck Should You Choose?
Choose Top of the Rock if you want the classic New York skyline and the best chance to photograph the Empire State Building itself, with Central Park behind you.
Choose SUMMIT One Vanderbilt if you want the most unusual visit in the city and you love mirrors, photography, and immersive art.
Choose the Edge if you want to feel like you are standing outside the building, and you are already headed to Hudson Yards or the High Line.
Choose the Empire State Building if being inside the actual icon matters more to you than having the best view of it.
Choose One World Observatory if you want Lower Manhattan, the harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge, all from the tallest deck in the city.
Top of the Rock, our pick for a first visit
The wide and roomy deck at Top of the Rock. In the background are the skyscrapers of midtownn Manhattan, including the Empire State Building.
If you are a first-time visitor, we think the classic approach works best. And the classic deck with the best all-around experience is Top of the Rock.
The viewing concourses are wide and easy to move around. You get the postcard view of the Empire State Building lined up right in front of you. You can also spot all four of the other decks from up here. Debbie brought binoculars and watched people playing with the silver balls over at the Summit.
The 70th floor is the star. It sits back from the edge, so there is no glass and no railing at eye level. It is the only fully open-air deck in the city. For a photographer, that means no glare and no reflections. Turn north, and you get the cleanest view of Central Park from any deck in New York.
One heads up. It gets windy up top, even when it is calm on the street. High winds canceled our Skylift ride on the day we went. Debbie ended up tying a scarf around her head to keep her hair from blowing around.
For a complete look at Top of the Rock, read our full guide: Visiting Top of the Rock.
| 📍 Location | 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Deck entrance on West 50th St, between 5th and 6th Ave. |
| 🎟️ Tickets | From about $45. Skylift add-on $35, weather permitting. Timed entry, book ahead. |
| 🕐 Hours | Daily 8am to midnight. Last entry 11:10pm. |
| 🏢 Height | 850 ft. Levels on the 67th, 69th and 70th floors. |
| 🚇 Getting There | B, D, F, M trains to 47–50 Sts / Rockefeller Center. |
| 📷 Best For | Photography, the Empire State Building view, and Central Park. |
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The Summit at One Vanderbilt, for kids and for something new
The Summit at One Vanderbilt offer both a great view and an interactive playground.
Have kids? Want something you have never seen before? The Summit at One Vanderbilt is for you.
We are glad the developers took a bold, fresh approach here. The classic look was already covered by the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock. The World Trade Center had the height and the history. So the Summit went its own way.
It is three floors of mirrored rooms, floor-to-ceiling glass, and a lot of sensory overload. You put on shoe covers to protect the mirrored floors. They even scan your face for one of the exhibits. Debbie found the midday sun through the mirrors blinding, so bring sunglasses.
The views are spectacular, and the photo opportunities feel endless. The base ticket covers everything you need, so you can skip the add-ons. Plan on two to three hours, and do not pack much else into that day. Debbie gave it a chrome-plated thumbs up.
For everything on the Summit, read our full guide: Visiting the Summit at One Vanderbilt.
| 📍 Location | 45 East 42nd St. Entrance inside Grand Central Terminal. |
| 🎟️ Tickets | From about $44. Kids 5 and under free. The base ticket covers everything. |
| 🕐 Hours | Daily 8am to midnight. Last entry 10:30pm. |
| 🏢 Height | Around 1,063 ft above Midtown. |
| 🚇 Getting There | 4, 5, 6, 7 and S trains to Grand Central–42nd St. |
| ✨ Best For | Immersive mirror rooms, photos, and something completely different. |
The Edge, for the High Line and a thrill
The Edge’s unique observation deck protrudes from the side of the building.
The Edge is a great pick if you are already walking the High Line or exploring Hudson Yards.
It is the highest outdoor deck in the Western Hemisphere at 1,131 feet. The big outdoor platform juts out 80 feet from the side of the building. You are very aware of how high you are, in the best possible way. There is also a small triangle of glass floor you can stand on.
If the highest deck in the hemisphere is not enough, there is City Climb. You gear up in a harness and climb the outside of the building to the Apex, about 1,271 feet up. Then you lean out over the edge, hands free. For a thrill seeker, it is fantastic.
Debbie found the Edge calmer and less crowded than the Summit. She and our son had fun picking out spots they knew from up there.
For a full rundown, read our guide: Visiting the Edge.
| 📍 Location | 30 Hudson Yards. Entrance on the 4th floor of the Shops at Hudson Yards. |
| 🎟️ Tickets | From about $40. City Climb from $185. Timed entry, book ahead. |
| 🕐 Hours | Hours vary by season. Check edgenyc.com before you go. |
| 🏢 Height | 1,131 ft. The highest outdoor deck in the Western Hemisphere. |
| 🚇 Getting There | 7 train to 34th St–Hudson Yards. Sits at the end of the High Line. |
| 🧗 Best For | Glass floor, Hudson River views, and the City Climb thrill. |
The Empire State Building, the classic icon
Taking in a beautiful sunset from the Empire State building.
The Empire State Building is the classic. It is the symbol of the city.
Its art deco style and open-air deck have been drawing visitors since 1931. It was the original New York observation deck. Its success is the reason developers built the other four. The deck was quietly earning tens of millions a year, and other owners took notice.
We will be honest. The building's age takes a little away from the visit. The elevators are slower than the newer decks, and there are several rides to sit through. The open-air plaza is narrower than its competitors.
But the building is an icon. Standing outside on the 86th floor at sunset, with the whole city lit up below, is still one of the great New York moments. The gift shop might be the best of any attraction like this too.
For our full honest review, read: Is the Empire State Building Worth It?
| 📍 Location | 20 West 34th St, Midtown Manhattan. |
| 🎟️ Tickets | 86th floor from about $44 plus a $5 booking fee. 86th + 102nd from $79. NYC residents save 25%. |
| 🕐 Hours | Open daily, often around 9am to midnight. Varies by season. |
| 🏙️ Height | 86th floor open-air at 1,050 ft. 102nd floor enclosed at 1,250 ft. |
| 📅 Opened | May 1, 1931. The original New York observation deck. |
| 🚇 Getting There | Herald Square (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W), one block away. |
One World Observatory, for the downtown view
The giant windows and wide floors at the One World Observatory.
At the southern tip of Manhattan stands another of the world's most famous buildings. Debbie and I have a lot of history here.
Debbie grew up in Jersey City and watched the twin towers rise in the 1970s. As a newspaper photographer, I had the hard duty of documenting 9/11, and then the rebuilding over the next decade. So this building and the area around it mean a great deal to us.
One thing to know. One World Observatory does not mention 9/11 at all inside. That story is left to the nearby memorial and museum.
The multimedia elevator ride is excellent. When the doors open, you step into wide viewing areas with floor-to-ceiling windows on every side. You cannot go outside, but you can see in all directions. On our last visit, we went at sunset and had beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.
If you're already spending the day at the 9/11 Memorial, Oculus, or Battery Park, One World fits naturally into your itinerary.
Being indoors is a real plus on a cold or windy day. And with the transit hub right in the complex, it is easy to reach from anywhere.
For all the details, read: Is One World Observatory Worth It?
| 📍 Location | One World Trade Center, 117 West St, Lower Manhattan. |
| 🎟️ Tickets | Standard from about $44 plus fee and tax. Combination, All-Inclusive and VIP tiers cost more. |
| 🕐 Hours | Generally 9am to 9pm. Varies by season and holidays. |
| 🏢 Height | Deck about 1,268 ft up. The tallest deck in the city. |
| 🚇 Getting There | E train straight to the World Trade Center. PATH from New Jersey. |
| 🗽 Best For | The Statue of Liberty, the harbor, and a downtown day. |
So which observation deck would we pick?
The classic views from Top of the Rock are hard to beat.
If we could only visit one NYC observation deck, we'd choose Top of the Rock. It has the best of everything.
It gives you the one thing the Empire State Building cannot: a clear view of the Empire State Building itself. The viewing areas are roomy. The top floor is open and set back from the edge, so nothing blocks your view. And many of the city's top attractions are just steps away.
That said, each deck offers something the others do not. You will not be disappointed with any of them. Pick the one that fits your day and your style, and enjoy the view.
Visiting several attractions in a few days? Go City includes Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building, the Edge, One World Observatory, and more. It can be a good deal, so just do the math first. Add up what you actually want to see, then compare it to the pass price.
Click on the graphic below for more info.
NYC Observation Deck FAQs
What is the best observation deck in NYC?
For a first visit, we pick Top of the Rock. You get the classic view of the Empire State Building, the cleanest look at Central Park, and the only fully open-air deck in the city. Every deck is excellent, so the best one really depends on your day.
Which NYC observation deck is the tallest?
One World Observatory is the tallest, with its deck about 1,268 feet up. The Edge is the tallest outdoor deck at 1,131 feet. Top of the Rock is the lowest of the five at 850 feet, and we think that more intimate height works in its favor.
Which observation deck is best for photos?
Top of the Rock, thanks to the fully open-air 70th floor. There is no glass to cause glare or reflections. You can even rest your camera on the stone wall for night shots. It is the only deck with that feature.
What is the best NYC observation deck for kids?
The Summit at One Vanderbilt. The mirrored rooms, the silver balloons, and the glass floors feel like a walk-through art playground. Just know it is loud and busy, so it can be a lot for younger or sensitive kids.
How much do NYC observation decks cost?
Standard adult tickets generally start between about $40 and $50, and all five use timed entry. Prices float with the date and time, and sunset slots cost the most. Always check the official site for the exact price on your day.
Should I buy a Go City pass for the observation decks?
It can be a good deal if you are visiting several attractions in a few days. Go City includes Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building, the Edge, One World Observatory, and more. Just do the math first. Add up what you actually want to see, then compare it to the pass price.
Which is better, Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building?
We prefer Top of the Rock. The decks are wider, the 70th floor is fully open-air, and you get the Empire State Building in your photos. The Empire State Building wins on history and that iconic Art Deco style. If you have time, do both.
Which NYC observation deck is best at night?
All five are beautiful after dark, but Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building stand out. Both have open-air decks, so the city lights feel close and unobstructed. We like arriving before sunset and staying into the dark, so you get daylight, golden hour, and the lit skyline in one visit. If you want to be indoors and warm while still seeing the lights, One World Observatory and the Summit both work well through their floor-to-ceiling glass.
Which observation deck is best in bad weather?
One World Observatory, without question. It is fully indoors behind floor-to-ceiling glass, so rain, wind, or cold will not touch your visit. The Summit is mostly indoors too. We would avoid the open-air decks, Top of the Rock and the Edge, on a wet or bitterly windy day, since the best part of both is being outside. Wind can also close the Edge's City Climb and Top of the Rock's Skylift on short notice.
Can you visit more than one observation deck in one day?
You can, and some people do, but we would not rush it. Each deck takes one to two hours once you count the lines, the elevators, and time to actually enjoy the view. Two in a day is comfortable, especially a Midtown deck paired with One World downtown. Three or more starts to feel like a checklist. If you do want several, a Go City pass can bring the cost down. Just do the math first.
About the Authors
|
John and Debbie O'Boyle are the team behind The Empty Nest Explorers. John is a professional photographer whose work has been published by The New York Times, NBC News, and Getty Images. He is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers, has been part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team, and has received two New York Emmy nominations. Debbie is a writer and photographer with 30+ years of experience, formerly with The Star-Ledger and NJ.com. Together, they create in-depth travel guides for couples and empty-nest travelers who want to make the most of every destination. |
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New York has five first-class observation decks, and we have been up all of them, cameras in hand.
Here is our honest take on each one, who each suits best, and which we would pick if we could only do one.