New York’s observation decks compared: the back story

About New York’s observation decks compared: the back story

By the ULTIMATE New York Editorial Team

Five observation decks look out over Manhattan, each with a different view. Here is how they compare, with heights from each deck’s own website or NYC Tourism.

Empire State Building

Opened in 1931, the Empire State Building rises 1,454 feet to the tip of its antenna and has two observation decks, on the 86th floor (open-air) and the 102nd (esbnyc.com).

Top of the Rock

Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Plaza has three levels of indoor and outdoor decks, with clear views of Central Park to the north and the Empire State Building to the south (NYC Tourism).

Top of the Rock is the deck to choose if you want the Empire State Building in your photograph.

Edge

Edge, on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards, calls itself New York’s highest outdoor observation deck, more than 1,100 feet up, with a glass floor looking straight down.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT sits atop One Vanderbilt, 1,401 feet tall, above Grand Central, with mirrored rooms and art installations; enter from the Grand Central main concourse. It is open from 8am to midnight.

One World Observatory

At One World Trade Center, the SkyPod lifts take you 102 storeys up the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere (NYC Tourism).

Which one?

For the classic skyline with the Empire State in it, choose Top of the Rock; for history, the Empire State itself; for thrills, Edge; for art and reflections, SUMMIT; for harbour and Statue of Liberty views, One World Observatory.

Our advice: book a timed ticket for about an hour before sunset and stay as the lights come on.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with New York’s observation decks compared: the back story before you go.