New York has five observation decks competing with each other, and each one has had to find its own reason to justify the ticket price.
The result is that today you can visit one with a glass floor 345 metres above the city, another surrounded by floating silver spheres, another that witnessed the birth of Manhattan’s modern skyline, or the one built on the site of the Twin Towers as a symbol of a city that refuses to bend.
This guide is not going to tell you that “all of them are essential”, because that helps nobody.
Instead, we’ll tell you which one fits best with what you’re looking for, how much each costs, and how to buy tickets without overpaying or missing out on your preferred time slot.
Empire State Building: New York’s Most Cinematic Observation Deck
The Empire State Building has something no other observation deck in the city can claim: ninety years of history embedded in the imagination of the entire world.
From King Kong to Sleepless in Seattle, this Art Deco Midtown Manhattan landmark has spent decades as New York’s ultimate visual symbol.
Going up to the 86th-floor observatory (the most popular open-air deck) or the 102nd floor (enclosed and higher up) still feels like a meaningful experience, not just another tourist attraction.
Standard tickets for the 86th-floor observatory start at around $47.
You can also buy express tickets that allow you to skip elevator lines, especially useful during peak season or sunset hours when queues can get extremely long.
From the Empire State Building you can see One World Trade Center to the south, Central Park to the north and the Hudson River to the west.
What you cannot see from here is the Empire State Building itself, which is precisely the most photographed part of the city skyline — and that’s exactly why many people love Top of the Rock.
Buy tickets on the official Empire State Building website and choose your preferred time slot.
Sunset hours are the most popular and sell out quickly, so if you already know your dates, don’t wait too long.
Top of the Rock: The Best Photos with the Empire State Building in the Background
The Rockefeller Center observation deck, known as Top of the Rock, has one unbeatable photographic advantage: from its open-air terrace on the 70th floor you can frame the Empire State Building with Central Park behind it, probably the most iconic skyline shot in Manhattan.
It’s also the only place where you can get that view without glass panels or reflections in the way.
Top of the Rock’s three levels include both indoor and outdoor areas, with different views depending on the floor.
Tickets start at around $40, with options for standard admission as well as sunrise and sunset experiences.
The experience feels more classic than the city’s newer observation decks — no immersive installations or glass floors — but it’s perfect if you simply want spectacular views without distractions.
The Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center and the Brooklyn Bridge are all clearly visible from here.
If you’re travelling with children or someone who doesn’t enjoy extreme heights, Top of the Rock is probably the most comfortable option.
It’s also included in the New York Sightseeing Pass, which can save you money if you plan to visit several observation decks.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: The Trendiest and Most Immersive Observation Deck
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt opened in 2021 and has been gaining popularity ever since.
Located inside the One Vanderbilt skyscraper next to Grand Central Terminal in Midtown, it spans floors 91 to 93 at more than 330 metres above the city.
What makes it different is that it’s not just an observation deck — it’s an immersive art experience designed by Kenzo Digital, where mirrors, light installations and optical effects are just as important as the views themselves.
The result is truly unique: the Air room, with mirrored floors and walls that multiply the skyline endlessly; the Levitation glass boxes extending out from the building on the 92nd floor, where you literally walk above the void with the Chrysler Building at eye level; and the Ascent glass elevator, which climbs an additional 30 metres outside the building itself.
The Chrysler Building views from here are unmatched anywhere else in the city.
Standard admission starts at around $48 per adult, although prices vary depending on the day and time.
Sunset slots usually cost around $10 extra and are the most sought-after, with queues sometimes exceeding an hour if you don’t reserve in advance.
Sunset here is spectacular because of the light reflecting through the mirrored rooms, but if you prefer fewer crowds, the first slot in the morning is the smartest choice.
Important: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is not included in any New York tourist pass, including CityPASS, Sightseeing Pass or Explorer Pass, so tickets must always be purchased separately.
Reserve tickets on the official SUMMIT One Vanderbilt website and choose your exact entry time.
Tickets are timed, and if you arrive more than 20 minutes late you may not be allowed in.
Take that seriously.
Edge at Hudson Yards: The Highest Outdoor Sky Deck in the Western Hemisphere
Edge is located on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards in Manhattan’s new west side district, and at 345 metres high it’s the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.
What makes it different is that the terrace doesn’t have traditional fences or railings.
Instead, angled glass walls create the sensation of floating above the city.
There are also glass floor sections where you can look straight down at the 100-storey drop beneath your feet.
From Edge, the perspective feels completely different from Midtown observation decks.
The Hudson River stretches below you, the High Line snakes through the buildings beneath, and Midtown’s skyline rises to the east.
If you’re looking for real vertigo and a more dramatic perspective, Edge is the strongest option in that sense.
It also has climate-controlled indoor areas, making it suitable all year round.
Tickets start at around $49 per adult.
Edge is included in the New York Sightseeing Pass alongside the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock and One World Observatory.
For the City Climb experience — climbing the outside of the skyscraper with harnesses — you’ll need to pay an additional fee and reserve separately.
Entry is through Level 4 of The Shops at Hudson Yards.
One World Observatory: The Highest Building in New York
One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, built on the site where the Twin Towers once stood.
Visiting One World Observatory is not just about seeing the city from above — it also carries emotional weight that the other observation decks simply don’t have.
The Sky Pod elevator takes you to floors 100, 101 and 102 in just 47 seconds while screens show the evolution of Manhattan from the 17th century to today.
When the doors open, you’re already more than 380 metres above the city.
Unlike Edge or the Empire State Building, One World Observatory is completely enclosed.
It features floor-to-ceiling windows across three levels, interactive experiences, a bar (ONE Bar on Level 101) and a luxury restaurant.
The southern views towards New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty and Staten Island are the best in the city from that angle.
Standard tickets start at around $44 and are included in the Sightseeing Pass.
How to Buy Tickets for New York Observation Decks
There’s one rule that applies to every observation deck in New York without exception: don’t buy tickets at the ticket office on the same day if you want your preferred time slot.
Capacity is limited and the most popular hours — especially sunset — sell out days or even weeks in advance during peak season.
Buying online is always the smartest option, whether through the official website or platforms such as Civitatis, Headout or Tiqets.
If you plan to visit several observation decks, the New York Sightseeing Pass includes the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory and Edge, offering real savings compared to buying each ticket separately.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is not included in any pass and must always be booked independently.
The New York CityPASS and Go City Explorer Pass also include some of these observation decks combined with other attractions.
One final tip: sunset time slots are always more expensive and the hardest to get last-minute.
If budget matters, early morning is the second-best option: fewer crowds, lower prices and cleaner light for photos.
Night-time is also fantastic, especially at enclosed observation decks like One World Observatory or SUMMIT, where the city lights create an atmosphere completely different from daytime views.
Where to Stay to Be Close to New York’s Observation Decks
Your accommodation location in New York matters more than most people realise when observation decks and attractions are spread across Manhattan.
Staying in a Midtown apartment places you within walking distance of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt (next to Grand Central), Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) and the Empire State Building.
Edge at Hudson Yards is around a 20-minute walk west, while One World Observatory is roughly 30 minutes away by subway in Downtown Manhattan.
Having your own apartment in central New York gives you freedom that hotels simply can’t match: you can leave whenever you want, return without worrying about schedules, and organise your days comfortably without wasting time.
If you’re planning your New York trip and want to stay in Midtown Manhattan, NYC Empire Apartments offers apartments designed for travellers who want to experience the city properly.
Take a look and book your stay in advance here.
We’ll be waiting for you!
