If you asked me what is the one thing you must have done in New York, my answer would be an observation platform. Five of the largest buildings in New York let you climb to the top where the views will take your breath away. Each of these buildings is specific, has a different perspective on the city, its own charm, that special something and its own story. I have put together all the advantages and disadvantages, the main differences, tips for visiting, special features and important things for you so that you can decide more easily whether it should be all five or just one or two.
This post compares all the observation decks in New York to help you choose which one is best for you.
- Summit One Vanderbilt
- Empire State Building
- Top of the Rock
- One World Trade Center
- The Edge (Hudson Yards)
I'll also show you which sightseeing passes you can use to save money at 4 viewing platforms so you don't have to pay the full price.
WHICH OBSERVATORY IS THE BEST?
The following sections provide details on the most popular observation decks in New York City and compare the pros and cons of each location to help you decide which observatory to visit.
Every attraction except Summit is included in almost all NYC tourist attraction discount passes, and some are also offered through combo packages.
After each comparison, I have added the link where you can purchase the ticket with the best price guarantee on My Trip to New York and find more information about all of these attractions with tips for avoiding large crowds, safety requirements, getting there and more.
Where are the viewing platforms?
- The Top of the Rock , 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, located in Midtown Manhattan, near Central Park, St. Patrick Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall
- The Empire State Building , 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, also located in Midtown Manhattan near Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal and the famous New York department store Macy's.
- One World Observatory , 285 Fulton St, New York, NY 10006, is located near the southernmost point of Manhattan, close to the Wall Street financial district, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the waters of the Hudson and East Rivers.
- Edge , 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001, not far from the Hudson River on the western side of Midtown near the High Line Park.
- Summit , 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, at the top of Midtown's new skyscraper, One Vanderbilt. Not far from Grand Central and Bryant Park.
Which sightseeing pass gets you in where?
EDGE VIEWING PLATFORM
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This is one of the newest observation decks in New York City and is located in Hudson Yards in Manhattan.
The deck itself extends out from the building, allowing relatively unobstructed views of the city. The outdoor balcony is on the 100th floor.
One of the nicer features of this skydeck is the glass floor.
You don't have to walk over it if you're afraid of heights, but it's a great way to see the city streets from over 1,000 feet above NYC!
In addition to these factors, Edge is also one of the few observation decks in the city that offers views of almost all of the others, including the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, One Vanderbilt, and the Chrysler Building.
Because Edge is so close to the Hudson, it offers some of the best views of the Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River, and New Jersey. You can also see Central Park quite well.
Entrance fees:
- $44 - Adults
- $37 - Children
- Children up to 5 years have free entry
Edge is included with the following sightseeing passes
- New York Flex Pass
- New York Sightseeing Pass
- Go City Explorer Pass
Edge Observation Deck Reviews
Most visitors love the Edge observation deck.
The most common complaint was about the crowds, and as this is a new and spectacular attraction, a large number of visitors is expected, many wanting to see what sets this observation deck apart from the others.
Some reviewers who have visited all the other observation decks in the city stated that Edge offers the best view of all. Others said One World Observatory was better.
Whatever the case may be, it's clear that those who enjoyed Edge felt it was one of the better experiences in New York City.
SUMMIT ONE VANDERBILT
As of October 2021, this is officially the newest observation deck in New York City.
Located in Midtown Manhattan, near Grand Central, this attraction is a new idea of an observatory, it is numerous mirrors that make the observation deck over Madison Avenue special.
In fact, there are so many reflective surfaces at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt that they even recommend you bring sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare!
Similar to other options on this list, this attraction stands over 400 meters tall. It offers great views of the Empire State Building, Midtown Manhattan all the way to One World Trade Center.
One of the additional options here is to climb the building in a glass elevator to the highest point of the building.
This elevator is located on the outer edge of SUMMIT One and gives you the opportunity to see as much of the city as possible as you climb up, but in my experience not worth the extra money ($37).
Since they only recently opened, this observation deck is not included in any of the tourist passes.
Entrance fees:
- $43 - Adults - $54 at night
- $36 - Children - $54 at night
- Children up to 5 years have free entry
Reviews of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Most visitors love the Summit One Vanderbilt observation deck.
Like its competitors, one of guests' main concerns seems to be crowd control, and that's typically a problem with any big new attraction.
Several visitors have stated that the views from SUMMIT One Vanderbilt are among the best in the city, and others went further and said they spent 3 hours here and weren't bored.
Regardless of whether this attraction is actually better than the others, it is one of the most beautiful experiences in New York.
ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY
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One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the city and the observation deck on the 101st floor is the highest in New York.
One World Observatory gives guests a unique 360-degree view of the city. It is also the highest of the five observation decks and offers the most impressive technological features.
Additionally, thanks to its location in Lower Manhattan, One World Tower also offers some of the best views of the Statue of Liberty, as well as the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. The sunset over the Statue of Liberty and the Hudson River is a very special experience.
Entrance fees:
- $38 - Adults
- $32 - Children
- Children up to 5 years have free entry
One World Observatory is included with the following sightseeing passes
- New York Flex Pass
- New York Sightseeing Pass
- Go City Explorer Pass
Reviews of One World Observatory
Some reviews suggest that long lines may leave you waiting outside in the cold, so you should plan your visit and purchase tickets in advance at mytripnachnewyork.com to avoid waiting in the ticket line.
Many customers were also impressed that One World Observatory is so close to the 9/11 Memorial. Tickets for the museum are also available at meintripnachnewyork.com .
Many people combine their trip to One World Tower with a tour of the area. Some say this observatory is too expensive, but the majority of visitors appreciate the opportunity to get a good look at New York City.