Trying to Pick a NYC Observation Deck? Here’s What You Should Know

Getting up above the city is one of the most memorable things you can do in NYC, as Manhattan’s many observation decks give you incredible skyline views and a completely different perspective from street level.

However, choosing between the options isn’t always easy. They all offer great views, but the overall experience varies quite a bit. I’ve visited four of the main decks over a few different trips, and there are some clear differences between them.

I’ll start by going through each observation deck individually, what the experience is like, and its pros and cons. Then I’ll share my overall preferences and recommendations at the end.

Of course, these are just my opinions, but if you’re trying to decide which observation deck to book, hopefully this helps bring some clarity.

1. Empire State Building 

The Empire State Building is one of the most recognizable and famous skyscrapers in the world, so visiting feels pretty iconic. And the experience is more than just enjoying an observation deck, you really get to appreciate the significance and history of the building through the entire experience.

Before you take the elevator to the top, you’ll walk through a series of exhibits about the Empire State Building that are really well done and incredibly interesting.

For example, one room has a wall filled with a collage of TV screens showing different movies and shows that feature the Empire State Building. Another recreates the construction process, with floor-to-ceiling videos of workers, plus visuals on the floor and ceiling so you feel immersed in the job site as you learn about how the building was constructed.

There’s also a fun King Kong display with a giant arm coming through the wall.

After the exhibits, you take the elevator up to the 86th floor, walk through a big room with a few more displays, before going out to the main observation deck. The deck is open air and not behind glass, which is better for photos of just the city, although the metal safety fencing can be a little distracting, especially if people are in the frame.

You can also opt to visit the 102nd floor, which has floor-to-ceiling windows.

Pros

• Most iconic building in NYC
• The exhibits before the observation deck are genuinely interesting and well done
• Open-air deck with spots that aren’t behind glass (possibly a con, depending on your perspective)

Cons

• The main con here is that when you’re on the Empire State Building, you can’t *see* the Empire State Building itself. It’s one of the most distinctive skyscrapers in NYC, so it’s a bit of a shame to miss out on that.

Tickets: Start at $44 for adults – buy tickets here

2. The Edge

The Edge is one of the most visually distinctive observation decks, with a platform that juts out from the 100th floor of the Hudson Yards building. The viewpoint’s triangular platform extends over the city, surrounded by tall glass panels.

This spot is particularly famous for the photo spots in the deck’s sharp corners, where the photo angle really does feel like you’re stepping out onto the city. However, the lines for these spots can get extremely long (when we were there, I’d estimate they were an hour wait).

Because the Edge sits closer to the Hudson River, you’re not surrounded by skyscrapers in quite the same way as the other observation decks. The perspective feels different since you’re slightly removed from the densest part of Midtown, but you can look all the way from Midtown to Downtown and the bay.

This is the only observation deck of the four where you can see the Statue of Liberty – it’s small and far off, but the view is unobstructed. The Empire State Building is partially blocked by another building, but you can see the Chrysler Building a bit farther away.

There are also a few reinforced glass panels in the floor where you can stand and look straight down to the ground below.

Pros

• Unique design with the deck jutting out over the city
• Different perspective since it’s closer to the Hudson River
• Clear, unobstructed view of the Statue of Liberty
• Glass floor panels in parts of the floor, where you can stand, sit, and look straight down to the ground below

Cons

• Long lines for the popular corner photo spots
• Empire State Building view is partially obstructed

Tickets: Start at $44 for adults – buy tickets here

3. Summit One Vanderbilt

Summit One Vanderbilt combines great views with a really unique, interactive experience. From the top, you get excellent views of the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the midtown skyline, and Central Park.

The experience spans two floors at the top of the building. You start in a two-story mirrored room, where the floors, walls, and ceilings are all reflective. From there, you move at your own pace through a series of immersive, themed rooms.

One of the most fun rooms is the balloon room, where hundreds of large silver balls float through the room to play and take pictures with. There are also glass boxes that extend out over the city for photos, and another room where your head turns into a floating cloud on a screen in front of you. It sounds a little strange, and it kind of is, but it’s also really fun.

This one is very popular on social media, so don’t expect to have the rooms to yourself. That said, we loved it and thought it was one of the most fun experiences.

One practical note: Don’t wear a skirt or dress here. With all the mirrored floors, it’s very easy for people to see up.

Pros

• Excellent views of the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building
• Very interactive and different from a typical observation deck
• Multiple themed rooms across two floors
• Glass boxes that extend out over the city for photos
• One of the most fun overall experiences

Cons

• Very popular, so it can feel crowded
• Mirrored floors make skirts and dresses a bad idea

Tickets: Start at $44 for adults – buy tickets here

4. Top of the Rock

Top of the Rock has fantastic cityscape views, and one of the best views of the Empire State Building. Of all the observation decks, this one gives you the most straight-on perspective.

Compared to the others, the overall experience is more straightforward. There aren’t themed rooms or interactive exhibits, and the focus is really just on the views. The elevator ride up to the 67th floor is quite fun, though, as the ceiling is see-through glass and the shaft is lit, so you can watch yourself going up.

When you get to the top, you’ll have access to 360-degree views of the city, with glass panels along the perimeter. However, there are stairs in the middle that take you to an upper, smaller viewpoint, which doesn’t have any glass in front of you. This is the only observation deck on this list where you can get completely open views (no glass, no netting) of the city.

Pros

• Excellent, straight-on views of the Empire State Building
• Upper level with no glass or other view obstructions
• Best views of Central Park
• Simple experience that’s focused on the views

Cons

• More basic overall experience compared to the others
• Chrysler Building views aren’t great

Tickets: Start at $42 for adults – buy tickets here

Overall Comparisons and Recommendations

If I could only choose one, I would go with Summit One Vanderbilt. I loved the dense Midtown cityscape, the views of both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, the look toward Central Park, and the fun, immersive experience.

After doing both Summit One Vanderbilt and Top of the Rock, I’d say the views of the Empire State Building from each are pretty comparable. Top of the Rock is more straight-on, while Summit is slightly offset, but both are really great.

The Empire State Building would be my next choice. It comes in second because it’s a major landmark, but you can’t see the building itself while you’re on it. That said, the exhibits beforehand are very interesting and the views are otherwise great.

Top of the Rock is still a great option, especially if you’re not interested in the experiences at Summit One but still want excellent city and Empire State Building views. If you’re visiting at night and care most about nice pictures of the city, I’d probably prioritize Top of the Rock, as the reflection off glass (that you’d get from Summit & the Edge) is worse in the evening.

For the Edge, the main thing that makes it unique is the sharp corner photo spots, but having to wait in extremely long lines for a quick shot takes away a lot of the appeal. So for that, I’m putting it at the bottom of my personal list. It was still a good deck though! Just not as spectacular, for me, personally, as the others.

Quick Tip: Summit One Vanderbilt, Top of the Rock, and the Empire State Building are also all very close to each other, within about a mile and almost along the same north-south line, so the general skyline perspective is similar.

If you have at least two days in NYC, I’d consider doing two observation decks, one during the day and one at night. It’s a totally different experience once the city lights come on, and I think it’s worth doing both.

A Few General Tips

Tickets: You should book your time slot ahead of time for all of these, since they do sell out. I wouldn’t plan on being able to walk up and buy tickets on the spot, especially during busy times. Even a couple of days ahead of time is often advance enough, especially if you’re not tied to a particular time.

Timing: Even with tickets, there can also be a decent wait to get in and make your way to the top. The longest we waited was about 30 minutes, even with timed entry. Between security, lines, and time spent at the top, I’d plan on a couple of hours total for each observation deck.

Elevators: Every deck has elevators to take you to the top – you won’t be climbing stairs.

Time of Day: It’s worth repeating: If you have the time, I’d recommend doing one observation deck during the day and another at night – it’s a totally different experience.