No one should travel to New York without seeing the city from one of its many vantage points. From a bird’s eye view, New York’s skyline looks completely different. From below, the skyscrapers appear intimidating, but from above, New York gives off a truly magical and elegant impression.
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, or The Edge? Where can you get the best view of New York, and where should you go if you only have time for one observation deck? We’ll share our experiences and, at the end of also reveal a secret tip for an observation point.
1. The Best Observation Decks in New York City
The four most famous observation decks in New York are undoubtedly the following:
- Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center)
- Empire State Building
- One World Observatory
- The Edge
First, we’ll thoroughly present the advantages and disadvantages from our perspective. A brief, summarized overview will follow in the next chapter.
Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center)
The Top of the Rock observation deck is located on one of the 19 skyscrapers of the Rockefeller Center, centrally situated in the middle of Manhattan. Many believe that the Top of the Rock offers the best view of New York, and there are good reasons for this.
The View from Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock spans three floors: from the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors, you can enjoy views of New York City in all directions. While on the 67th and 69th floors, you’re separated from the view by meter-high glass panels (open-air, not covered, mind you!), the view from the highest (and smallest) floor is unobstructed. Since there is often confusion: your ticket is valid for all floors.
The major advantage of the view from Top of the Rock is that you have a prominent view of the Empire State Building. As the Empire State Building is still one of the most beautiful skyscrapers in New York City in our opinion, the view is, of course, unique. However, you’re quite far from the Financial District, which is also very spectacular with the One World Trade Center.
To the north, you look towards Central Park. However, the once unobstructed view is gradually being blocked by new skyscrapers. While we were very impressed by the view of Central Park on our first visit, this time, unfortunately, there was a bit of nostalgia and disappointment.
Sunset at Top of the Rock
The undoubtedly most popular time to visit Top of the Rock is during sunset. This was the case several years ago when we first enjoyed the view from Rockefeller Center, and it hasn’t changed to this day. What has changed, however, is the number of visitors, which seems to have multiplied.
If you come for the sunset, you should expect limited photo opportunities. For example, during our visit in November, the top floor (the one without glass panels) was already crowded an hour before sunset – there was no getting through, as you can see in the photo.
Despite this, we believe that the lighting atmosphere is so magical that it was a no-brainer for us to come at this time. The transition from sunlight to the glittering nighttime skyline is simply wonderful to see. Note that this time of day is only worth it if the weather is good. If the sky is overcast, you should choose another day or come during the day when it’s less crowded. So, it’s worth checking the weather before you buy your tickets for Top of the Rock.
Admission Prices / Tickets
Regular admission to Top of the Rock currently costs about $43. Sunset tickets cost an additional $10 or so. Admission is staggered every 5 minutes, meaning your ticket is always valid for a specific time. You can theoretically go to the ticket counter and buy the next available ticket. However, you’ll most likely need to wait until your timeslot before you can take the elevator up. Therefore, it’s advisable to purchase your ticket in advance through the official website. With this ticket, you can go directly to the elevator at the designated time and ride up.
If you have one of the many New York passes, admission to Top of the Rock is included. With our pass, the New York Sightseeing Pass, we didn’t have to pay an extra fee for the sunset ticket either. However, this doesn’t mean you can go directly to the elevator. You also need to queue up (there’s a special line for “Pass Holders”). You’ll receive a ticket for the next available timeslot. If you have a strict schedule, we recommend picking up your ticket in advance, as we did. We got our ticket for the next day (for sunset) with our New York Sightseeing Pass the day before.
Entrance: at 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue
Opening Hours: daily from 8 AM to midnight
Additional Tips for Visiting Top of the Rock
- Once you have your ticket (with a timeslot!), you don’t need to stress: You don’t need to be at the elevator much earlier than the time indicated on your ticket. There’s practically no waiting area, and you’ll be sent away until your timeslot.
- Don’t cut your time too close for visiting Top of the Rock: From the time indicated on your ticket, it takes about 20 minutes to actually get up. You’ll need to go through security checks and watch a short film.
- Once you’re up there, you can stay as long as you want.
- Tripods are prohibited.
Empire State Building
Despite the increasing popularity of Top of the Rock, the observation deck of the Empire State Building remains highly frequented. The Empire State Building was once the tallest building in New York City and, for a time, the tallest in the world. We find the skyscraper’s symmetrical perfection stunning. However, this doesn’t benefit you much when you’re standing on the building itself.
The View from the Empire State Building
The main observation deck of the Empire State Building is on the 86th floor. It is considered the second-highest open terrace in New York City (after the new Edge observation deck). This brings us to the next point: the terrace is outdoors. However, a mesh fence obstructs an unobstructed panoramic view. You can easily take photos with your camera (even with a large lens) past the fence, but for beautiful portraits, the terrace is less suitable. The Empire State Building also has a second observation level on the 102nd floor. This platform is indoors (behind glass) and costs an additional $20 on top of the admission ticket. We’ve heard from several sources that visiting this floor is hardly worth it, so we decided to skip it.
At the Empire State Building, you also enjoy a view in all four directions. You can comfortably walk along the observation deck on all sides. It didn’t feel too crowded during our visit – but we should note that we were neither there at sunset nor during peak travel times. Since the Empire State Building is located further south than Top of the Rock, you also have a nice view of the Financial District, albeit from some distance. We really love that from the Empire State Building, you can see the top of the Chrysler Building so beautifully. In our eyes, the Chrysler Building is the most beautiful skyscraper in Manhattan.
Admission Prices / Tickets
The standard admission to the observation deck on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building currently costs $44. (There are slight price adjustments depending on the season.) An additional $20 fee applies for the higher floor (102nd floor).
You can purchase your ticket in advance through the website. This can save you the wait at the ticket counter. However, with the standard ticket, you usually can’t avoid waiting entirely, as every visitor must go through security checks, and there are almost always wait times at the elevator as well. We had already purchased a ticket in advance and had to wait about 30 minutes before we could finally go up. During peak times or the high travel season, it certainly takes longer. These lines can only be bypassed with the VIP Express Pass, which is significantly more expensive. However, we have also read that during peak season, even this ticket doesn’t always allow you to skip the wait.
Entrance: 20 West 34th Street (no longer on 5th Avenue)
Opening Hours: daily from 8 AM to 2 AM
Here you can buy your ticket in advance:
- Standard Pass Empire State Building (no waiting at the ticket counter)
- VIP Express Pass Empire State Building (no waiting at the ticket counter, security check, and elevator)
Additional Tips for Visiting the Empire State Building
- Be careful when buying tickets, as many people fall for supposed express tickets that only save you from waiting at the ticket counter. Even with the many different New York City passes, you usually can’t avoid waiting before security checks and the elevator! (Knowing this in advance is fine, but it’s better than having unpleasant surprises.)
- To avoid waiting as much as possible, you can either buy the express ticket or come as early as possible in the morning. Between 8 and 10 AM, it’s supposed to be relatively quiet.
- Tripods are prohibited.
One World Observatory
The observation deck at One World Trade Center stands out among New York City’s many viewing platforms. As the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, its One World Observatory is significantly higher than the other observation decks we’ve discussed so far. However, it is not outdoors.
The View from One World Observatory
One World Observatory spans three floors: the 100th, 101st, and 102nd. From these heights, New York City truly lies at your feet. It’s a bit paradoxical: because the skyscraper is so immensely tall, you’re not as close to the action from One World Observatory as you are at the other observation points. Additionally, the observation deck is entirely indoors, behind fairly thick glass windows. This means you don’t hear the city, which gives the experience a completely different feel.
From One World Observatory, New York City looks a bit like a toy town, which is incredibly fascinating to see. We particularly enjoyed the view of the Financial District. However, we found the view towards Midtown Manhattan less spectacular. The Empire State Building and other landmarks are, unfortunately, quite far away.
From the moment you enter the building, it’s clear that One World Observatory is the newest of the observation decks. The entire experience is, let’s call it, very Americanized. The elevator ride alone is spectacularly staged—not to mention the next part of the program. We don’t want to give too much away, so we’ll leave it as a surprise.
Admission Prices / Tickets
The standard ticket (“General Admission”) costs a bit more than $48. Note that you buy this ticket for a specific time slot. If you haven’t already purchased a ticket online in advance, you’ll get a ticket for the next available time slot at the ticket counter on-site. This also applies to the various New York passes: with our pass (New York Sightseeing Pass), we received a ticket for the next time slot at the counter.
Entrance: Corner of West Street/Vesey Street
Opening Hours: Depending on the season, 8/9 AM to 8/9 PM
Here you can buy your ticket in advance:
- One World Observatory (no waiting at the ticket counter)
Additional Tips for Visiting One World Observatory
- If you’re already in the area, be sure to visit the 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial Museum. They are located right next door—you can even see the footprint of the former World Trade Center from One World Observatory. Also, it’s worth checking out the Oculus, the new futuristic train station.
- The elevator ride is quite something: it lasts only 47 seconds, but you’ll be mesmerized the entire time. So, stay attentive from the beginning.
- Tripods are prohibited. (If you happen to have one with you—as we did—you’ll need to check it in and retrieve it afterward.)
Visiting New York City’s observation decks is an essential experience that offers unique and breathtaking perspectives of the city. Each platform has its distinct charm and advantages, catering to different preferences and providing diverse views of the iconic skyline.
Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center offers unparalleled views of the Empire State Building and Central Park, making it a favorite for many. Despite the occasional crowd, especially at sunset, the panoramic vistas and the blend of day and night scenes are worth the visit. Ensure you book your tickets in advance, particularly if you plan to visit during peak hours.
The Empire State Building, with its historic significance and central location, provides an iconic New York experience. Its 86th-floor open-air deck offers views in all directions, including a close-up look at the Chrysler Building. While the ticket prices can be higher for the 102nd-floor indoor observation deck, the comprehensive view of the city, especially the Financial District, is remarkable. To avoid long waits, consider visiting early in the morning or purchasing express tickets.
One World Observatory at One World Trade Center stands out for its height and modern experience. The indoor, glass-enclosed observation deck spans three floors and offers a more distant yet comprehensive view of the city. The technologically advanced elevator ride and the immersive experience make it a memorable visit. Given its location, combining your visit with a trip to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum adds depth to your New York journey.
Each of these observation decks offers a unique way to experience New York City from above. Whether you’re captivated by the historic charm of the Empire State Building, the central panoramic views from Top of the Rock, or the towering, modern marvel of One World Observatory, you’re sure to leave with a newfound appreciation for this incredible city. Plan your visits, book your tickets in advance, and prepare to be awed by the stunning vistas that define New York City’s skyline.
