5 reasons to visit Top of the Rock

To see New York from above, visit one of the city’s 5 observation decks—or climb them all. The Empire State Building, the oldest, remains the most famous and prestigious. You can also choose the One World Observatory, located on the 101st floor of One World Trade Center. Two newer options are the Summit and The Edge. A fifth choice: Top of the Rock.
This observation deck opened in 2005 atop the Comcast building in the heart of Midtown, steps from Times Square. It’s my favorite—here’s why:

1/ Ideal location in New York

• Positioned in Midtown, Top of the Rock offers unobstructed views of the Empire State Building and all of Manhattan. That’s a real advantage over the Empire State Building’s deck, where you can’t see the building itself (you’re standing on it), and over One World Observatory, which sits at Manhattan’s southern tip.
• Top of the Rock is also the observation deck closest to Central Park. You get a complete view of Manhattan, from north to south.

2/ Spacious outdoor terraces

• Another plus: the deck spreads across several large open-air terraces on 3 levels. This distributes visitors well. You’ll feel far less crowded than on the narrow observation platform at the Empire State Building, and less confined than in the enclosed, heavily air-conditioned space at One World Observatory.
• The outdoor terraces let you feel the pulse of the city below—the flow of traffic and the hum of air conditioning units.

3/ No glass or barriers

• If you love photography, Top of the Rock is perfect. From the highest terrace on the 70th floor, you have a completely clear view of New York with no glass or mesh barriers. That’s a major advantage over the Empire State Building, which is surrounded by protective grilles, and One World Observatory, which is enclosed in glass.
• The absence of glass and barriers is especially valuable for night photography.

4/ Fewer crowds than elsewhere

• Top of the Rock draws far fewer visitors than the Empire State Building and One World Observatory, which get packed. To make the most of it, arrive at opening time, 8:30 am. You’ll be among the first visitors with no wait. Plus, you’ll catch the best light on the Empire State Building, with the sun at your back.
• At the ticket counter, you can buy an add-on that lets you return the same evening. Watch the sunset over the Empire State Building and Manhattan—a magical sight.

5/ Top of the Rock is included in passes

• Unlike One World Observatory, which requires a separate ticket, Top of the Rock is included in all New York passes. This makes it very affordable. For details, see our guide to tourist passes in New York.
• If you prefer to buy a ticket for Top of the Rock alone, that’s possible too. Visit the Top of the Rock ticket booking page.