Which observation deck to visit in New York?

To experience New York properly, you need to get high up in a building. How? Head to the top of an observation deck. Since December 2025, there are 6 different ones in New York. Here’s what you need to know to pick the right ones for you.

What are the different observation decks in New York?

Empire State Building

Empire State Building is New York's oldest observation deck, located south of Midtown. One of the city's most iconic landmarks.

Top of the Rock

Top of the Rock reopened in 2005 at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Midtown. You'll find some of the best views of New York from here.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt opened in September 2021 at the top of One Vanderbilt tower, on the east side of Midtown. It's the most daring observation experience in the city.

One World Observatory

One World Observatory opened in May 2015 at the top of One World Trade Center. It's New York's tallest building.

The Edge

The Edge opened in March 2020 on the west side of Midtown in Hudson Yards. Walk out onto the glass floor and experience the thrill of stepping into the void.

One Times Square

This observation deck opened in late December 2025 on Times Square. It overlooks the famous intersection and offers a unique vantage point.

How to choose your observation decks in New York

Entry to each observation deck costs around $35–40: roughly $40 for the Empire State Building and The Summit, $38 for One World Observatory, Top of the Rock, and The Edge. That adds up quickly, especially if you’re traveling with others. So what should you do? Visit all of them or just pick one? The answer is clear: I’d strongly encourage you to make the effort and visit at least 3 of them. You’ll get 3 completely different perspectives of the city.

The views

Each observation deck offers a unique view based on its location in Manhattan:

• From the Empire State Building, you’re truly in the heart of Manhattan. On one side, the Financial District skyline stretches in the distance; on the other, Midtown spreads out with the iconic view of the Chrysler Building. I go up there just for this: watching the Chrysler Building’s spire turn orange and then red as the sun sets. The observation deck includes a small outdoor terrace, usually crowded, where you can hear the city sounds below. For photographers, the terrace lets you shoot through the railings without window reflections.
• From Top of the Rock, the view is equally magical. Simply put: the view of the Empire State Building from Top of the Rock is the best you’ll find anywhere. You see the building from below, up close, with the Financial District skyline behind it. To the north, you also get a lovely view of Central Park, very close by. The bonus: you can explore multiple terraces spread across 3 levels. Another advantage: the highest terrace lets you photograph above the protective glass of the lower levels, so you get shots with no reflections at all.
• One World Observatory occupies the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors of One World Trade Center. You get a stunning view straight down to the Financial District, the southern tip of Manhattan, and New York Harbor, plus a distant view of Midtown with the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building on the horizon. Note: this observation deck has no outdoor terrace, but the views more than make up for it. One World Observatory sits at the top of the tallest building in the United States—you’ll feel like you’re touching the sky.
• The Edge offers a completely fresh perspective, positioned on Manhattan’s west side. You get a sweeping view down the line of Midtown buildings and a side angle that lets you take in New York’s skyline and the nearby Empire State Building. The Edge also overlooks the Hudson River in a way no other observation deck does.
• The Summit occupies the top floors of One Vanderbilt, a tower right next to Grand Central Terminal in the heart of Midtown. It’s New York’s second-tallest office building, so the view is naturally spectacular. You’ll look down at the Chrysler Building and enjoy an unobstructed view of southern Manhattan, with a slightly different angle than Top of the Rock.

The experience

Each observation deck has its own story and atmosphere. Each one will leave you with an unforgettable memory—and not just because of the view:

• The Empire State Building impresses with its grand Art Deco style. From the moment you enter the lobby, you feel the prestige of the place and the power of this monument that defines New York. Remember, New York State earned the nickname “the Empire State.” Visiting the Empire State Building’s observation deck means discovering the history of the Big Apple and its race to the sky. Recently, the Empire State Building added a surprise in the elevator. The building also houses an excellent museum telling the story of its construction. And yes, you might run into King Kong.
• Top of the Rock wins you over with its pleasant outdoor terraces and wooden benches that invite you to stay for hours watching the city. It’s a place where you can admire the city while also relaxing. Top of the Rock is far less crowded than the Empire State Building, and you’ll always find a quiet corner of terrace all to yourself.
• One World Observatory is the newest, and the elevator ride up is a memorable moment you won’t forget. I won’t spoil the other surprise waiting for you at the top. Everything is designed for drama. The history of this tower, built where the original Twin Towers of the World Trade Center once stood, is also fascinating.
• The Edge represents a new generation of ever-more spectacular observation decks. Beyond the view, you can walk on a glass floor built into the platform and test your nerve. The platform’s very shape—jutting out from the building into empty space—defies the laws of physics.
• The Summit follows the same bold approach as The Edge, with its own grand-scale experience. You can ride a fully glass elevator that makes you feel like you’re floating above New York. Another all-glass room gives you an impressive face-to-face encounter with the city.

Tips for visiting the observation decks

• Visiting all 5 observation decks requires a decent budget—around $40 per deck. To avoid paying $120 per person just for 3 decks, my tip is to buy a pass in advance, such as the New York City Pass, which includes entry to the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock. This saves you from paying full price at these two and you only pay separately for One World Observatory.
• If you want to do more, consider the Explorer Pass or the New York Pass, which include entry to the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, and The Edge. To see the differences between them, check out the comparison of New York passes.
• If your budget is really tight and you can only pick one, I’ll commit and say: visit Top of the Rock. Why? Because it gives you views of more New York landmarks, and its outdoor terraces let you linger for hours at the top. But it would be a real shame to miss the others. Since you’re already paying for a flight and hotel nights, I’d really encourage you to make this small extra effort—it’ll stay with you forever. You’ll forget the flights and your hotel room color quickly, but the views from these 5 special places will be etched in your memory for life.

What visitors say

• Virginie Mahieu: “I did all three in mid-July, and honestly, Top of the Rock was the most pleasant. The Empire State is packed and the barriers make it less enjoyable, One World is nice but inevitably glassed-in, and Top of the Rock is spacious—you can really walk around, it’s spread across three levels, and the top level has no barriers, perfect for photos. I loved the views of Central Park and the Empire State Building. The One World elevator is pure joy, though.“
• Killdexter Seb: “Totally agree. I did all three in June. The best is Top of the Rock!”
• Nadège Dtw: “Top of the Rock is the best for me, followed by the Empire State. One World Trade Center is impressive, especially from down below!”
• Veronique Bernardot: “You should do all three—same city, but from different heights and distances.”