Discovering Your Ideal View of New York City: A Comparison of 5 Iconic Observation Decks

To truly appreciate the depth of a city like New York, the best perspective is from above. That's my recommendation.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Big Apple or a local seeking a new vantage point, the skyscrapers offer a fantastic way to orient yourself. Of course, there are stunning views throughout the city that don’t require a ticket—just perhaps a purchase of food or drinks to gain access.

One of New York City’s best bargains is enjoying a drink with a view at a rooftop bar (for unbeatable Manhattan scenery, check out Brooklyn’s 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge). However, the city is packed with "official" viewpoints. While classic spots like the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Plaza observation deck remain popular, new and exhilarating views are continually emerging.

Since relocating to New York in 2013, I've explored all the main observation decks and climbed various tall buildings and structures across the city. Here’s what you need to consider to find the perfect view for yourself.

Edge New York

This cantilevered viewing platform extends from the 100th floor of a skyscraper in New York City’s latest neighborhood, Hudson Yards. It’s touted as the tallest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.

In November, Edge introduced an exhilarating new experience for thrill-seekers: City Climb, which claims to be the highest open-air building ascent globally. While you may not be able to free solo the 1,200-foot skyscraper, you can traverse its trapezoidal top and lean out over the edge to take in views of New York City and the Hudson River. Rest assured, you’ll be securely harnessed throughout the experience.

While visiting Hudson Yards, don’t miss the public sculpture, The Vessel, designed by Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studio (though climbing it is currently off-limits), or enjoy a scenic walk along the High Line, which offers an elevated perspective of the West Side.

Key Information: You can reach heights of over 1,200 feet by joining the City Climb experience ($185). The observation deck stands approximately 1,130 feet high, with an online purchase price of $36 per adult in advance. If you choose the City Climb option, you’re in for one of the most exhilarating observation deck experiences in New York City.

Empire State Building

While the view from the Empire State Building is legendary, this iconic art deco skyscraper continues to innovate. In 2019, a new area opened on the 80th floor, along with a fresh observation deck on the 102nd floor featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. The main open-air deck on the 86th floor, wrapping around the spire, offers the largest outdoor viewing area in New York, providing visitors with stunning 360-degree views of the city.

Aside from its rich history (including the iconic viewfinders and a replica of the original Otis mast elevator), the Empire State Building is renowned for its breathtaking early-morning and nighttime vistas. Early birds can now head to the 86th floor to witness the sunrise on Saturday mornings (coffee from Starbucks in hand), and the deck is open until 11 p.m., when the city sparkles like a cosmic nebula.

Key Information: The observation deck on the 102nd floor reaches a height of 1,250 feet. Tickets for the main deck start at $42 for adults, while those that include access to the 102nd floor begin at $75 per adult. If you want to be among the 100 individuals experiencing the sunrise from the Empire State Building, be prepared to pay $125. For an iconic New York City observation deck view, the Empire State Building is unmatched.

One World Observatory

A visit to the One World Observatory atop the World Trade Center can be both an awe-inspiring and profoundly moving experience. Since its opening in 2015, the observation deck, which spans the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors, has welcomed millions of guests from around the world.

Before taking in the breathtaking views of New York City from the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, be sure to visit the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum. This site includes the two footprints of the original World Trade Center towers and extends deep underground to the museum, which is built into the bedrock where the World Trade Center once stood.

Key Information: General admission to the One World Observatory, offering stunning vistas from nearly 1,270 feet up, starts at $43. This is the highest viewpoint on our list. Tickets to the museum can be acquired for as little as $26 for adults.

Summit One Vanderbilt

New York City's latest observation deck is a blend of skyscraper and immersive art experience. Rising above Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, Summit One Vanderbilt features an outdoor terrace, a stunning two-story mirrored installation by Kenzo Digital, who is both the CEO and artist at Kenzo Digital Immersive. It also includes twin glass elevators that glide along the building's exterior and transparent "sky boxes" named Levitation that leave you hovering over Madison Avenue. During your visit, you'll encounter a floor installation by Yayoi Kusama and can enjoy refreshments at a lounge run by hospitality magnate and restaurateur Danny Meyer's Union Square Events.

This space is crafted by some of the most renowned figures in design, art, hospitality, and architecture to provide a uniquely iconic yet phantasmagoric experience of New York City.

Key Information: Taking an exterior glass elevator to the pinnacle of Summit (1,200 feet) elevates the price of an adult ticket from $39 to $59. It's the newest — and most unconventional — observation deck experience on this list.

Top of the Rock

When you visit the 70th-floor outdoor observation deck, Top of the Rock, at Rockefeller Plaza, there are no glass reflections obstructing your views. Perfect for architecture enthusiasts (with its stunning art deco details) and visitors wishing to capture the Empire State Building in their photos, this iconic vantage point offers a delightful way to enjoy a warm spring or summer day in the city.

Don’t miss the chance to recreate the iconic "Lunch Atop a Skyscraper" photograph with a replica steel beam, and afterwards, treat yourself to a drink at Bar SixtyFive or enjoy a luxurious dinner at the Rainbow Room for an unforgettable New York City night.

Key Information: The view from the 70th floor is about 800 feet above the ground, making it the lowest observation deck on this list. General admission for adults starts at $40.

Final Thoughts

Some of the most stunning views of New York City can be enjoyed for free: whether it's the bustling tip of Manhattan seen from the Staten Island Ferry or a leisurely walk along the Jersey City waterfront. Alternatively, for the price of a single drink, you can savor the view from the comfort of a hotel bar. And if budget isn’t a concern, a helicopter tour over Manhattan offers an extraordinary perspective of the city.

Yet, there's no comparison between capturing a picturesque view and the thrill of climbing to one of the city’s iconic skyscrapers to take in the vibrant rhythm of daily life in New York City.