New York City, or at least Manhattan, is filled with skyscrapers, almost 300. Their height makes them impressive to look up to from the outside, but climbing them for a view over the city grants an even more impressive sight. There are 3 observation decks in New York City. You probably don’t have the time, budget or desire to visit them all, so here’s an overview to help you decide which one you should visit.
Top of the Rock
Height: 70 floors
Hours: 8:00-00:00, 7 days a week
How much: $36 per person
Highlights: awesome view of Central Park
Top of the Rock is the observation deck at Rockefeller Center, also known as the Comcast Building. The most impressive sight from this viewpoint is the massive green (or brown, depending on the season you’re visiting in) rectangle that’s Central Park. It’s hard to grasp how huge it is, but this gives you a rough idea.
This photo from Central Park was taken in May 2016. By now, the Steinway Tower peaks 435 meter (1428 ft) high, smack in the middle of this view. It’s the thinnest skyscraper in the world, with (I’m guessing) an excellent view of Central Park. It’s a residential tower though, so for now no observation deck yet. Just Google Steinway Tower New York City and check out the images for the updated view from Top of the Rock.
Anyways, besides Central Park, you can also see nearly every other impressive building or landmark in New York City from Top of the Rock, if you know where to look. Google Maps can be of help, or you can upgrade your ticket with a Premier Pass. It includes a digital keepsake photo and a printed viewfinder with notable buildings.
What to expect?
Upon arrival you’ll have to pass a security checkpoint. Weapons of any kind aren’t allowed, and neither are food or drinks. While waiting for the elevator you can check out some information signs about Rockefeller Center. You also have the opportunity to have your photo taken as if you’re sitting on a beam high above the city, like that iconic image of construction workers eating lunch on such a beam.
The elevator will drop you off at the 67th floor. There’s an indoor viewing deck here, with a gift shop. You can climb the stairs to the 69th and 70th floor, which each have an outdoor observation deck. Plenty of photo opportunities!
Allow for about 1 hour on Top of the Rock for you to soak in the views, look for your favourite spots in New York City, and take way too many photos. We also made it a sport to spot as many rooftop gardens as possible. Feel free to stay longer though, as there’s no limit to the length of your stay. We’d recommend visiting in the afternoon on a sunny day for Central Park to be extra green.
How much does it cost?
It’s not required to buy tickets for Top of the Rock beforehand, but we did. It cost us $32 per person (adult) in May 2016. Now, tickets cost $36 per person. You have to choose a date and time for your visit when booking. There are several upgrades and combination tickets available, but we refer to the Top of the Rock website for more and up-to-date information.
One World Observatory
Height: 102 floors
Hours: 9:00-22:00, 7 days a week
How much: $34 per person
Highlights: gorgeous overview over Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge
One World Observatory is the observation deck at One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Being the highest building in New York City, located pretty close to the Hudson River, makes for a gorgeous overview over Manhattan and the bridges over the East River. One World Observatory is the newest of 3 observation decks in New York City.
What to expect?
Before making it up to One World Observatory you’ll have to pass a security checkpoint. Again, no weapons, food or drinks are allowed inside. During the elevator ride up to the 102nd floor, you’ll be treated to a virtual time-lapse of over 500 years of an evolving New York City. The floor-to-ceiling screens make the experience all the more impressive. Upon arrival at the top, you are forced to watch a short presentation about New York City. It’s not that great or interesting, but hold on for the grand finale. Surprise!
Descend back down to the 100th floor, to the main indoor observatory with gift shop, to watch the 360° panoramic views in your own time. Unfortunately it’s all windows over here, which makes takes great photos a bit more difficult due to the reflections.
For $15 you can rent an iPad that’ll tell you what you see, but Google Maps can help you as well, for free. At the circle of screens (you’ll know what I mean when you see it) you can follow a presentation about New York City by City Pulse, catered to the public’s interests. Pretty interesting if you have some time to kill!
Allow for about 1 hour at One World Observatory in order to take all the views in and snap lots of shots. We however, stayed a little longer to see the view both by day and by night, including a very red sunset over New Jersey. The Brooklyn Bridge is especially beautiful at night, and the 9/11 Memorial Pools are worth looking down upon both in the light and the dark. Definitely go visit them up close by night as well, when the water sparkles in the artificial light.
How much does it cost?
It’s not required, but it is recommended to buy tickets to One World Observatory beforehand. We bought timed tickets online to enter at 18:45, for $32 per person. At the time it was the last time slot before the price rise during prime time, because of the sunset. There’s no limit to the length of your stay though, so we just stuck around until sunset. It seems there’s no difference in prices between different time slots anymore though, they all cost $34 per person (adult). For more and up-to-date information, check out the One World Observatory website.
Empire State Building
Height: 102 floors
Hours: 8:00-2:00, 7 days a week
How much: $37 per person
Highlights: uninterrupted view of the Financial District
The oldest of 3 observation decks in New York City is situated on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, completed in 1931. There’s an inside viewing deck, a main deck, and a top deck. From each of these viewing decks you have an uninterrupted view of the Financial District, including One World Trade Center. Actually, only the view from the top deck is truly uninterrupted, on the others there’s glass or high fencing.
What to expect?
Just like at the other 2 observation decks in New York City, we had to pass a security checkpoint before boarding the elevator. Our first stop was the 80th floor, the inside viewing deck. We shortly wandered through the room, past the information signs before taking another elevator up to the 86th floor.
On the 86th floor is the main deck, which is outside. We were visiting in the freezingly cold winter of 2017, so the icy wind cut through our jackets at that height. It was a nice and clear morning though, so the view was beautiful. We appreciated the free binoculars, but the high fencing is pretty annoying. No selfie opportunities without the fence photo bombing on this deck!
However, you can pay extra for an elevator ride up to the top deck on the 102nd floor. From the photos the view seems worth paying for (no high fence), but unfortunately that deck was closed the day of our visit for safety reasons.
Allow for about 1 hour to soak in the views from both the inside and main viewing deck. That’s queueing time excluded. We arrived at 8:15 in the morning on December 31st, when there was no line whatsoever. The queueing lane was already set up though, and following it gives you an idea of how long the queue can get, knowing it sometimes ends on the sidewalk. We left again a little past 9:00, after browsing through the gift shop.
Here’s a 360 panorama of the view we were treated to in the middle of winter:
How much does it cost?
It’s not necessary to buy tickets to the observation decks of the Empire State Building beforehand, but it’s possible online. Contrary to the other 2 observation decks in New York City, the tickets aren’t timed. You can go at your convenience. Depending on whether it’s a regular day, prices can range from $37 to $39 per person (adult) for the main deck. If you want to visit the top deck as well, it’ll cost you $57 to $63 per person. For more options and up-to-date information, check out the Empire State Building website.
Which is the best observation deck in New York City?
Now we’ve visited all 3 observation decks in New York City, we can compare and say which one’s the best.
Our personal favourite is Top of the Rock. With an impressive view over the green (or brown, depending on the season) Central Park and no high fencing, you can take some great photos here. Plus, you can see all the famous skyscrapers, like Empire State Building and Chrysler Building. Unfortunately you have a front row view of the new Steinway Tower as well.
However, we can definitely recommend One World Observatory as well. From here, you have a different point of view, and a cool elevator experience. Too bad there isn’t an outside viewing deck. The windows make it difficult to take good photos without an annoying reflection.
Lastly there’s the Empire State Building. We respect this famed building and it being the oldest observation deck in NYC, but we’d skip this one if we have to choose. It’s the most expensive, has high fencing, and the view is similar to the one at Top of the Rock, but further from Central Park.
Have you visited one or more of the observation decks in New York City? Which one is your favourite and why? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments!
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