chloedickensonLast Updated on 31st August 2026
This post about the best observation decks in New York City contains affiliate links.
Are you thinking about visiting one of New York City’s five observation decks and wondering which one/s are worth your time? My guide below includes everything you need to know about the best observation decks in NYC!
In my numerous visits to New York over the years, I’ve been lucky to experience all five of New York’s observation decks multiple times, and in my guide below, you can find them listed in order of my own personal preference.
If you’re heading to New York anytime soon and you want to enjoy remarkable views of the city, check out my ultimate guide to the best observation decks and viewing platforms in New York City!
Would you like more help planning your trip to NYC? Get a copy of my Ultimate New York City Travel Guide ebook and join my FREE New York Facebook Group!
What is the best observation deck in New York City?
My personal favourite observation deck in New York City is the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center.
This has been my favourite NYC observation deck since I first visited the city in 2014, however, I think that Summit One Vanderbilt may offer some excellent competition for the best observation deck in NYC as it’s such a fun and interactive viewing experience!
1. Top of the Rock
Best views of Manhattan & my personal favourite NYC observation deck
The Top of the Rock Observation Deck is not only my favourite observation deck in New York City, but it’s actually my favourite building in the entire world as I’ve been obsessed with it long before I even visited New York for the first time in 2014.
The Rockefeller Center is arguably most famous for its giant Christmas Tree that sits pride of place in front of the towering skyscraper each year, but the Top of the Rock observation deck is also one of the best bucket list things to do in NYC!
What to expect at the Top of the Rock observation deck
The Top of the Rock’s observation deck might not be as fancy as Summit or as iconic as the Empire State Building, but it is my favourite for a number of reasons. It’s super easy to get to as it’s located right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, you’re quickly whisked into the sky on its speedy elevators and the observation platforms are set across three floors, meaning that you can escape the crowds somewhat as not everyone is packed into one small area.
Opening hours
Open daily from 8 AM to midnight (last entry at 11.10 PM).
Ticket options
Tickets for the Top of the Rock observation deck start at $40 for children and $46 for adults, while sunset tickets for the Top of the Rock cost between $60 and $75, depending on the time of year.
You can also get tickets for the Top of the Rock via the Go City New York Pass and the New York CityPASS, so you can enjoy the awesome views from its observation deck as part of a New York attraction bundle.
Pros
- One of the cheapest observation decks in NYC
- Located in Midtown so offers awesome views of the city
- Indoor and outdoor observation platforms
- Best views of Central Park
Cons
- It’s the lowest official observation deck in New York (but the views are still incredible in my opinion!)
2. Summit One Vanderbilt
Most fun and unique observation deck in New York City
Summit One Vanderbilt is New York’s newest (and arguably one of the greatest) observation deck. While the Top of the Rock will always be number one in my eyes, I can’t deny just how remarkable Summit is. It’s also the most fun and immersive observation deck in NYC and you get a lot of value for money with so many attractions and exhibitions included in the price of your ticket.
What to expect at the Summit One Vanderbilt observation deck
Summit One Vanderbilt takes the concept of an observation deck and goes one step further, as not only does it boast multiple viewing platforms, but it also has several immersive art exhibitions and attractions that you can enjoy as part of your entrance ticket throughout.
At Summit, not only will you find an entire room covered in mirrors that offers unparalleled views of New York, but you’ll also find the incredible ‘Air’ art installation by Kenzo Digital, ‘Affinity’ which is an immersive balloon experience and ‘Unity’ which combines the physical with digital. You’ll also find ‘Levitation’ (two glass ledges suspended 1,100 feet above Madison Avenue).
Opening hours
Open daily from 8 AM to midnight (last entry at 10.30 PM).
Ticket options
Tickets to visit Summit One Vanderbilt start at $38 for children and $44 for adults for the basic general admission tickets. Sunset tickets cost an additional $13pp and you can also choose from various other ticket options such as the Summit Signature Experience which includes general admission and a signature cocktail (from $58), and Summit Ascent (from $68pp) which includes general admission to all three floors, plus a ride 12 stories higher in the world’s largest all-glass external elevator!
Pros
- Best views of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building
- Fun and immersive exhibits as well as observation platforms
- You get a lot of different experiences and immersive attractions for the ticket price
- It’s currently the cheapest observation deck in New York
Cons
- It can get incredibly busy throughout the whole observation experience
- It can take a little while to get used to the mirrored floors, ceilings and walls as it’s a very intense experience for your senses!
3. Empire State Building
Most iconic observation deck in New York City
The Empire State Building is perhaps the most iconic building in the whole of New York City and its infamous observation deck on the 86th floor is renowned for being one of the best viewing platforms in the whole world.
It’s also the oldest observation deck in New York, so it’s safe to say that it’s earned quite a reputation over the years!
What to expect at the Empire State Building observation deck
The Empire State Building’s observation deck has been featured in many films and TV series over the years, including Sleepless in Seattle, King Kong, Gossip Girl, Oblivion, and many more.
On a clear day, from both the 86th floor and 102nd floor, you can see six neighbouring states, so it’s safe to say that it boasts some pretty epic views!
As it’s such an incredibly popular New York attraction, the queues can often be super long to access the observation platforms at the Empire State Building, but many people argue that it’s well worth the wait.
I also personally think that it’s worth going up to the 102nd floor of the observation deck. While the views aren’t dramatically more impressive, it’s significantly less crowded, so you can enjoy the remarkable views without people constantly pushing and shoving into you!
Opening hours
Open daily all year-round, but timings vary, so check before you visit.
Ticket options
Tickets to visit the Empire State Building start at $38 for children and $44 for adults for the 86th floor observation deck, and from $79pp for both the 86th and 102nd floors. Sunset tickets can cost as much as $100 during peak seasons and visiting hours.
Pros
- It’s a great location in Midtown to see many of Manhattan’s top sights
- It’s one of the most iconic buildings in the world
- It’s been featured on many TV shows and movies
- You can enjoy incredible views from the 86th and 102nd floors
Cons
- You can’t see the Empire State Building itself (which is one of the best things to see from above in New York)
- It’s one of the most expensive observation decks in NYC
- Queue times can be incredibly long, especially at peak times
4. Edge
Best outdoor observation deck in New York City
After Summit, Edge is another one of the newest observation platforms in New York City, having only opened in 2019.
This remarkable outdoor observation deck is the tallest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and its location in Hudson Yards gives a very different vantage point than New York’s other observation decks.
What to expect at Edge
The Edge outdoor observation deck is located on the 100th floor, with an indoor viewing platform located one storey above. The outdoor viewing platform not only boasts awesome views of the New York skyline, but it also has an outdoor section that’s completely made of glass, meaning that you can stand on the glass floor and look all the way down to the streets of Manhattan below!
Opening hours
Open daily, but hours may vary, so check before you visit.
Ticket options
Tickets for the observation deck at Edge start from $37 for children and $42 for adults, with sunset tickets costing an extra $10 per person (as with every other observation deck on this list, I would always recommend visiting at sunset for the most incredible experience).
You can also take part in Edge’s thrilling City Climb experience, known as the highest open-air building ascent in the world! You’ll scale the building from the observation deck level and hang out above the ground at 30 Hudson Yards. It’s not a cheap experience (tickets start at $185 per person), but it certainly is an adrenaline-inducing one!
Pros
- It’s the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere
- It boasts a totally unique view of New York from the west side of Manhattan
Cons
- The outdoor sky deck can be closed due to weather conditions, meaning that you would miss out on its unique outdoor viewing perspective
5. One World Observatory
Tallest observation deck in New York City
One World Observatory at the World Trade Center is not only the tallest observation deck/building in New York City, but it’s also one of the tallest buildings in the world!
The views from One World are sensational as you climb 102 storeys into the sky. If you’re looking for views of Midtown and Central Park, One World doesn’t quite do so well as it’s a bit too far away from the action, but the views of Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey, and the Statue of Liberty are second to none!
What to expect at the One World observation deck
As it’s undoubtedly the tallest building in New York City, it’s safe to say that the views from One World Observatory are quite phenomenal. I actually think it might be too tall to see everything properly, especially as it’s located almost at the very southern tip of Manhattan island; it can be a little tricky to see all the way up the island.
There’s no denying that it’s a dizzying experience, however, and if you’re looking for towering views from its 102nd-floor observation platform, One World Observatory certainly delivers!
Opening hours
Opening times at One World Observatory differ depending on the day and the time of year, so be sure to check their website for up-to-date opening times.
Ticket options
Tickets for One World Observatory start at $38 for children and $44 for adults, so it’s one of New York’s most expensive observation decks.
Pros
- It offers excellent views of Lower Manhattan, New Jersey and the Statue of Liberty
- It’s an awesome experience to enjoy the views from one of the tallest buildings in the world
- It’s located at an incredibly important location in New York (next to the former site of the Twin Towers)
Cons
- It’s arguably too tall which makes it difficult to see some of the best sights and attractions
Bonus viewing platforms and best observation decks in New York City
As well as the five main NYC observation decks listed above, I wanted to include five bonus places where you can enjoy incredible views of New York from.
These aren’t official observation decks or viewing platforms, but they do offer great additional views of the city if you want to see New York from as many different angles and vantage points as possible!
6. The High Line
The High Line runs along part of the west side of Manhattan and while it’s not very tall at all, it does offer a fantastic and unique vantage point of the west side. It’s also one of the best free things to do in New York City.
7. 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
Of course, there are dozens of awesome rooftop bars in NYC, but 230 Fifth is one of my favourite rooftop bars in New York City and it’s arguably the best place in the city to see the Empire State Building up close!
8. Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is another one of the most famous landmarks in NYC and while you won’t see too many sights super clearly, you can enjoy wonderful views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and even a sneaky glimpse of the Empire State Building in the distance as well. If you’re planning to spend more time in Brooklyn, you can use my Brooklyn itinerary for more inspiration!
9. Statue of Liberty viewing platform
The viewing platform located in the crown of the Statue of Liberty is more of a novelty observation deck than one that serves an excellent view, but it is still a really cool and fun place to check out views of the city from.
10. Time Out Market New York rooftop
The rooftop at Time Out Market New York is only located a few storeys high, but it’s great for seeing the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge and part of the New York skyline. It’s best enjoyed at night, in my opinion!
Conclusion – best observation decks in New York City
I hope you’ve found this guide to the best observation decks in New York City useful and I hope it’s helped you decide which one/s to visit!
Are any of these New York observation decks on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments or in my New York Facebook Group!
