which is the best observation deck in New York City?

  • 30 Jan 2018
empire state building vs top of the rock vs one world observatory

One of the most beautiful things to do in New York is to go up to any of its three viewpoints to look at the skyline from above, especially at night!

The New York skyline with its never ending skyscrapers are something to admire. And now, there 3 options to choose from, two in Midtown and one in Downtown.

 

TOP OF THE ROCK (pictured in header)
The Top of the Rock is the viewpoint of the Rockefeller Center, located on Fifth Avenue between 47th and 50th streets.

Tickets to the same cost usd 37, children under 6 years are free.

To access the viewpoint you have to go up to the 68th floor, and then you can access two more floors where the last one is free of glass, totally outdoors.

The views are incredible, what is most striking is to see the Empire State in all its splendor and Central Park. The perfect time to climb is before sunset to enjoy the sunset and the beginning of the lighting of the different buildings of the city.

 

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
This building is a classic icon of the city, it is located at 35th Street and Fifth Avenue. Tickets for your viewpoint cost usd 37, children under 6 years are free.

The viewpoint is on the 86th floor and if you want, paying a difference, there is the possibility of going up to the 102nd floor. The way to get to the Empire State observation deck can be very busy during peak times, so I recommend visiting it well into the night where it will take less than 15 minutes to climb, against one or two hours going at noon

empire state building observation deck

 

ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY
The newest of the viewpoints, inaugurated in May 2015, located in the World Trade Center area where the Twin Towers used to be.

Tickets to access the observatory cost usd 34, children under 6 do not pay. This viewpoint is located on the 100th floor, having very different views from the two previous ones, from here you will see Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges, the Statue of Liberty and the entire southern part of the island. We recommend going up with the light of day since being a fully glassed lookout point, if you go at night it is difficult to take good pictures.

 

one world observation deck