Observation Decks in New York
Tickets for New York's observation decks: Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, Edge, and Summit One Vanderbilt. Each one frames the skyline differently, so the view depends on which deck you pick.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: Entry Ticket
★ 4.5 (11782)
From $55
Edge NYC: Entry Ticket
★ 4.6 (5949)
From $48
Top of the Rock: General Admission
★ 4.7 (3378)
From $51
Empire State Building: Entry + 86th Floor Observation Deck Access
★ 4.7 (6007)
From $48
One World Observatory: Entry Ticket
★ 4.6 (2440)
From $44
Empire State Building: 102nd Floor Top Deck & 86th Floor Observation Deck
★ 4.8 (1671)
From $81
Edge NYC: Flex Pass
★ 4.6 (1023)
From $83
Edge NYC: Sunset VIP Admission
★ 4.7 (25)
From $108
One World Observatory: Skip All Lines
★ 4.8 (1687)
From $54
Observation Decks
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: Entry Ticket + Ascent
★ 4.7 (25)
From $81
Edge NYC: Entry + Champagne
★ 4.7 (25)
From $60
VIP SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and Grand Central Guided Tour
3 hours · ★ 4.8 (2736)
From $135
One World Observatory: Skip All Lines + Flexible Entry
★ 4.8 (533)
From $63
VIP Top of the Rock Pass
1 hour 30 minutes · ★ 4.7 (1355)
From $202
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: Skip The Line Ticket + Guided Tour
★ 4.8 (49)
From $163
All-Access 9/11: Ground Zero Tour, Memorial and Museum, One World Observatory
from 2 to 5 hours · ★ 4.5 (1016)
From $115
Midtown Manhattan Highlights Guided Tour optional Vanderbilt SUMMIT Admission
1 day · ★ 4.7 (1153)
From $141
Empire State Building: Express Entry
★ 4.5 (2326)
From $94
Empire State Building: Sunrise Experience
★ 4.8 (1711)
From $138
NYC in a Day Tour: Lady Liberty, Times Square, 9/11 Memorial
6 hours · ★ 4.8 (885)
From $90
Private 1.5h Tour of Grand Central & SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
1 hour 30 minutes · ★ 4.8 (2440)
From $272
From Gritty to Pretty - The Midtown Manhattan Edition
2 hours · ★ 4.6 (1994)
From $46
Private Tour: Highlights of New York with Top of the Rock
4 hours · ★ 4.8 (2043)
From $1,239
Top Of The Rock and 3-hour Manhattan Walking Tour
5 hours · ★ 4.7 (2727)
From $120
Private Tour with Skip the Line Ticket at Top of the Rock
from 2 to 5 hours · ★ 4.9 (1091)
From $377
The Best of New York City: Private Tour including Top of the Rock
6 hours 30 minutes · ★ 4.8 (1806)
From $440
Skip the line One World Observatory Private Tour with Transfers
from 2 to 4 hours · ★ 4.9 (1835)
From $292
NYC Empire State Building Sunrise Experience + Starbucks Reserve
from 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes · ★ 4.7 (1594)
From $146
Go Up The Empire State Building & 3h Manhattan Walking Tour
4 hours · ★ 4.6 (1364)
From $167
Empire State Building NYC Tour, Pre-booked Tickets, Transfer
from 2 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes · ★ 4.9 (1345)
From $297
Midtown Manhattan & Empire State: Private Walking Tour
3 hours · ★ 4.6 (1031)
From $277
Express Pass VIP Private Tour of the Empire State Building
from 2 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes · ★ 4.8 (1416)
From $483
Easy Access Empire State Building and Harry Potter Tour in NYC
3 hours · ★ 4.8 (1877)
From $128
Edge Observation Deck Times Square & Hudson Yard Tour
3 hours · ★ 4.8 (1965)
From $130
Early Access New York Edge to Little Island Pier Adventure Tour
3 hours · ★ 4.6 (1671)
From $95
Private Tour of High Line, Chelsea, Hudson Yards and Edge
from 2 to 5 hours · ★ 4.9 (2475)
From $170
Edge NYC: Express Pass
★ 4.7 (1328)
From $98
High Line, Chelsea, Hudson Yards Walking Tour with Optinal Edge Admission
1 day · ★ 4.8 (25)
From $27
Hudson Yards New York: Guided Tour + Optional Edge Entry
2 hours · ★ 4.8 (24)
From $40
Empire State Observatory & Flatiron District Tour
1 day · ★ 4.8 (25)
From $180
Observation Decks
Top of the Rock: Admission + SKYLIFT
★ 4.8 (25)
From $68
Observation Decks
Top of the Rock: All-Inclusive Pass
★ 4.8 (25)
From $84
About
Five major observation decks split New York's skyline between them, and they don't show the same view. Top of the Rock looks south at Midtown and the Empire State Building. Empire State looks both north and south and lets you see Central Park frame Midtown. One World Observatory looks down the harbor toward the Statue of Liberty. Edge and Summit One Vanderbilt are the newest decks, with glass floors, sky boxes, and mirrored installations that lean into the spectacle.
Tickets go on sale months ahead and the popular sunset slots sell out first. A timed entry is the easy way to skip the line at the door, and most decks let you stay as long as you like once you're inside.
Pick a deck by the view you want. For Manhattan framed by skyscrapers, Top of the Rock. For the Art Deco classic, Empire State. For the harbor, One World. For glass-floor thrills, Edge or Summit One Vanderbilt.
Frequently asked questions
Which observation deck has the best view?
There is no single best deck because each one frames a different part of the skyline. Top of the Rock includes the Empire State Building in the view, while Empire State itself sees Central Park. Edge and Summit lean into glass-floor experiences. Pick by which view you want.
What is the difference between Top of the Rock and Empire State Building?
Top of the Rock has an open-air deck and sees the Empire State Building in the view. Empire State Building is the classic Art Deco landmark with both north and south outlooks. Both have indoor and outdoor levels.
When is the best time to go?
Sunset is the most popular slot but sells out first. Mid-morning is the quietest. For night photography, the last hour before closing tends to have the smallest queues.
Are tickets cheaper at the door?
No. Online prices are the same as at the door, and online booking saves you the queue at the ticket window. Sunset slots are usually only bookable online.
Are observation decks accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?
All five major decks are wheelchair accessible by elevator. Strollers are allowed at all decks. Specific accessibility notes for each elevator level are on the operator's website.
Can I bring a bag or backpack?
Small bags and backpacks are allowed but go through airport-style security. Large bags, tripods, and outside food are typically not allowed. Check the rules for your specific deck before arriving.
Do I need a separate ticket for sunset or after dark?
On most decks the ticket is the same, but the slot you book matters. Sunset and night slots are priced and timed separately on some decks (Top of the Rock, Edge), so check the time-slot grid before booking.
What is the cancellation policy?
Most tickets are refundable up to 24 hours before the slot. Some last-minute and discounted tickets are non-refundable. Each option shows the policy at checkout.