What is the best observatory in New York?

Empire State, One World, Top of the Rock: we visited all three.

Impossible to visit New York without taking a little height to admire its immensity and its buildings as far as the eye can see. The Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, or the One World Observatory: each of the city's three observatories is different because of its history, view, or staging. A short guide to find the observatory that best meets your expectations.

The location and the height

The Empire State Building, located on Fifth Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets, is the most mythical skyscraper in New York. Built in 1931, it rises up to 381 meters in height and has 102 floors. It is open every day from 8am to 2am.

Fifteen streets up, still on Fifth Avenue, is the Top of the Rock, nestled at the top of Rockefeller Center and open every day from 8am to 12pm. Built between 1931 and 1933, the Top of the Rock tower has seventy floors and is 260 meters high.

Finally, open since May 2015 at 285 Fulton Street, at the World Trade Center, the One World Observatory is the most recent observation point in New York but also the highest. At 382 meters high, the observatory is 122 meters higher than the Top of the Rock and 60 meters above the Empire State Building. Located on the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors of the One World Trade Center Tower, the observatory is located next to Ground Zero in the One World Trade Tower. It is open every day from 9am to 10pm.

The price

To observe the vastness of New York from the One World Observatory count $35, $42 to climb to the top of the Rock and $36 to experience it from the Empire State Building. For a few dollars more, it is also possible to have priority access so as not to queue when visiting the three sites.

For the most demanding visitors, observatories offer alternative experiences. At One World Observatory, it is possible to treat yourself to an “all inclusive” visit for $55 including flexible hours on the day of the visit, priority access and $15 to spend at the observatory to eat, drink or buy a souvenir. At the Empire State Building, watch the New York sunrise for $115. To climb to the top of the observatory twice a day, count $52 for adults and $45 for children. Finally, the Top of the Rock offers the opportunity to come and observe the stars for $56 or the sunset for $10 in addition to a classic entry.

If at the moment the One World Observatory is only included in the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass And the New York City FreeStyle Pass, The Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building are part of the majority of city passes, such as the New York City PassOr the New York City Explorer Pass. Since the observatories are one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York, it is recommended to buy tickets in advance.

The view

All three observatories offer 360-degree panoramic views of New York, but each is unique.

From the north, the Empire State Building offers a view of Central Park, Times Square, the Rockefeller Plaza Center and from the south, Grand Central, the United Nations, the Midtown buildings and the East River. By positioning yourself to the south and looking into the distance, it is possible to observe the Statue of Liberty.

From the One World Observatory, visitors can see all of Manhattan and its towers from the north. To the west, New Jersey and the Hudson River, while to the east, it is possible to observe the Financial District, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge over the East River and Brooklyn. Finally, to the south, the observatory offers views of Governors Island, Staten Island, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. The only downside, being located in southern Manhattan, the observatory does not allow you to see Central Park.

The Top of the Rock, for its part, offers its visitors a panoramic terrace on three levels with, to the north, a view of Central Park and Times Square and to the south a breathtaking view of the Empire State Building, Downtown and the spire on Chrysler Building to the east.

At the end of 2019, the list of observatories in New York will grow with the opening of The Edge. Located 304 meters above sea level at the top of 30 Hudson Yards, it will dethrone the One World Observatory to become the highest observation point in New York. It is already possible to join the waiting list to visit the place as soon as it opens.