Best view in New York (incl. comparison of viewing platforms)

The Best Viewing Platforms in New York with Tips

New York offers numerous observation decks and opportunities to view the skyline. Are you planning your trip to New York and wondering which of the sights and viewing platforms you should visit?

We have once again searched, visited and compared the best views and observation platforms in New York: Empire State Building, One World Observatory (One World Trade Center), Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) and Rooftop Bars in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

In general, we find that you have spectacular views of the skyline from everywhere.

But which one do we like best? At what time of day is a visit worthwhile and which views can you even enjoy for free? Our tips - almost everyone has their own opinion - can be found here!

Here you can find all the viewing platforms and our tips for the best views of New York.

More tips for New York:

• 1 Day New York with Route

• Travelogue for 1 week in New York

• All New York travel reports at a glance

General info

Which viewing platforms are there in New York?

• SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

• The Edge Hudson Yard

• One World Observatory

• Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center

• Empire State Building

• (6th dome of the Statue of Liberty - but we've never been on it, because we don't think it's worth it or it was restored during our last visit)

Which observation deck in New York is the best (view)?

The newest viewing platform SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is currently the best attraction and viewing platform in New York City. It is followed by The Edge and Top of the Rock. The One World Trade Center is in the south of Manhattan. The view from One World Observatory is completely different, but also unique, as you have a good view of the Statue of Liberty.

Empire State Building or Top of the Rock?

Clear answer: Top of the Rock. The view of Central Park is better and you are closer. You also have a perfect view of the Empire State Building. Probably the most famous image of the New York skyline, right?

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

The newest "place to see" is called SUMMIT and can be reached via the main concourse of Grand Central Station. The experience is whacky, there's no other way to describe it. The experiences are multi-layered. For us, the best sight in Manhattan, unfortunately, due to its popularity not included in any sightseeing pass for New York..

First of all, you can take the lift directly to the 91st floor, only to encounter a mirrored room (Transcendence 1) 300 metres above the ground, which looks as if you are falling directly into the abyss. It takes a short moment to get used to all the reflections and stop your knees from shaking. If you can take your eyes off the reflecting ground, you can really see everything: Hudson River, Bryant Park, East River, Central Park, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Downtown Manhattan and One World Trade Center. Wow, a perfect view. Best of all, it's the first observation deck on the east side of Manhattan.

Now go up one floor (Transcendence 2) to find yourself in a similar mirrored room. Only now you're standing on a balcony looking down on Transcendence 1. There are more rooms to be opened later this year. There are also glass boxes that protrude a bit(levitation). Again, don't be afraid of heights!

Now you're ready to explore another remarkable attraction:"APRÈS", SUMMIT One Vanderbilt's sky-high lounge and Nordic-style café, offering light meals and a unique cocktail menu (prices are high according to the view). Go to the terrace for an even higher view on the south and west sides of the building. Of course, the walls to the precipice are made of bulletproof glass. Find a clean spot to take photos.

If you are not afraid of heights, you should now go to the ASCENT: A glass lift with a transparent floor that goes up the side of the skyscraper. You really shouldn't be afraid of heights. This will take you to the highest viewpoint at 427 metres in Manhattan Mitdown.

The observation deck is made entirely of glass. The photos and the view look fantastic. It could be that this view replaces the Top of the Rock platform. Here you have a total package that is more contemporary and offers more for the price of admission.

You must book tickets in advance here and reserve your time slot, as everyone wants to go now. The ticket also includes a walking tour of Midtown.

Summit One Vanderbilt New York newest attraction The Edge observation deck

Located near High Line, this fairly new and popular attraction in Hudson Yards.In the Hudson Yards skyscraper, you can experience the newest observation deck in New York: Edge.

The highest open observation deck in New York (and the western hemisphere) at 335 metres high.

Located on the 100th floor, this platform allows you to look down more than 300 metres! The highlight is the glass floor. This is not for the faint-hearted or those with a fear of heights. After SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, the best attraction in Manhattan.

• A bonus is the opening time until midnight. I love sightseeing in the dark.

• You can book your ticket in advance here

• Admission is free with the following sightseeing passes: New York Pass (All-inclusive), Sightseeing Pass, New York Explorer Pass.

The Edge observation deck: From here you have one of the best views of New York. One World Observatory

The One World Trade Center (abbreviation 1 WTC and until March 2009 called the Freedom Tower) offers you the highest observation platform with a view of New York with the One World Obs ervatory.

At 541.3 metres, it is the tallest skyscraper in the city. The tallest building in the United States is located right next to "Ground Zero", the site where the two towers of the World Trade Center were destroyed on 11 September 2001.

Incidentally, there are currently only three taller buildings in the world: Burj Khalifa (829 m in Dubai), Shanghai Tower (632 m, China) and Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel (601 m in Saudi Arabia).

Included in the normal "STANDARD" ticket:

• Admission to floors 100, 101 and 102 of the One World Observatory observation deck.

• Film presentation about New York in the See Forever Theatre

This is additionally included in the "COMBINATION" ticket:

• Fast-track entry at security checkpoints (separate queue).

• One World Explorer (interactive iPad experience) - a digital skyline guide. Smiled at by many, but we think it's great.

You can book your ticket online here before your trip. (Be sure to select the all-inclusive option for the Skyline Guide).

Advantage of the view from the One World Observatory

+ View of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

+ Is great done. For $10 more, you can use Express Access and get tablets with the "One World Explorer", which interactively shows you the buildings in front of and below you. There are short videos explaining most of them. Superbly done and absolutely worth the $10 surcharge.

+ Everything is superbly done, immediately after leaving the lifts there is a "WOW effect" that I don't want to reveal.

Disadvantages

• Completely glazed, everything reflects depending on the light and time of day.

• No tripods allowed.

Free entry with the following New York passes:

• Sightseeing Pass New York (also included in Flex Pass).

• New York Pass (All-Inclusive and Explorer Pass)

View from One World Observatory towards Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center

The viewing platform at Rockefeller Center is called Top of the Rock. From here you have a great view of the southern tip of Manhattan with One World Observatory and the Empire State Building. It's also the best view of Central Park from a building.

I was very surprised to find no queue at all on a Sunday morning in August. In general, Top of the Rock is less visited than the Empire State Building, which we can't understand.

That there is no queue is not normal. To avoid long waits, I always buy my tickets online in advance. Or we have one of the sightseeing passes, which allows us to bypass the queue at the ticket counter.

Important note for photographers: A tripod is not allowed. We were able to use the stick for the 360 degree camera (GoPro Fusion), but this is also not allowed normally.

With these sightseeing passes you can visit Top of the Rock for free:

• New York Pass

• Explorer Pass

• New York City Pass

• Sightseeing Pass

Read here my detailed comparison of sightseeing passes in New York

Viewing platform at Top of the Rock on Rockefeller Center. The view from Top of the Rock to Central Park is gradually being blocked. The view from Rockefeller Center is the "classic" par excellence. Unobstructed view of the Empire State Building to the One World Observatory. Empire State Building

The Empire State Building boasts the "highest open terrace in New York".. On the 86th floor, you can experience what is probably the most famous viewing platform in the world and thus a 360-degree view of New York.

The Empire State Building is one of the one of the most popular sights in New York and is the city's landmark. The sunset and the view of the city at night are particularly beautiful. Then everything around you lights up and sparkles. When you visit the Empire State Building, you have the additional option of going even higher up to the 102nd floor.

From the top you have a great view of One World Trade Center, Lower Manhattan and the glowing Times Square.

Our advice and experience: We think the Empire State Building is worth it especially at sunset and at night. During the day, we would always prefer Top of the Rock, as the view of Central Park is better and you can still take a picture of the Empire State Building when looking towards One World Trade Center.

The Empire State Building overlooks the skyline on a boat tour around Manhattan. Especially wonderful at night: the view from the Empire State Building Which viewing platform in New York is the best?

We had a long discussion. Everyone has their own opinion. We have all visited Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building and the One World Observatory several times. Everyone has taken at least one helicopter ride in New York.

We would decide like this:

During the day: Top of the Rock with a view of Central Park, which is unfortunately currently being built over with ugly skyscrapers. The One World Observatory definitely complements this, and the Empire State Building comes in third.

In the evening: Top of the Rock with a view of the Empire State Building, whose top always shines in different colours.

The Empire State Building comes in second. I wouldn't visit the One World Observatory in the evening because the taller buildings are very far away and the windows reflect.

In any case, we would always recommend a helicopter ride in New York. The views cannot be beaten by any observation deck!

Free views of New York

Unfortunately, you can't get on top of skyscrapers for free. Both One World Observatory, Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building cost money.

Alternative 1: New York Sightseeing Passes

You have a New York Pass and pay a flat rate before your trip. Except for the One World Observatory, all viewing platforms are included in all New York Passes. The One World Observatory is only included in the Sightseeing and Flex Pass.

Check out my New York City Pass comparison here!

⚠️ We have a discount deal for the New York all-inclusive pass from Go City! When booking via this link in the discount code VIELUNTERWEGSNY (capitalise everything) and save 10% when buying a 3, 6 and 10 day pass.

Alternative 2: Visit a rooftop bar.

The other option(s) would be to visit a rooftop bar in New York. Readers recommended the rooftop bar at 230 Fifth with a view of the Empire State Building. We ourselves went to the Westlightthe rooftop bar with an outdoor area in The William Vale Hotel. The bar is located in the trendy Williamsburg district in Brooklyn. From here we had a view of the entire Manhattan skyline.

View 3: Queens

From Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens you have a beautiful view of the skyline in Midtown Manhattan.

Manhattan Midtown Skyline from Queens

View 4 from Brooklyn

An alternative view that many don't think of is the one from Brooklyn to the southern tip of Manhattan. Alternatively, you can take the ferry from Brooklyn to Manhattan or take a boat ride with Circle Line Cruises. I think it's all great. You always have a different perspective on the city. You can't get enough of it. Can you?

View of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan at night Best view of New York: Take a helicopter tour

For the truly best and, without exaggerating, breathtaking view, take a helicopter ride! The flights are so popular that there are numerous providers and you can always see 4-5 helicopters in the air above the southern tip of Manhattan or the Hudson River.

We chose different times with FlyNYON (once during the day, once at sunset), all flights with open doors (to be able to take pictures without reflections).

Advantage: Only this provider is allowed to fly over Manhattan and not only up and down the Hudson River along the skyline.

Disadvantage: You lose a lot of time, as FlyNYON's heliport is in New Jersey (approx. 1 - 1.5 h for the journey, depending on the time).

Hannah chose another provider, which is located directly on the Hudson River.

The best view in New York is on a helicopter flight without doors! View of New York shortly after sunset on Manhattan during a helicopter flight