8 Best Viewpoints in New York
New York has many observation decks that offer breathtaking views of the city. There is hardly anything more impressive than standing far above the city streets and looking down at an endless concrete jungle. Which viewpoints are available, which ones are free, and some insider tips are all included in our list of the best viewpoints in New York City.
1.One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, which means it's the perfect location for an observation deck. The One World Observation Deck offers amazing views of all of Manhattan, the Hudson and East Rivers and, of course, the Statue of Liberty. As one of New York's newest landmarks, the modern building and its observation deck have many amazing features that make it worth a visit!
2.With its observation deck on the 86th floor, the Empire State Building offers the highest outdoor observation deck in New York City! Thanks to the fact that it is not covered by glass or a roof, it is one of the most popular viewpoints in the city and certainly one of the most impressive. In addition, the Empire State Building has a second observation deck on the 102nd floor, which is enclosed and has large panoramic windows.
3.Hudson Yards' Edge Observation Deck is the highest outdoor observation deck in New York City. It opened in March 2020. The view is absolutely stunning, you can see over 100 floors straight down through the glass floor!
4.The newest observation deck is located at the top of the One Vanderbilt Building and is called The Summit. The venue is the second tallest outdoor venue in New York City, next to Edge, and has been open since October 2021.
5.The observation deck at Rockefeller Center is also known as the “Top of the Rock.” This is definitely our favorite viewpoint in the city as it offers great views of the Empire State Building and Central Park. It also allows you to take a typical New York photo of the Empire State Building rising among the other skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan. Another advantage of the Top of the Rock observation deck compared to others is that it is much less crowded thanks to a timed entry system. Instead of having to wait in line, you will receive a ticket that tells you when you need to come up to buy your tickets. This time management not only makes the viewpoint less crowded, but also allows you to reduce the amount of time you spend queuing to get to the top.
6.The Vessel is Hudson Yards' newest attraction - and it's free! Designed by Briton Thomas Heatherwick, the Vessel offers approximately 2500 steps to ascend and descend. The symmetrical steel structure, connected by 154 interlocking staircase segments, attracts tourists from all over the world to cover a vertical distance of approximately one mile!
7.The crown of the Statue of Liberty is very popular among tourists. Long queues and a small, cramped observation deck spoiled the mood of the visit a little. The view from the top of the Statue of Liberty isn't that great since it's a fair distance from Manhattan and most of what you see is water. Our tip: If you want to see the Statue of Liberty up close, just like Rose, the main character in the movie Titanic, take a boat cruise through Manhattan or photograph it from the free Staten Island Ferry.
8.It has been discussed for a long time, and now it has finally become a reality: the Chrysler Building will again have an observation deck! However, it will be built on the 61st floor and will transform the current north and south terraces into an observation deck with views of Midtown, the East River and One Vanderbilt Summit.
