New York has one of the best skylines in the world, and no trip to the city is complete without seeing it from one of its iconic observation decks.
With five observation decks, picking the right one for you can be confusing.
This article compares two of the most popular options, Summit One Vanderbilt and The Edge, to help you decide which is perfect.
Continue reading to find out which observation deck is taller, has mirrored rooms, offers the best adrenalin rush, has the best view of the Empire State Building, etc.
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What’s ahead
Quick overview
Summit One Vanderbilt is ideal for those seeking a unique, art-focused experience with stunning views and fewer crowds.
The Edge is perfect for thrill-seekers who want to test their limits with the City Climb and enjoy dramatic views from a daring platform.
Observation deck | Summit One Vanderbilt | The Edge |
---|---|---|
Price | $47 – $53 | $43 |
Height | 1,100 feet (336 meters) | 1,131 feet (345 meters) |
Opening hours | 9 am to 12 am | 10 am to 10 pm (lean season) |
Outdoor deck | ✔ | ✔ |
Best time to visit | Evening | Daytime |
Unique features | Immersive art experience, glass elevator | Glass floor, angled glass walls |
Best for? | Unique, otherworldly experience | Thrill seekers |
Ticket purchase | Buy Tickets | Buy Tickets |
Consider your priorities, budget, and desired experience when making your decision.
You can’t go wrong with either choice, as both offer unforgettable perspectives of the magnificent New York City skyline.
Continue reading for a more detailed comparison of the two New York observation decks.
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The basics: Height and views
Though The Edge boasts a slightly higher vantage point, both Summit One Vanderbilt and The Edge deliver breathtaking panoramic views.
Summit One Vanderbilt provides a more intimate view of Midtown’s iconic skyscrapers, while The Edge offers a broader perspective encompassing the city’s western edges and beyond.
Height: How tall are they?
Located on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards (the sixth-tallest building in New York City), The Edge sits at 1,131 feet (345 meters).
Those seeking an even greater thrill can participate in the City Climb experience, ascending to The Apex at a staggering 1,271 feet (381 meters).
While the building itself ranks as the fourth-tallest in New York City at 1,401 feet (427 meters), the observation deck at Summit One Vanderbilt is positioned slightly lower than The Edge, at 1,100 feet (336 meters) above Madison Avenue.
Views: What will you see?

Situated in Midtown, Summit One Vanderbilt boasts 360° views of Manhattan, showcasing iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, One World Observatory, Central Park, and the United Nations Building.
It’s renowned for offering the best view of the Empire State Building among all five observation decks in the city.
Positioned on Manhattan’s West Side, The Edge offers sweeping vistas that extend beyond the city center.
Visitors can enjoy unobstructed views of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Financial District.
However, its location further from the heart of Manhattan offers a more distant perspective on the skyline compared to Summit One Vanderbilt.
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Indoor vs. outdoor experience

Both Summit One and The Edge offer a combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing you to enjoy the city views regardless of the weather conditions.
Summit One distinguishes itself through its multi-sensory art installations across three levels.
The indoor experience on the 91st and 92nd floors is entirely enclosed in glass, providing panoramic views of Manhattan.
These floors house immersive exhibits such as “Transcendence,” a mirrored room reflecting the skyline, and “Air,” a series of spaces with various lighting and interactive elements.
The open-air observation deck on the 93rd floor provides unobstructed city views. Après, the restaurant on this floor, offers both indoor and outdoor seating options.
The “Ascent,” a glass elevator that travels up the side of the building to its highest point, is currently under maintenance. When operational, it offers a thrilling outdoor experience with views of Central Park and the East River.
The Edge’s indoor observation area is on the 100th floor.
However, the highlight of The Edge is its triangular outdoor observation deck, also located on the 100th floor.
The deck extends 80 feet (24 meters) from the building, with angled glass walls and a glass floor section that allows visitors to look straight down to the streets below. This design creates a thrilling and unique perspective of the city.
Overall, Summit One Vanderbilt emphasizes a curated indoor experience through art installations, while The Edge focuses on the adrenaline rush of its outdoor platform. Both offer a balance of indoor and outdoor spaces for a well-rounded experience.
Still not sure which New York observation deck to visit? Check out our comparison of the best observation deck in New York City.
Unique features and experiences
Summit One Vanderbilt shines with its immersive art installations and exhibits created by Kenzo Digital and Yayoi Kusama.
Visitors can experience the mirrored Transcendence rooms, the interactive Affinity and Unity exhibits, and the thrilling Levitation glass ledges.
As mentioned, The Edge offers a heart-stopping experience with its triangular glass platform jutting out from the building.
Thrill-seekers can also opt for the City Climb experience, scaling the building’s exterior to reach The Apex at 1,271 feet (387 meters).
On a budget holiday? Visit the top five attractions of New York and Summit One Vanderbilt with New York CityPass. You save both time and money!
Ticket prices
The Edge offers slightly more affordable general admission than Summit One Vanderbilt.
The most common ticket option at Summit One Vanderbilt is the timed skip-the-line ticket, which costs $47 for adults 13 years and older.
The standard timed skip-the-line ticket for The Edge is priced at $44 for adults 12 years and older. For those who prefer flexibility with their entry time, The Edge offers Flex tickets at a higher price.
Dress code at The Summit
The Summit has a mild form of a dress code. Since the observatory has extensive mirror-like surfaces, it encourages visitors to wear pants, shorts, or tights — to avoid “unwanted exposure.” But worry not – if you need, Summit offers a free pair of stretchy black shorts to anybody who requests one.
Crowd to expect
Summit One Vanderbilt is a popular attraction, welcoming 1.4 million visitors in its first year. However, it generally experiences fewer crowds than The Edge, making it a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.
The Edge draws in large crowds, especially during peak hours.
It attracted over 2 million visitors in 2023, averaging around 5,500 people daily. The popularity of The Edge can lead to longer wait times and a potentially less intimate experience.
Location and accessibility
Both Summit One Vanderbilt and The Edge are easily accessible via public transportation—Summit One benefits from its central location and direct connection to Grand Central Terminal.
The Edge is situated on the west side of Manhattan and is well-served by the subway and bus network in the developing Hudson Yards district.
The closest subway station to The Edge is the No. 7 subway line.
Best time to visit
Both decks offer stunning views day and night.
But Summit One Vanderbilt offers a superior nighttime experience due to its immersive art installations. The exhibits “Air,” “Clouds,” “Transcendence,” and “Levitation” are particularly captivating after dark.
The observation deck is open until midnight, allowing visitors ample time to enjoy the illuminated skyline.
With its open-air platform, The Edge offers a fantastic sunset viewing experience.
Dining options

Aprés is a restaurant cum bar at Summit One Vanderbilt on the 93rd level, while Edge’s PEAK is on the 101 level (just one floor above the main observation deck).
Both restaurants offer an amazing dining experience, allowing you to take in the views of the city from the comfort of your seats.
But unlike Peak, Aprés has an outdoor terrace where guests can stand and have their drinks or snacks.
Why not visit both observation decks?
While both Summit One Vanderbilt and The Edge are observation decks, they are totally different experiences.
Some tourists visit both observatories and see captivating perspectives of New York City from two of its most exciting observation decks.
If you also plan to do that, we suggest you get the Summit & Edge combo ticket, which gives you access to both observation decks at a 20% discount.
There is an NYC Observation Decks Pass as well, which gives you access to three observation decks – The Edge, One World, and Top of the Rock.