Which NYC Observation Deck Should You Visit in 2024?

Empire State building

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Top of the Rock is the best imo. The only one where u can really get an unobstructed view w/o taking pics or looking through glass. Also having 1WTC, ESB, 1 Vandy & Hudson Yards in ur view is the best.

❤ ur videos Jon!
I'm writing from Spain and really enjoy all the interesting details u mention in ur content regarding visiting/coming/being in NY. I loved the Statue of 🗽 walk up in the winter u posted a while ago.(Goosebumps!)
I'll definitely do that when I'm in town!! Also the One Vanderbilt BLEW my mind with these silver balloons and mirror/see thru aspects .
AMAZING xperience visually !
Loved the JOKER stairs:).
Please keep up ur cool content also with the food companion u had with u checking out the different Restaurants and food trucks!
Maybe u could do a video all bout famous film / scene places in NY, like the one in iconic Dumbo/Once upon a time in America. Hope to see u out n about in town ! Thank u for doing a great job promoting the Big Apple!

Well for the outdoor experience at One World Trade Center they can just build another one without the antenna, and an outdoor observation deck. Two World Trade Center perhaps 🤔🤔?? The other designs for it look awful.

The Twin Towers were and still are the best. What's there now looks like someone slapped it together with scrap metal.

in my opinion the Empire State Building is overrated, you are looking thru chicken wires, can't see as much...I would say the best view is Summit Vanderbilt and has tons of exhibits so its more than just a view...But Top of the Rock may have an "edge" over the others because it has the best outdoor viewing areas, it has multiple levels of outdoors decks and it is full on glass (not like Empire State building), so you can see everything...

Thank you Jon! We’re live in the caribbean and whenever we can’t visit our home country 🇵🇭 we always visit NYC. All recommendations from you we do appreciate it so much.

Inflation is a mother. The ticket price to do both 86th and 102nd floor of the Empire State Building is $83! Wow.

Lovely tour, mate. But as far as The Edge with its open-air glass environment- and especially the hanging outside option ... O, HELL no! The disclaimers & release forms for that must be 97 pages long!

Top of the Rock is spectacular at night!

I'd pay the extra $$ at the Empire State Building just to say I was at the top.

Great video Jon, but you didn't actually answer the question in the title... Which deck should you visit?!

Good 👍. I will visit

Best view of NY is from Hamilton Park in Weehawken, NJ at night.

I REALLY enjoy your New York videos, they are first of all great, and inspiring. Since i just LOVE New York but can´t afford to go there as often as i would like (been there twice) i really enjoy wathing them. Well they also make me wanna go RIGHT NOW, but i guess the videos will have to do untin next time i can afford, so please keep doing them!!

I've been living in Harlem for over 15 years now, and I'm constantly learning little things about the city I somehow managed to miss from your videos. Thanks again!

I did the old twin towers and the One World on returning. It is fab and avoiding the gift shops and instead having great cocktails at the bar. Never mind the cost!!! Second best view from Liberty and of course the helicopter ride!!

QUESTION- If you bring binoculars, would these places let you bring them in?

One of the greatest values of the observation decks is the fact there’s so much to see once you’re up there. That was not the case when I was in Chicago and went up into the Sears Tower, where looking down was such a disappointment (can’t imagine what’s to see from the Burj Khalifa).

But, if you’re not providing a service like yours, why would you buy a combo for the Empire State? Wouldn’t it be better just to buy a ticket to the 102nd floor and skip the 86th?

Top of the Rock is my favorite. The location, the two outdoor levels with 360 degree views, unobstructed by glass, which makes for reflection free photographs. I've found that the plexiglass panels that are in place, there are gaps between each wide enough to fit my camera lenses. I love that you really feel the weather while you're there. I was last here in March, it was cold windy and sleeting. Everyone advised us about the weather and very limited visibility so no one would be disappointed after spending the fee. The weather was exactly the reason I wanted to go, and I was treated to a great late winter experience! At one point, staff decided to close the upper outdoor deck because it was becoming icy nd very slippery. I make it a point to visit every time I'm in NYC.

Really great... I am hoping to do all the lookout you did in this fun video

One world observatory is the best, less wait time.. less crowd, you can enjoy the beauty of the building and the stunning views of New York ❤

Hands down the Empire State Building observatory nothing beats that view One World Trade observatory can never be compared with the Twin Towers observatory which was unique and superb on so many levels being one of the best views with the highest outdoor platform in the world so many activities included even a food court with prices no different than below on street level it was catered to the visitors not to businesses as the current one which really offers very little options to the observatory guests the others are good but do to the locations on different points of Manhattan you have certain views Rockefeller center is the lowest but closest to observe skyscrapers ,1 Vanderbilt is a homage to a 70's disco good views Hudson yards is a great platform views also good

I'd probably be the one person crazy enough to go up there even though I'm scared of heights. I'm a sucker for awesome views, and so seeing the city like that is something I'd really like to experience. I'd probably try to avoid looking down too much even though I'd be dumb enough to do it. But to get a view like that.. challenging my fears would be worth it. I'm just in awe, looking at the view from the Empire State Building. Thank you for this video and giving me a chance to see New York like this. Much appreciated. I've lived in a small, peaceful city all my life, so I'm drawn to something as big as this.

Here’s a story when I went to New York City and went to the Empire State building. It was raining that day, so when I was on the observation deck, all I saw was pure gray and nothing else only grey

top of the rock is best view

We did Top pf the Rock at night and it was magical, I'd totally recommend it. We also went to the Empire State Building and it was cloudy so the views were ok but being inside such an iconic building and seeing all its history was the best part. I'll try OWO at night next time I'm in NYC, I bet the views are incredible as well.

None because im scared of heights

Gotta say the best for me was Summit One vanderbilt although the balloon room was packed...... And the worst was Top of the Rocks. This one used to be so good with the room that followed you around on floor, ceiling and walls and the room lower down you could hang about in a sit, but now its looking a little worse for wear and all back getting some extra dollar out of you

I will choose the 3 option

I am very afraid of heights but i gotta do one of these.

2030 WTC 8 new york city one world trade centers

When I went to New York I didn’t go on any observatories and I’m afraid of heights, but it looks like I would feel most comfortable on the edge

The best one is the top of the rock. The view you get of the south of the island with the Empire State Building framed just in the middle of all is just beyond words

I suggest going there near sunset

No reference to 9/11 or anything just in case people feel like this is racist please do not read this if you feel uncomfortable but the Old World Trade Center had an observation deck to you could go outside

Question: Once you’re up there, can you stay for only a certain time or is it free to linger?

Thanks for sharing! Really cool to see!! 👍

My ranking: 1. ToR (best open view + Central Park) 2. ESB (a NY must see) 3. The Edge. Optional: One Vanderbilt is mainly for Instagram and sounds/lights/heat can be exhausting there. OWO is only inside and most south and therefore for me last place. See 9/11 museum and ground zero instead. If you need to choose, go for the first 2 or 3. And getting one of the NY passes will help to save money if you do a lot of sightseeing. Also make sure to reserve a timeslot where necessary. Recommend a guided bike tour through Central Park btw!-)

I love totr..but if one world would open the roof as a observation deck that would be amazing...

what about the Statue of Liberty?

Love to take the stairs down from the observation deck for a challenge. Ah heck, maybe going up all the stairs to the deck.

ESB is just so gorgeous. I love that building.

I'm afraid of heights but I like being afraid..

Best to go on a helicopter ride rather than spend on all those observation decks.

I found the edge nyc to be an absolutely amazing experience!

That fence is so people won't jump off.

Got to say I was least impressed by Empire State Building, I found the staff rude, we were rushed through every section and not value for money plus, if you are up the Empire State Building, you can't actually see it! Top of the Rock is superb, you get to see all the things you want to see and as you said, not overcrowded at all.

Top of the rock, my favorite!