The Edge New York

At 345 meters, The Edge is the tallest open observatory in the Western Hemisphere. Since its recent opening in March 2020, this glass-floored engineering marvel offers stunning, never-before-seen panoramas of the city.

The best option

Edge Observation Deck - General Admission

The most affordable access to The Edge observatory

Secure yourself a spot at New York's newest skyscraper by purchasing advance admission online and save time by skipping the lines at the box office.

From $ 39 at Hellotickets

Buying tickets for The Edge online, for $ 39, is the best option because it guarantees you the availability of access on the date you want and you will also save some money by being a little cheaper than at the box office.

The Edge is the latest observation deck to join the list of New York observatories along with the Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building and the One World Observatory. Each shows a different facet of the skyline of the City of Skyscrapers. If it was already difficult to choose one, now this new and spectacular viewpoint is added.

It is located west of Manhattan in the upscale neighborhood of Hudson Yards, a place that promises to become a must-see spot in New York. The skyscraper from which The Edge hangs is called 30 Hudson Yards, one of the most popular in this area and whose silhouette has transformed the Manhattan skyline.

Why I like this option: this amazing open-air observatory that projects in the shape of an arrow over the New York sky from the 100th floor of this huge building at 345 meters high, making The Edge the highest open observatory in the Western Hemisphere. Secure your ticket by purchasing it online in advance.

Recommended if... you want to visit The Edge at the best price without wasting time at the box office.

If you prefer to buy your tickets at the ticket office of the building, you can do it from its opening hours early in the morning, but you will have to pay an extra fee. In addition, there are usually long lines, so I do not recommend it. Anyway, if buying at the box office is your best option, these are the prices you will find there:

If on the other hand you prefer to buy tickets online, which I recommend 100%, you will be able to better compare prices and decide which ticket best suits your needs. If you are worried about your budget when visiting The Edge, you can check in this article the prices of tickets to The Edge.

The Edge Observatory is located in Hudson Yards, one of the neighborhoods you can't miss in New York, andthe easiest way to get there is by subway, line 7 (stop 34 St. - Hudson Yards). Wherever you are in Manhattan, getting here is a breeze: you can come walking, by subway or by bus.

I tell you more in the article on how to get to The Edge so you can choose the method of transportation that best suits you depending on where you are staying or where you are walking that day.

How to get there

The Edge is probably the most amazing viewpoint in New York. Being located west of Manhattan, it has a very original perspective of the city and quite different compared to other viewpoints, closer to the river and less focused on the epicenter of the island. To go up to The Edge with your ticket you need to enter The Shops at Hudson Yards shopping mall and go to the fourth floor.

Special Needs Accessibility

In general, The Edge observatory is open every day of the year between 8 AM and midnight, but opening times may change throughout the year. I recommend that you consult this article about the opening hours and duration of the visit to The Edge if you want to organize your experience smoothly.

Please also note that on days of extreme weather conditions (high winds or snowfall) the outdoor observatory may close for safety reasons.

If you are looking for the key moment of the day, of the year or of your trip to visit The Edge, always keep in mind that the sunset from the top is a spectacle. During the climb you will enjoy the city by day and night, plus you will enjoy the thousands of colors of the sky (and its reflection in the Hudson) at dusk.

But if you prefer to go up at another time (where there are less crowds, for example), you can check my article on the best time to climb The Edge and analyze pros and cons before deciding when to buy your tickets.

Isabel's Traveller Tip

Devote an afternoon to leisurely stroll along the High Line and finish the walk by testing your vertigo on The Edge at sunset for the best views of the city.

The great attraction of The Edge, in addition to its spectacular architecture, are its bird's eye views over the city, since with its privileged location you will be able to contemplate, among others, the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Financial District and Hudson Yards.

Is that not enough? I have detailed all the views from The Edge in this article so you can get an idea of what awaits you. Also, you should know that thanks to its huge outdoor observation deck and indoor observation deck, you'll have 360º views of all of Manhattan.

A clear morning can give you views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!

Now, when you truly understand why it's called The Edge is when you step onto the outdoor terrace and approach the angled glass. You'll see East and South New York as if you were suspended in mid-air.

The outdoor sky deck is a 700-square-meter glass terrace. There you will feel the impact of the air on your face and you will have unparalleled 360-degree panoramic views of New York. In addition to the island of Manhattan, you can see as far west as New Jersey and even 129 kilometers deep into New York State on days with good visibility.

You will feel on the edge of a cliff and if you have respect for heights, your skin will stand on end. Adrenaline rushes if you dare to walk on its glass floor and contemplate the New York traffic under your feet hundreds of feet above the ground. It is a truly thrilling sensation.

Take the opportunity to visit the drinks and cocktail area

To complete the experience, on the 100th floor there is a bar offering signature cocktails, champagne and light snacks to enjoy inside or outside on the terrace overlooking the New York skyline.

Upon entering the observatory, the first thing you will find is an interactive exhibit that looks at the construction of the Hudson Yards neighborhood as a testing ground for different ideas to help the city improve its sustainability and care for the environment.

Afterwards, the corridors of this exhibition will lead you to the elevator that will take you to the top where the thrills await you. Since only groups of ten people at a time can take the elevator, the wait in line is enlivened with videos of the 30 Hudson Yards skyscraper and a taste of what awaits you from the Outdoor Sky Deck on the 100th floor.

After 52 seconds aboard the elevator, which is also interactive, the doors open to give you access to a fully glazed interior observatory that shows an absolutely spectacular panoramic view of the city from the Statue of Liberty to Central Park. Seeing the Hudson River from above in all its splendor is truly breathtaking.

New York is a living city in constant transformation, and not long ago the huge, luxurious and modern residential neighborhood that is today Hudson Yards was born. This area is built on what was once a train depot.

Such a large and central area has been the object of desire for developers and entrepreneurs who saw a gold mine in these Midtown New York lands. For the moment, climbing The Edge is the best excuse to discover Hudson Yards, but not the only one, and I tell you about it in the practical guide I've written about Things to do at Hudson Yards in NYC.

The High Line dates back to the 30s of the twentieth century, when trains that supplied goods to New York ran along its tracks. With the passage of time it fell into disuse and an association saved it from being dismantled for being a piece of the history of this great city, to reconvert it into a space full of vegetation, mural art and sculptures.

Designed by garden designer Piet Oudolf, landscape designer James Corner and the Diller Scofidio + Renfro studio, the park created on the old elevated train tracks between Gansevoort Street and 34th Street offers a different perspective of the city through the mix of weeds and other plants, art installations, wooden furniture and the preservation of the iconic High Line train tracks.

The walk in this elevated Hudson Yards park is 2 kilometers in a straight line and takes about an hour to complete. It is worth a visit any time of the year but I advise you to visit especially in spring or summer. You can read more in my article on Guide to the High Line in New York City.

Did you know that this avant-garde structure was designed by English architect Thomas Heatherwick, author of the London 2012 Olympic Games cauldron? This futuristic steel building that many resemble a beehive, a vase or even a shawarma has become the icon of Hudson Yards and since its opening in 2019 has been an instant success.

Halfway between a work of art and a tourist attraction, The Vessel rises more than 45 meters off the ground having 16 levels from the base to the top floor. It is made up of 154 flights of stairs connecting 80 landings where you can stop to take in views of the Hudson River, The Shed cultural center, the High Line park or the surrounding skyscrapers.

But it is as spectacular on the outside as it is on the inside. The internal structure of the building is also hypnotic as you look down to the ground.

In its short life it has become one of New York's most popular attractions and there are long lines at the ticket office to get in. However, buying advance tickets for The Vessel will guarantee you entry and save you that waiting time.

It is clear that New York is enjoyed both walking and from the heights, and you know that there are several buildings (some more or less mythical, others more or less modern) that offer viewpoints and observatories for the delight of its visitors. I have made a comparative table so that at a glance you can know the big differences between them:

There is no doubt that the architectural disruption of The Edge is well worth a visit, but if you are one of those who prefer to opt for the classics, you are probably considering going up to the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. I can't be objective and I can't encourage you to choose between the three, but I can help you to know more details about both so you can choose the one that best suits your trip. Here are the articles I have written about Empire State Building Tickets and NYC Top of the Rock Tickets.

If you feel like getting a bit out of Midtown and into the mogul of skyscrapers and hypnotic lights of the financial district, then your best option will be the One World Observatory, the tower that was built as a tribute to the Twin Towers. Here are all the details you need to visit it: NYC One World Observatory Tickets and Tours.

And if you're looking for something even more innovative and that competes directly with The Edge, you have the option to climb the new viewpoint of New York The SUMMIT, an incredible skyscraper opened in 2021 and located in Midtown that will leave you open-mouthed, both for its architecture and its views of the city. As you can see, New York never ceases to amaze!