The Edge vs Empire State Building

For those looking for a unique experience, The Edge NYC is a must-see. 

It is the highest outdoor sky deck in the western hemisphere and boasts uninterrupted 360-degree views of the city and beyond. 

The Empire State Building, on the other hand, is a classic choice for its stunning night views. 

Both observatories offer incredible sights from their respective heights, making them a worthwhile excursion for any visitor to New York.

This guide will let you find the best match: The Edge vs Empire State Building.

Empire State Building vs The Edge Highlights:

Empire State Building: Overview

Height: 1,454 feet (443 meters)
Ticket Price: Adult (13 to 61) – $47; Youth (6 to 12) – $41; Senior (62+) – $45; Child (upto 5) – Free
Location: 350, 5th Avenue, New York – between 33rd and 34th Street
Indoor or Outdoor: Both
Best time to visit: Sunset

The Empire State Building is one of New York’s finest attractions, where tourists get a wholesome New York experience.

It’s an Art Deco masterpiece that has stood since 1931 and is one of America’s most recognizable landmarks.

Given its popularity, the Empire State Building observatory deck has been featured in many movies and television shows.

Visitors can ascend to the 86th and 102nd floors through a high-speed elevator.

Empire State’s main observatory deck is on the 86th floor, while an additional deck on the 102nd floor requires extra charges.

Although views from the other decks in the city are comparable and, in some cases, surpass those from the Empire State Building view.

But the whole point of visiting the observation deck is finally checking it off your to-do list.

The Edge NYC: Overview

Height: 1,131 feet – Tallest Observatory Deck in Western Hemisphere
Ticket Price: Adults (12 to 61) – $45 Child (6 to 11) – $37 Senior (62+) – $41 Infants – Free
Location: 30 Hudson Yards, Manhattan
Indoor or Outdoor: Both
Best time to visit: Sunset

The Edge is one of the newest decks in New York City and is located at the Hudson Yards in Manhattan.

In the Edge vs Empire State Building, Edge New York has the advantage of a glass floor, which enhances the visitor’s experience.

Although you don’t have to walk if it makes you dizzy, it does offer views of the city below from a 1000 sq feet height.

The Edge NYC is worth visiting as it is the only deck that offers views of all the buildings in the city, such as the Empire State Building and One World Trade.

You can also spot Central Park, and some sharp viewers will also be able to see some cities in New Jersey.

Is the Edge higher than the Empire State Building? The Edge vs Empire State Building

The Edge comes to the top when asked which is the tallest observation deck in New York.

It is located on the 100th floor of the building and stands at the height of 1,131 feet, which makes it 50 feet higher than the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor open-air deck.

Despite this, the Empire State Building is taller than Edge NYC, with a total height of 1,454 feet, which wedges a significant difference of 323 feet between both buildings.

Which observation deck is better? The Edge or Empire State Building

Let’s compare the most visited observation decks in New York based on location and accessibility, opening hours and views:

Location and accessibility

Public transportation, such as the subway, bus, or taxi, are all viable options to reach Edge NYC. 

The nearest subway station is located at 34th Street – Herald Square and is served by the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R and W lines. 

Additionally, numerous MTA bus routes serve the area, most of which originate at 34th Street or 42nd Street. 

Finally, taking a taxi is convenient and can be hailed from any street corner.

You can learn more about how to get to the Edge NYC here.

With its easy accessibility and convenient location, reaching the Empire State Building is a breeze.

Take the 1, 2, or 3 train to the 34th Street/Penn Station stop or the B, D, F, M, N, Q, or R train to the 34th Street/Herald Square stop.

If you prefer to take the bus, the M4 and M34 buses run along 34th Street and the M10 buses run along 8th Avenue.

If you plan to drive to the Empire State Building, be aware that parking is limited. 

You can also check the NYC ferry schedule for departure times and route information.

Opening hours 

The Empire State Building observatory deck remains open from 10 am to 11 pm.

While the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building observatory deck is open from 9 am to 12 am, you can enjoy both the nighttime and daytime at the observatory deck.

The Edge New York remains open from 10 am to 10 pm. During high season, the hours extend from 8 am to 12 am for a more enhanced visitor experience.

Views

From the height of the Empire State Building, you will see famous places such as the Chrysler Building and have a good view of Midtown and Downtown Manhattan.

The Empire State Building views also has another advantage in that it has two floors, the 86th floor and the 102nd floor, from which you can also view the city.

Undoubtedly, it is the original one, but the Edge is the newest and bravest one regarding its views.

With its outdoor deck that juts out of the building, its angular glass wall, and last but not least, its triangular glass floor, it gives viewing the city a whole different meaning.

You can spot some iconic locations from the Edge, but most importantly, you can view the entire Manhattan, from its buildings to the skyline, just everything.

This definitely gives it a plus when it comes to the Empire State Building vs The Edge, while you can also see Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and Times Square from here.

Is Edge NYC worth it?

The views from Edge NYC are truly magnificent, as you get great panoramic views of Manhattan through the observatory deck.

The Edge New York is worth it with its deck, which is 1131 feet above the ground, so you feel like floating whenever you enter it.

Also, the triangular glass floor in the middle of the deck is large enough to accommodate a large group of people and offers a unique viewpoint of the city.

Another deck feature is the skyline stairs, a great place to watch the city while enjoying a drink with your friends.

The Champagne Bar is the best part, which makes visiting Edge NYC worth it.

You can enjoy freshly made cocktails and relish the views ahead of you, and there are many activities to elevate your experience at the deck, such as City Climb.

The City Climb at the Edge NYC is for people who crave more adventure than standing at the top of one of the tallest decks in the world.

The activity is a skyscraper adventure in which you climb up the building, dangling at 1200 feet above the ground.

Another exciting thing at Edge is the Sky High Yoga.

Our recommendation

The Empire State Building will forever be iconic, not only for its views but also for its historical value.

The views from this observatory are great, as both of its floors offer great value when it comes to experience, but still, the views aren’t the best.

Although it offers a 360-degree view of the city, the observatory is not the best place for photography, as the security bars are an obstacle to the perfect shot.

Plus, it’s general build and old decor aren’t the best backgrounds for your Instagram pictures.

But the Empire State Building observatory deck excels for the best nighttime experience, as its flashy lights will take your breath away.

The Edge NYC is not far behind; as the tallest man-made deck in the western hemisphere, it gives a different perspective when viewing New York.

The glass and angular wall allow you to see the city in a new light, giving you a variety of perspectives in return.

Plus, unlike the Empire State Building, the Edge slightly moves ahead when it comes to experience, as it offers visitors City Climb and Sky High Yoga.

If you are an adventure lover, Edge New York should undoubtedly be on your list of top attractions in New York City.

So, choose the observation deck you want to visit: the Edge vs Empire State Building.

If you want the historic and iconic feel, visit the Empire State Building, while if you want an adventure and a magnificent view, The Edge NYC is the one for you.

Traveler Tip: Instead of choosing one, you can visit both decks by booking an Edge combination ticket at half the price.

Know Some of the Best Edge New York Ticket Options:

Skip-the-line Edge ticket: Reach the observation deck by avoiding lines and get priority access to the Edge.

Hudson Yards + Edge New York: Enjoy two attractions at the price of one, Hudson Yards and Edge.

The Museum of Modern Art + Edge tickets: Get a guided tour of MoMA and Edge and see the classic works at pocket-friendly prices.

Madame Tussauds New York + Edge NYC: Get fast-track admission to Madame Tussauds and Edge and save up to 10%. 

Edge New York+ American Museum of Natural History: Visit one of the world’s largest natural history museums and the tallest observation deck.

Empire State Building tickets + Edge at Hudson Yards: Enjoy two of New York City’s most popular decks simultaneously.

Go City New York Explorer Pass: Create your own itinerary by choosing upto 10 attractions and save up to 40%.

New York Sightseeing Pass: Enjoy New York City’s 100+ attractions and museums with this pass.

Featured Image: Britannica.com, Hudsonyardsnewyork.com