Edge Observation Deck New York: Is It Worth It?

Edge is the name of New York's newest observation deck, located in the Hudson Yards neighborhood. It opened in the middle of the pandemic, just like Summit at One Vanderbilt, and both have become Manhattan's big new attractions, so buy your tickets well in advance.

Is going up to the Edge worth it?

The Edge is the observation platform at 30 Hudson Yards, on the 100th floor. At 1,131 feet up it isn't the highest observation deck in Manhattan (that would be One World Observatory), but it is the highest open-air one.

Its big draw is the outdoor terrace that juts about 65 feet out from the side of the building. Only one person can stand at the very tip (hence the name «edge»).

When your turn comes, you'll feel like you're flying over New York. Everybody wants a photo at the Edge!

The other novelty at this New York observation deck is a knockout: part of the outdoor terrace floor is glass, so you can see the city streets right under your feet.

As soon as your travel dates are set, lock in your tickets early, since a lot of us waited months to get up there (the opening coincided with the city's lockdown). I finally made it! 😜

It's definitely one of the new Manhattan attractions you should see, along with The Vessel and Little Island.

The open-air deck

At the Edge you can hear the city below and feel the wind while taking in 360-degree views of New York.

Unlike the safety bars at the Empire State or the thick glass at One World Observatory, the angled glass walls that enclose The Edge's terrace give you flawless views down the streets of Lower Manhattan.

The City Climb experience

If you have $185 to spend on pure adrenaline, go for City Climb, the ascent to the very top of 30 Hudson Yards.

They claim it's the highest exterior building climb in the world. You go up a staircase pitched at 45 degrees to the peak of the skyscraper, and once you're up there you can lean out over the city. I watched the climbers starting up and turned green with envy.

The price includes all the safety gear and technical support.

Attractions near the Edge

Before or after you head up, explore the rest of Hudson Yards, including the much-photographed staircase sculpture The Vessel.

You can also walk the High Line from north to south, through Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, where you can visit the Whitney Museum of American Art and Little Island, the new Manhattan park built out over the Hudson River.

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Address

30 Hudson Yards, Manhattan

The entrance is on the 4th floor (where the building's shops and restaurants are)

Getting there

Subway 7 to 34 St-Hudson Yards

Hours

Every day of the year
10 am to 10 pm

Prices

Adults $38 / ages 6 to 12 $33 / 62+ $36

Map