🏙 Summit One Vanderbilt vs The Edge: Which NYC Observation Deck is better?
Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
If you’re visiting New York City and wondering which skyscraper to go up, two of the most talked about observation decks are Summit One Vanderbilt and The Edge at Hudson Yards.
We visited both in December 2024 during a 10-day family trip, complete with our then three year old (who loved one deck far more than the other!) and my aunt, who’s been to NYC around 40 times thanks to her New Yorker partner. After trying both, for me, there’s a clear winner: Summit One Vanderbilt.
It offered breathtaking views of Central Park, an up close look at the Chrysler Building, and a whole immersive, family friendly experience that kept us there far longer than planned. Being indoors didn’t ruin the views at all, it was warm, comfortable, and magical. My daughter was obsessed with the mirrored balloon room, and we were happy to sit and let her play while we soaked in the skyline.
If Summit One Vanderbilt sounds like your kind of experience, you can check ticket prices and availability here:
👉 Summit One Vanderbilt tickets on GetYourGuide
👉 Summit One Vanderbilt tickets on Viator
That said, The Edge is still worth considering, especially if you love the thrill of being outdoors hundreds of metres above the city. The glass floor and open air deck make it a very different experience, so let’s break both options down properly to help you decide which one fits best into your New York City itinerary.
If you’re leaning towards The Edge, you can compare ticket options and time slots here:
👉 Edge at Hudson Yards tickets on GetYourGuide
👉 Edge tickets on Viator
If you’re still weighing things up, I’ve also written in-depth comparison guides covering Top of the Rock vs Summit One Vanderbilt comparison, and Top of the Rock vs The Edge, as well as a New York City 4 day itinerary showing how these observation decks fit into a realistic family trip. Our New York Observation decks guide also compares all three decks we visited side by side, so you can easily compare views, prices and which works best for families.
We didn’t visit Empire State Building or One World Observatory, however our best observation deck New York guide also covers them along with the three we did visit, Summit One Vanderbilt, The Edge and Top of the Rock.
If you’re trying to decide which observation deck fits your budget, you might find my New York on a budget guide helpful. It covers free things to do, affordable attractions, and practical ways to keep costs down while still seeing the best of the city.
📊 Quick Comparison Table
|
Feature |
Summit One Vanderbilt |
The Edge |
|
Location |
Midtown Manhattan (One Vanderbilt building, near Grand Central) |
Hudson Yards, West Side Manhattan |
|
Views |
Central Park, Chrysler Building, Empire State, East River |
Downtown skyline, Hudson River, Statue of Liberty |
|
Experience type |
Immersive, artistic, multi-level indoor experience |
Outdoor, glass-floored sky deck |
|
Best for |
Families, photography lovers, winter visits |
Thrill-seekers, sunset views, outdoor experience |
|
Child-friendly? |
Yes – fun interactive rooms |
Mostly, but outdoor heights may be daunting |
|
Tickets |
From $44 |
From $34 |
💡 Tip: If you’re deciding between Summit One Vanderbilt vs The Edge tickets, check Summit One Vanderbilt on GetYourGuide or The Edge on Viator to compare live prices, packages, and availability. Or consider purchasing a Go City Pass and save.
🕰️ Schedule & Times
Summit One Vanderbilt
> Open daily from 9am-midnight (last entry around 10.30pm)
> Best time for families: mid-morning or early afternoon to avoid evening crowds
> Sunset is stunning, but tickets cost more at peak times
The Edge
> Open Monday-Thursday 10am-10pm and Friday-Sunday 10am-11pm
> Best time for views: sunset, when the Hudson glows gold
> If you’re visiting in winter, keep in mind The Edge can be extremely cold and windy – another reason Summit works so well for families
💲 Prices (2025)
|
Ticket type |
Summit One Vanderbilt |
The Edge |
|
Adult (13+) |
From $42 |
From $34 |
|
Child (6–12) |
From $38 |
From $29 |
|
Under 6 |
Free |
Free |
|
Premium options |
Glass elevator ride, Après lounge |
Champagne packages, city climb and sunset packages |
If you’re thinking about ticket costs alongside other NYC expenses, our NYC on a budget guide can help you plan your overall spend.
📍 Location
Summit One Vanderbilt is right next to Grand Central Terminal, perfect if you’re exploring Midtown or Times Square.
The Edge is at Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s far West Side which is ideal to combine with The High Line or Chelsea Market.
👀 Views & Landmarks
From Summit One Vanderbilt, you can clearly see:
> Central Park stretching to the north
> Chrysler Building (practically next door)
> Empire State Building
> East River & Roosevelt Island
From The Edge, you can clearly see:
> Downtown skyline & One World Trade Center
> Hudson River & New Jersey waterfront
> Statue of Liberty (in the distance)
> Vessel sculpture right below
✨ Other Features
Summit One Vanderbilt
> Multi-level mirrored rooms with incredible skyline reflections
> “Air” silver balloon room – huge hit with my daughter
> Glass ledges for stepping out over the city
> Artistic light installations
> Glass elevator ride (extra cost)
The Edge
> Outdoor sky deck with glass floor panels
> Angled glass walls for leaning out over the city
> Skyline steps for an elevated vantage point
👨👩👧 Is It Suitable for Children?
Summit One Vanderbilt
> Absolutely. The mirrored rooms and balloon installation were a huge hit with my toddler, and the indoor setting means no freezing winds in winter.
The Edge
> Fine for most children, but the open-air height and glass floor might be intimidating for some. Also, there’s less to “do” beyond looking at the view.
🍷 Facilities
Summit One Vanderbilt
> Indoor café and bar
> Souvenir shop
> Plenty of indoor seating
The Edge
> Small champagne bar
> Gift shop
> Limited outdoor seating
✅ Pros & Cons
Summit One Vanderbilt
Pro: Clear views of Central Park & Chrysler Building
Pro: Perfect for winter visits
Pro: Interactive and fun for children
Pro: Comfortable indoor environment
Con: Higher ticket price
Con: No fully outdoor deck
The Edge
Pro: Outdoor
Pro: Glass floor panels for adrenaline seekers
Pro: Stunning sunset over the Hudson
Con: Cold and windy in winter
Con: Less interactive for children
❓ Is It Worth Doing Both?
If you have the budget and time, then yes. They offer completely different vibes:
Summit One Vanderbilt is immersive, warm, and full of creative touches.
The Edge is exhilarating, open-air, and all about the thrill factor.
If you have to pick just one:
Choose Summit One Vanderbilt for comfort, immersive design, and unbeatable family-friendly fun.
Choose The Edge for outdoor excitement, sunset photos, and a rush of adrenaline.
🎄 Planning a December Visit?
If you’re in New York at Christmas, consider pairing one of these decks with a trip to Dyker Heights lights for the ultimate festive day.
✏️ Final Tip
Book your tickets in advance, especially during holidays to lock in your preferred time slot and avoid long waits. Compare here:
❓ Summit One Vanderbilt vs The Edge – FAQs
More New York related blog posts:
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