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If you’re visiting New York City and wondering which skyscraper to go up in, two of the most talked about observation decks are Summit One Vanderbilt and The Edge at Hudson Yards.
We visited both decks in December 2024 during a ten day family trip with our three year old, my aunt, and her partner. My aunt’s partner is a born-and-bred New Yorker and retired FDNY firefighter. We were lucky to have someone who knows the city so well, guide us. It genuinely shaped our trip, and he knew exactly which observation decks were worth our time and which weren’t.
After trying both decks, for me, there’s a clear winner: Summit One Vanderbilt. The views of Central Park are extraordinary, and the Chrysler Building sits almost at eye level. The immersive rooms kept our three year old completely engaged, particularly the balloon room, where we spent quite a bit of time and snapped some fantastic pictures of her. Being mostly indoors didn’t affect the views at all, and in December, it made the whole experience considerably more comfortable than an outdoor deck exposed to the elements.
The Edge is a completely different experience. It’s outdoor, thrilling, and worth visiting for different reasons entirely. Our daughter ran across the glass floor with no fear, while I barely put my big toe over it.
This guide compares both honestly to help you decide which one fits your trip.
More comparison guides
If you’re also considering Top of the Rock, these guides cover those comparisons in detail too. For a full overview of all five NYC observation decks, read the best observation deck guide.
Check ticket prices
The Edge
Summit One Vanderbilt
Quick comparison table for The Edge vs Summit One Vanderbilt
|
Feature |
The Edge |
Summit One Vanderbilt |
|
Experience type |
Outdoor glass-floored sky deck, plus immersive indoor installations |
Immersive, artistic, multi-level indoor experience |
|
Location |
Hudson Yards, West Side Manhattan |
Midtown Manhattan (One Vanderbilt building, near Grand Central) |
|
Views |
Downtown skyline, Hudson River, Statue of Liberty |
Central Park, Chrysler Building, Empire State, East River |
|
Best for |
Thrill-seekers, sunset views, outdoor experience |
Families, photography lovers, winter visits |
|
Child-friendly? |
Mostly, but outdoor heights may be daunting |
Yes – fun interactive rooms |
|
Tickets |
From $39 |
From $44 |
|
Go City |
Yes |
No |
Doing more than one attraction?
The Edge is included with Go City, so it’s worth comparing the pass price if you’re planning several NYC attractions.
Schedule and times
The Edge
> Open Monday to Thursday 10 am to 10pm, Friday to Sunday 10 am to 11 pm
> The indoor journey up to the deck was recently overhauled into a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience. Expect more than just a lift ride before you reach the top now.
> Dynamic pricing applies. Price changes by time of day, and sunset slots cost around $10 more than standard entry
> Best time for views: sunset, when the Hudson River glows gold
Summit One Vanderbilt
> Open daily from 9 am to midnight – last entry around 10:30 pm
> Best time for families: mid-morning or early afternoon to avoid crowds
> Dynamic pricing applies. Sunset and peak time slots cost more than daytime visits. Book in advance to lock in the cheapest rate.
Prices
|
Ticket type |
The Edge |
Summit One Vanderbilt |
|
Adult (13+) |
From $39 standard / up to $53 peak |
From $43 weekday / $49 weekend |
|
Child (6-12) |
From $35 |
From $37 weekday / $43 weekend |
|
Senior (62+) |
From $42 |
– |
|
Under 5 |
Free (free ticket still required) |
Free |
|
Sunset surcharge |
Included in dynamic pricing |
+$10-13 |
|
Go City |
Included |
Not included |
|
Premium options |
City Climb ($185-205), Flex pass ($64+), Express pass ($88+) |
Ascent glass elevator ($68+), signature cocktail bundle |
Tips worth knowing before you book
Book The Edge early
Book 14 or more days in advance and save up to 35% on standard tickets.
Don’t be late for Summit One
If you arrive more than 20 minutes after your booked slot, you may not be accommodated and could be charged a $10 late fee per person.
Summit One military discount
Active duty and retired US armed forces get one complimentary ticket, up to four guests get 25% off.
Summit One residents discount
NYC and Long Island residents get $5 off with proof of residence.
Both decks use dynamic pricing – sunset and peak weekend slots cost more. Book in advance to lock in the best rate.
For more ways to save money on NYC attractions, see our NYC on a budget guide.
Location
Two incredible views, two very different neighbourhoods. Here’s where you’ll find each deck.
The Edge
📍 The Edge is at 30 Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s far West Side, which is a completely different part of the city from Summit One. Hudson Yards itself is worth exploring as a destination: the Vessel sculpture, The High Line elevated park, and Chelsea Market are all within easy walking distance of the deck. The area has a very different feel from Midtown. It’s more modern, open, and less crowded. It’s worth allowing time to explore the neighbourhood before or after your visit.
Summit One Vanderbilt
📍 Summit One Vanderbilt sits directly above Grand Central Terminal at 45 East 42nd Street and is one of the most central locations of any observation deck in New York. You can enter through the Grand Central Main Concourse via Vanderbilt Passage, making it easy to combine with a Midtown morning or afternoon. Times Square, Bryant Park, and Fifth Avenue are all within easy walking distance.
How to get there:
THE EDGE
Subway line 7 to 34th Street Hudson Yards. Five minute walk. The High Line entrance is a short walk away if you want to combine both.
SUMMIT ONE VANDERBILT
Use subway lines 4, 5, 6, 7, and S to Grand Central 42nd Street. One minute walk.
Views and landmarks
Both observation decks offer unforgettable views, but each gives you a completely different perspective of New York.
The Edge
Best for a wide skyline and sunset views
Hudson River and New Jersey waterfront
Downtown skyline and One World Trade Center
Statue of Liberty in the distance
Vessel sculpture directly below
The west-facing position gives you views no other Midtown deck can offer, particularly spectacular at sunset when the Hudson River glows gold.
Summit One Vanderbilt
Best for iconic Midtown views
Central Park stretching to the north
Chrysler Building – almost at eye level, closer than from any other deck
Empire State Building
East River and Roosevelt Island
The windows are spotlessly clean – photo quality is excellent throughout.
The key difference between The Edge and Summit One Vanderbilt
Summit One gives you the classic postcard Midtown view – Central Park, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State. The Edge gives you something completely different – the Hudson River, the harbour, and a west-facing perspective that feels like a different city entirely. If you can only do one, choose based on which view matters more to you.
Other features
The Edge
Outdoor sky deck – the triangular platform juts 80 feet beyond the building facade at 1,131 feet. No glass between you and the open air.
Glass floor – look straight down 100 floors to the streets below.
Angled glass walls – lean outward over the city for dramatic photos.
Skyline Seats – suspended seats facing outward over the city.
Eastern Point – the furthest point of the deck, extending furthest from the building.
Champagne Bar – drinks on the deck, available to all visitors.
Seven immersive installations – Prism, Pulse, Skyrise, Reflections, Kaleidoscope, Crystal Cave, and Infinite City guide you from the Level 4 entrance up to the deck. Included with standard admission, not an add-on. Expect colour-changing light rooms, a 200-mirror kaleidoscope, and a cinematic 100-floor elevator ride before you even reach the view.
City Climb – an optional upgrade where you climb the exterior crown of the building to approximately 1,271 feet via a guided, harnessed ascent. The highest open-air point available to visitors anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. Costs around $185-205, takes 90-120 minutes. Booked separately.
Summit One Vanderbilt
Transcendence – two floors of floor to ceiling mirrored rooms reflecting the Manhattan skyline in every direction.
Levitation – glass skyboxes extending 80 feet from the building, 1,063 feet above Madison Avenue.
Affinity – the silver balloon room. Our daughter refused to leave. One of the most photographed rooms of any attraction in New York.
Unity – a digital cloud room where your entrance photo is projected into swirling clouds on a vast screen.
Après – a Nordic-designed café and bar on the 93rd floor with floor to ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace. Cocktails, coffee and light bites.
Ascent – the world’s largest exterior glass elevator, rising along the outside of the building to 1,210 feet. Extra cost, weather permitting. Around $68 per adult
Premium Experience – a 90-minute guided tour with skip the line access at every stage, plus a complimentary digital photo package. Worth considering for a special occasion visit if you want a more personalised experience with skip-the-line access.
Practical tips before you visit
A few practical things to know that can make or break your experience.
The Edge
No time limit – unlike Summit One, you can stay as long as you like once you’re up there.
Free concessions – Edge ticket holders receive a free chocolate bar and brownie at Hudson Yards. Worth collecting on your way out.
Fear of heights – The Edge is not recommended for anyone with a serious fear of heights. The outdoor deck, glass floor, and angled walls are genuinely exposed. Summit One is considerably more manageable for nervous visitors.
Weather – the outdoor deck may close in extreme weather. The Sky Assurance weather guarantee gives you either 20% off at the bar on the day or a free rebook.
Summit One Vanderbilt
One-way system – the experience flows one way across three floors. You cannot go back once you’ve left a room, so make sure you’re done before moving on.
Dress code – wear trousers rather than a skirt; the floors are mirrored throughout. Stiletto heels, steel-toed boots, and sports cleats are not permitted as they damage the mirrored flooring.
Sunglasses – bring them on a sunny day; the reflections can be blinding.
Strobe warning – the entry elevator uses dramatic flashing lights during the ride up. It’s worth knowing if anyone in your group is sensitive to bright or flashing lights.
Dark queue – there is a period of complete darkness before you enter the main rooms. Younger children may find this unsettling.
Late arrival – if you arrive more than 20 minutes after your booked slot, you may not be accommodated and could be charged a $10 late fee per person.
Signature experiences
Both decks offer a few fun add-ons that add to the whole experience, and they’re great for first time visitors looking for something memorable.
The Edge
Glass floor – look straight down 100 floors to the streets below through the triangular glass platform. Our daughter planted herself on it immediately with no fear. I barely put my big toe over it. It’s one of those experiences where how you react tells you something about yourself.
City Climb – a guided harnessed ascent up the exterior crown of 30 Hudson Yards to approximately 1,271 feet – the highest open-air point available to visitors anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. You lean out over Manhattan hands-free at the apex. Costs around $185-205, takes 90-120 minutes. Booked separately from the standard deck ticket. It’s not something we did. Our three year old made that an easy decision, but it comes up consistently as one of the most extraordinary experiences in New York.
Champagne Bar – drinks available on the deck throughout your visit. A good way to mark the occasion, particularly at sunset.
Summit One Vanderbilt
Ascent – the world’s largest exterior glass elevator, rising along the outside of the building to 1,210 feet, 126 feet above the main observation deck. Two fully transparent cabins travel at 83 feet per minute along the building’s facade. The views during the ride are as impressive as the destination. Weather permitting, costs around $68 per adult as part of the Ascent bundle. Worth doing if heights don’t bother you, it’s a genuinely different perspective on the city.
We didn’t do the Ascent on our visit. With a three year old and a full day ahead of us, it felt like one thing too many. But if you’re visiting without young children and heights aren’t an issue, it’s the most dramatic add-on of any observation deck in New York.
Is it suitable for children?
The Edge
Fine for most children, but the experience depends entirely on how your child responds to heights. The glass floor is the talking point. Our daughter ran across it with no fear, while I barely put my big toe over it.
Children who are confident with heights will love it. Children who are nervous may find the fully outdoor exposed deck and glass floor genuinely unsettling.
Since June 2026, The Edge also has seven immersive indoor installations on the way up, so there’s more for younger children to engage with than there used to be – though Summit One’s rooms are still more geared toward interactive play for little ones specifically.
Summit One Vanderbilt
Yes, and in our experience, it’s the best observation deck in New York for young children. The immersive rooms give children something to actually do rather than just look at views through glass, and the mostly indoor setting means no freezing winds in December.
When we arrived with our three year old there was a small queue. We ended up doing the Hokey Cokey in the line, which kept her going. Once inside, she collected her shoe covers and glasses and was immediately engaged.
The Affinity balloon room was her absolute favourite. We stayed in there for a while, and it genuinely produced some of the best photos of our whole holiday.
Two things worth knowing if you’re visiting with young children. There is a period of complete darkness before you enter the main rooms. Our daughter got a little worried in there, so it’s worth preparing younger children for it. And the entry elevator uses dramatic flashing lights during the ride up, which may unsettle children sensitive to bright lights.
It’s worth knowing that experiences vary, and some families find Summit One overwhelming and too busy. Ours loved every minute.
For a full guide to visiting New York with young children, head to our NYC with kids guide.
Facilities
The Edge
Champagne Bar – drinks available on the deck itself, open to all visitors. Cocktails, champagne and non-alcoholic options.
Gift shop – The Edge, branded merchandise, and New York souvenirs on Level 100.
Indoor observation lounge – a warm up space on Level 100 with panoramic floor to ceiling windows before stepping outside.
Free lockers – available for bags and belongings, unlike Summit One Wheelchair accessible throughout.
Wheelchair accessible throughout.
No outside food or drink is permitted beyond the entrance.
Summit One Vanderbilt
Après café and bar – Nordic inspired space on the 93rd floor serving cocktails, coffee, and light bites. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks both available.
Boutique gift shop – SUMMIT merchandise and New York souvenirs, also on the 93rd floor.
Seating – multiple seating areas across all three floors throughout the experience.
Outdoor terrace – Midtown’s highest open-air terrace, accessed from the Après level.
On arrival – disposable shoe covers and sunglasses are provided free at entry.
Bags – large bags, backpacks, and luggage cannot be brought beyond security. No storage available, so travel light.
Pros and cons
The Edge
WHAT WE LOVED
Highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere
Spectacular Hudson River and west-facing views unavailable at any other Midtown deck
Glass floor – a genuinely thrilling experience
No time limit – stay as long as you like
Included in Go City
Free lockers available for bags
Early bird discount – up to 35% off when booked 14+ days ahead
Seven new immersive light and art installations included with admission
City Climb available for the seriously adventurous
Free chocolate bar and brownie with ticket at Hudson Yards
WHAT TO KNOW
Entirely outdoor – cold and very windy in winter
Not recommended for anyone with a serious fear of heights
Indoor space under renovation until June 2026
Smallest deck of the five – can feel crowded
Dynamic pricing – sunset slots cost significantly more
Indoor space under renovation until June 2026
Summit One Vanderbilt
WHAT WE LOVED
Most immersive observation experience in New York
Best observation deck in NYC for families with young children
Spotlessly clean windows – excellent for photography throughout
Mostly indoor – ideal for winter visits or bad weather
Central Midtown location next to Grand Central – easy to get to
Complimentary shoe covers and sunglasses provided on entry
The Affinity balloon room – genuinely unlike anything else in New York
Après café and outdoor terrace for drinks with skyline views
WHAT TO KNOW
Not included in Go City – separate ticket required
Closed on Tuesdays
One-way system – you cannot revisit rooms once you’ve left them
No storage for bags – large bags and luggage not permitted
Dynamic pricing – sunset and weekend slots cost considerably more
Dark queue and strobe elevator may unsettle young children or those with sensory sensitivities
Some families find it overwhelming – experiences vary
Is it worth doing both?
If your budget and time allow, yes. They offer genuinely different experiences that complement rather than duplicate each other. Summit One gives you the immersive artistic experience and the classic Midtown skyline. The Edge gives you the outdoor thrill and the Hudson River views. Doing both on the same trip means you’ve seen New York from two completely different perspectives.
We did both during our ten day trip and had a clear favourite – Summit One. But The Edge added something the other couldn’t. The glass floor moment, the west-facing view, the feeling of being fully outside 1,100 feet up. It’s a different kind of experience entirely.
If you have to pick just one:
Choose The Edge if…
> You want outdoor thrills
> You want the glass floor experience
> You want spectacular Hudson River sunset views
> You want immersive light/art installations as well as the view
> You’re on a budget and want to use your Go City Pass
Choose Summit One Vanderbilt if…
> You’re visiting with young children
> You want the most immersive experience
> You’re visiting in winter
> You want the classic Midtown skyline view with Central Park and the Chrysler Building
Still deciding?
Planning a December visit?
Both decks are worth visiting in December, but they offer very different experiences in winter conditions.
The Edge
The Edge in December is a different proposition entirely. The outdoor deck is fully exposed to the elements, and in winter the wind up there is significant, so go prepared with a proper coat, hat, and gloves. That said, a clear winter day gives you exceptional visibility, and the Hudson River in the cold light of December has its own atmosphere.
Summit One Vanderbilt
Summit One Vanderbilt in December is particularly well suited to a winter visit. The mostly indoor setting means you’re warm and comfortable throughout, regardless of the weather outside. The Après terrace gives you outdoor air when you want it without committing to a fully exposed deck. We visited in late November and found it genuinely comfortable even on a cold day.
Make a day of it
If you’re building a full December day around an observation deck visit, then consider pairing it with a trip to Dyker Heights Christmas lights in Brooklyn, one of the most extraordinary free experiences in New York in December. Our full Dyker Heights guide covers everything you need to know. And if you’re planning a longer Christmas trip, our 4 days in New York at Christmas itinerary shows exactly how we fitted both observation decks into a full festive trip alongside everything else we did.
Final tips before you book
Book in advance
Both decks sell out regularly, particularly at sunset and on weekends. Summit One weekend and sunset slots can sell out days ahead in spring and autumn. The Edge early bird discount saves up to 35% when booked 14 or more days ahead so there’s a financial incentive to plan ahead too.
Go on a clear day
Both decks are weather dependent for the best experience. Check the forecast before you go and if visibility is poor consider rebooking. The Edge has a Sky Assurance weather guarantee if the outdoor deck closes.
Arrive on time
Summit One operates at full capacity and charges a $10 late fee per person if you arrive more than 20 minutes after your booked slot. The Edge is more flexible but timed entry still applies on standard tickets.
Combine with the neighbourhood
Summit One is a short walk from Grand Central, Times Square and Bryant Park. The Edge is a short walk from The High Line, Chelsea Market and The Vessel. Neither deck needs to be a standalone visit.
Ready to book?
The Edge
Use a sightseeing pass?
Includes The Edge + other top attractions
Summit One Vanderbilt
Still planning the rest of your trip?
Head over to our New York Travel Guide for all of our guides, itineraries and local tips to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
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