Is The Edge NYC Worth Visiting?
In a city full of a million things to do and a million views of the incredible cityscape, is the Edge NYC worth visiting?
One thing we definitely wanted to do while in NYC was seeing the cityscape from above. However, there are loads of places you can do this around the city, including the Summit and The Empire State Building.
So why choose The Edge over some of the other views? Is the view good? Is the price right?
Here is everything you need to know about visiting The EDGE NYC including best time to visit, where its located, pricing, what to expect at The Edge, The Edge compared to The SUMMIT One and Empire State buildings and more!
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About the Edge NYC & Is it Worth It?
The Edge NYC is a viewing platform located at the top of a skyscraper in Hudson Yards, New York City and is the tallest outdoor viewing platform in the Western Hemisphere!
It opened in March of 2020 and has since then added different events and activities throughout the seasons to add a bit more spark to the experience!
What makes it stand out from other viewing platforms in NYC?
It offers an OUTDOOR platform with glass walls, which boasts some of the BEST and unobstructed birds-eye views of the cityscape
It is also home to the City Climb– an opportunity to harness up and walk around “the Edge” of one of Manhattans tallest skyscrapers!
About The Edge!
Address: 30 Hudson Yards
Hours: 9am to 10 pm (vary a little depending on season)
Price: Begins at $43 per person, but varies depending on time of day and year now (used to be flat rate)
Purchase tickets to The Edge!
The Edge NYC vs The Summit vs The Empire State Building
The biggest thing people usually want to know, should you visit the Edge or another viewing platform? The other two most popular viewing platforms in NYC are the SUMMIT and the Empire State Building. With all of the options, which do you choose?
The SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
The SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is probably the most-compared attraction to the Edge.
The biggest differences between the Edge and SUMMIT One:
- The Edge has an outdoor viewing platform whereas SUMMIT One is completely indoors
- SUMMIT One offers a more interactive experience; there are multiple levels between the ground floor and the top, and each offer something a little different! The levels vary from silver balls floating around to bright lights and more, making it very picturesque!
We chose the Edge over SUMMIT One due to the outdoor platform and I visited with my mom, who sometimes gets nauseous with too much light. But, I’ve heard SUMMIT One is really neat as well!
The Empire State Building
Another popular viewing platform is the Empire State Building
A perk of visiting the Empire State Building is definitely the history; it is iconic!
- Yes, the Edge is higher up and more open, but the history of the Empire State building that began in 1931 adds a little something special that you can’t get in the newer platforms.
- There are also lots of exhibitions that display the history of the building!
The Empire State Building offers two observation decks; one at the 86th floor (open-air) and another at the 102nd floor; you can buy tickets for just the 86th or for both floors.
- Price: $48 for the 86th floor and about $90 for 86th & 102nd floors
We chose the Edge over the Empire State Building due to the more unobstructed outdoor viewing platform, but if we had had more time in NYC we would have done both!
Everything Else to Know about Visiting The Edge!
The Edge is a really cool experience and the views are incredible! So if you choose to visit, here is everything you will need to know including location, price, best time of day to visit, what to expect at the top, information about the City Climb and more!
Where is the Edge NYC located?
The Edge NYC is located in the Hudson Yards, just southwest of Manhattan and within a short distance of the Hudson River.
To get to the Edge, you will go inside the Hudson Yards mall, The Shops at Hudson Yards, and head up to level 4 (this was kind of confusing for us, as there is no sign at ground level that says “The Edge.”).
You enter on Hudson Boulevard from the Public Square and Gardens (near the Vessel building)
Price of Visiting The Edge NYC
The price to visit the Edge NYC varies a lot now. At one point, it was about $43 no matter what time you visited (thats what we paid for a 4:20 sunset time slot in December a few years ago.)
However, now times seem to vary based on time of day as well as time of year. Sunset times are likely going to be closer to $60 per person now.
Also, if you want to buy a glass of champagne to accompany your magical New York City view, you will be paying about $20 for a small glass 🙃
Best Time of Day to Visit
Seeing the New York Cityscape during the day and the night is incredible. However, the best time to visit the Edge NYC and to see the cityscape of New York City is just before sunset.
This allows you to see the city with some daylight for great pictures and good lighting. However, it also allows you to catch an incredible sunset and then see the city lights come to life!
Obviously, the exact time will depend on what time of the year you plan to visit. When you go to book your tickets, you will have to choose a certain time slot.
Look up what time sun sets when you visit, and choose a time slot just before the sunset time.
We visited in December when sun sets around 4:30. We actually chose the 4:20 time slot and was able to see the very beginning of sunset and then stayed for about 30 minutes to watch the sky turn completely dark and reveal the bright city lights!
Secure your tickets to The Edge at sunset!
YOU SHOULD KNOW: If you do opt to watch sunset at the Edge NYC, you are NOT going to be the only one to do so. And, when the sun sets and you get your view of the city at night and then get ready to go back down to the ground level, so will everyone else 😅
My advice is to either hurry up with your night sky viewing or hang out on the platform longer than you planned to. The foot traffic just after sunset is A LOT!
What to Expect at the Top of the Edge
Once you reach the top of the Edge, you’ll exit into an indoor room where you can find restrooms, a gift shop, and the bar. If you are visiting in the winter, don’t worry; you can escape the cold when you need to!
Outside, you will find a triangle-shaped platform enclosed on all sides by glass walls. There are also a set of long steps that act as benches for you to sit and enjoy the view (see second photo below).
While you are outside, don’t forget to make your way to the glass floor! There is a small section in the corner of the platform that you can stand on and get a view all the way to the ground!
City Climb at The Edge NYC
Have you seen the photos of people hanging off the edge of a skyscraper in NYC? Well, this is the City Climb Skyscraper Experience, offered year round at the top of the Edge NYC! If you love a good view and a little rush of adrenaline, this is for you! Strap up to harnesses and walk along the perimeter of the skyscraper while leaning out over the edge!
- Price: $185 per person + tax (around $200)
- Price includes entry into the Edge
How Much Time Should You Allot to Visit
The Edge NYC is largely known as a viewing platform. There is a little information about the building and the viewing platform before you make it to the top of the Edge, but there really isn’t a lot of entertainment or stopping between the ground floor and the top.
Therefore, how long you spend at the top of the Edge NYC is dependent on how long you want to take pictures, videos and take in the New York City cityscape!
For reference, we got to Hudson Yards at about 4:00 pm, climbed to the top of the Edge NYC at 4:20, which was our allotted time slot and was back on ground level at about 5:15 pm (though this can vary depending on how much of a crowd you are fighting to get back down).
If you plan to ice skate or partake in an event going on at the Edge, this timeline obviously doesn’t pertain. But, if you just plan to go up to the viewing platform to take in the views, you should allot at least an hour to an hour and a half.
Events at the Edge NYC
The Edge, as I mentioned before, has started adding new entertainment and activities to its viewing platform.
For example, last summer, from July 15 to September 30th, they had the SHADES event going on where they displayed pops of color on the glass walls and through the Edge
During the autumn, the often have pumpkin and colorful leaf displays
On September 21 and 22nd of 2024 they hosted an Oktoberfest with live music, steins and pretzels to compliment your epic city view
During the holidays in 2023, they added a small Sky Skate presented by Dunkin. Yes, the ice skating rink is small, but it adds a little holiday flare to the experience!
The changing decor is fun and seasonal, but also gives people a different experience if visited more than once!
Here is a calendar of events happening at The Edge!
Go City Explorer Card
Do you think you may be interested in doing more than one of these? Or are you looking to do several different excursions while in NYC? The Go City explorer card can be a money-saver if you plan to do 3 or more different activities, including The Edge.
Go City offers discount cards for cities around the world, not just NYC. With a purchase of a card, you get entrance into as many attractions as you want (2 to 10 attractions) or buy all-inclusive day passes (1 to 10 days) for a set price, saving you money in the long run!
- For example, a 3 attraction pass is about $110 per person. The Edge and the 86th floor of the Empire State Building will be about $91 dollars by themselves, so you next attraction will be about $20.
- The more attractions you purchase, the less it costs per attraction. So, if. youdon’t plan to do very many
Popular attractions that are included in the Go City Pass are:
- The Edge NYC
- The Empire State Building
- Top of the Rock (another viewing platform)
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum
- Museum of Modern Arts
- + other museums, walking tours, Hudson River cruises and more!
The Edge NYC Recap
We loved a lot of things in NYC, but this experience was one of our favorites! The view is incredible, especially at sunset! Whatever viewing platform you choose, I recommend visiting at least one attraction that will take you high above the New York city lights!
