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King Kong has a gigantic presence at the Empire State Building. Photo by author

Top NYC Observation Decks with the Best Views for Families

1. Best NYC Observation Deck for Purists: Empire State Building

While the Empire State Building is no longer the highest observation deck in NYC, this Art Deco building offers the oldest and most iconic observation deck. Its NYC views have appeared in art, literature, and film, and it best represents New York's rich history. A major renovation in 2019 resulted in a new museum on the second floor, an entirely new 80th-floor exhibit, and an upgraded lobby. A visit to the Empire State Building offers not only views of NYC's five boroughs, but it's also a bit of history.
Can't-Miss Highlight for Families: Pose with King Kong in the second-floor museum and trace its many pop-culture appearances.

Perched on the far west side, Edge New York's observation deck experience is not for the faint of heart. Photo courtesy of Related Oxford

2. Best NYC Observation Deck for Daredevils: Edge New York

Edge New York at Hudson Yards boasts the highest open-air observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. It's not for the faint of heart. The outdoor, triangular glass platform is 100 stories high, and you can see straight down through its glass-bottomed section to the city streets below. For those who might find the glass platform a little terrifying, the Skyline Steps are the perfect place to sit and enjoy the views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. The elevator ride is an adventure alone, and speeds up to the top in less than a minute. If all that isn't daring enough, you can opt to enjoy the view even higher from City Climb, which allows you to make a harnessed, 32-step trek to the building's precipice.
Can't-Miss Highlight for Families: Edge has hosted pop-up performances, like Rock & Roll Playhouse, in the past, plus fun installations like a sky-high ice skating rink. There always seems to be a draw beyond the beautiful view here!

The views are only part of the fun at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Photo by Jody Mercier

3. Best NYC Observation Deck for an Immersive Art Experience: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

The newest kid on the block, the observation deck at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is perched on the 91st floor of One Vanderbilt, adjacent to Grand Central Terminal, and combines stunning views with a digital art installation by Kenzo Digital. The best part of the SUMMIT experience is the gallery where the floors and ceiling are covered in mirrors. The reflections interact with the light and views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating an optical illusion of a never-ending cityscape that's great for photo-ops and Instagram. Kids love the other immersive rooms like Air, where they can play with giant silver balls, and Levitation, where they can see straight down to the streets through a glass floor.
Can't-Miss Highlight for Families: You'll have a hard time pulling your kids—or yourself—away from Air! The ballroom is seriously fun for all-ages playtime.

For the best midtown views, it's hard to beat the view from Top of the Rock. Photo by Jody Mercier

​4. Best NYC Observation Deck for All-Around Views: Top of the Rock

Located on the 70th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Top of the Rock observation deck may be the shortest on our list, but what it lacks in stature, it makes up for in breadth as it has the best all-around views of the city. Due to its location, you'll get the best views of Central Park as well as a head-on view of the Empire State Building. Another bonus: You can avoid the crowds that you'll encounter at the newer buildings. There's now a new open-air Skylift attraction that lifts visitors to nearly 900 feet above street level on a revolving platform, and you can re-create the famous Lunch Atop a Skyscraper photo on its other thrilling attraction: The Beam.
Can't-Miss Highlight for Families: A ride on The Beam or Skylift is a fun addition. Keep an eye out for kids-ride-free promotions to save on the upcharge.

One World Observatory is an indoor observation deck experience, but offers plenty of cool tech to engage with. Photo by Jody Mercier

5. Best NYC Observation Deck to Experience the City's Spirit: One World Observatory

The Freedom Tower's One World Observatory represents the resilience and indomitable spirit of New York City as it rebuilt itself after 9/11. Visitors are treated to a visual history of New York as they ride the elevator 102 floors to the top. As the tallest building in the United States, the NYC views are exhilarating to be sure. You'll get direct views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, New York Harbor, Staten Island, Governors Island, and Brooklyn.
Can't-Miss Highlight for Families: This is our favorite elevator ride to the top. We won't give any spoilers as to why. Once you've reached the observatory, stop by to see the Tour Ambassadors at City Pulse, even locals are bound to learn something new!

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting NYC Observation Decks

Which NYC observation deck is best for young children? All the observation decks are suitable for young children, however, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt has lots of room for young kids to run around, plus the immersive experiences are interactive, appealing to their sense of play.

Are observation decks stroller-friendly?: Strollers are allowed at all of the observation decks, however, they must be collapsible so they can be folded in the elevators or on escalators.

What time of day is best to visit one of these NYC observation decks? To avoid the crowds, it's best to go early when they first open or during the middle of the day, between 12-2pm. The evening hours are busy with visitors who want to see the sunset.

Are there discounts for families? If you're booking several top attractions in New York City and looking to save money, consider purchasing a Go City Explorer Pass, which includes discounted admission to One World Observatory, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Statue of Liberty, the American Museum of Natural History, and more.

How much time should we plan for a visit? Depending on the time of the day and what additional experiences you might opt for, you should give yourself about two hours to visit with kids. After that, everyone will need a break and a snack.

READ NEXT: Best NYC Museums for Kids

Originally published in 2022.

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