Top of the Rock vs Edge - Compare Observation Decks

By Dom Bewley
Published: May 16, 2024
Top of the Rock vs Edge

Do you know what's better than one observation deck overlooking Manhattan? Two observation decks overlooking Manhattan. That's right, we're talking about Top of the Rock and Edge. Double trouble. The gruesome twosome.

Now imagine, if you will, that these two static buildings suddenly came to life. No, please don't click away. So they're alive, right? And they have to, like, fight and stuff. Who would win? Well, let's explore their strengths and weaknesses as Top of the Rock faces off Vs. Edge. Let's get ready to rumble!

Top of the Rock Vs. Edge: A brief history

Image of Sign, Symbol,

You'll find Top of the Rock at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. If that combination of words sparks recognition in that withered brain of yours, it's likely due to the hit sitcom 30 Rock, which takes place within its walls. The Plaza is nearly 100 years old, being built back in 1933, so it's certainly the older of the two. It's also been home to some of America's biggest companies, including General Electric, Comcast, and NBC - 30 Rock's network, funnily enough.

Image of City, Office Building, Urban, High Rise, Cityscape, Metropolis,

Edge, on the other hand, is the baby of the two. It's a newly-established observation deck at the newly-renovated Hudson Yards, which has evolved from a shipping district to a cool, gentrified neighborhood. It's named as such due to its proximity to the Hudson River. But other than that, there's not much more history to cover.

Top of the Rock Vs. Edge: The view

As you'll find both, there are bound to be landmarks you'll see from both Top of the Rock and Edge. So, let's explore each in more detail, so you'll know what to point your camera at!

Image of City, Metropolis, Urban, Photography, Cityscape, High Rise,

From the Top of the Rock observation deck, you'll get clear views of the Empire State Building, the whole of Central Park, the Statue of Liberty (on a clear day, but don't count on it), Times Square (more likely a night due to all the LED light), and the Chrysler Building. So, plenty to see!

Image of City, Cityscape, Urban, High Rise, Metropolis, Nature, Outdoors, Sky, Water, Waterfront, Sunrise, Office Building, Condo, Housing, Scenery,

From Edge, you'll also see the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and maybe Lady Liberty on a good day. But what else will your eyes gaze upon? Well, you'll see the One World Trade Center, The Vessel (an interactive art installation in Hudson Yards, and the Hudson River.

Image of City, Sphere, Office Building, Urban, High Rise, Cross, Symbol, Condo, Housing, Adult, Male, Man, Person, Metropolis,

What can you do at Top of the Rock?

Yes, there is the observation deck, but we'll get to that. Patience is a virtue, after all. Why are we making you wait? Well, because there's more to 30 Rock than just the observation deck.

Start at the bottom, where you'll find multiple exhibits dedicated to the building, the area, and New York in general. You'll see video footage of the Rockefeller Center's historic 10-year construction during the Great Depression in the 1930s. You'll even learn more about the life and times of the building's namesake, John D Rockefeller. Drink all that in, and then it's time for the ascent.

The ride up itself lasts but a minute, shooting you up into the sky like some kind of advanced catapult - though a lot more comfortable. Then, you'll exit the elevator and be hit by the view. Get your camera or phone out and get snapping. Snap like there's no tomorrow. Snap like your life depended on it. After that, you're done! Feel free to head back down and explore Manhattan!

Image of City, High Rise, Urban, Office Building,

What can you do at Edge?

No messing around here. Head straight in, and take the elevator up to the 100th floor. Then, step out onto the open-air viewing platform and see for yourself.

When you're up there, you can drink the view. Ah. Just sip it so it lasts longer. Delicious view. In the middle of the observation deck, you'll find a glass floor. Why is that there? Well, it's for daredevils like you to walk on top of, so you can see the ground hundreds of feet beneath you!

Then, when you're done, head back down and take a mosey around Hudson Yards. It's not just newly built flats but an entire ecosystem of shops, restaurants, bars, and parks to explore.

Image of Car, Vehicle, Truck, Road, Bus, Person,

How to get to Top of the Rock

There are several ways to get to Top of the Rock. These are them!

If you're going on the subway, the B, D, F, and M lines stop at the 47-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center station, just a short walk from Top of the Rock. Alternatively, take the 1, E, or C subway lines to the 50th Street station.

If the bus is the best boy, you're in luck; several routes head into the area, including the M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M27, M50, and M104.

If you're driving, there are several parking garages in the area. However, traffic downtown can be utterly brutal. So maybe leave the car at home. You could always get a taxi if you want it to be someone else's problem!

Then, when you're there, purchase a ticket or show your pass to beat the queue and get in straight away.

Image of Bus, Vehicle, City, Metropolis, Urban, Car,

How to get to Edge

If you plan on taking the subway, the closest subway station to Hudson Yards is the 34th Street-Hudson Yards station (funnily enough), that's served by the 7 train. From the subway station, you can walk to Hudson Yards in a few minutes.

If you're taking a bus, several routes serve the Hudson Yards area, including the M12, M34, and M34A.

If driving's your poison, you'll find several parking garages in the area. But parking in Manhattan can burn through cash quicker than a bad habit, and driving around there isn't much better.

Then, when you're there, purchase a ticket or show your pass to beat the queue and get in straight away.

Save on New York Activities and Attractions

And now you know everything anyone ever need know about Top of the Rock faces off Vs. Edge. Rather than pick just one, go to both to make the most of the differing views and experiences! Does booking both sound expensive? It needn't be. With Go City's All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can head to both, as well as tons more of New York's best bits, for one low price!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

dinosaur bones on display
Blog

Lightning Round: Must-See Treasures at New York’s Natural History Gem

Let’s set the scene: you’re standing at the foot of Central Park, eyes on the grand arches of the American Museum of Natural History. The clock is ticking. Maybe your next New York adventure is calling, or perhaps you’re herding excitable kids (or grownups) with limited attention spans. So, how do you squeeze a few million years of natural wonder into a single visit? Don’t stress—we’ve cherry-picked the museum’s can’t-miss attractions so you’ll leave wowed, inspired, and armed with stories to brag about. Whether you crave dinosaurs, galaxies, dazzling gems, or iconic dioramas, you’ll find your moment of “whoa!” in record time.  Here’s what we recommend if you’re visiting the American Museum of Natural History and need to make the most of every second:  The T. rex and Fossil Halls  The Blue Whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life  The Rose Center for Earth and Space  The Hall of Gems and Minerals  The Hall of North American Mammals  The Discovery Room (family-friendly fast fun)  Hayden Big Bang Theater  The Alaskan Brown Bear Diorama  The Moai Cast (Easter Island Statue)  Quick Snack at the Museum Food Courts  2. The Blue Whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life—Dive Under the Sea  Leave the dinosaurs (and their teeth) behind for a wild switch of scenery: the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. Here, the showstopper is suspended above your head—a 94-foot-long model of a blue whale so lifelike, you’ll swear it’s swimming straight at you. It’s the kind of moment that makes both grownups and kids freeze, gasp, and immediately whip out cameras.  The room’s immersive lighting and soundscape evoke the ocean’s depths. Walk beneath the whale for the best view—look up, and you’ll see delicate flushes of blue and grey, textured skin, and tiny barnacle scars. The surrounding dioramas hold other sea creatures—glowing jellyfish, drifting squid, toothy sharks—but the whale rules the space.  Even if you’ve got a classic New Yorker’s schedule, this moment delivers: you’ll emerge with newfound respect for Earth’s gentle giants and a sneaky urge to book a whale-watching trip. Bonus—there’s plenty of bench seating for a quick rest break, all while soaking in the seaside atmosphere.  3. The Rose Center for Earth and Space—Touch the Cosmos  Ready to swap time zones for light years? The gleaming glass-and-steel Rose Center for Earth and Space houses a sphere that practically shouts “sci-fi cool.” Inside is the Hayden Planetarium and two floors packed with the story of the universe, from the Big Bang to black holes.  If your minutes are scarce, trace the Cosmic Pathway spiraling around the giant Hayden Sphere. Each step walks you billions of years through cosmic history—supernovas, galaxies, solar systems, and finally, the flicker of life on Earth. The energy in the hall is buzzing, fueled by the epic scope of space and kids daring each other to “touch the moon” (yes, there’s a genuine meteorite slab to do just that).  The planetarium shows are time-dependent, but even without seeing one, the space offers a full-tilt blast of wow factor. Snap some epic photos against the futuristic glass dome. In under 15 minutes, you’ll feel both tiny and cosmic.  4. The Hall of Gems and Minerals—A World That Shines  One of the museum’s most jaw-dropping spaces, the Hall of Gems and Minerals is stunning even if geology isn’t usually your thing. These aren’t standard pebbles—these are kaleidoscopic crystal geodes, sparkling clusters of purple amethyst, and a legendary 563-carat Star of India sapphire. The redesign of the hall keeps the showcase modern and immersive—think mood lighting, up-close displays, and a stroll through earth’s glittering treasures.  Kids love the hands-on “touch table.” Adults can’t resist gawking at the room-sized rotating geode, or the display of meteorites older than humanity. There’s a sense of magic here (and a touch of high-fashion drama); it’s New York’s answer to a million-dollar jewelry store, without the sales pitch.  If your energy is flagging, this gallery provides a calm, almost zen-like reprieve from the city’s chaos—yet you’ll emerge recharged, wishing your souvenir was a quartz boulder. Just remember: photos are encouraged, but licking the gems (tempting, we know) is not.  5. The Hall of North American Mammals—Classic Dioramas for Daydreamers  Part wildlife documentary, part art installation, the Hall of North American Mammals is an AMNH classic since the 1940s. Impeccable dioramas put you nose-to-nose with grizzlies, wolves, elk and more, each frozen in a landscape so vivid you can almost hear the wind rushing through the painted trees.  Every detail in these displays is crafted to perfection. The light shifts; the seasons change; sometimes the animals’ eyes seem to follow you. Families point and giggle at the sneaky bobcats, while nature buffs compete to find the most hidden animals. For a moment, you’re not in New York City but deep in Yellowstone or scaling snowy mountain peaks.  If you’ve got ten minutes, wander the hall slowly, letting your eyes drink in the textures and colors. For film fans—this is the exhibit that inspired those magical scenes in “Night at the Museum.” The nostalgia factor meets pure New York museum magic.  7. Hayden Big Bang Theater—The Universe in Three Minutes  Don’t miss the Hayden Big Bang Theater—located at the base of that epic Hayden Sphere in the Rose Center. Every few minutes, the theater’s doors slide open and guests are swept into a standing, surround-sound cinematic experience where the universe unfolds, literally, beneath your feet.  The curtain rises (or, in this case, the floor descends), and a cosmic story rockets you from the Big Bang through the formation of galaxies, stars, and—finally—life. The immersive visuals and thunderous sound track are pure goosebumps, and the show’s bite-sized—just three minutes long, but packed with “did that really happen?” moments.  If you want to compress 13 billion years into a coffee break, this is your chance. The result? You’ll walk out marveling at how you’re both ancient stardust and part of something impossibly huge.  8. The Alaskan Brown Bear Diorama—The Museum’s Wildest Residents  If you feel drawn to dramatic animal encounters, make a beeline for the Hall of North American Mammals’ famous Alaskan brown bear diorama. It’s legendary for a reason: two massive grizzly bears rising to full height, claws extended, with a salmon-studded river behind them.  The artistry in this exhibit is next-level—fur, claws, even the glint in the bears’ eyes. The whole scene is packed with tension, as if the bears might leap down at any second. It’s wild drama without danger, plus a powerful reminder of the epic scale of America’s wilderness.  Why do we keep coming back? It captures something primal—adrenaline paired with a hint of childlike awe. Everyone pauses here, exchanging grins or wide-eyed glances. It’s a must-see for a photo (and a fake-roar selfie).  9. The Moai Cast (Easter Island Statue)—Face to Face with Ancient Mysteries  Most people recognize these giant stone heads from the movies, but nothing prepares you for the real deal: the museum’s towering cast of a Moai from Easter Island. Tucked in the Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific Peoples, this solemn, enigmatic statue stands guard over his domain, sparking endless questions about vanished cultures and ancient mysteries.  The Moai’s serene expression and commanding presence make it a striking, strangely calming spot to pause. Gaze up, and let your thoughts wander to volcanic islands, lost rituals, and the ingenuity of early explorers. Kids love to mimic the statue’s “serious” face, while grown-ups ponder the intellectual thrill of standing so close to such tangible human history.  You won’t need long. This stop is a perfect breather between animal adventures and cosmic journeys. The hall’s other displays—canoes, masks, ceremonial items—round out the experience, but the Moai rules the room.  10. Quick Snack at the Museum Food Courts—Refuel Like a Pro  Even seasoned sightseers know: museum visits build up an appetite. When speed is your goal, grab a coffee and snack at one of AMNH’s food courts or cafes. The fourth-floor Café on 4 is a favorite for families, featuring hearty sandwiches, pasta, sushi, and treats that refuel both picky eaters and adults.  If you’re moving fast, snag a chocolate chip cookie (the bakery churns out thousands daily), or cool off with a fruit cup or lemonade. Window seating offers sweeping views of the park—or prime people-watching opportunities to scope out fellow explorers’ finds.  The atmosphere is buzzy but relaxed. With plenty of quick-serve options and barista-brewed favorites, you’ll head back into the galleries feeling restored and ready for whatever fossil, gem, or star comes next.  Quick Round Up: New York in an Afternoon? Doable.  We’re the first to admit: you could spend days lost in the wonders of the American Museum of Natural History. But if time’s precious—or you’re juggling a busy city schedule—each of these moments gives you a perfect taste of “wow” without the stress. Whether it’s a selfie with a giant T. rex, quiet awe beneath the blue whale, or daydreaming under the lights of distant galaxies, you’ll leave knowing you’ve squeezed a world of adventure into just a few fast-paced hours.  And when you step back into the buzzing city, don’t be surprised if you catch yourself muttering cool dino facts or scanning the sky for shooting stars. That’s the AMNH effect. It sticks with you—until next time.    Enjoyed this? Check out the city’s best historical sites, and make it a long weekend with our 4 day itinerary.    Step up your sightseeing with Go City®    We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.   See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® – just choose a pass to get started! 
Sip and Chill Near Madame Tussauds
Blog

Sip and Chill Near Madame Tussauds

Discover the best bars and pubs near Madame Tussauds.
Best Bars Near MoMA in New York City
Blog

Best Bars Near MoMA in New York City

Just left MoMA? Here’s where to raise a glass nearby.

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.