Visitors Guide to The EDGE, NYC | Tickets, Hours & Price

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The EDGE at Hudson Yards is the tallest outdoor observatory in the city and the entire Western Hemisphere. The views from 1,131 feet up are astounding, and after two visits to The EDGE, I can say it was one of the most awe-inspiring experiences I’ve had in NYC.

Of course, it’s just one of the many cool things to do in New York, so I’ve created this guide to help you decide whether The EDGE is the right choice for you. I’ll give you all the details on buying tickets for The EDGE, the best time to visit, and how it compares to New York City’s other famous observatories.

Visitors guide to The EDGE, NYC

This guide to The EDGE includes everything you should know to plan your visit. So, if you’re not sure if The EDGE is worth it, keep reading to see my honest review and how I think it stacks up against the other observatories in the city.

• What to expect
• Tickets
• Opening hours and best time to visit
• The EDGE versus other observation decks
• Wrapping up – Is the EDGE worth the money?

What to expect when you visit The EDGE observation deck

First, you have to find The EDGE. It’s part of the mall building at 30 Hudson Yards, and you can find the entrance on the western side, which faces the Hudson River. Once inside, head to the 4^th-floor entryway.

You’ll have to walk through a metal detector before getting in the queue. The line is cleverly disguised since it runs through a multimedia exhibit all about Hudson Yards and the observation deck. You’ll also pass a green screen photo op where you can get a digital souvenir photo to take home.

I’ve visited The EDGE NY twice. The first time was shortly after they opened in 2020, so there were strict COVID protocols. The next time I went was when my mom and brother visited me from Spain. The place was much more crowded that time, so I imagine it’s a more accurate representation of what you can expect.

What to expect when you visit The EDGE observation deck

As for wait times, it really depends on when you go. There are definitely longer lines around sunset, but at least you can distract yourself with the digital displays and exhibits. Also, the employees are super strict about admission times, so don’t expect to get in earlier than the designated time on your ticket.

When it was our time to go up to the sky deck, we boarded the elevator, which took us up to the 100^th floor in under a minute (it’s pretty cool!) The 100^th floor has an indoor area and a staircase leading to the 101^st floor, which has another indoor viewing area, restrooms, a gift shop, and the champagne bar.

But we were there for the views of NYC from The EDGE! As I stepped outside, I was greeted by an expansive view of the city from over 1,000 feet above street level. Out of all the observation decks in NYC, this one is by far the most exhilarating!

Outdoor sky deck

The EDGE’s sky deck juts out 80 feet from the building, so it’s a one-of-a-kind experience. Another cool thing about this observation deck is its angled glass walls. They’re nine feet tall and slant out 45°, so you feel like you’re floating above the city.

Outdoor sky deck at The EDGE

The view of NYC from The EDGE is expansive, so you can see all of Midtown and beyond. It’s one of the best views in New York City, offering a panorama of Manhattan’s top landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. Plus, the walls are supposed to be glare and reflection-free, so it makes taking pictures very easy.

Glass floor

Another special feature of The EDGE is its triangle glass floor. It’s only a tiny portion of the sky deck, but it’s a really cool experience. A few people can sit or stand on the glass floor at a time to see the city streets below. You’re even high enough to see the tops of many buildings, so it feels like you’re floating on air.

Skyline Steps

Being so high up, it gets windy on the sky deck. I recommend heading to the Skyline Steps in the western corner if the gusts get too chilly. They’re on the side of the building, so I found it to be a good place to get a break from the wind.

Skyline Steps at The EDGE

It’s also a nice spot to sit and admire the views. You can get a panoramic view of the observation deck and its sweeping vistas from the top of the staircase. If you visit The EDGE at sunset, which I highly recommend, you can capture great golden-hour photos there.

Eastern Point

On the opposite side of The EDGE observation deck is the Eastern Point. This is another excellent spot for photos, although you’ll probably have to wait in line to snap a picture. The Eastern Point is just big enough for one person to stand in the corner, and since it’s the furthest point from the building, it’s pretty exhilarating.

Fortunately, most people were quick to take a photo here when I went, so we didn’t have to wait too long for our turn. It was worth the wait!

Champagne bar

There’s also a bar at The EDGE where you can treat yourself to a drink with a view. It’s located inside, on the 100^th floor.

We didn’t go to the champagne bar, but I peeked at the drink list. The beer prices are pretty average for New York City, but the cocktails are expensive. Still, if you want a special experience, it seems like a cool place to grab a drink.

The EDGE restaurant

The restaurant at The EDGE is called Peak With Priceless, and it’s on the 101^st floor. It’s open for lunch and dinner and offers a prix fixe menu with gourmet dishes like Atlantic scallops and Maine lobster. We didn’t eat here, but it seems like a nice place for a date. Of course, enjoying a delicious meal with a view of the sky deck doesn’t come cheap!

The EDGE restaurant

The restaurant is part of a larger event space that includes a bar called Peekaboo. It’s open Thursday through Saturday for live music, dancing, and drinks. Just something to keep in mind if you enjoy the nightlife.

Tickets to The EDGE at Hudson Yards

You must get your tickets to The EDGE in advance, and you can buy them online here. There are different ticket options, so it depends on what your preferences are:

• General Admission: $44+
• Flex Admission: $60+
• Priority Access: $88+
• Sunset VIP Experience: $107+

With the general admission ticket, you reserve your time slot in advance and must stick to that entry time. If you want the flexibility to go any time on a specific date, book the flex ticket.

Priority access allows you to skip the line, and the sunset VIP ticket grants you skip-the-line privileges at golden hour, plus a glass of champagne.

Tickets to The EDGE at Hudson Yards

As for discounted tickets to The EDGE, kids ages 6-12 can enter for $35, and seniors (ages 62 and up) can get tickets for $38. That said, The EDGE is included in most New York city passes, so if you plan on visiting other popular landmarks, it’s worth getting one of these cards. My favorite is the New York Pass, which offers single and multi-day passes for dozens of attractions.

Finally, if you’re worried about bad weather or poor visibility, The EDGE has a Sky Assurance Weather Guarantee. This gives you the option to rebook for a different date if the weather’s not optimal. Alternatively, if you keep your original date, you’ll get 20% off at The EDGE bar. I didn’t have to change my date, but I felt better knowing that I had the option if the weather took a turn for the worse.

The EDGE hours and best time to visit

The EDGE is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. If you want to visit at night, keep in mind that the last time to enter is 8:00 p.m. Also, the hours vary depending on the season, so I recommend checking the official website ahead of time.

The EDGE hours and best time to visit

The best time to visit The EDGE in NYC is just before sunset. Speaking from experience, the views are top-tier, as you can watch the golden glow descend upon the entire city. As dusk approaches, the glittering lights of the skyscrapers dot the landscape, creating a gorgeous backdrop.

Again, sunset is The EDGE’s most popular time slot, so you’ll have to battle crowds and plan your day carefully. However, the outdoor sky deck is one of the best places to take photos in NYC, so it’s worth it!

Visiting The EDGE at night

If you can’t get sunset tickets or prefer visiting The EDGE at night, you won’t be disappointed. The city will be all lit up, and you’ll be able to see beyond Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and other landmarks.

There will still be some stragglers from the sunset crowd, but they’ll filter out so you can enjoy more space and quiet time up on the deck.

How much time do you need at The EDGE?

We spent about an hour and a half at The EDGE. If it’s really crowded when you go, you could end up waiting 30-60 minutes in line. However, once you’re on the deck, you can stay up there as long as you’d like.

Other things to do at The EDGE

Besides the sky deck, The EDGE has a bar, the City Climb attraction, and pop-up events that you may want to check out. For example, in the winter, there’s an indoor ice skating rink, and while it’s small, it has the distinction of being the highest-elevation ice rink in the city.

Also, The EDGE building has a mall, The Shops at Hudson Yards, where you can browse luxury brands for clothes, jewelry, electronics, and more.

Other things to do at The EDGE

Outside, you can see another observation deck, The Vessel. It’s an intricate honeycomb-style structure reaching a height of 150 feet, with various staircases and viewing platforms. It costs $10 to enter and is open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday – Sunday. I haven’t climbed up there yet, but even from ground level, it’s very impressive! Plus, it’s at the end of The High Line, an elevated park and walkway. You can follow it from Hudson Yards down 10^th Avenue to Chelsea Market.

City Climb and the Apex

If the thrill of The EDGE sky deck and glass floor isn’t enough for you, the City Climb experience might be up your alley. It’s the highest open-air building ascent in the world, where you’ll climb up the side of the building and lean over the edge.

The EDGE City Climb costs $185 per person and includes your suit and all the climbing gear. After a safety briefing, you’ll begin the ascent along the outdoor staircase, which leads to the Apex, an outdoor platform 1,271 feet above the ground. It’s the highest point you can access in NYC, so it’s not for the faint of heart!

City Climb and the Apex

The entire experience takes about two hours, and you can purchase spectator tickets for $38 if you want to watch your friends climb. We didn’t do it, but it looked like a great adrenaline rush!

Sky-high yoga

From May through September, you can do yoga on The EDGE observation deck. The sky-high yoga classes are 45 minutes long and are led by a certified yoga instructor. The classes start at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The cost is $75 per person, which includes a yoga mat. Plus, after your scenic yoga flow, you can hang out on The EDGE for 30 minutes.

Views from The EDGE vs other observation decks

I hope my review of The EDGE in New York helped you make up your mind on whether or not to visit. If you’re still unsure, here’s a quick comparison of the views from The EDGE vs other popular observation decks in the city:

• The EDGE NYC vs SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: Unlike The EDGE, the SUMMIT is completely indoors. It’s also more interactive, with sensory experiences and exhibits. The view is similar to what you can see from The EDGE, but it’s a different perspective of the skyline.

• The EDGE vs One World Observatory: One World Observatory boasts 360° views of Midtown and Lower Manhattan, including the East and Hudson Rivers, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, the Financial District, and Central Park. You can also see all five boroughs from the observatory, and it has a more family-friendly atmosphere.

• The EDGE vs Empire State Building: While it’s not as high as The EDGE, the Empire State Building is right in the middle of Manhattan, so it’s an amazing viewpoint. It’s also the most iconic observation deck in the city, with an outdoor viewing deck on the 86^th floor and an indoor observatory on the 102^nd. On clear days, you can see parts of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

• The EDGE vs Top of the Rock: Finally, the views from the Top of the Rock are incredible, and you can get amazing photos of the Empire State Building and Central Park. There are also binoculars, so you can even see Long Island and New Jersey.

Wrapping up – Is The EDGE worth the money?

After visiting The EDGE in New York City twice, I can say that it’s worth seeing at least once. The views are fantastic, and no other observation deck has the same immersive features.

Is The EDGE worth the money?

It’s usually not as hectic as SUMMIT One Vanderbilt or One World Observatory, so it’s a good choice if you want to avoid crowds. And while tickets for The EDGE are pricey, they’re standard for NYC. My tip, if you’re planning to go sightseeing, is to take advantage of a New York City attraction pass to cut costs.

FAQs – The EDGE in NYC

That’s it for my review of The EDGE in New York, but I want to finish up by answering some common questions:

That’s everything you should know about visiting The EDGE in New York City. If you’ve already been to The EDGE, tell me about it in the comments below. I’d also be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Stay safe, and enjoy The EDGE observation deck!