Are you searching for the final word New York City skyline views, and are you undecided if to have them from the Empire State Building (probably the most iconic constructing within the metropolis) or the Top of the Rock (aka the highest of Rockefeller Center)?
Good information for you: I’m right here precisely that can assist you with this difficult choice! In order to resolve your doubts, I made this comparability information between the most effective commentary decks of the large apple: Top of the Rock vs Empire State Building.
We will analyze all the professionals and cons of every one and evaluate many vital options like ticket costs, views from the commentary decks, location & ease of entry, ready time, diminished fee, and way more!
So begin studying this information to make up your thoughts… are you prepared?
Let’s go!
1. General ticket value
Entry tickets are a vital a part of your choice between the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock… which one is dearer? What elements of the constructing provide you with entry other than the commentary deck? Which advantages does it embody?
I chosen the final entry ticket for each of the buildings (all the time referring to the grownup ticket). Let’s evaluate them!
1.1 Top of the Rock Tickets
A Top of the Rock entry ticket will price you $40 and provide you with entry to:
- 3 indoor and outside commentary decks on the 67th, 69th, and seventieth flooring
- A sky shuttle elevator journey to the highest of the constructing with a lightweight present
- The Mezzanine Exhibit
- The interactive Beam Walk
1.2 Empire State Building Tickets
The basic ticket to the Empire Building prices $44 and provides you with entry to:
- The predominant outside commentary deck of the 86th flooring, supplying you with 360-degree views of New York City
- A free obtain app with a self-guided multimedia tour in 9 languages
- Access to many interactive and academic reveals on the 2nd flooring (Opening Day, Kong and way more… take a look at the full record right here)
P.S.: If you need to know all concerning the Empire State Building tickets, the place to purchase them and a few vital info, take a look at this publish!
WINNER FOR PRICING:
The Top of the Rock is unquestionably the only option when it comes to ticket entry, providing a greater cancellation coverage at a less expensive value (- $4)!
2. Best views
Since the primary motive you’re studying this weblog might be to know which constructing has the most effective view of the New York skyline, let’s evaluate the commentary decks of each the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock! Which NYC Observation Deck is best?
2.1 Top of the Rock commentary deck
Overall constructing top: 853 ft (260m), till the highest of antennas
With a traditional ticket to the Top of the Rock constructing, you should have entry to all its 3 commentary decks: the 67th, 69th, and seventieth flooring.
- 67th flooring: when arriving at this indoor commentary deck, you’ll stroll by means of an enclosed room to a small terrace behind glass limitations with unbelievable views on Central Park and Lower Manhattan!
- 69th flooring: this massive commentary deck has 270-degree views of North, West and South New York City, all from behind glass panels.
- seventieth flooring: this outside commentary deck is positioned on the very prime of Rockefeller Center, providing the BEST full 360-degree views.
Here are among the predominant New York City landmarks you’ll be able to see from Top of the Rock:
- Empire State Building
- Central Park
- Times Square
- Chrysler Building
- One World Trade Center (house to One World Observatory)
- New York Central Park
- Bank of America Tower
- Flatiron Building
Compared to the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock presents higher views of: Central Park, Times Square and the Empire State Building (in fact).
PRO TIP: throughout your 1-minute elevator journey to the 67th flooring, keep in mind to lookup on the glass ceiling, the place they venture photos from the Nineteen Thirties to the current day!
How to take the most effective photos:
If you need to have the most effective photos and views of New York City, you’ll must go as much as the Top of the Rock’s seventieth flooring and stroll till the tip of the sky deck (removed from the steps to the best). Here you can find a flat stone the place you may get on and get a tremendous shot!
NOTE: The Top of the Rock’s seventieth commentary deck has giant, open-air window limitations, to allow them to distort the image just a little bit if you wish to have crystal-clear pictures of the New York skyline: simply situate your lens within the small breaks between the limitations (however the view shall be extra restricted).
2.2 Empire State Building commentary deck
Overall constructing top: 1,454 ft (443 meters), counting spire and antenna
The Empire State Building predominant commentary deck is positioned on the 86th flooring and goes throughout the constructing’s spire (you have to to take a second elevator to achieve that).
The deck presents you 360-degree views of New York and its iconic landmarks: the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and extra. Let’s see the complete record:
- Lower Manhattan
- Chrysler Building
- The Edge (Hudson Yards)
- Grand Central Terminal
- Fifth Avenue
- Hudson River
- Coney Island
- Bryant Park
- Rockefeller Plaza Center
- One World Trade Center (One World Observatory)
- Central Park
- Times Square
- Statue of Liberty
- Brooklyn Bridge
Compared to the Top of the Rock constructing, the Empire State Building presents higher views of: Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center and Manhattan.
There can be a newly-renovated 102nd-Floor Observation Deck, the place you’ll get even higher views of New York City and past, together with as much as 6 US states (Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware)!
This higher flooring isn’t accessible with the final entry ticket, although, so if you wish to have this view, you’ll must buy a ticket to each observatories or an specific cross!
How to take the most effective photos:
You can take excellent photos from the Empire State Building 86th flooring: the commentary deck has crisscrossing wiring put in to maintain you secure, however when you simply place the lens of your digital camera within the breaks between the wiring you’ll nonetheless be capable to take a superb shot.
A draw back to taking photos on the Empire State Building is that you just’ll want to attend fairly a while to take your photos: the constructing receives 4 million guests a 12 months vs 2.5 million guests on the Top of the Rock, so crowds are all the time there.
If persistence isn’t your predominant high quality, simply keep away from visiting the Empire State Building at peak hours (from 10.30 am to sundown time), or go for the Top of the Rock!
Picture TIP for each buildings: The greatest views of New York are southwest, so if you wish to take an image of that a part of town, keep away from the early afternoon, or you’ll shoot immediately into the solar and wait till sundown for the most effective pictures!
WINNER FOR THE BEST VIEW:
Depends on what you need to see/ or have in your image:
- The Top of the Rock has extra spectacular views of Central Park and the Empire State Building
- The Empire State Building is larger and has higher views of Manhattan and Statue of Liberty, and of different US states on the clearest days!
But when you don’t actually care concerning the particular buildings you’ll stare upon, the Top of the Rock is the only option, supplying you with entry to 3 flooring with indoor/outside commentary decks (as an alternative of only one for the ESB) and a cooler elevator expertise.
3. Location and ease of entry
Both the Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building are positioned in Midtown Manhattan, and the 2 buildings are kind of 1 mile aside, so that they each are literally simply accessible.
Let’s see the place precisely they’re positioned and the best way to get there:
3.1 Top of the Rock
The Top of the Rock deck is positioned on the prime of the Rockefeller Center, within the Rockefeller Plaza, between the fifth and sixth Avenue (and on the alternative aspect of Radio City Music Hall). The constructing is nearer to Central Park and Times Square, so it all the time presents higher views of the two of them.
How to get there by metro:
- Take the 123 or ACE strains, exit at 34nd Street – Penn Station and stroll for five minutes to the doorway.
- Take the NQRW or BDFM strains, get down at thirty fourth Street – Herald Square Station and stroll for five minutes
NOTE: A one-way journey on a subway in New York prices $2.75.
3.2 Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is positioned on the intersection of fifth Avenue and West thirty fourth Street, farther south in Manhattan and nearer to the Financial District and the One World Trade Center.
How to get there by metro:
- Take the B, D, F, and M strains to Forty seventh-Fiftieth Street Rockefeller Center and stroll for two minutes
- Take the N, Q, and R strains, get off at forty ninth Street and stroll for five minutes to the Rockefeller Plaza
WINNER FOR THE LOCATION:
Both the buildings are simply accessible with any type of transportation choices!
4. Waiting Time
Waiting instances are a basic a part of your expertise when visiting any attraction. Let’s evaluate the Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building: which one will make you wait much less in line?
NOTE: Whether you select the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building, all the time keep in mind to buy tickets on-line, in any other case, the ready instances shall be approach longer than what’s said right here under!
4.1 Top of the Rock
The advantage of shopping for your Top of the Rock’s entry ticket on-line is that you’re granted fast entry at your scheduled time: whether it is significantly crowded, you may need to attend a most of quarter-hour, however by no means greater than that!
4.2 Empire State Building
If you purchase a basic entry on-line ticket to the Empire State Building, you’ll must cross each the safety and elevator strains to get to the primary commentary deck, and this implies a complete ready time of 30-45 min (that may flip in much more than 1h throughout peak instances or excessive season).
PRO TIP: If you need to skip all of the strains to the Empire State Building, you’ll be able to pay extra for the Express Pass, which may even provide you with entry to the higher 102nd-floor commentary deck.
WINNER FOR SHORT WAIT TIME:
The Top of the Rock is unquestionably higher as a result of it ensures fast entry, whereas entry to the Empire State Building takes longer until you pay further for an Express Pass.
5. Opening Hours
Depending in your flexibility, opening hours may make the distinction in your choice between the Top of The Rock and the Empire State Building. Let’s verify them each out:
5.1 Top of the Rock
The Top of the Rock Building is open daily of the 12 months from 9 am to 11 pm, with the final entry at 10:10 pm, so when you choose to see the New York Skyline at evening time (with out being on a rush), this can be a more sensible choice in comparison with the Empire State Building, that closes earlier.
Best time to go to: go to the Top of the Rock Building within the early morning, at 9am proper when it opens, or late at evening after 8 pm: each instances are magical and also you get much less crowds!
5.2 Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is open twelve months a 12 months from 9/10 am (relying on the day) to 10 pm, with the final elevators working at 9:15 pm.
The exception to those hours is when you ebook the Sunrise Experience, which provides you with entry to the Empire State Building earlier within the morning.
NOTE: Opening hours can consistently change relying on the day and time of the 12 months… so all the time hold your self updated right here!
Best time to go to: If you need to keep away from the crowds or look ahead to much less on the strains, it is best to go to the Empire State Building early within the morning, anytime earlier than 10 am, or after sundown!
OPENING HOURS WINNER:
The Top of The Rock offers you extra availability on visiting hours, opening 1 hour earlier and shutting 1 hour later in comparison with the Empire State Building.
6. Exhibits
Which one between the Top of the Rock and ESB presents an increasing number of fascinating/ interactive reveals? Let’s discover it out:
6.1 Top of the Rock
The Rockefeller Center really presents solely 2 predominant reveals:
- The Mezzanine Exhibit: In this informative exhibit you’ll study details concerning the Rockefeller Center, its planning and building and take a look at fascinating pictures and artifacts. The exhibit is positioned on the 2nd flooring.
- Beam Walk: In this interactive exhibition you’ll really feel what it’s prefer to stroll on a building beam on the Top of the Rock and see the enduring photograph of the employees taking a lunch break above Manhattan.
6.2 Empire State Building
The Empire State Building, as soon as the tallest constructing on this planet, is among the most iconic symbols of New York, so there’s loads to study it.
Located on the 2nd and eightieth flooring of the Empire State Building, you can find many fascinating and interactive reveals open to any ticket holder. Here under are the primary ones, however you’ll be able to take a look at the full record right here:
- The Site In The Twenties: Get an outline of how the Empire State Building website was when the Waldorf Astoria Hotel stood on this location, and see the New York City streets in the course of the Twenties.
- Otis Elevators: Check out a duplicate of the ESB’s unique mast automobile, a simulation of an elevator shaft, and really feel the scary top of the constructing!
- World’s Most Famous Building: This 180-degree surround-sound theater will present you the Empire State Building’s place in popular culture by means of 72-screens, with films, television collection, and many others.
VARIETY OF EXHIBITS WINNER:
The Empire State Building presents far more exhibitions than the Top of the Rock, so in case you are considering deep diving into the tradition and historical past of NYC, that is the only option for you!
7. Reduced Rates
Which constructing has the most effective diminished charges for teenagers/seniors/disabled and many others.? Let’s evaluate the diminished charges for the final entry ticket:
7.1 Top of the Rock
Normal entry ticket: $40
- Child (6-12): $34
- Senior (62+): $38
- Infant (0-5): Free
7.2 Empire State Building
Normal entry ticket: $44
- Child (6-12): $38
- Senior (62+): $42
- Infant (0-5): Free
REDUCED RATES WINNER:
Both provide diminished charges for the traditional entry ticket
8. Citypasses
There are a number of passes in New York that provides you with versatile entry to its hottest sights at cheaper costs, and these all embody each the Top of the Rock and Empire State Building.
For this motive, I grouped them right here under collectively, verify them out:
8.1 The New York Citypass
The New York City Pass, provides you with entry to the Empire State Building’s AM/PM Experience and the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, plus to the next sights:
This metropolis cross prices $129 and you should utilize it for a 9-day interval: when you go to all of the sights included, you’ll save from $48 to $59 (relying on which of them you select).
The cross is value it when you spend not less than 3 days in NYC, in any other case, you gained’t have time to go to all of the landmarks!
8.2 NYC Sightseeing Day Pass
The New York Sightseeing Pass offers you entry to the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, and greater than 150 NYC sights (take a look at the complete record right here!) at very particular fares.
The cross contains limitless hop-on and hop-off bus excursions, entry to 4 commentary decks, skip-the-line entrances, and far extra.
You can select the length of your Pass (from 1 day to 10 days), and the price will rely on the variety of days chosen, beginning at $144 for 1 day, however you’ll all the time find yourself saving as much as 50% on admission costs!
For instance, when you select a 1-day cross, you may be part of the Escorted 5HR Experience Tour, go to the Edge (Hudson Yards) and the Empire State Building (or the Top of The Rock) and save $57 (/$53 when you select Top of the Rock).
The NYC Sightseeing Day Pass is right if you wish to go to many of the sights in New York metropolis and plan your itinerary forward of time!
8.3 Flex Pass
The FLEX PASS presents an analogous idea to the NY Sightseeing Day Pass, however as an alternative of the variety of days, you’ll choose the variety of sights you need to go to (from 2 to 12) from this record, and it lasts for a interval of 60(!) days.
If you have an interest in just some particular sights in New York, this is perhaps the right possibility for you!
Prices begin from $74 for a 2 sights cross, however any possibility you’ll select will all the time be cheaper than the unique value. If you go to the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock collectively, you’ll save $10.
Apart from the final admission ticket, each the Top of the Rock and Empire State constructing provide different ticket choices that provides you with entry to extra elements of the constructing, skip the road entrance, and extra. Let’s verify them out
9.1 Top of the Rock
- Express Pass: Get fast entry at any time on the day, precedence elevator entry, and a 20% low cost on the Top of The Rock present store, for $75.
- VIP Tour: Get expedited safety checkpoint, precedence entry to elevators up and down, a non-public strolling tour of 30 Rockefeller Plaza/ Top of the Rock/ Rainbow Room, and a commemorative pin and photograph for $110.
9.2 Empire State Building
- Express Pass: This ticket offers you entry to skip the road’s entrance, and expedited entry to each the Main and Top Decks, positioned respectively on the 86th and 102nd flooring, for $113.
- Sunrise Experience: Have particular entry to the 86th-floor commentary deck from 5.30 to eight a.m. and watch the dawn whereas sipping espresso or different refreshments from Starbucks, for $125.
- AM/PM Experience: This ticket offers you the chance to entry the 86th Floor observatory twice on the identical day: the primary in the course of the day and the second in the course of the evening (after 9 pm), for $64.
- Premium Experience: This guided 90-minute tour, features a guided go to to the constructing’s Art Deco foyer, the Celebrity Walk, entry to the 86th-floor observatory, and to the reveals for $175 per particular person.
- All-Access Tour: This unique bundle contains VIP entry to the ESB, entry to the superstar inexperienced room with snacks and drinks, a non-public tour by means of the constructing, and skip the strains to entry the 86th-floor observatory, for $543.
- Happily Ever Empire: Propose to your particular on the ESB! This particular bundle presents a non-public tour of the constructing, precedence entry to the 86th Floor Deck with your individual personal nook to ask the query and a complimentary bottle of champagne for $1,000.
WINNER OFFERING MORE OPTIONS
The Empire State Building is unquestionably the one providing extra ticket choices between the 2!
10. Facilities inside/close by the buildings
Let’s evaluate the services for the two buildings: have they got handicapped entrances, eating places, memento retailers, and many others.?
10.1 Top of the Rock
- Free WiFi
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance and routes
- Restrooms (with wheelchair-accessible stalls)
- Seasonal Ice skating Rink (exterior the doorway)
- Gift store
- Shopping choices: take a look at all of the retailers within the constructing right here
- Event Spaces: Rainbow Room (for weddings), the Gallery, the Private Dining Room, Bar SixtyFive, all providing beautiful views on New York City
- Restaurants: Pebble Bar for seafood and fancy drinks, Le Rock for french delicacies, or 21 Greenpoint for up to date meals.
- Parking: on forty eighth Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
10.2 Empire State Building
- Free Wi-Fi
- Handicap-accessible predominant entrance & ramps all through the constructing (+ lowered viewing partitions and binoculars on the 86th flooring Main Deck)
- Restroom (together with handicap-accessible restrooms)
- Souvenir store: on the eightieth and 2nd flooring
- Walgreens, AT&T retailer, and a FedEx Express retailer
- Restaurants: State Grill & Bar for breakfast/lunch/dinner with panoramic views, Tacombi for Mexican meals, Refuel retailers for quick snacks and drinks, and Refresh for a smoothie, juice or açaí bowl
- Parking
FACILITIES WINNER:
Both the buildings have nice services for guests, however if you wish to do further actions after getting visited the attraction, the Top of the Rock presents extra choices!
Verdict – which is best for you ultimately?
Overall, each sights provide distinctive and unforgettable views of New York, nice services, and quick access and will be visited at particular costs with the New York City passes… so which one is best for you?
- Choose the Top of the Rock if you wish to have the Empire State Building in your view/image, or if you’d like higher worth for the cash.
In truth, the attraction presents extra commentary decks in comparison with the ESB, fewer ready instances, extra versatile hours, and extra services if you wish to spend further time within the constructing, all at cheaper ticket costs ($4 much less)!
- Choose the Empire State Building if you wish to have a larger and higher view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty (and of different US states on clear days), entry to several types of tickets/packages, and to many fascinating and interactive reveals!
| ???? Best for costs: | Top of the Rock |
| ???? Best commentary deck: | Top of the Rock |
| ☁️ Best for heights: | Empire State Building |
| ???? Best for pictures: | Empire State Building |
| ???? Best for location: | Both! |
| ????️ Best metropolis cross: | Both! |
| ???? Best opening hours: | Top of the Rock |
FAQs about Top of the Rock vs Empire State Building
⚖️ Which is best Top of the Rock or prime of the Empire State constructing?
It relies on what you’re searching for, however general Top of the Rock presents higher worth for the cash, supplying you with entry to three commentary decks, much less ready instances, extra versatile hours and extra services at cheaper ticket costs ($4 much less)!
❓Is the Top of the Rock the Empire State constructing?
No, they’re 2 completely different buildings with separate entrances and tickets, however they’re each positioned in Midtown Manhattan ~20 min strolling from one another.
???? Which has the most effective views: The prime of the Rock or the Empire State constructing?
It relies upon on what you need to have in your view: Top of the Rock presents the most effective views of Central Park and the Empire State Building whereas the Empire State Building has higher views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and as much as 6 US states!
???? Which are the most effective commentary decks in New York?
The greatest commentary decks to have breathtaking New York City skyline views are the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory and the Edge, providing the most effective view of the Chrysler Building.
Conclusion
So, have you ever made up your thoughts between the Top of the Rock vs Empire State Building? I guess so!
We have simply in contrast all of the attainable elements of those 2 iconic commentary decks: entry tickets, views, accessibility, opening hours, reveals, services, and way more… so you’ve every part you’ll want to make the best alternative right here.
In case you’ll go for the Empire State Building, study every part about its ticket choices on this publish!
I hope I helped you together with your choice, and when you nonetheless have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to share them within the feedback under… I’ll reply you as quickly as I can!
Enjoy the most effective views of your life!
Elena
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