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 will help you with this difficult resolution! In order to unravel your doubts, I made this comparability information between the very best statement 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 examine many essential options like ticket costs, views from the statement decks, location & ease of entry, ready time, lowered charge, and far more!
So begin studying this information to make up your thoughts… are you prepared?
Let’s go!
1. General ticket worth
Entry tickets are an important a part of your resolution between the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock… which one is dearer? What components of the constructing provide you with entry other than the statement deck? Which advantages does it embrace?
I chosen the overall entry ticket for each of the buildings (at all times referring to the grownup ticket). Let’s examine 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 statement decks on the 67th, 69th, and seventieth flooring
- A sky shuttle elevator experience to the highest of the constructing with a lightweight present
- The Mezzanine Exhibit
- The interactive Beam Walk
1.2 Empire State Building Tickets
The common ticket to the Empire Building prices $44 and gives you entry to:
- The essential outside statement deck of the 86th ground, providing 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 ground (Opening Day, Kong and far more… take a look at the full listing right here)
P.S.: If you need to know all concerning the Empire State Building tickets, the place to purchase them and a few essential info, take a look at this put up!
WINNER FOR PRICING:
The Top of the Rock is unquestionably the only option by way of ticket entry, providing a greater cancellation coverage at a less expensive worth (- $4)!
2. Best views
Since the principle cause you’re studying this weblog might be to know which constructing has the very best view of the New York skyline, let’s examine the statement decks of each the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock! Which NYC Observation Deck is best?
2.1 Top of the Rock statement deck
Overall constructing peak: 853 toes (260m), till the highest of antennas
With a standard ticket to the Top of the Rock constructing, you’ll have entry to all its 3 statement decks: the 67th, 69th, and seventieth flooring.
- 67th ground: when arriving at this indoor statement deck, you’ll stroll by way of an enclosed room to a small terrace behind glass obstacles with unimaginable views on Central Park and Lower Manhattan!
- 69th ground: this huge statement deck has 270-degree views of North, West and South New York City, all from behind glass panels.
- seventieth ground: this outside statement deck is positioned on the very prime of Rockefeller Center, providing the BEST full 360-degree views.
Here are a number of the essential New York City landmarks you possibly can 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 gives higher views of: Central Park, Times Square and the Empire State Building (in fact).
PRO TIP: throughout your 1-minute elevator experience to the 67th ground, bear in mind to lookup on the glass ceiling, the place they venture photographs from the Nineteen Thirties to the current day!
How to take the very best photos:
If you need to have the very best photos and views of New York City, you’ll have to go as much as the Top of the Rock’s seventieth ground and stroll till the tip of the sky deck (removed from the steps to the appropriate). Here you will see a flat stone the place you will get on and get a tremendous shot!
NOTE: The Top of the Rock’s seventieth statement deck has massive, open-air window obstacles, to allow them to distort the image slightly bit if you wish to have crystal-clear images of the New York skyline: simply situate your lens within the small breaks between the obstacles (however the view will likely be extra restricted).
2.2 Empire State Building statement deck
Overall constructing peak: 1,454 toes (443 meters), counting spire and antenna
The Empire State Building essential statement deck is positioned on the 86th ground and goes throughout the constructing’s spire (you’ll need to take a second elevator to succeed in that).
The deck gives you 360-degree views of New York and its iconic landmarks: the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and extra. Let’s see the total listing:
- 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 gives higher views of: Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center and Manhattan.
There can also 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 ground just isn’t accessible with the overall entry ticket, although, so if you wish to have this view, you’ll have to buy a ticket to each observatories or an categorical go!
How to take the very best photos:
You can take superb photos from the Empire State Building 86th ground: the statement deck has crisscrossing wiring put in to maintain you secure, however for those who simply place the lens of your digital camera within the breaks between the wiring you’ll nonetheless have the ability to take a superb shot.
A draw back to taking photos on the Empire State Building is that you simply’ll want to attend fairly a while to take your photos: the constructing receives 4 million guests a yr vs 2.5 million guests on the Top of the Rock, so crowds are at all times there.
If endurance just isn’t your essential 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 instantly into the solar and wait till sundown for the very best images!
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 increased and has higher views of Manhattan and Statue of Liberty, and of different US states on the clearest days!
But for those who don’t actually care concerning the particular buildings you’ll stare upon, the Top of the Rock is the only option, providing you with entry to 3 flooring with indoor/outside statement decks (as a substitute 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, in order 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 facet of Radio City Music Hall). The constructing is nearer to Central Park and Times Square, so it at all times gives higher views of the two of them.
How to get there by metro:
- Take the 123 or ACE traces, exit at 34nd Street – Penn Station and stroll for five minutes to the doorway.
- Take the NQRW or BDFM traces, get down at thirty fourth Street – Herald Square Station and stroll for five minutes
NOTE: A one-way experience 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 traces to Forty seventh-Fiftieth Street Rockefeller Center and stroll for two minutes
- Take the N, Q, and R traces, 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 elementary a part of your expertise when visiting any attraction. Let’s examine 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, at all times bear in mind to buy tickets on-line, in any other case, the ready instances will likely be method longer than what’s said right here beneath!
4.1 Top of the Rock
The benefit of shopping for your Top of the Rock’s entry ticket on-line is that you’re granted instant 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 common entry on-line ticket to the Empire State Building, you’ll have to go each the safety and elevator traces to get to the principle statement 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 traces to the Empire State Building, you possibly can pay extra for the Express Pass, which can even provide you with entry to the higher 102nd-floor statement deck.
WINNER FOR SHORT WAIT TIME:
The Top of the Rock is unquestionably higher as a result of it ensures instant entry, whereas entry to the Empire State Building takes longer except you pay additional for an Express Pass.
5. Opening Hours
Depending in your flexibility, opening hours may make the distinction in your resolution between the Top of The Rock and the Empire State Building. Let’s test them each out:
5.1 Top of the Rock
The Top of the Rock Building is open on daily basis of the yr from 9 am to 11 pm, with the final entry at 10:10 pm, so for those who choose to see the New York Skyline at evening time (with out being on a rush), it is a better option 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 12 months a yr 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 for those who guide the Sunrise Experience, which gives you entry to the Empire State Building earlier within the morning.
NOTE: Opening hours can consistently change relying on the day and time of the yr… so at all times preserve your self updated right here!
Best time to go to: If you need to keep away from the crowds or await much less on the traces, it’s 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 provides 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 gives increasingly fascinating/ interactive reveals? Let’s discover it out:
6.1 Top of the Rock
The Rockefeller Center really gives solely 2 essential reveals:
- The Mezzanine Exhibit: In this informative exhibit you’ll study info concerning the Rockefeller Center, its planning and building and take a look at fascinating images and artifacts. The exhibit is positioned on the 2nd ground.
- 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 picture 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 without doubt one of the most iconic symbols of New York, so there’s loads to find out about it.
Located on the 2nd and eightieth flooring of the Empire State Building, you will see many fascinating and interactive reveals open to any ticket holder. Here beneath are the principle ones, however you possibly can take a look at the full listing right here:
- The Site In The Nineteen Twenties: Get an outline of how the Empire State Building web site was when the Waldorf Astoria Hotel stood on this location, and see the New York City streets through the Nineteen Twenties.
- Otis Elevators: Check out a duplicate of the ESB’s authentic mast automotive, a simulation of an elevator shaft, and really feel the scary peak 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 way of 72-screens, with motion pictures, television sequence, and many others.
VARIETY OF EXHIBITS WINNER:
The Empire State Building gives far more exhibitions than the Top of the Rock, so if you’re excited by deep diving into the tradition and historical past of NYC, that is the only option for you!
7. Reduced Rates
Which constructing has the very best lowered charges for youths/seniors/disabled and many others.? Let’s examine the lowered charges for the overall 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 lowered charges for the conventional entry ticket
8. Citypasses
There are a number of passes in New York that gives you versatile entry to its hottest points of interest at cheaper costs, and these all embrace each the Top of the Rock and Empire State Building.
For this cause, I grouped them right here beneath collectively, test them out:
8.1 The New York Citypass
The New York City Pass, gives you entry to the Empire State Building’s AM/PM Experience and the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, plus to the next points of interest:
This metropolis go prices $129 and you should utilize it for a 9-day interval: for those who go to all of the points of interest included, you’ll save from $48 to $59 (relying on which of them you select).
The go is price it for those who spend at the least 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 provides you entry to the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, and greater than 150 NYC points of interest (take a look at the total listing right here!) at very particular fares.
The go contains limitless hop-on and hop-off bus excursions, entry to 4 statement decks, skip-the-line entrances, and far extra.
You can select the period of your Pass (from 1 day to 10 days), and the fee will depend upon the variety of days chosen, beginning at $144 for 1 day, however you’ll at all times find yourself saving as much as 50% on admission costs!
For instance, for those who select a 1-day go, you could possibly 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 for those who select Top of the Rock).
The NYC Sightseeing Day Pass is right if you wish to go to many of the points of interest in New York metropolis and plan your itinerary forward of time!
8.3 Flex Pass
The FLEX PASS gives an analogous idea to the NY Sightseeing Day Pass, however as a substitute of the variety of days, you’ll choose the variety of points of interest you need to go to (from 2 to 12) from this listing, and it lasts for a interval of 60(!) days.
If you have an interest in just some particular points of interest in New York, this is likely to be the proper choice for you!
Prices begin from $74 for a 2 points of interest go, however any choice you’ll select will at all times be cheaper than the unique worth. If you go to the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock collectively, you’ll save $10.
Apart from the overall admission ticket, each the Top of the Rock and Empire State constructing provide different ticket choices that gives you entry to extra components of the constructing, skip the road entrance, and extra. Let’s test them out
9.1 Top of the Rock
- Express Pass: Get instant 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 picture for $110.
9.2 Empire State Building
- Express Pass: This ticket provides 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 statement 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 provides you the likelihood to entry the 86th Floor observatory twice on the identical day: the primary through the day and the second through 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 celeb inexperienced room with snacks and drinks, a non-public tour by way of the constructing, and skip the traces to entry the 86th-floor observatory, for $543.
- Happily Ever Empire: Propose to your particular on the ESB! This particular bundle gives 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 examine the amenities for the two buildings: have they got handicapped entrances, eating places, memento outlets, 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 (outdoors the doorway)
- Gift store
- Shopping choices: take a look at all of the outlets 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 modern meals.
- Parking: on forty eighth Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
10.2 Empire State Building
- Free Wi-Fi
- Handicap-accessible essential entrance & ramps all through the constructing (+ lowered viewing partitions and binoculars on the 86th ground 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 outlets for quick snacks and drinks, and Refresh for a smoothie, juice or açaí bowl
- Parking
FACILITIES WINNER:
Both the buildings have nice amenities for guests, however if you wish to do additional actions after you have visited the attraction, the Top of the Rock gives extra choices!
Verdict – which is best for you ultimately?
Overall, each points of interest provide distinctive and unforgettable views of New York, nice amenities, and easy accessibility and might 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 need higher worth for the cash.
In truth, the attraction gives extra statement decks in comparison with the ESB, fewer ready instances, extra versatile hours, and extra amenities if you wish to spend additional time within the constructing, all at cheaper ticket costs ($4 much less)!
- Choose the Empire State Building if you wish to have a increased 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 statement deck: | Top of the Rock |
| ☁️ Best for heights: | Empire State Building |
| 📷 Best for pictures: | Empire State Building |
| 📍 Best for location: | Both! |
| 🎟️ Best metropolis go: | 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 will depend on what you’re searching for, however total Top of the Rock gives higher worth for the cash, providing you with entry to three statement decks, much less ready instances, extra versatile hours and extra amenities at cheaper ticket costs ($4 much less)!
❓Is the Top of the Rock the Empire State constructing?
No, they’re 2 totally different buildings with separate entrances and tickets, however they’re each positioned in Midtown Manhattan ~20 min strolling from one another.
🌇 Which has the very best 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 gives the very best 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 very best statement decks in New York?
The greatest statement 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 very best 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 features of those 2 iconic statement decks: entry tickets, views, accessibility, opening hours, reveals, amenities, and far more… so you’ve gotten all the things it’s good to make the appropriate selection right here.
In case you’ll go for the Empire State Building, study all the things about its ticket choices on this put up!
I hope I helped you along with your resolution, and for those who nonetheless have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to share them within the feedback beneath… I’ll reply you as quickly as I can!
Enjoy the very best views of your life!
Elena
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