Edge NYC: Guide to Visiting The Edge Observation Deck in Hudson Yards

Hi 👋 I’m Hazel, a British travel blogger living near London, in England. Whilst the UK is my home, New York City has always been my favourite city outside of London. I have visited all 5 observation decks in NYC. You can read more of my NYC posts here.

I have split this post into 10 sections.

1. What is Edge NYC?
2. Where is Edge NYC?
3. How to get to Edge NYC
4. What happens on a visit to Edge NYC?
5. Edge NYC: the City Climb
6. What is the best time to visit the Edge?
7. What are the ticket prices?
8. Tips and things to be aware of at the Edge.
9. What else is there to do in Hudson Yards?
10. Is visiting the Edge worth it?

1. What is Edge NYC?

Edge NYC is an observation deck. It is one of the newer, more modern additions to the New York City skyline, featuring a huge suspended platform towering 1,100 feet above the Hudson Yards area.

There are angled glass walls and a glass floor where you can look 100 floors down beneath you. There is also an opportunity to scale up to the top of the building with ‘City Climb‘ – a thrilling experience for adventurous climbers.

The experience is called ‘Edge NYC’, although it is often referred to as ‘The Edge’ as well.

Edge is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere – although technically this is the ‘City Climb‘ platform which you cannot reach without wearing a harness and climbing up to The Apex at the very top.

Edge NYC is the 6th tallest building in NYC (in 2025).

2. Where is Edge NYC?

The Edge is located in the modern skyscraper district of Hudson Yards, which itself is a feat of modern engineering. A micro-city, built on nothing but a platform over the train tracks, it contains many skyscrapers, a central plaza, shopping centre, bars and restaurants. Read more about Hudson Yards here.

The mature trees and shrubbery are thriving where there was no land before, using breakthrough horticultural technology (there is nowhere for the roots to go so they used innovative tube irrigation techniques to water the plants and encourage growth).

3. How to Get to Edge NYC.

I have pinned the Edge building on the google map below.

You can reach Hudson Yards by walking along the High Line from Chelsea Market.

There are also many other transport options. The Subway station is on 34th street (train 7) and is just a 2 minute walk away.

You can also arrive by bus (the M34-SBS, M12 and M11 bus lines) or by taxi, Uber or Lyft.

4. What happens on a visit to Edge NYC?

Firstly, you will enter through the Hudson Yards shopping centre. This is a luxury and designer shopping mall which is called The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards.

You will find the entrance to Edge on the 4th floor – you can take the lift or stairs.

The security part is a bit like airport security. After that you will then queue for the elevator, which takes you up 100 floors. On the way you will see some cool exhibitions about Hudson yards and how they planted the trees. It’s entirely self-sufficient and really quite amazing!

Stepping out of the elevator, you can visit the champagne bar, head for the glass floor, sit on the outdoor stairs to get an even higher perspective, or queue up to have your picture taken in the corner of two glass walls.

I joined the queue for the famous ‘corner picture’, but after 25 minutes the queue had not moved a lot and I realised I was missing out on all the amazing views at sunset.

My advice is to allow at least an hour more than you think you need, if you want to visit at sunset.

You can also walk up to the 101st floor and get panoramic 360 degree views of Manhattan and beyond.

There is also the Peak Restaurant on this floor for dinner with jaw dropping views. Be prepared to pay high prices to dine here.

5. Edge NYC: The City Climb.

For the City Climb, you will be harnessed up and have a safety briefing before ascending up The Stair.

For this you will be walking up a set of stairs, attached to a metal rail with a big metal clip.

You have to manually move each clip over each junction which is tiring and quite tough on the hands.

Once at the top, you will be on the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere at 1271 feet.

6. What is the best time to visit Edge NYC?

Arguably, sunset is the best time to visit for the best views, but be prepared for large crowds and long waiting times to get to the glass so you can see the view.

It was so busy when I visited that I was unable to get to the glass floor, the glass corners, or the outdoor stairs – I think this was because I did not allow enough time for queuing.

7. What are the ticket prices at Edge NYC?

There are varying ticket packages to choose from. Bear in mind they are quite strict with entry times, do make sure to read all of my tips below.

• Edge NYC accepts the Go City Pass.
• Prices are $2 cheaper if you buy online.
• General Admission $40 adult ($38 online), $35 child 6-12 ($33 online) and $38 senior ($36 online).
• Sunset tickets are $10 extra (but not always – I didn’t have to pay extra on the Go City pass)
• There are options up to $73 per adult including champagne and photographs.
• City Climb tickets start from $183 per person.
• See up to date prices on Edge website.

8. Tips and things to be aware of at the Edge.

9. What else is there to do in Hudson Yards?

Hudson Yards is full of shops and restaurants (mostly designer and upscale places) and of course you have the fantastic Chelsea Market and the High Line close by.

You can also see The Vessel at Hudson Yards, but unfortunately it is no longer open to the public so you cannot climb it. You can still go inside and take photographs.

10. Personal opinion: Is the Edge worth it?

Personally I found Edge NYC a little soulless.

It doesn’t have all the interesting history offered by the Empire State Building or Top Of The Rock, nor does it have the art and fun offered by SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.

However, I do love the skyscrapers of Hudson Yards and the innovation behind them.

I was not keen on the crowds and the rudeness of the security staff on the day I visited Edge NYC.

That said, I may have just been unlucky on that day, and I should probably go back and try to experience it properly before passing judgement.

There is no denying the glass panels are awesome and the view is simply stunning. Unfortunately I was not able to get near the glass floor or stairs so I can’t comment on those.

I would definitely allow extra time if I visited again.

For now, Edge is placed 5th in my list of observation decks in NYC, until I can revisit and see if anything changes.

11. Map showing the Edge NYC.

How to use this map: Click the blue icons on the map to see more information about each place. Click the star to add to your own Google Maps. 

12. What are the best guided tours which include the Edge?

It’s a great idea to combine your visit to the Edge with a wider tour of the Hudson Yards are or Manhattan. Here are some of the best tours available on Viator:

1. High Line, Chelsea Market, Hudson Yards Tour with Edge Entry
2. Edge Observation Deck Times Square & Hudson Yard Tour
3. Edge Observation 911 Memorial Museum or Statue of Liberty Cruise
4. The Edge Observation Deck and 3hr Manhattan Walking Tour

These tours are on Viator, but you can probably find the same ones on Get Your Guide too.

13. Where to stay in Hudson Yards.

Here are my top picks in or near Hudson Yards on Booking.com:

• Best luxury hotel: Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards
• Best mid-range hotel: Hampton Inn Times Square Central
• Best budget hotel: Hotel St. James
• Best Sustainable hotel: Intercontinental New York Barclay Hotel

Alternatively you could check out the current deals on all NYC hotels on Booking.com here. I recommend reserving your room immediately to get the best price. It’s usually free to reserve, and you can always cancel later on. Most properties on Booking.com allow free cancellation up to the day before the booking date.

14. FAQS about the Edge NYC.

Below are some frequently asked questions about visiting the Edge NYC.

Q: What is The Edge NYC?

A: The Edge NYC is an observation deck located on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards in New York City. It offers panoramic views of the city skyline, including landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. It features both indoor and outdoor viewing areas, including a glass floor and angled glass walls.

Q: How do I get tickets for The Edge?

A: Tickets for The Edge can be purchased online through the official website or at the ticketing counters located at the entrance of The Edge. It’s advisable to buy tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to secure your preferred time slot and avoid long lines.

Q: What are the operating hours for The Edge?

A: The Edge NYC is typically open daily from 9:00 AM to 9PM. However, hours may vary depending on the season, special events, or maintenance schedules. It’s best to check the official website or contact their customer service for the most current operating hours before your visit.

Q: Is there a time limit for visiting The Edge NYC?

A: Once you enter The Edge, you can stay as long as you like during operating hours. However, it’s recommended to allow around 1-2 hours to fully experience the observation deck, including time to enjoy the views, take photos, and explore the different features.

Q: What should I bring with me to The Edge?

A: Bring your ticket (printed or digital) and a valid ID. It’s also a good idea to bring a camera or smartphone for photos. Weather conditions can impact your experience, so consider dressing appropriately for the weather, especially if you plan to spend time on the outdoor terrace.