Help break the tie on our trip to NYC

[Spiffy]

I am taking my 2 teenage sons to NYC soon (yippee, we get to go somewhere!) I have been before, but they haven't. So we are planning for a typical iconic NYC experience. I already bought tickets for the Met and for the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. From my online research, it seems that most things need to be reserved/purchased ahead of time. So, for the obligatory "go up a tall building and look at the view" portion of our trip, we have a three way tie. One of us wants the Empire State building, one wants One World Trade Center and one wants the new Edge at Hudson Yards. So, which one of these is the best?

[G-dog]

I am taking my 2 teenage sons to NYC soon (yippee, we get to go somewhere!) I have been before, but they haven't. So we are planning for a typical iconic NYC experience. I already bought tickets for the Met and for the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. From my online research, it seems that most things need to be reserved/purchased ahead of time. So, for the obligatory "go up a tall building and look at the view" portion of our trip, we have a three way tie. One of us wants the Empire State building, one wants One World Trade Center and one wants the new Edge at Hudson Yards. So, which one of these is the best?

I’ve only done the Empire State Building once - meh. Longish wait, then small elevator up (hello covid), to the deck. Went at night - prettier view IMO, and not as hot out. But still, meh.

Does that narrow it down to two for you?

[Spiffy]

We are all vaccinated, but I think the point of buying tickets for a time slot is meant help crowd size. I'm the one who voted for the Empire State building! It is just so iconic for NYC.

[Dollar Slice]

I have not personally experienced them, but just from being familiar with the neighborhoods, I'd probably pick the Edge (unless someone is afraid of heights, because that thing looks terrifying to me!). From what I've read you can see the cool midtown landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, and it's fairly close to them. Plus you can see pretty much everything else - the river views, downtown, etc.

The WTC is miles downtown, in the financial district, so you would have a distant view of the more historic buildings. You can see the Statue of Liberty from there, but it's pretty far away and you're already going there so you'll see it up close. The Empire State Building is cool to visit, but do you most want to see it from the inside or the outside?

(I do feel obligated to comment that there are some great ways to get skyline views that do not involve paying $100 for your family to go to a touristy observatory, like the parks along the East River in Brooklyn near the Williamsburg and Brooklyn bridges, ferry rides, etc.)

[never give up]

Yes as iconic as the Empire State Building is the problem going up it is that you don’t get to see it! My favourite view of New York City is actually up Rockefeller if that’s an option. Both the park and the view of southern Manhattan (including the Empire State Building) is fantastic from up there.

I hope you have a great time.

[Rdy2Fire]

I'm with Dollar Slice, if you just want a view from up high then I guess any are ok but I'd not go to any of those and get a skyline view from elsewhere. With that said if you want the view then I'd probably do Empire State for the historic factor or Rainbow Room for a drink on the roof deck and take in the view from there

[Dave1442397]

My favorite is Top of the Rock. It's a building not really worth looking at in its own right, and you get great views of other iconic NY skyscrapers from it.

Another big plus (for me, at least) is that there are three levels of observation deck, and if you go all the way to the top (which many people don't seem to realize is there), you can see the views and take pics with no barriers (glass or wire) spoiling your view.

The last few times I've been there, the lines for the Empire State Building were nuts, which is how I convinced all my guests to go to Top of the Rock instead. They were not disappointed.

In the first pic, you can see the middle level of the observation deck, which has glass panels interrupting the view. I say that because it doesn't take long for them to get covered in greasy fingerprints :)

[Spiffy]

Thanks for the input everyone. I am scared of heights, so I know I will mostly hang back against a wall somewhere!  I think we are leaning towards the Edge. Yes, it looks so scary to me, but teens boys aren't afraid of anything, you know.
We want to see the building from above because that is a view we rarely get. We visit DFW area and Austin all the time, so get to see pretty skylines often, but never from a height.