Should I go to Top of the Rock or Empire State Building?

The biggest difference between the views from each building's respective observation deck is the view of the actual buildings themselves; if you want one of the best views of the Empire State Building, head up to the Top of the Rock, if you want one of the best views of Rockefeller Plaza, head to the top of the Empire ...



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The upper decks are actually 850 feet above the street level and you'll take an elevator up almost 70 floors! The panoramic views of New York City are well worth the visit and all the trouble that it takes to get up there. Being at Top of the Rock will make you feel like you're sitting on top of the world!

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Empire State Building. The best observation decks in NYC are ones that offer a bit of history, and few are more well-known than the Empire State Building observation deck.

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One World Observatory is much newer but has a history of its own because of its ties to the terror attacks of 9/11. The Empire State Building offers views from further up in Manhattan, so you'll see more things like Central Park and the famous museums than you could from the One World Observatory.

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Is there a time limit? There are no time limits or specified visiting windows. Allow at least one hour for your visit, slightly more if you will be visiting both the main deck and the top deck.

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The uber famous Empire State Building and One World Observatory make the list of best observation decks in NYC by many first-time visitors to Manhattan. However, the views from the Top of the Rock are incredible.

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Top of the Rock offers the best views of NYC from on high. Seventy floors up in the sky and it's like you can see the entire city, Long Island, and New Jersey, all at once. How do you go about obtaining these incredible vistas? It's as easy as buying a ticket and traveling to Rockefeller Center.

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- Empire State Building. Hi Kelley — Excellent question! There is no time limit on how long you can spend at our Observatories or our exhibits.

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