Suspended in mid air, the Edge is the newest observation deck in Manhattan and the highest outdoor deck in the western hemisphere. Here is a complete guide.
How To Get To The Edge
The Edge is located in the Hudson Yards neighbourhood on the west side of Midtown Manhattan, which is between 10th and 12th Avenues from West 30th to West 34th Streets.
Entry to the Edge is on Hudson Boulevard at The Public Square and Gardens opposite Vessel.
By Subway:
Penn Station is just 2 blocks east, between West 31st and West 33rd Streets and 7th and 8th Avenues.
MTA Subway – A, C, E, 1, 2, and 3
By Bus:
PATH Buses: M4, M5, M6, M7, M34 and Q42
The M34-SBS, M12 & M11 buses also stop nearby.
By Car:
There is parking at 10 Hudson Yards, Abington House, and One Hudson Yards, which are all along West 30th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues.
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
The Edge Entrance Fee
As with everything in New York, we recommend booking your Edge Observation Deck Admission Ticket in advance.
Tickets for general admission for the Edge start at:
$38 for an adult
$33 for a child (6-12 years)
$36 for a senior (62+ years)
Also available, at ascending ticket prices, are Flexi Passes, Champagne Admission, and Premium Admission.
For all tourists visiting New York we recommend purchasing either the New York: Go City Explorer Pass with 95+ Tours & Attractions or the New York CityPASS®: Save 40% at 5 Top Attractions.
These are a great way of saving money when visiting multiple tourist attractions during your stay in New York.
Both include:
- Top Of The Rock
- Empire State Building
- Statue of Liberty
- American Museum of Natural History
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum
- And many more!
The Edge Opening Times
The Edge is open every day from 8am – midnight.
The last elevator ride is 50 minutes before closing.
Best Time To Visit The Edge + Tips
Early morning or late evening are the best times to visit the Edge if you want to beat the crowds. Also the warmer months and holidays are busier than the rest of the year.
There is no time limit to how long you can stay at Edge but the average length of stay is about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
If you want to bundle up a day of experiences there’s the Edge & 9/11 Museum Ticket with Liberty Cruise tour.
It can get chilly up on the observation deck so dress appropriately. (There is also an inside viewing deck.)
We visited after a day of exploring Washington Square Park, Chelsea Market and The High Line.
For those amazing sunset shots, make sure you book your sunset slot early as this is a very popular time to visit.
Every visitor to the Edge receives a free digital photo which you can upgrade to a personalised photo book if you want to spend some extra money.
What To Pack
The History Of The Edge
Opened in March 2020, the Edge is a triangular shaped, observation deck jutting out from the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards, a super tall skyscraper in the west side area of Manhattan.
Hudson Yards is a sleek new neighbourhood that is situated just north of Chelsea and south of Hell’s Kitchen.
Construction of the skyscraper started in October 2014 and was part of the Hudson Yards redevelopment project, a plan to redevelop the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s West Side.
Both the observation deck and the building were designed by New York-based architectural firm Kohn Pederson Fox.
It shot to popularity amongst visitors after going viral on social media and quickly became one of the most Instagrammable places in New York.
What To Expect At The Edge
The Edge is the highest open air observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.
At 1100 feet high, it’s 50 feet higher that the Empire State Building’s open air observatory.
Situated on the 100th floor of the 30 Hudson Yards building and extending 80 feet off the side of the building, this triangular shaped observation deck with its glass floor is a unique sight to behold.
As well as a glass floor, the Edge also has glass panel sides that lean away from the suspended deck making it feel like you are floating in the sky. This really is an astounding piece of architecture.
Standing on this observation deck, you will have amazing, 360 degree views across New York City, from the tip of Central Park to the Statue of Liberty and beyond, making for some awesome photos.
Furthermore, if you are brave enough to look down, you will have thrilling, uninterrupted views straight down to the busy streets of New York City, 100 floors below you!
There’s also a famous glass floor that is extremely popular with tourists. Making this fairly new attraction on of the top things to do in New York.
If you can fight off the crowds then you can lay down and take a selfie with the streets below!
No outside food or drink is allowed on the Edge, except for drinking water in clear plastic bottles.
There is however, a Champagne Bar that offers a selection of snacks and beverage options if you fancy a treat!
If you are looking to purchase something to remember your visit, there is a gift shop on Level 4 of The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards and Edge souvenirs are also available on Level 100.
City Climb
For an even more epic experience you can actually abseil from the highest open-air building ascent in the world.
City Climb allows climbers to scale the outside of a skyscraper more than 1,200 feet above the ground, then lean out and look down from the highest outdoor platform in New York City.
This is can be seen from the viewing platform of the Edge if you simply look up!
Overall, the Edge is a great place to visit and capture a glimpse of the city that never sleeps.
However, be prepared to queue for the corner photos.
It was very busy when we visited and people are certainly in no rush to move once they begin their photoshoots.
It’s the newest of the viewpoints in New York therefore people are flocking to see what all the fuss is about. Although we certainly preferred Top Of The Rock or One World Observatory.
Next up on the New York itinerary were Grand Bazaar NYC and the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge View.
Where To Stay In New York
Luxury – The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
This Manhattan hotel in Midtown overlooks Central Park and is within walking distance of Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center.
Free cable and a bathrobe are provided in every room at the New York Central Park Ritz-Carlton. All rooms are elegant, with wood furniture and light colors. Many rooms also include a city or park view.
La Prairie Spa at the Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park offers massage and facial services, as well as a sauna. Guests can also work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center.
The 57th street subway station is just 2 blocks away, providing easy access to the city. Radio City Music Hall and the Broadway Theatre District are also both within 1 mile of the hotel.
Mid-Budget – citizenM New York Times Square
Located right in the heart of Manhattan, this hotel is just 1 minute’s walk from Times Square. It’s also within 5 minutes’ walk of Central Park and Columbus Circle.
A flat-screen TV and a small refrigerator with free water are available in citizenM’s rooms. Bathrooms include Hansgrohe rain showers and oversized bathroom amenities.
With the room iPad, all guests can control room lights, black-out blinds, curtains and temperature. As well as TV and radio channels.
Free high-speed Wi-Fi and express check in are on offer at citizenM New York Times Square.
Three outdoor terraces are provided at the New York Times Square citizenM. They feature a state-of-the-art fitness centre with yoga facilities.
After working out, guests can relax with drinks and sweeping views of the city on the exclusive rooftop bar.
Budget – Central Park West Hostel
Located in New York City’s Upper West Side, this hostel is a block from the 86th street underground station and 2 blocks from Central Park. It offers Wi-Fi and staff-organized events.
A shared kitchen, café area, and spacious lounge with a flat-screen TV are part of the facilities at the FIT Hotel. Lockers are also provided in the dormitory rooms and luggage storage is available.
The front desk of this New York City hostel is open 24 hours a day. It features daily housekeeping and free linens.
Times Square is only 10 minutes via underground journey.
For more places to stay in New York, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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