The skyscraper at 30 Hudson Yard, informally known as ‘The Edge’, became a popular tourist attraction immediately after its completion in 2019.

Its outdoor terrace, the Edge Observation Deck, is currently one of the highest-rated viewing platforms in New York. It opened to the public in 2020.

The Edge is currently the 6th tallest skyscraper in New York.

Our tips and recommendations:

• Book your tickets in advance to get the best price
• Expect higher prices at sunset
• Allow 30–75 minutes for your visit
• Book a table at the Peak restaurant and your entry to the viewing platform will be included in the price (instructions below)

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The world’s highest outdoor observation deck

A bird’s-eye view of the city of skyscrapers will thrill any traveller, all the more so when the viewpoint is open-air. And that is precisely what the spacious, triangular terrace jutting out from the structure of The Edge on its 100th floor offers.

The viewing platform is situated350 metres above ground level andis currently the world’s highest outdoor viewing platform located on a building (rather than being directly integrated into the building). The only viewpoint situated higher is the Skywalk Cabo Girão on a 580-metre-high cliff on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

The viewing platform features an indoor section behind glass as well as an outdoor terrace with an iconic triangular shape, which you can see even from the pavement.

However, the outdoor terrace is also behind glass, so it is not possible to take photographs completely free of glass barriers. The only shots without glass and showing the full view can be taken from the staircase.

As you leave on the ground floor, you can buy souvenirs in the large shop.

The glass floor and climbing up the building

The Edge offers not only an outdoor viewing platform, but also an entire indoor floor with panoramic windows providing 360° views across the whole of New York.

In the middle of the outdoor terrace, daredevils with a head for heights can walk across the glass floor, through which they can see 350 metres down to the ground below. But don’t worry – you can easily walk around the glass section.

Another popular attraction is the City Climb, where, with standard climbing safety equipment and a guide, you’ll climb along metal walkways from the terrace all the way to the very top of The Edge skyscraper at a height of 395 metres.

Admission and opening hours

The Edge Observation Deck is open daily from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm. The last lift goes up 50 minutes before closing time.

Westronglyrecommendbuyingticketsonline via the official website:edgenyc.com/en. This is particularly important if you’re planning to visit at sunset, as tickets tend to sell out by then.

Prices vary throughout the day

Prices for specific times are tiered according to the popularity of the time of day, with evening slots being more expensive. A ticket for sunset is 10 usd more expensive, whilst a ‘peak time’ ticket is 4 usd more expensive (usually purchased less than 4 days before the planned visit).

Ticket prices on the website are always shown excluding tax, which is only displayed in the final step.

Different prices apply at weekends, on public holidays and during peak periods (school holidays); admission on normal working days is roughly 4 usd to 6 usd cheaper.

Below are examples of pricesfor adults, including tax.

There are 3 admission options to choose from:

• Advance Saver – the cheapest admission when booking more than 14 days in advance
  • this option may not be available on certain weekends or public holidays
  • You buy a ticket for a specific time
  • 39,20 usd during the day
  • 55,53 usd during sunset
• General Admisson – standard admission when booking less than 14 days in advance
  • You buy a ticket for a specific time
  • 51,17 usd during the day (average price – on weekdays it may be slightly lower, whilst on some weekends it may be slightly higher)
  • 65,33 usd at sunset (average price)
• Flex Admission – Admission at any time of your choosing
  • 78,39 usd at any time (average price)

Children aged 6–12 get tickets at around 10 per cent off, and senior citizens aged 62 and over get tickets at around 8 per cent off.

City Climb price

The average cost of City Climb, including tax, is around 215 usd. Prices are higher at sunset or on some busy weekends, whilst they tend to be lower on weekday mornings.

Official website:edgenyc.com

How to get ‘free’ entry to The Edge? The Peak restaurant

Would you like to enjoy a unique experience at a luxury restaurant whilst also gaining free entry to The Edge viewing platform?

Book a table at the restaurant Peak with Priceless located in the 101st-floor skyscraper – a few metres higher even than The Edge observation deck itself.

The minimum spend is 60 usd per booking, but you don’t need to pay a deposit.

It is advisable to make your booking at least 14 days in advance on the official website,peaknyc.com.

When you book a table at the restaurant, entry to The Edge observation deck is included in the price. You do not need a receipt or any other proof of purchase. There are escalators leading directly from the restaurant to the observation deck. You will not be able to access them unless you show your confirmed booking.

Peak with Priceless offers 360° views of the whole of New York.

The menu and our experience

The menu features modern American cuisine, and to be perfectly honest, we weren’t particularly impressed with the food. Both dishes were extremely greasy.

The cocktails, on the other hand, were brilliant!

Prices for starters range from 20 usd to 30 usd. Main courses cost between 28 usd and 65 usd, and cocktails are around 23 usd.

You can view the full menu on the restaurant’s website:peaknyc.com/restaurant-bars.

Is it worth visiting the restaurant with access to The Edge?

If you want to experience a luxurious dinner with a view, then absolutely yes. We spent around 160 usd, including tax, on dinner for two and a total of four cocktails.

However, just for the entrance fee to The Edge at sunset, we’d pay around 130 usd for two at the weekend!

You can access the viewing platform from the restaurant at any time, including during sunset.

So, in the end, the two main courses and four cocktails actually only cost us 30 usd, once I’ve deducted the price of the viewing platform admission.

Accommodation at The Edge

The Hudson Yards area around the skyscraper is one of the most modern in New York, and you’ll find several high-quality hotels there.

For a typical New York price of around 400 usd per night, you can stay at a hotel such as Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown West ****.

Directly opposite The Edge, you’ll find Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards *****, one of the best-rated luxury hotels in Manhattan.

How do you get to The Edge?

The Edge skyscraper is situated in the Midtown area of Manhattan, in Hudson Yards. It’s a 15-minute walk from here to places such as the Intrepid Museum or the High Line Park.

Nearest underground station

• 34th St–Hudson Yards(approx. 50 metres) – purple line 7
• 34th St–Penn Station(approx. 300 metres) – Blue lines A, C, E

Bus route M34 also runs to Hudson Yards Square.

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