New York City is famous for a number of reasons, none more so than the myriad of skyscrapers that line the illustrious skyline we are all familiar with. The beauty of a skyscraper beside the intricate architectural design that goes into the construction of one of these is the array of breathtaking views available from the summit. Two of the most famous structures in New York City have to be the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock, also known as the Rockefeller Center. Undoubtedly the clash of the titans in the realms of New York City skyscrapers, but which of these two will win when it comes to the best views?
I don’t intend to write a detailed overview of the history or sophisticated design details that went into the construction of these two structures. Instead I want to give you a direct comparison of the Empire State vs. Top of the Rock in terms of which one has the best views/scenery of the surrounding boroughs and beyond.
Whether you are a fan of the Big Apple or simply prefer to avoid the hustle and bustle of New York’s 24-hour vibrant lifestyle, you can still appreciate the splendor on offer when you at the top of one of New York’s tallest structures.
Empire State Building
Once the tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building is one of the most iconic structures throughout New York City. As you climb the 86 floors that take you to the first observatory platform, you really have no idea how breathtaking the views will be around Manhattan and beyond.
Neither of us were fortunate enough to visit New York prior to 9/11 so never saw the Twin Towers in person, but we now have the opportunity to see the stunning Freedom Tower that stands proudly in the footprints of the towers.
Without doubt this is one of the best views from the Empire State Building as you look across the myriad of neighborhoods that stand between 5th Avenue and Financial District.
I would highly recommend taking a moment when you are on top of the Empire State Building to play the ‘spot the skyscraper’ game as you can really pick out some other iconic landmarks around the city. The Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building, Rockefeller Center among many others are all clearly visible but I also enjoyed getting a birds-eye view of the city and seeing how this metropolis typifies urban sprawl!
The view of Central Park from the 86th floor is a little restricted, primarily because the 850ft Rockefeller Plaza stands tall and prevents direct viewing of the park. However, you can still capture a scenic view all year round of the magnitude of Central Park.
We recently visited the Empire State Building twice in one day! Thanks to the awesome CityPASS, you gain entry once during the day and then have the option to make a return visit at night. With the Empire State open until 2:00AM daily, why not take advantage of this great deal? After climbing to the 86th floor during the day and experienced great conditions around New York, we were told during our return visit at night that the views were restricted.
We were pleasantly surprised at how much we could still see around the city despite the snow and icy conditions that we were experiencing. Seeing the Big Apple illuminated with the city lights offers a whole new perspective on a ‘city that never sleeps’!
Top of the Rock
Just a few blocks away from the Empire State Building is another imperious skyscraper that offers equally stunning views of the New York City region – Rockefeller Center. The Top of the Rock observation deck may not be as high as the Empire State but given it’s location further north in the borough of Manhattan, the views are very different.
Heading to the Top of the Rock, the first thing you notice are the various levels of observation platforms available. Regardless of the viewing platform, you immediately see the awesome overhead view of Central Park. No longer do you have to deal with other skyscrapers obstructing your view, instead you can see the most famous park in the world all the way from the entrance at 59th Street to the furthest point at 110th Street.
Of course, Central Park isn’t the only attraction from the Rockefeller Center. If you chose to visit the Empire State observation deck previously, you can now stand and gaze into the distance at this impressive, historic structure.
The views beyond Central Park towards the Upper West Side are also pretty cool though one negative aspect has to be if you are interested in taking birds eye views of street level New York City. Compared with the Empire State Building, the views looking down on the city are nowhere as good but the views out and across the city certainly make up for any disappointment you may have.
The Verdict – Which Skyscraper Wins?
The million dollar question that you are all waiting for the answer to is, which of these two amazing structures offers the best views. The simple answer is both of them! Honestly I really think it comes down to personal opinion and what you are looking for when viewing the city of New York.
I have been fortunate to climb to the top of the Empire State on five different occasions so I am pretty familiar with what to expect there. However, our recent trip to the Big Apple was the first time I climbed to the summit of the Top of the Rock and I have to admit I can’t believe I waited that long. In terms overall experience, I have to give the edge to the Top of the Rock. There are many different viewing points available on the various observation decks and when you reach the very top, you don’t have any security fencing to deal with which makes photography an even better experience.
But don’t get me wrong, I still have a huge soft spot for the Empire State which is appropriately named as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. In terms of a night experience, this historic structure offers better views than the Top of the Rock, predominantly because you lose the best view overlooking Central Park as it is for the most part filled with darkness.
Rather than sitting on the fence, I will go all out and give you my final verdict!
DRUM ROLL PLEASE… TOP OF THE ROCK WINS! It has the best views in direct comparison with the Empire State Building and if anyone asked for advice on which they should visit simply for the views of New York City, this is the structure I would recommend.
If you are interested in seeing more of our pictures from the Empire State Building observatory and Top of the Rock, check them out here: New York City 2015.
Don’t worry though, with the awesome CityPASS, you can experience these two structures and get the best of both worlds.
Disclaimer – We would like to thank CityPASS for providing us with 2 New York City CityPASS booklets for our trip. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post.
