Top of the Rock vs Empire State Building

One of the best activities you can do in New York during your trip is to contemplate the city from the heights. In Manhattan there are several skyscrapers whose observatories offer spectacular views of the island from very different perspectives.

The ideal would be to see them all but if your budget is tight or you do not have enough time, to help you in the difficult task of choosing we compare two of the most emblematic observatories in the center: climbing the Empire State vs. climbing the Top of the Rock.

These are the two most iconic observatories in downtown New York because of their antiquity and breathtaking views. Located in Midtown Manhattan, they are the absolute stars of the city skyline. Let's analyze what you're going to see from each one to start deciding which one is more convincing.

The views from the Empire State Building, like a movie

Since it opened in 1931, the Empire State Building has always been a magnet for the curious and tourists. Hollywood contributed to its popularity by making it a star in its films, but the truth is that the panoramic views from its observation deck are enough in themselves to earn it the fame it has.

The Empire State Observatory is divided into two floors (86 and 102). Through its famous binoculars and from the observation deck itself you will see places like:

Top of the Rock views, a classic

For its location in the heart of Manhattan, the Top of the Rock is the observatory most recommended by travelers and possibly the one with the best views at any time of day, although sunset is the favorite time of visitors.

From its viewpoint spread over three floors (67, 69 and 70) you will not only have the best view of New York, but you can see Central Park and the Empire State in all its splendor. At the Top of the Rock you will have the feeling of being on top of the world. Everything seems tiny and colossal at the same time when you look at sites such as:

Comparison of the views

You may be sure you want to climb one of the iconic skyscrapers in midtown Manhattan to get a bird's eye view of the city, but do you know how much the tickets will cost or if there are any discounts you can take advantage of?

To help you organize your budget and choose the observatory that best suits your pocket, let's compare the prices of tickets to the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock.

How much is a ticket to the Empire State Building and are there any discounts or reduced prices?

From 44€ you can get a skip-the-line ticket to the Empire State Building to go up to the Main Deck, the main observatory on the 86th floor with 360º panoramic views of the New York skyline. In addition, with the free audio guide included with this ticket you can learn all about this jewel of the Art Deco movement.

If you want to know more about this question, I recommend you read the post Empire State Building ticket prices where it is discussed in detail.

How much is a ticket to the Top of the Rock and are there discounts or reduced prices?

As for the Top of the Rock, from 42€ you can get a skip-the-line ticket to the three floors of the observation deck (floors 67, 69 and 70) to enjoy the magnificent 360º views of Manhattan from a privileged place at the top of the building 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

This ticket also includes access to the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center and the General Electric Building, two very interesting places in the complex that will complete the visit.

I recommend you to read the post Ticket prices to the Top of the Rock to learn more about this topic and so you can better organize the budget of the visit.

The main observatory of the Empire State known as Main Deck is located on the 86th floor of the famous skyscraper and rises to 320 meters high while the Top of the Rock viewpoint is 260 meters high, between the 67th and 70th floors, on top of the 30 Rockefeller Plaza building.

A difference of about 60 meters high that will test your vertigo. To contemplate New York from the heights is a wonderful experience that you should live at least once in your life. Don't let your fear of heights stop you from seeing the city at your feet, here are some tips to help you!

Tips for people with vertigo

If you suffer from vertigo, at the prospect of climbing a skyscraper and confronting heights, your mind may be predisposed to fear. Don't worry, this is very common, but so that vertigo does not condition your visit to the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock, I recommend that you put the following tips into practice:

Height Comparison

To climb to the observation decks of both skyscrapers fortunately you don't have to do it by stairs but both the Empire State and Top of the Rock have ultra-fast elevators that in a few seconds will take you to the heights.

The ascent of the Empire State

The ascent to the Empire State is via two different elevators. The first one leads to the 80th floor and on the way up a short video about the construction of the building is projected on the ceiling. The second elevator takes you to the Main Deck on the 86th floor where all the fun awaits.

In case you have reduced mobility or come with a person with special needs you should know that the two observation decks of the Empire State Building are accessible to people who need to use wheelchairs. In addition, to facilitate the experience, the observation deck's binoculars can accommodate all visitors.

Climbing the Top of the Rock

For its part, the Top of the Rock has four Sky Shuttles to go up to the 67th floor where the observation deck is located. These state-of-the-art elevators travel the distance to the observatory in less than a minute and a video is projected on the ceiling to liven up the climb.

The Top of the Rock observatory is also accessible to people with special mobility needs, and Rockefeller Center tour guides can show you the most wheelchair-accessible routes inside the building.

Both the Empire State Building and the Top of the World are located in Midtown Manhattan, in the heart of New York City. The former you will find at the intersection of 5th Avenue and West 34th Street while the latter is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, with its entrance at 50th Street, between 5th and 6th avenue.

You can get to both by taking a walk, the cheapest and most entertaining way to see downtown, but if you are pressed for time to see either of these attractions and need to get there as soon as possible then I recommend you to take the subway.

These are the main subway lines that will take you to both observatories but if you want to know in more detail how to get to these attractions I recommend you to read the posts about how to get to the Empire State or Top of the Rock.

Comparison of location and how to get there

Both the architecture of the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock is framed within the Art Deco style, very much in vogue during the 30s of the twentieth century.

A movement that exudes elegance and timelessness and is impregnated with minimalism and sober lines. Without being an industrial style, it is characterized by the use of mosaic and geometric shapes that are repeated, parallel and straight lines as well as plain colors where gold, black, gray, silver and white abound. The ornamentation is sparse without being industrial in style.

Inaugurated in 1931, the Empire State Building was designed by architect William F. Lamb. S, is listed as a National Historic Landmark since 1986 and for nearly 40 years was the tallest building in the world. The Top of the Rock, on the other hand, was designed by architect Raymond Hood, was built in 1933 and has been listed as an American Historic Landmark since 1988.

Although Art Deco is a style that originated in France, it had a major impact on American design and architecture in the first half of the 20th century. The Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock are not the only examples of this movement in New York. They are joined by the Chrysler Building, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the American Radiator Building or the Chanin Building. That's why when we talk about the "Gotham" style it's so easy to imagine the architecture of the Big Apple.

The Empire State is open from 8 AM to 2 AM while the Top of the Rock is open from 10 AM to 10 PM. Both are open every day of the year, so you can choose the time you want to go up.

The two observatories have very long hours that offer great flexibility for visitors to crown the top of the skyscrapers at virtually any time of the day.

What are the crowds like?

Being two very popular tourist attractions, there are always plenty of people at the observation decks enjoying the views, so if you want a more intimate experience up there I advise you to go early in the morning or before closing time. You can learn more about the best time to go up these skyscrapers in the Empire State and Top of the Rock posts on this topic.

There are several overlaps between the two viewpoints. For example, both are two iconic New York observation decks that were built in Art Deco style in the early 20th century and are located in Midtown Manhattan with spectacular views. But what are their viewpoints like, and is the experience the same at each?

If this is your first time in New York, I recommend visiting the Top of the Rock as you will have 360º views of Manhattan with the Empire State Building in the background, something that is not possible from the Empire State Building itself.

The Top of the Rock observatory is spread over three floors. The 67th floor is almost entirely closed, but the 69th and 70th floors are open to the public. In addition to breathtaking views from any part of the observation deck, this attraction also has other curious entertainments such as the Breezeway room with LED lights that move as you walk by or the Radiance Wall, the work of artist Michael Hammers.

The Empire State Observatory is spread over two floors, the open-air Main Deck located on 86th floor and the glass Top Deck located on 102nd floor, both with fairly similar views of the New York landscape.

Seeing New York from the heights gives you an appetite. Fortunately, both the Empire State and the Top of the Rock have restaurants inside the skyscraper where you can take a break to refuel.

Dining options at the Empire State Building

Inside the Empire State you will find options for all tastes and budgets. From the healthy salads of Chopt or the most authentic Mexican flavors of Tacombi to dishes prepared in the purest New York style at State Grill & Bar. However, if you want to see the Empire State illuminated before you in all its splendor at night I recommend leaving the skyscraper to go to the rooftop 230 Fifth. It's a marvel!

Check out the post Where to eat well near the Empire State to see more proposals.

Gastronomic offerings at the Top of the Rock

Without leaving Rockefeller Center you can find a wide variety of restaurants where you can find something to eat such as the artisan bagels from Black Seed Bagels, the delicious sushi from Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar or the rich fried chicken with Asian-American influences from Fuku, among others.

A few floors below the Top of the Rock observation deck, at 65 30 Rockefeller Plaza, is located the Sixty-Five Bar, a great place to enjoy the views with a delicious cocktail in hand.

If you want to know other restaurants in the area, do not miss the post Where to eat well near the Top of the Rock where you will have more ideas.

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It's not easy to choose just one observatory to climb, as each of New York's most famous skyscrapers has a unique perspective of the city.

If you're at the crossroads and don't quite know which one to choose, then it's a good idea to take a look at your travel plan to help you decide. Here are some hints!