Empire State Building vs Top of the Rock: Which Should You Visit?
Every first-time visitor to New York asks the same question at some point during trip planning: Empire State Building or Top of the Rock? I’ve done both more than once, at different times of day, in different seasons, and I still don’t think there’s one universally “right” answer — but there is a right answer for you, depending on what you actually want out of the view.
Quick answer: If you want the Empire State Building in your photo, go to Top of the Rock. If you want the most iconic building experience itself — the Art Deco lobby, the history, the name everyone recognizes — go to the Empire State Building. If you can only pick one and this is your first trip, Top of the Rock wins on view alone, because it includes Central Park to the north and the Empire State Building as the centerpiece of the skyline.
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Contents
- Lili’s Picks
- Quick Comparison
- Empire State Building
- Top of the Rock
- Best By Category
- Can You Do Both in One Day?
- FAQ
Lili’s picks for NYC observation decks
If this is your first New York trip and you only want to pay for one view, I would choose Top of the Rock. The view does the emotional work: Central Park to one side, Midtown around you, and the Empire State Building exactly where you want it in the skyline.
The ticket I’d shortlist
Top of the Rock is best if you want the classic New York skyline photo, especially around golden hour. Before booking, check the current timed-entry options, sunset surcharge, weather policy, cancellation terms, and recent reviews. Compare Top of the Rock tickets on Viator →
If your schedule allows both, do the Empire State Building in the morning for the historic building experience, then Top of the Rock around sunset for the skyline photo. They answer different questions and do not really compete. Compare Empire State Building tickets on Viator →
Where I’d stay
Courtyard Midtown West is the kind of Midtown base I would shortlist if you want both observation decks to feel easy rather than like a cross-town project. Best if you want practical access to Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Penn Station, and the west side without paying for a Fifth Avenue address. Before booking, compare the exact room type, total price, cancellation terms, and recent guest feedback for your dates. Courtyard Midtown West on Booking.com →
Quick Comparison
| Empire State Building | Top of the Rock | |
| Deck level | 86th-floor main deck, with a 102nd-floor option | 70th-floor outdoor observation deck |
| Ticket style | Paid timed-entry tickets; upgrades vary by date | Paid timed-entry tickets; sunset slots may cost more |
| What’s in the view | 360° skyline — but not the Empire State Building itself | 360° skyline, including the Empire State Building |
| Best for | The building experience, history, Art Deco lobby | The classic skyline photo |
| Crowds | Busier, more tour groups | Timed entry works well, but sunset is still popular |
Empire State Building
Best for: Wanting to say you went up THE building — the one that’s been in every New York movie since 1931.
There’s a reason the Empire State Building is still the one most people mean when they say “let’s go up.” It’s not just a viewing platform — it’s a piece of New York history. The Art Deco lobby alone is worth slowing down for before you even get to the elevators. The 86th floor deck is open-air, which nothing else on this list offers at this height, and on a clear day you can see up to 80 miles.
Ticket style: Paid timed entry, with upgrade options that vary by date | Best time: Early morning or right after sunset for shorter lines | Time needed: 60–90 minutes | Tip: Think carefully before adding the 102nd-floor upgrade unless the weather is genuinely clear — for many first-time visitors, the 86th-floor open-air deck is the main experience.
Skip if: The one photo you actually want from your trip is the classic New York skyline with the Empire State Building glowing in the middle of it — you can’t get that shot from here, obviously.
If you choose the Empire State Building, compare Empire State Building tickets on Viator → and check current pricing, deck access, time slots, cancellation terms, and recent reviews before choosing.
Top of the Rock
Best for: The photo everyone actually wants — Manhattan’s skyline with the Empire State Building as the star of it.
Top of the Rock sits at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and its entire advantage comes down to one thing: from here, the Empire State Building is part of your view instead of the thing you’re standing on. That makes it the better choice for photography, and the three-tiered outdoor deck design means you rarely feel boxed in by other visitors, even when it’s busy.
Ticket style: Paid timed entry; sunset slots can be more competitive | Best time: 30–45 minutes before sunset for golden hour, or a morning slot if you want a calmer experience | Time needed: 60–90 minutes | Tip: Choose the exact sunset window early if that view is the whole reason you are going.
Skip if: You specifically want the historic building experience and don’t mind which skyscraper you’re standing on top of — go to the Empire State Building instead.
If you choose Top of the Rock, compare Top of the Rock tickets on Viator → and check current pricing, sunset availability, deck access, cancellation terms, and recent reviews before choosing.
Best By Category
- Best for the classic skyline photo: Top of the Rock
- Best for history and architecture: Empire State Building
- Best for sunset: Top of the Rock (choose the timed slot carefully)
- Best for first-timers with limited time: Top of the Rock — the view does more of the work for you
- Best for value if you’re doing a CityPASS: Either — both are commonly included, so this may not be an either/or decision at all
Can You Do Both in One Day?
Yes, and if your schedule allows it, it’s worth considering — they answer different questions (one gives you the building experience, the other gives you the photo), so they don’t really compete with each other. If you’re doing both, go to the Empire State Building in the morning when the light is flat and less flattering for photos anyway, and save Top of the Rock for sunset. Budget at least half a day total if you’re doing both properly, with lunch in between.
More New York City guides
- 25 Best Things to Do in NYC
- 5-Day New York City Itinerary
- Free Things to Do in NYC
- NYC Travel Costs: The Honest Budget Guide
- Where to Stay in NYC
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Empire State Building or Top of the Rock?
Neither is objectively better — they show you different things. Top of the Rock gives you the classic skyline photo with the Empire State Building in it; the Empire State Building gives you the historic building experience itself. If you can only choose one and want the more photogenic view, choose Top of the Rock.
Which is cheaper?
Prices are usually close enough that I would not choose based on the small difference alone. Check your exact date, time slot, sunset pricing, and upgrade options before deciding — the better view for your trip matters more than a few dollars either way.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes, for both — especially if you want a sunset slot at Top of the Rock or a specific morning/evening window. Timed entry is standard at both attractions, and popular slots can disappear earlier than casual planners expect.
