Empire State vs Top of the Rock: skyline views
The Empire State Building adds the story and character of a famous building to the observation-deck visit. Top of the Rock offers a Midtown perspective with the Empire State Building to the south and Central Park to the north. The subject of your photograph should guide the decision.
Empire State:Midtown, Downtown and beyond. Top of the Rock:Empire State Building and Central Park. Neither view is guaranteed in poor visibility, so check the forecast as well as the ticket.
Empire State vs Top of the Rock: observation deck experiences
Both offer outdoor viewing experiences. At the Empire State Building, the 86th-floor and enclosed 102nd-floor options are distinct ticket considerations. At Top of the Rock, the Beam is an activity upgrade rather than a requirement for the skyline.
Empire State tradeoff: You cannot photograph the Empire State Building itself from its own deck.Top of the Rock tradeoff: The main appeal is the skyline; choose SUMMIT if immersive rooms matter more.
Comparing Empire State and Top of the Rock ticket prices
Compare the actual floors and access included in the Empire State Building variant with the Top of the Rock admission you want. Do not compare an upper-floor or express Empire State ticket against basic Top of the Rock admission as if they were identical products.
Use the same date, visitor categories and currency. Include any upgrade you actually want, then check the final total and cancellation terms. Join tickadoo+ free for 5% off your first booking, automatically applied at checkout.
Is it worth visiting both Empire State and Top of the Rock?
Two visits are most worthwhile for someone who wants both the landmark’s history and a photograph of it from another viewpoint. Otherwise, the overlap in Midtown skyline sightseeing can make one carefully chosen deck enough.
Our guide to visiting two NYC observation decks helps you decide whether the second experience adds enough to justify the cost.
Who should choose Empire State or Top of the Rock?
Choose Empire State Building for history and the classic landmark. Choose Top of the Rock for empire state building photographs. If neither is quite right, use the deck finder to compare all five.
