Complete Guide to Edge NYC & City Climb: New York’s City Most Thrilling View

In late 2021, Edge NYC elevated the thrill factor by unveiling their new experience, City Climb NYC. While wearing a harness, scale the outside of the skyscraper to the highest outdoor observation deck in the city. If you dare, you can lean out over the edge for a real thrill.

In 2021, we visited Edge twice. In June, we visited the Edge both at sunset and midday, on two separate days. Weather conditions in and around Manhattan can disrupt even the most carefully planned visit, as we learned. In November, we returned to the Edge to participate in City Climb. And let me tell you, it’s awesome!

In this guide, we share with you everything you need to know about how to visit the Edge and City Climb, from the best photo spots, to how to get your tickets, and tips to have the best experience.

Edge at sunset/photo credit: Edge and Related-Oxford

What is the Edge NYC?

The Edge NYC is an outdoor sky deck that sits 100 floors above the city streets of Manhattan. This triangular platform is suspended in midair, creating a thrilling vantage point to view the city.

At 1,271 feet (387 meters), The Apex at the Edge NYC is the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. The only way to get to The Apex is on the City Climb NYC experience. The Edge sky deck is the second highest outdoor observation deck in New York City with a height of 1,131 feet (345 meters). The highest outdoor observation deck in the world is at Shanghai Tower (562 meters).

In comparison to the Edge’s sky deck, in Manhattan you will get a loftier view from the indoor observation decks at the Empire State Building (1,250 feet) and One World Observatory (1,268 feet), and the glass elevators of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, but since they are indoors, they don’t have the same thrill factor as the Edge.

The Edge opened on March 11, 2020, somewhat unfortunate timing, as the city locked down for COVID-19 just a few days later.

View of the Edge from SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.

How to Get to the Edge NYC

The Edge is located in sleek and shiny Hudson Yards. This area looks vastly different than it did just 10 years ago. What was once a storage yard and jumble of train tracks has evolved into Manhattan’s newest ultra-modern neighborhood.

The trains and their tracks are still here, but this small city has been built on a state-of-the-art platform that is elevated above the railroad tracks. Glass-plated skyscrapers, a shopping mall, a performing arts theater, and another of Manhattan’s very popular attractions, The Vessel, can all be found here.

The Edge is located at 30 Hudson Yards. Enter The Shops at Hudson Yards and take the elevator to the 4th floor. There will be signs directing you to the Edge.

The closest subway station is 34th Street – Hudson Yards on train 7. From here it is a 2-minute walk to The Shops at Hudson Yards. You can also get here by taxi, by Uber, or by walking the High Line, which ends right next to The Shed and The Shops at Hudson Yards.

How to Visit the Edge NYC: Ticket Options

There are three ticket options for visiting the Edge.

General Admission: These tickets get you admission onto the Edge without any perks. Online tickets start at $40 for adults. Note: $40 is the starting price. Certain times of day will have a higher price, particularly at sunset, which can be $10 to $20 more than the starting price.

Flex Pass: For a little more money than you would spend for a general admission ticket, book a date without a time slot and show up any time that day. It helps keep your plans flexible, rather than having to show up at a set time. Online tickets start at $60.

Express Admission: Book a date, come at any time that day, and skip the general admission line. Online tickets start at $88, so it’s expensive, but it’s the fastest and most efficient way to visit the Edge.

The Edge is also included on the C3 NYC City Pass, the GO Explorer Pass, the New York Sightseeing Pass, and the New York Pass.

For updated pricing and to book your tickets online, click here to visit the official Edge website. If tickets are sold out for your visit, you can also purchase them through GetYourGuide.

The lower indoor observation deck at sunset.

What to Expect on Your Visit to the Edge NYC

To enter the Edge, you will show your tickets and proceed through security. As you walk to the elevator, you will pass state-of-the-art digital displays about Hudson Yards. On the quick elevator ride to the 100th floor, a short animated movie plays on floor to ceiling computer screens.

Once on the 100th floor, you can visit the Champagne bar, step out onto the sky deck, and walk upstairs to the 101st floor, where you will have 360° views of New York and New Jersey.

Things to Do at the Edge NYC

The Edge is more than just the sky deck. Here are the top experiences at the Edge.

The Sky Deck

No doubt, the sky deck and its views are the main reason to visit the Edge. From the platform, you can look out over lower Manhattan and midtown, as well as the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty.

The highlight for most visitors is the small glass-paneled floor. Even if you are not afraid of heights, it can be a little unnerving to stand on these clear glass panels with just 1,000 feet of air below you.

The eastern point of the sky deck is another popular photo location and when the Edge gets busy, you might have to wait in line for a few minutes to have your photo taken here.

There is also a series of steps and sitting area. Called the Skyline Steps, these steps lead up to the 101st floor. From the top you get a great view over the Edge sky deck and the Empire State Building.

The view from the southeast corner of the glass paneled floor and the Skyline Steps. You can also see The Apex, the small, upper observation deck that is part of the City Climb experience.

Tim is standing on the Skyline Steps and I am taking this photo from the sky deck. Halfway up the steps you can get a view over the glass wall for great photos of NYC (keep reading to learn more).

Champagne Bar

The main champagne bar is located inside on the 100th floor. During peak times, there will also be a champagne bar on the 102nd floor and on the sky deck.

Beer, wine, champagne, sodas, and snacks are available for purchase.

The 101st Floor

From the indoor observation deck on the 101st floor, you can look north to Central Park, west to New Jersey, and south to lower Manhattan. It doesn’t have the same thrill of the sky deck but it is definitely worth your time to make it up here for the view.

View from the indoor observation deck on the 101st floor.

Peak Restaurant

This upscale restaurant is located on the 101st floor. From the floor to ceiling windows, look out over the Edge and Manhattan as you dine on gourmet food.

We had dinner here and it was phenomenal. Both the views and the food are amazing. For the best experience, make a reservation in advance and request a table with a view of the city skyline. You can see the menu here. 

Best Photo Locations at the Edge NYC

Here are five places to get a great photo at the Edge.

From the Top of the Skyline Steps

From here, you can look out over the Edge and lower Manhattan. You get one of the best views of the Empire State Building from here, since it is not hidden behind the nearby skyscraper.

This is also great spot to try out the panorama feature on your smart phone. Just note that you will get part of the glass wall in your photo.

Midway Point on the Skyline Steps

About halfway down the Skyline Steps there is break in the glass panels. This the best place to take a photo of the Empire State Building without shooting through glass. Just note that the view of the Empire State Building is just OK from here, since it is mostly hidden behind another skyscraper in Hudson Yards.

However, this is the best place for a panorama photo on your smartphone, since you don’t capture the glass wall in the photo.

On the Glass Floor

The biggest crowds always seem to be hovering around the glass floor. There are many creative ways to take a photo here, whether you are just including your feet in the photo or lying stretched out on the glass and having a friend or family member take your photo.

Even if you don’t want your photo here, this is great people-watching spot.

The Eastern Point

From the knifelike eastern point, you are on the far edge of the Edge. The views from here are spectacular and this is a popular selfie and family/friend photo spot.

The 101st Floor

On the eastern end of the 101st floor, you get a nice view of the sky deck jutting out from the building.

Best Time to Visit the Edge NYC

Sunset is the best time to visit the Edge. From here, you have an awesome view of the city as the sun sinks lower into the sky. Watch as the city is bathed in the warm glow of sunset and the lights across the city begin to come on. Keep your fingers crossed for partly cloudy skies and a colorful sunset.

We visited the Edge twice, in the late afternoon (and lingering around well into the night) and midday. The late afternoon was our favorite time to be here. It’s more crowded but the lighting is better for photos and if you stick around, it’s awesome to see Manhattan lit up at night.

What Happens if the Weather is Bad?

We planned our visit to be on the Edge for sunset. Unfortunately, mother nature had other plans for us.

Tim and I visited Manhattan in early June. It was an unusually hot day and scattered thunderstorms were forecasted for the afternoon and evening.

We arrived at the Edge at 6 pm. Before entering, the staff told us that the sky deck was closed because of the weather forecast. It was not raining or thundering in Manhattan, but a nearby thunderstorm (in New Jersey) was close enough that, for safety reasons, the outdoor sky deck was closed. We could still visit the indoor observation decks but the outdoor deck might remain closed for the remainder of the day.

The staff offered us a refund on our tickets and the chance to reschedule our visit to the next day.

Taking our chances, we stuck with our original plan, keeping our fingers crossed that the skies would clear and the sky deck would reopen.

Most people took the refund so there were very few people at the Edge. A staff member told us that once the small cell of rain and lighting in New Jersey moved 11 miles away from Manhattan, the sky deck would reopen.

While waiting, we drank overpriced wine and bourbon and watched a marriage proposal…a nice surprise.

About 45 minutes before sunset (and almost 2 hours into our visit), luck was on our side and the sky deck reopened. Since it was so cloudy, we didn’t get the colorful skies we were hoping for, but at least we got to walk out onto the sky deck.

Tim and I had dinner at Peak and I periodically walked out to the sky deck to take photos of Manhattan as the skies got darker.

The Edge at sunset

The Edge at night

We returned the following day, midday, so we could see the view from the Edge with sunny skies.

The Edge midday

City Climb NYC

City Climb NYC is a relatively new experience at the Edge (it opened in November 2021). While wearing a harness, you will climb the outside of the skyscraper to The Apex, the highest outdoor observation deck not only in New York City, but the entire Western Hemisphere. From here, enjoy the spectacular view, or, for a bigger thrill, lean far out over the edge and peer down to the city streets below.

We did this in November 2021 and I have to say it’s pretty awesome. To stand on the platform and gaze out over Manhattan, with no walls and no glass, is epic. In my opinion, it is the best viewpoint in the city, beating even the brand new SUMMIT One Vanderbilt experience.

For New York City’s most thrilling view, add City Climb NYC onto your to-do list. Here’s how to do it.

City Climb/photo credit: Edge

The City Climb Experience

Ticket Price

Tickets start at $185 per person. Reserve your tickets on the City Climb website as soon as you know your dates of travel because these will sell out fast!

The ticket price also includes a visit to the Edge sky deck, which you will visit after the City Climb experience.

Age, Weight & Other Restrictions

• Participants must be 13 years or older
• You must be between 4.9 and 6.7 feet tall
• You must weigh between 65 pounds and 310 pounds
• You should not participate if you are pregnant, have vertigo, have a heart condition, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Personal cameras are not allowed, even with a strap. All photos are taken by City Climb staff.

If someone in your group cannot or does not want to participate, they can get a ticket to the Edge and wave to you as you stand on The Apex, the highest platform at the Edge.

The view of The Apex and City Climbers from the Edge outdoor sky deck.

Getting Geared Up

The City Climb website says that the entire experience, from start to finish, takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. When we did this, it took just over 2 hours. That did not include any time to walk around the Edge.

The first thing you will do is meet up with a City Climb staff member to make sure you meet their entrance criteria. They will check your height and weight, make you sign a waiver, and then you will do a breathalyzer test. If you don’t pass the breathalyzer test, you will not be permitted to participate, so save the drinks for the Edge Champagne Bar, after this experience.

You will ride an elevator to the 100th floor, the same floor as the Edge sky deck. In a glass room (in view of visitors to the Edge), you will put on a blue jumpsuit and harness. Staff members made us take off anything metal and then thoroughly scanned us with metal detectors, to make sure we didn’t miss anything.

Then, it’s a short elevator ride up to Basecamp, where you and your harness gets attached to the safety rail that runs all of the way to The Apex.

The staff members take safety VERY seriously. Our harnesses were checked and re-checked over and over again. It took one hour to get geared up and attached to the safety rail. We then spent about 45 minutes outside on the platforms.

City Climb Course, with The Cliff, The Stair, and The Apex/photo credit: Edge

The Cliff

From Basecamp, you will walk up 32 steps to The Cliff. This small, open air platform is 1,190 feet off the ground. From here, you can look out over the Hudson River, New Jersey, and lower Manhattan. It’s the lower platform in the photo above.

The Stair

The Stair is 161 stairs that climbs from The Cliff to The Apex. There are a few feet between where you walk and the edge of the building, so if heights bother you, this part of the experience is the easiest. However, it’s also the most strenuous part of the experience. Walking up the steps is fine, but pulling the harness device up the rail does get a bit tiring.

The Stair/photo credit: Edge

The Apex

On the Apex, you are standing at 1,271 feet, the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere and the highest observation deck in New York City.

The view is breathtaking, and in my opinion, it is the best in the city. From here, you can see almost all of Manhattan. You have a great view of the Empire State Building, Lower Manhattan, and Central Park. What makes it even better is that there is no glass and no walls, just an amazing, unobstructed view of New York City.

At this point, the staff members will show you how to do the “lean outs.” By planting your feet near the edge of the platform, you can lean out facing forward and/or backwards. I did both and facing forward was the harder of the two for me.

After everyone has a chance to lean out over the edge of the platform, we took the stairs back down to the 100th floor, removed our gear, and then walked around the Edge.

In Conclusion

The experience is awesome. There’s just nothing else like it in New York City and the view is unbeatable. I would do it again on a return visit to the city.

My only complaint is the photography. I understand why personal cameras are not allowed, but the staff was using a small point and shoot camera and a Go Pro, so the photos we received were low quality. We purchased a photo package for both of us and never received the photos that were taken of me and Tim together. However, it’s still worth it to purchase the photo package, since this is the only way to get photos of your experience.

If you have any questions about City Climb, or if you want to share your experience, you can do so in the comment section at the end of this post.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a visit to the Edge last?

Expect to spend about one hour here. This gives you enough time for lots of photos on the sky deck and the 102nd floor.

Sunset tickets were sold out for my visit. Is there a way that I can visit the Edge during sunset?

Yes! This happened to us too. Once at the Edge, you are permitted to stay as long as you like. Book the closest time slot to sunset and plan to stick around. During our visit, sunset was at 8:30 pm. The latest entry we could get was the 5:30 to 6:30 time slot. We entered at 6 pm and waited around for sunset.

Is the Edge worth it?

The Edge NYC is one of five observation decks in Manhattan. Each observation deck offers a different experience.

The Edge is worth it, in my opinion. With the glass paneled floor, angled glass walls, and suspended sky deck, this is one of the most thrilling views in NYC. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is our favorite viewpoint in the city, closely followed by the Empire State Building. Top of the Rock has a great view too. 

The view from One World Observatory is good but it’s our least favorite on the list. A visit here is more about taking in the view from the highest indoor observation deck in the city and the history here.

What else can I do in the area?

Spend some time in Hudson Yards and Chelsea. Visit the Vessel, walk the High Line, and grab a bite to eat at Chelsea Market (our favorite restaurants are Los Tacos, the Lobster Place, and Takumi). You can also visit the Chelsea Pier to hit some golf balls at the driving range or visit the Little Island.

If you have any questions about how to visit the Edge, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information about New York City

NYC OBSERVATION DECKS: In our article Best Observation Decks in New York City, we rank all of the observation decks by price, height, and best view. We also have detailed guides on SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and One World Observatory.

NYC ITINERARY: In our article 5 Days in New York City, we included detailed daily itineraries for exploring New York City. You can do all five days or follow just a day or two, if you have less time in the city.

NYC HOTELS: Need a place to stay? Check out our guide to the Best Hotels in New York City, organized by neighborhood.

BEST OF NEW YORK CITY: For a list of the top experiences in New York City, read our article Best Things to Do in New York City.

CHELSEA & HUDSON YARDS: In our article Best Things to Do in Chelsea and Hudson Yards, learn about the best things to do in the area, with suggestions on where to eat and where to stay.