There’s now quite a bit of choice in New York City if you are looking for an observation deck for that quintessential and memorable view the Big Apple. The Edge opened a short time ago, not long after The Summit with its interactive quirkiness and mirrors. And then the’s the classic Empire State Building (the oldest of these iconic observation points), and the Top of the Rock on the Rockerfeller Center.
It does require a lot of careful thought and planning when you are considering which observation deck to visit. None of them are cheap, I go for one reason and one reason alone: the VIEW. I have no interest in food offering or drinks or coffee or souvenirs some of them may provide for your purchase. Those items will be outrageously expensive, and probably of mediocre quality.
Here’s some considerations:
The View: One World is in Lower Manhattan, overlooking the 9/11 Memorial Museum. So the views of Lower Manhattan and the Financial District will be good, from 102 floors up! You will get a reasonable (though distant) view of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Oculus, and the Hudson River. The skyline, skyscrapers and towers of midtown Manhattan stretch away to the north; you will be able to see the Empire State Building quite clearly, but you will not see Central Park. Other observation decks will give you closer views of the Empire State Building, if that is what you want.
The Time of Your Visit. Think about where the sun will be. The last thing you want is the bright glare of the sun directly in front of you, spoiling your photographs. I think One World is best visited in the mid-morning, when the soft light from the sun in the east will give you the best light of the Manhattan skyline. Of course there will also be spectacular early evening and night views when the whole of Manhattan lights up.
Ticket Flexibility: The One World Observatory offers tickets at a range of prices. It’s simple: The more you pay, the more you get and the more flexible your tickets are. However, even if you buy the cheapest ticket there is a guarantee that if you can see nothing because of cloud, rain or fog, you will be given an alternative time. The cheapest start at $38, with set viewing arrival time. A ticket with a more flexible arrival time starts at $48. Of course you can buy dining options and ticks with priority or speedy entry. Consider your needs carefully.
I’ve even to the One World Observatory twice now, in the morning and later in the afternoon. The morning was better. But it’s not my favourite observation deck; that accolade goes to The Summit, prior to and around sunset.