When it comes to seeing the beautiful skyline of New York City, there are two especially iconic views: the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center. Whether you’re visiting the city or live nearby, these two vantage points are must-sees for getting a great look at the city. But which one offers the best view?
The Empire State Building is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Its observation deck, located on the 86th floor, offers an unparalleled view of the city, including the nearby Chrysler Building and Central Park. It’s open until 2am and charges a $32 admission fee for adults. The deck is also home to some of the best sunset views in the city.
The Rockefeller Center offers an equally stunning view of the city. From the 70-story skyscraper, visitors can get 360-degree views of the city. Prices for admission to the observation deck vary depending on the season, ranging from $26-$35 for adults. While it may not be as high up as the Empire State Building, the setting of the Rockefeller Center makes it an equally iconic viewing experience.
When it comes to deciding which view is better, it really comes down to personal preference. Both the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center offer stunning views of the city and can be enjoyed at different times of day. It’s worth taking the time to visit both spots to get a better sense of which one will provide the best view for you.
Exploring the Pros and Cons of Rockefeller Center and Empire State Building
When it comes to the best view of the iconic New York City skyline, the Rockefeller Center and Empire State Building are two of the top contenders. Both offer incredible views of the cityscape and the surrounding structures, and they each have a unique appeal to visitors. But which view is better? To help you make that decision, let’s explore the pros and cons of each.
The Rockefeller Center is located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan and offers breathtaking views of the city skyline and Central Park. It’s a great place to watch the sun set over the city and the lights of Times Square. The observation deck on the 70th floor of the building is open to the public. The cost of admission is $25 for adults and $20 for children. The view from the 70th floor is truly something to behold; you can see all of Manhattan as well as the Statue of Liberty and other iconic landmarks.
- Great view of Central Park
- View of the Statue of Liberty and other landmarks
- Open to the public
- Reasonably priced at $25 for adults and $20 for children
- Very crowded during peak times
- Security can be quite tight
- Indoor observation area can be quite hot and stuffy
- Expensive restaurant and bar on the 70th floor
The Empire State Building is one of the most iconic pieces of architecture in the world. Its observation deck on the 86th floor of the building is open to the public and offers stunning views of the city skyline and the surrounding area. The cost of admission is $38 for adults and $32 for children. It’s a great place to watch the sun set over the city and enjoy the lights of the Empire State Building’s famous spire.
- Stunning views of the city skyline
- View of the spire of the Empire State Building
- Open to the public
- Reasonably priced at $38 for adults and $32 for children
- Very crowded during peak times
- Security can be quite tight
- Indoor observation area can be quite hot and stuffy
- Expensive restaurant and bar on the 86th floor
When it comes to the best view of the New York City skyline, both the Rockefeller Center and Empire State Building offer incredible views. The Rockefeller Center offers a great view of Central Park and the Statue of Liberty, while the Empire State Building has a great view of the spire of the Empire State Building. Each has its own unique appeal, and both are reasonably priced. So, which view is better? That’s up to you to decide.
Comparing the Spectacular Views from Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building
The iconic skyline of New York City is defined by its two most prominent skyscrapers: The Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center. Both buildings have spectacular views that are unique to them, providing a different perspective of New York City depending on which one you visit. Whether you’re visiting the Big Apple for business or pleasure, it can be hard to decide which of these two iconic landmarks will provide the best view. In order to make an informed decision, let’s compare the two.
The Rockefeller Center was designed by the architectural firm of Reinhardt, Hale and Coffman in 1933 and is considered a National Historic Landmark. The observation deck at the Top of the Rock offers stunning views of the city that are captured in photos and featured in movies. It’s no surprise why it’s a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The open air deck on the 69th floor of the skyscraper offers a 360-degree view of the city that includes the Brooklyn Bridge, the Chrysler Building, the East River and Times Square. The experience is enhanced by the large glass windows that provide a clear view of the city’s skyline. Tickets for the observation deck cost between $35 and $40.
The Empire State Building was designed by the architectural firm of Shreeve, Lamb and Harmon in 1931 and is also a National Historic Landmark. It was the tallest building in the world until 1972 and continues to be one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. The observation deck located on the 86th floor of the building offers sweeping views of the city including the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Hudson and East Rivers, and the Chrysler Building. The observation deck features a high-powered binocular machine to enhance visitors’ views of the city. Tickets for the observation deck cost between $32 and $37.
Comparison Table:
| Rockefeller Center | Empire State Building |
| 360-degree open air view of the city | Spectacular views of the city |
| No binocular machine | High-powered binocular machine to enhance visitor’s view of the city |
| Ticket costs between $35-$40 | Ticket costs between $32-$37 |
Both the Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building offer spectacular views of the city. The Rockefeller Center has an open air deck that offers a 360-degree view of the city, while the Empire State Building has a high-powered binocular machine to enhance visitor’s view of the city. The cost of tickets is slightly cheaper for the Empire State Building, but the views are equally spectacular.
The view from Rockefeller Center gives you a 360-degree view of Manhattan, while the view from the Empire State Building gives you a view of the surrounding area, including Central Park.
Both the Rockefeller and Empire State views are popular tourist destinations, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Ticket information and prices can be found on the websites of both the Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building.
The views from both locations are stunning during the day and night, with the Rockefeller view offering a great night view of the city lights.
The Rockefeller Center offers attractions such as Radio City Music Hall and the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, while the Empire State Building has the 86th floor observation deck and the Empire State Building Experience.
Any time of year is great for visiting either the Rockefeller Center or the Empire State Building, though some people prefer to visit during the winter months for views of a snow-covered city.
Yes, both the Rockefeller and Empire State views offer discounts on tickets purchased in advance.
Yes, there are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from near both views.
Yes, visitors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at both the Rockefeller and Empire State Buildings.
Yes, there are many other views in New York City that provide breathtaking views of the city skyline, including the One World Trade Center Observatory and the Brooklyn Promenade.