Empire State Building, the historic observatory
This skyscraper inaugurated in 1931 on the prestigious Fifth Avenue is to New York what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris: an icon.
Before reaching the top, an exhibition tells the story of this building designed in the purest Art Deco style.
The main terrace, on the 86th floor, offers a breathtaking view of Manhattan, with the wonderful advantage of being in the open air.
Ideal for listening to the beats of the city and contemplating the
sunset
.
To discover
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Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10118. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday.
Admission: $44 ($38 for children 6 to 12 years old and $42 for seniors from 62 years old).
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One World Observatory, the highest
The Financial District, Brooklyn Bridge, and the East River from the 100th floor of One World Trade Center.
Tagger Yancey IV / NYC & Company
Built from April 2006 to May 2013, the
One World Trade Center
succeeded the twin towers of the World Trade Center, destroyed during the attacks of September 11, 2001. The tower reaches the symbolic height of 1776 feet (about 541 meters), in tribute to the year of American independence.
From the 100th to 102nd floors, 386 meters above the ground, the One World Observatory offers a 360° view of the city, with a bird's eye view of the Statue of Liberty and the Financial District.
The price:
$38 ($32 for children aged 6 to 12 and $36 for seniors over 65).
One World Trade Center, 117 West Street, New York, NY 10007. Open daily 9am-9pm.
Top of the Rock, New York on the Loose
The Top of the Rock offers a majestic face-to-face with the Empire State Building.
Christopher Postlewaite/NYC & Company
At the heart of Rockefeller Center, the
Top of the Rock
observatory rises only 259 meters but its view is nonetheless breathtaking on the Empire State Building, Manhattan and Central Park.
Another strong point:
the highest platform is the only New York observatory without a grid or window, giving the impression of floating aboard a hot air balloon anchored to the building.
The price:
$40 ($34 for children 6 to 12 years old and $38 for seniors from 62 years old).
Top of the Rock, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112. Open daily 9am-11pm.
The Edge, for thrill seekers
Perched 345 meters above the void, The Edge's "Sky Deck" is simply surrounded by glass panels.
Eli Parry/Related-Oxford
Inaugurated in March 2020, The Edge runs on adrenaline!
The main platform is located on the 100th floor of the
30 Hudson Yards
tower , like an outgrowth defying the void 345 meters high.
It also contains a glass floor that you walk through while holding your breath.
With the
City Climb
access , the more adventurous can climb the 45° staircase that leads to the spire.
The price:
$38 ($33 for children from 6 to 12 years old and $36 for seniors from 62 years old), $185 for City Climb.
The Edge, 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001. Open daily 10am-10pm.
Read alsoEdge: New York's dizzying new platform
Summit One Vanderbilt, the novelty that stands out
Immense picture windows are covered with mirrors which send back to infinity the reflections of the sky.
Eric Martin / Le Figaro Voyage
The new
One Vanderbilt tower
adjoins Grand Central Station and towers over Midtown from a height of 427 meters.
Since September 2021, the Summit One Vanderbilt Observatory offers a visit route on 3 floors, from the 91st to the 93rd floor, 311 meters above Manhattan.
Spectacular view of the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building at your fingertips.
The Summit is also distinguished by its dreamlike scenography and its stunning mirror effects.
Furiously Instagrammable!
The price:
from $39 ($33 for children aged 6 to 12).
Summit One Vanderbilt, 45 E 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017. Open Wednesday and Thursday 9am-10:30pm, Friday and Saturday 9am-midnight, Sunday and Monday 9am-9pm.
Read alsoWith the One Vanderbilt The Summit observation platform, New York changes its perspective
The Statue of Liberty, from pedestal to crown
The observatory located in the crown of the Statue of Liberty allows you to see New York through the eyes of the statue!
Julienne Schaer/NYC & Company
If all the tourists who visit New York set foot on the
island of the Statue of Liberty
, only a privileged few walk its pedestal.
This 47-meter-high plinth hosts a narrow balcony at the foot of Miss Liberty, overlooking New York Bay.
We are also awaiting the reopening of the crown, an improbable observatory set up in the head of the statue.
The price:
$24.50 with access to the pedestal ($12.30 for children 4 to 12 years old and $18.30 for seniors from 62 years old).
Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Harlem Fire Watchtower, the Guardian of Harlem
During guided tours, everyone can ring the bell of the Harlem Fire Watchtower!
Jim Henderson (Creative Commons - CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Harlem Fire Watchtower is the last surviving watchtower of the 11 towers built in New York in the early 1850s to fight fires.
This metal tower, approximately 15 meters high, is installed in
Marcus Garvey Park
, in the heart of Harlem, offering an original view of Manhattan.
The bell used at the time to give the alert is still there!
Harlem Fire Watchtower, Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem.
Guided tours on the second Saturday and third Sunday of each month, between noon and 3 p.m.
Free donation.
Riverside Church, the tallest steeple in America
As you walk through the steeple of the Church of Riverside, don't miss a look at the 74 bronze bells.
Chris (Creative Commons - CC0 1.0)
In the
Morningside Heights
neighborhood , the Riverside Church is an imposing church built from 1927 to 1930 modeled after Chartres Cathedral.
The church features the tallest steeple in North America.
A bell tower open to visits!
You have to climb 20 floors in the elevator before attacking 145 steps to enjoy an unprecedented view of the Hudson River, the Upper West Side and the One World Trade Center in the distance.
The price:
$15 from Wednesday to Saturday and $20 on Sunday.
Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027. Guided tours Wednesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
High Line Observation Deck, perched on 10th Avenue
The High Line is perched 30 feet above the Chelsea and Meatpacking neighborhoods in the heart of Manhattan.
Will Steacy / NYC & Company
The
High Line
follows an old railway line laid out in 1934 through Chelsea and Meatpacking.
The trains ceased their rotations in 1980 but the suspended route is still there, transformed since 1999 into gardens.
The highlight: the High Line Observation Deck, a large bay window overlooking 10th Avenue.
Enough to follow the hectic bustle of New York!
High Line Observation Deck, 456 High Line, New York.
Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Free access.
Hamilton Park, the balcony on the skyline
In New Jersey, Hamilton Park borders the Empire State Building and the glass towers of the new Hudson Yards district.
Julienne Schaer / NYC & Company
Facing Manhattan, New Jersey, the small town of
Weehawken
is worth a detour for its exceptional view of the New York Skyline.
The most beautiful panorama is to be discovered in Hamilton Park, a belvedere perched on the rocky barrier which borders the Hudson River, culminating at 44 meters.
See you at sunset, when the buildings are adorned with gold.
Hamilton Park, Boulevard East, Hudson Pl, Weehawken, NJ 07086. Take the 165 bus bound for Westwood at the Port Autorithy Bus Terminal and get off at the Boulevard East at Eldorado Pl stop (travel time: 8 minutes).
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