Top of the Rock

Ask any local: Top of the Rock beats the Empire State Building observation deck for one simple reason — from the top of 30 Rock, the Empire State Building is in your view. From the top of the Empire State Building, you're standing on the Empire State Building. The difference is transformative. You also get Central Park laid out like a green rectangle to the north and the Statue of Liberty on the horizon to the south.

The deck is spread across floors 67, 69, and 70, with the top being outdoor and unobstructed (no fence or netting — they use angled glass that photographs flawlessly). At sunset, time it so you arrive 45 minutes before to watch the city turn gold and then purple while the lights come on one skyscraper at a time.

**Local tip:** Book timed-entry tickets online in advance ($40-$50) — lines at the door are brutal. The "sunset slot" sells out first; look for 45 minutes before sunset. Tickets cover unlimited time on the deck, so you can stay for the night skyline after sunset. Combining with the Rockefeller Center skating rink (winter) or the NBC Studio tour makes a half-day.

**Best for:** First-time NYC visitors, sunset watchers, photographers, a romantic moment. The ticket is not cheap but the view is unmatched.