Empire State or Summit One, New York

[Lostatsea2025]

If you’ve done both, which one did you prefer? I’m going in a few weeks and cannot decide. I last did the ESB about 15 years ago so have experienced it before, but am now returning with kids and considering which one would be best. Thanks

Top of the Rock is better than both. People seem to enjoy The Edge and the view is fabulous but Hudson Yards is not my cup of tea.

If you are really stuck on either of the two you mentioned then ESB is utterly iconic., I would choose that.

We went to NYC last summer and did all the skyscrapers. My daughter preferred summit one for the Instagram pics. The Edge was ok, shopping centre underneath was better.

I love the ESB, it's an icon and an experience in itself going right up to the top.

But the view from it is changing, and you can't see the flat iron building any more from the top.

For iconic views top of the rock is the best in that part of town - you can't see the ESB when your up the ESB.

My favourite, of any views from any building ever, is the one from One World Trade. The whole thing is incredible. GO ON A CLEAR DAY AND YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOU'VE GOT THE WHOLE WORLD AT YOUR FEET!!!

Thanks both - my gut was ESB but the instagram pics of summit looked amazing!

I feel so unprepared this time, I’ve done so little research but I’m sure we’ll have a fab time. So excited!

I've done ESB, Summit One, Top of the Rock and The Edge at Hudson Yard (on different visits to NYC, I didn't just spend the whole time up tall buildings!) Although I see I need to add One World Trade to the collection!

I enjoyed Summit One most - it's the views PLUS all of the shiny/interesting stuff that makes for great pics. My teen kids really enjoyed it too - it made going to look at a view interesting. We went for sunset on a lovely day and had drinks at the outside bar - that added another special element that might not be so good at this time of year.

We’ve done them all, my teens loved Summit One.

Don’t them all a few times! ES is and always will be my favourite! I found summit one a mere gimmick!

You need to dk both. Well we did both Summit one is more an experience like the ball room etc and then ESB they’ve really improved the set up and lots to see in the building now I last went 12 years ago.

I've done them all, and if I only had to do one, I'd probably pick Summit One. I think the best view is Top of the Rock, and ESB is iconic, but you've already done that. But overall, I liked Summit One the best - it has great views and I enjoyed the other experiences too.

We did them all last year - summit one is by far the best. Go at night - the views took my breath away.