12 Observation Decks in the USA That Earn the Road Trip

1.Empire State Building Observation Deck Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 22,072 reviews · from $48Our pick

Enter the Empire State Building, pass through interactive exhibits on its construction and pop-culture fame, then rise to the 86th-floor open-air deck for wide New York views. Choose general admission or add the 102nd floor with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Express tickets reduce queuing, and the visit lasts 45 minutes to 2 hours.

“It's 20 years since I last visited the Empire State Building (as a 30 year old working in New York) now I'm 52 and visited with my teenage sons and partner. It didn't disappoint. Staff were great, helpful and considerate, and the experience is much more immersive: animations showing the build in 1931, King Kong peering through the windows, spy holes looking down on New Yorkers back in the 30's – it really was great, a classic, a must see!”

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2.Edge Observation Deck Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20,918 reviews · 1 hour · from $39

Edge gives you one hour or more above Hudson Yards, with a fast elevator ride, indoor and outdoor viewing, angled glass walls, a glass floor, Skyline Steps, and the one-person Eastern Point. The $39 ticket includes the multimedia entry experience but not food, drinks, or transport.

“don't expect a bit of culture from Americans on deck, that's the only negative. Views are beautiful, and sunset is the best time to get there.”

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3.Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 14,488 reviews · from $44

Ride the high-speed elevator to Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center for three levels of indoor and outdoor views. See Central Park, the Empire State Building, and downtown Manhattan from 9,500 square feet of open-air deck. Add The Beam or choose VIP access with SKYLIFT, a guide, photos, and champagne.

“Rebooked tickets easier entry & ques where well organised sadly it’s was raining but still a great experience”

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4.NYC Empire State Building Observation Deck Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,916 reviews · 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Visit the Empire State Building at your own pace with a mobile ticket. Explore exhibits on construction, pop culture, and sustainability before heading to the 86th Floor Observatory. Upgrade to the 102nd floor for glass-window views across six states, or choose skip-the-line access for a faster visit.

“We turned up early and they were extremely good about letting us in early without any fuss. We were also inspired to watch King Kong afterwards”

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5.Top of the Rock Observation Deck New York City Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,556 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $62

Visit Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock for about an hour of indoor and open-air views across New York City. See Central Park, the Empire State Building, both rivers, and more from three decks on floors 67, 69, and 70. You can add the Beam Experience, which lifts you 12 feet above the deck for a recreated skyscraper photo.

“We did it during the day and the views were amazing, but it would be incredible in the evening or at night I”

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6.360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,173 reviews · 30 min · from $29

Ride one of North America’s fastest elevators to the 94th floor of 875 N. Michigan for wide views of Chicago, Lake Michigan, and four states. Explore the lower concourse exhibits, walk through CloudWalk, relax at CloudBar, and use the Magnicity app for extra stories. TILT is optional and costs extra on site.

“great views of the city, plenty of time to look around and take photos”

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7.NYC Edge Observation Deck at Hudson Yards Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,242 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Head to Hudson Yards for Edge NYC, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. Your timed, Flex, or Express ticket includes Level 100 views, the Glass Floor, Angled Glass Walls, Skyline Seats, Eastern Point, and a digital souvenir photo. Add a drink at the Champagne Bar for an extra charge.

“One of the most amazing view. Kids had an amazing time. They said its a must. The glass deck is the experience you dont want to miss”

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8.STRAT Tower Observation Deck Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,469 reviews · 1 day · from $26

Visit the STRAT Tower observation deck for sweeping 360-degree views of Las Vegas, the Strip, mountains, and desert. Your ticket includes both climate-controlled indoor viewing behind floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-air deck. Visit near sunset to watch the valley change from daylight to neon, then stay for the city lights.

“It was a great experience to see the view of Las Vegas from the top of the Strat, we went at night so everything was all lit up..”

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9.View Boston Observation Deck Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,451 reviews · 1h 30m · from $34

Visit View Boston on the top three floors of Prudential Tower for 360-degree indoor and outdoor views, Boston 365 projections, Open Doors theater, and the Explore Boston itinerary tool. Plan for about 90 minutes, or stay longer for drinks at Stratus or a meal at The Beacon Restaurant. Sunset gives you both daylight and city lights.

“The view at dusk was beautiful with orange/yellow/red skyline. Then the sky was lit up when it became night. The experience is well worth it.”

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10.360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,206 reviews · 1 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $29

Visit 360 CHICAGO at 875 N Michigan Ave for sweeping views from the 94th floor. Your ticket includes admission, the Magnicity 3D map, new concourse exhibits, and Cloud Walk. Add a CloudBar drink or buy TILT onsite for a brief outward-facing glass ride above the Magnificent Mile.

“Thankfully we booked this on a lovely sunny day so the evening was stunning. Having taking in the sights around the top of the tower, we claimed our free drink (no commemorative cup). Something that as a tourist I would highly recommend to anyone.”

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11.Dallas’ Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 576 reviews · 45 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $24Best value

Ride 470 feet up Reunion Tower for indoor and outdoor 360-degree views of Dallas. Use touchscreens and zoom cameras, spot Dealey Plaza, and claim a complimentary digital photo. The visit lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, is wheelchair accessible, and works well for families, couples, and first-time visitors.

“Well worth doing for the spectacular views of the city buildings and the amazing road complexity! Well worth the visit. staff were very helpful”

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12.360 Chicago Observation Deck Sip and View Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 355 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

Spend about 90 minutes at 360 CHICAGO on the 94th floor of 875 N. Michigan. Your timed ticket includes the observation deck, Chicago exhibits, CloudWalk, CloudBar, and one drink from the Sip Menu. Ride the elevator up in 40 seconds, then take in views of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, downtown, and four neighboring states.

“Very easy to access and no queue at 5pm. Views were exceptional on a sunny clear day. Easy to get access to the windows to take photos. Sip and View cocktail options were great. Easy to find a seat near the window and not rushed to move on.”

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