Best time to visit the Edge

Only the highest outdoor observation platform in the Western hemisphere, Edge sits a mind-melting, knee-trembling, stomach-flipping 1,131 feet in the air. Its triangular, glass-floored platform protrudes 80 feet from the facade of the soaring 30 Hudson Yards building, affording epic views of the Manhattan skyline and – for anyone bold enough to look down – the city streets far, far below. One hundred floors not high enough for ya? Thrillseekers with nerves of absolute steel can also brave the Edge’s City Climb experience, in which participants are harnessed to the building for a vertical stroll to the top of the skyscraper before being invited to lean forward over the apex at a nauseating 1,271 feet. So now you know what it is (and have either opted in or fainted at the very thought, depending on your constitution), read on to find out more, including the best times to visit the Edge NYC.

Opening hours

Edge is open 10AM-10PM daily, year-round, with the last elevator going up 50 minutes before closing time, and guests are welcome to stay as long as they like. City Climb closes a little earlier, with latest entry at 8PM in order to accommodate the entire experience which, including check-in, suiting up, safety briefings and the climb itself, lasts around 90 minutes. Note that there are often extended opening hours during high season, from 8AM-midnight. Check the Edge website for information on operating hours on the date of your planned visit.

The New York Pass includes general admission to Edge, and can save you money when visiting multiple attractions in the Big Apple. We’re talking top-tier bucket-listers like MoMA, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Note that an extra fee applies for the City Climb experience – you can book tickets for that here.

If you want to beat the crowds, your best bet is to visit in the morning when Edge opens, or after sunset (bearing in mind the last elevator goes up 50 minutes before closing time). This is easily the most hassle-free way of experiencing Edge as you’ll avoid the worst of the lines. Arriving much later than 10AM pretty much guarantees longer waiting times.

Sunset is the busiest time of the day. No surprise there, perhaps, especially in the age of Instagram, when budding photographers are out in force, eager to capture the flaming skyline at its brick-red, flamingo-pink and bruised-purple best. If you can bear the crowds, it’s definitely worth visiting at this time of day. Plan to book your slot around an hour before the sun is due to go down, to make sure you get there in plenty of time. The crowds dissipate fairly rapidly after this, making late evening a fine time to make your visit. What, after all, could be more iconic than Manhattan after dark, with lights all atwinkle across the famous city skyline? Indeed, the relative post-sunset calm may just be the very best time to visit Edge.

Outside of the golden hour, the busiest times of day at Edge tend to be between noon and 5PM – generally best avoided if you can make it there at *literally* any other time of the day or night.

Edge Stats

Number of floors: 103.
Height: The Edge platform is 1,131 feet (345 meters) up, while adventurous types willing to take on the City Climb experience will reach the dizzy heights of 1,271 feet (381 meters).
Elevators: 59.
Edge platform: the platform protrudes 80 feet from the building’s facade and boasts a transparent nine-foot-high balcony that’s angled outwards at 6.6 degrees, the better to overhang the streets far below.

Getting to Edge

The No.7 Subway provides the most popular and direct route into Hudson Yards, and several bus lines also stop within a few minutes’ walk. Or you could, you know, make like a true Noo Yoiker and pitch up in an iconic yellow NYC cab.

Tickets

A New York Pass saves you money by including general admission to Edge as well as many more Big Apple icons. These include the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, One World Observatory and American Museum of Natural History, as well as a number of walking and cycling tours and much more.

You can also book tickets direct via the Edge website, where you can choose from general admission, flexi, skip the line and annual passes. This is also the place to book slots for the epic City Climb experience.

Where to get Refreshments

There’s a champagne bar on the observatory platform terrace, perfect for that romantic selfie moment, or simply to take the edge off your rising panic. Hungry? You don’t have to look far for sustenance in the Hudson Yards development – there are dozens of bars and restaurants to choose from here.

Best Time to Visit The Edge...

In truth, there’s no bad time to visit Edge: the experience of gazing out across Manhattan’s movie-star skyline from way up in the clouds is one that will stick with you far longer than the mild irritation of having to stand in line for 45 minutes. So: if midday is the only time you can make it, we say do it anyway; you won’t regret it. Sunset is hands down the most beautiful time of day to visit and should be experienced at least once – get there early to avoid disappointment. If, however, crowds (or indeed sunsets) ain’t your thing, try early morning or late evening for shorter waiting times and more elbow room.

Get the New York Pass to make great savings when visiting Edge and other popular New York City attractions!