Edge opened in March 2020 on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards. The triangular outdoor deck cantilevers 80 feet from the building over the street below — partially supported by 14 huge steel beams. The signature features are the glass floor section (you stand on it, looking down 1,131 feet) and the angled-out glass wall (you lean against it, looking down).
Edge at Hudson Yards opened in March 2020 on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards — the newest of NYC's major observation experiences (before SUMMIT One Vanderbilt). The deck is a triangular outdoor cantilever, projecting 80 feet from the building's edge, supported by 14 huge steel beams. At 1,131 feet, it's the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.
Two features define the experience
The 15-by-15-foot glass floor section in the deck's tip (visitors stand on it, looking down at the West Side Highway and the Hudson River) and the angled glass wall that leans OUTWARD (visitors lean against it, looking down rather than out). Both features prompt strong reactions — some visitors love them; others can't approach them.
The view itself emphasizes the Hudson River, New Jersey, and the western Manhattan skyline — including the High Line below, Chelsea, Midtown, and an angle on the Empire State Building. Sunset is the strongest slot, when the light hits the building tops on the way down.
City Climb — the harness-and-tethers experience that lets you climb on the OUTSIDE of the building above Edge — is also bookable from the same complex. Hudson Yards itself (the larger shopping/dining/transit complex below) is worth time before or after.
What to expect
The experience
Timed-entry. Express elevator to the 100th floor, then self-paced exploration of the triangular outdoor deck.
Best time
45 minutes before sunset for the day-to-night transition. Morning is quiet but the western light is harsh.
How long
90 minutes for the deck. Add 1-2 hours for Hudson Yards itself.
Tips
Champagne service is available at the apex. Book ahead. The glass floor is most photogenic but most-queued — go right when you arrive or right before you leave.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Thrill-seekers, photography enthusiasts, and visitors who want an outdoor deck (not just a window view).
- Families
- Older kids love the glass floor. Younger kids and vertigo-sensitive adults may find it overwhelming.
- Couples
- Sunset on Edge with the champagne service is one of the city's strongest splurge experiences.
- Pair with
- Hudson Yards complex (shopping + Mercado Little Spain), or the High Line which begins a block south.
- Time needed
- 90 minutes for Edge. Add time for Hudson Yards.
Good questions
Is Edge the highest observation deck in NYC?+
It's the highest OUTDOOR deck at 1,131 feet. One World Observatory is higher (1,254 feet) but enclosed.
Is the glass floor safe?+
Structurally yes — rated for many times its expected load. Psychologically, some visitors find it overwhelming. You can stay off it; it's only a small section of the deck.
What is City Climb?+
A separate experience at the same complex — harness-and-tethers climb on the outside of the building above Edge. Books separately; not for vertigo-sensitive visitors.
How does Edge compare to SUMMIT?+
Edge is a traditional outdoor observation deck with glass-floor and angled-wall features. SUMMIT is a multi-floor immersive art experience. Edge feels more thrill-ride; SUMMIT feels more art installation.
Is the glass floor safe?+
Yes, the glass floor and angled glass walls are engineered to the same standards as the rest of the deck; most visitors feel nervous only for the first few steps.
