SUMMIT One Vanderbilt vs Edge: Which Is Better for Kids?

If you’re visiting New York with school‑aged kids, going up at least one observation deck is almost a must. Seeing the skyline from above helps children truly grasp the scale of the city — the yellow taxis suddenly look tiny, the buildings feel enormous, and New York finally clicks in a way it just doesn’t from street level.

The challenge is that New York now has several observation decks, they’re all expensive, and most families will only choose one. So the question most parents end up asking is: which observation deck is actually worth it when you’re visiting with kids?

We visited both SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and Edge on the same trip, and from a family perspective they felt like very different experiences. Based on how interactive and engaging it was for children, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt was the clear winner for us.

If you’re deciding which observation deck to book for your New York trip, this guide breaks down exactly how SUMMIT and Edge compare for kids — what worked, what didn’t, and where the money genuinely felt worth spending, so you can book with confidence rather than second‑guessing.

This guide is based on our own visit and planning experience. Some links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only ever share experiences we’ve personally visited and genuinely enjoyed, to help you plan a trip that feels exciting and manageable rather than overwhelming.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt (Why It Works So Well for Kids)

Summit One Vanderbilt is located in Midtown Manhattan, right next to Grand Central Terminal. It’s one of New York’s newer observation decks and is designed as an interactive experience, not just a place to look at the view.

Inside, there are:

• Multiple mirrored rooms

• Glass floors and reflections

• Different viewing areas you move through rather than stand still in

Instead of kids getting bored after a few minutes, they can walk around, explore and interact with the space. It feels modern, immersive and very different from traditional observation decks.

We spent around 90 minutes here without anyone getting restless, which says a lot when visiting with a child. At the end, we also bought the photo package, which turned out to be one of the funniest souvenirs of the trip — our faces superimposed into clouds and skyline scenes. Completely over the top, but genuinely funny and something our child loved.

For families, SUMMIT felt like more than just a view — it felt like a full experience.

Edge at Hudson Yards (How It Compares for Kids)

Edge is located at Hudson Yards on the west side of Manhattan and is best known for its dramatic outdoor sky deck that juts out from the building. It offers open‑air views across the city, plus a glass floor section where you can look straight down.

The views are undeniably impressive and the platform looks spectacular, but the experience itself is short and fairly traditional. You go up, take in the view, snap some photos — and that’s largely it.

We visited Edge after SUMMIT, and by comparison it felt a bit underwhelming. While the views were great, there was less for a child to do or interact with, which made it feel less memorable.

If we were doing the trip again, we’d choose SUMMIT and skip Edge, using the time and money for something else that offers more engagement for kids

Key Differences for Families

The easiest way to think about it is this:

• Summit = interactive experience with views

• Edge = viewing platform with great views

For adults, you could argue either way. For children, Summit is much more engaging because they can move through different rooms and the experience changes as you go. Edge is impressive, but it’s more of a “look at the view and take photos” experience.

What About the Other Observation Decks?

There are a few other famous observation decks in New York that families often consider:

Empire State Building

This is the classic New York observation deck and probably the most famous. We did this on a previous trip before visiting as a family. It’s very iconic, but it’s more of a traditional viewing platform and can be very busy.

Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center)

Many people say this actually has one of the best views because you can see the Empire State Building in the skyline. It’s a more traditional observation deck, but very popular.

One World Observatory

Located at One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, this is a fully indoor observation deck with a more museum-style experience on the way up.

In our view, you don’t need to do multiple observation decks unless you really want to. Once you’ve seen the skyline from above once, you’ve had that experience.

For us, Summit gave us everything we wanted — incredible views and an experience that felt memorable for a child — so doing multiple similar skyscraper visits wasn’t necessary.

If you’re choosing just one, we’d recommend reading Best Observation Deck in New York for Families to compare them properly.

Our Honest Recommendation

If you are visiting New York with school-aged children and trying to decide between Summit and Edge, our honest view is: Choose Summit One Vanderbilt.

It’s more interactive, more memorable, and feels like an experience rather than just a viewpoint. Children have more to explore, and you’re likely to spend longer there without anyone getting bored.

Edge is still good, and the views are impressive, but if you’re choosing one — especially with kids — Summit is the one we would recommend.

Final Planning Insight for Parents

Observation decks are expensive, and it’s tempting to try to do several of them while you’re in New York. But in reality, most families only need one. For us, Summit delivered the full New York skyline experience in a way that felt exciting and different, and if we were planning the same trip again, that’s the one we would prioritise. You can see how we built this into our trip in 2-Day New York City Itinerary for Families with School-Aged Kids, where we combined Summit with other Midtown attractions to make the day flow well.

Planning a Family Trip to the USA

If you’re planning a family trip to the United States, we’ve created a collection of practical guides based on our own experiences travelling there with a child. In our USA Travel Hub, you’ll find advice on everything from ESTA requirements and travel insurance to driving, healthcare and managing jet lag with kids, alongside destination guides for places we’ve explored including New York, Colorado, South Dakota and Florida. It’s a useful starting point for parents researching how to plan a smooth and enjoyable family trip to the USA.