After spending so much time in our apartments this year, you might have forgotten just how jaw-dropping the New York City skyline really is — or even the feeling of leaving the apartment at all. If you’re craving an adventure more exciting than a trip to the grocery store, or a reinvigorated love for the city you’ve stuck it out in (what ghost town?), you’ll find that at Hudson Yards — 1,131 feet up in the air.
The incomparable views are the main attraction at Edge, Hudson Yards’s recently opened sky deck, the highest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. But the experience offers more than just selfie opportunities. A visit to Edge offers a fresh perspective on the city that about 8 million of us call home (and beyond, too, because on a clear day you can see 80 miles out, from the Catskill Mountains to the New Jersey shoreline). With extensive COVID-19 safety protocols in place, it’s a safe way for adrenaline junkies to get their fix and for the rest of us to take in an awe-inspiring panorama.
Photo: Courtesy of Edge
The outdoor observation deck floats 100 stories in the air, and the most daring visitors can step onto (and even lie down on) a glass floor overhanging the buildings below. Step toward the edge of the platform, and you’ll notice the glass walls are angled, letting you lean out atop the city — a heart-pumping moment begging to be caught on camera.
No matter your preference, the adventure starts before you even reach the top: during the 52-second ride up, the elevator walls showcase an immersive, jaw-dropping video that makes you feel as though you’re flying through the clouds (a sensation only enhanced when you step off and see the surrounding view).
Photo: Courtesy of Edge
Currently, the deck’s step seating is designated for visitors to enjoy food and beverages, and face coverings are required for all guests and employees. Reservations should be made in advance, and timed entrances are staggered so guests won’t encounter any crowds. (That’s a rare boon for a popular NYC attraction, especially around the holidays.) Temperature screenings, enhanced cleanings, and social distancing markers are also in place, all implemented in collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System.
For Edge visitors who’d rather stay indoors (or who want to warm up after getting the perfect shot), there are further 360-degree views inside on both the 100th and 101st floors. The upper level also boasts a Champagne bar, so you can toast to Central Park or the East River from high above. Come the holidays, you won’t want to miss the seasonal decor : check Edge’s website for updated information and ticket sales.
There’s no sight quite as powerful as the New York City skyline: just a glimpse is enough to stop even the most jaded local in their tracks. But that same skyline seen from Edge? It might be just the kind of thrill you need to jolt you out of the blur of the past eight months.
Photo: Courtesy of Edge
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