Top of the Rock vs Empire State Building: pay for one, skip the other
Top of the Rock
14% regretted payingEmpire State Building
2% regretted payingBuy the Empire State Building. 2% regretted it, against 14% at Top of the Rock.
- 2% regretted paying at the Empire State Building (125 reviews). 14% at Top of the Rock (116 reviews).
- The ranges do not overlap: 0.4% to 5.6% against 8.7% to 21.2%. The gap looks real.
- Reviews were posted October 7 to November 3, 2026, so season may move these numbers.
Side by side
| Top of the Rock | Empire State Building | |
|---|---|---|
| Regretted paying | 14% of 116 reviewers Only if | 2% of 125 reviewers Worth it |
| Top complaint | Crowds (14%) | Price (5%) |
| What you see | Central Park and the Empire State in frame | Downtown, but not the Empire State itself |
| When to go (Max's call) | Sunset | Late evening |
| Max's pick (Max's call) | First-timers, photographers | Bucket-list, movie fans |
Facts checked Nov 3, 2026 on official sites.
Why people regret it
- Crowds7.9%
Time entry was pointless it was so overcrowded.
- Price6.6%
Bad expirience so far great view and overpriced a lott.
- Still had to queue4.1%
Massive queue for the Skylift which was booked.
- Booking hassle2.9%
- Weather ruined the view2.9%
Despite the weather, the experience was still worth it.
Share of reviewers who paid and mention each issue. A review can mention several.
And what the 86% who were glad they paid liked: the view (57.7%), the experience (27.8%), the organization (10.0%).
Across both decks, 241 reviews, 7.5% regretted paying. That blended number hides the split. The Empire State Building sits at 2%. Top of the Rock sits at 14%.
Crowds are the top complaint at Top of the Rock, mentioned by 14% of its reviewers, happy ones included. At the Empire State Building the top complaint is price, at 5%. Price grumbles with a great view are a milder problem than a crowded deck. Across both, 58% of reviewers praise the view.
Buy it or skip it
Pay for it if
- You want one deck and the lowest regret odds: Empire State Building.
- You can live with a price complaint more than a crowd complaint.
- You want the skyline view, accepting the Empire State Building itself is not in it.
- You already love Top of the Rock's Central Park view and accept its crowd risk.
Skip it if
- You plan to pay for both decks on a short trip.
- You hate crowds and were leaning toward Top of the Rock.
- You only want a photo with the Empire State Building in it.
If you do it, do it right
The Empire State Building main observatory starts from $46 for an adult (86th Floor General Admission). Top of the Rock starts from $42 for an adult (Timed Admission). Both vary by date and time slot, so compare slots before paying. A booked ticket does not guarantee a short wait: 4% of reviewers mention queuing anyway.
The cheaper way
One deck is enough for most trips. Buy the Empire State Building and skip the other. Top of the Rock is the one with the Empire State Building in its view.
One deck is enough for most trips: buy the side reviewers regretted least and skip the other
Questions people ask
Is Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building better?
By regret, the Empire State Building: 2% regretted paying versus 14% for Top of the Rock. The ranges do not overlap, so the gap is not noise. Top of the Rock can still be fine for you if you accept the crowd risk.
Is the Empire State Building worth it?
Yes, by the reviews. 2% of 125 reviewers regretted paying. The top complaint is price, mentioned by 5% of its reviewers, happy ones included. The view is the main praise across both decks.
Is Top of the Rock worth it?
Only if. 14% of 116 reviewers regretted paying, the higher of the two. Crowds are its top complaint, mentioned by 14% of its reviewers. It can be fine if you pick your slot with care.
Which has the better view, Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building?
Both offer 360-degree views. Top of the Rock shows Central Park to the north and the Empire State Building to the south. The Empire State Building view shows the skyline, but not the building itself.
How much do the tickets cost?
The Empire State Building starts from $46 for an adult (86th Floor General Admission). Top of the Rock starts from $42 for an adult (Timed Admission). Both vary by date and time slot, so check the official sites.
Quote this number
Bloggers and forum mods: embed the live figure. It updates when we refresh the data and links back here.
- How we count
- We collected Google Maps reviews of Top of the Rock and Empire State Building, and kept the 241 written by people who paid for this and said whether it was worth it. Each one is classified as regretted, mixed or glad they paid. Only reviews from Nov 3, 2024 to Nov 3, 2026 count, because prices and policies change. The ones counted here were posted between Oct 7, 2026 and Nov 3, 2026. Complaint percentages are the share of those reviews that mention each issue. Quotes are fragments of up to 12 words; we never republish full reviews. Last refresh Nov 3, 2026. Full methodology.
- How sure we are
- With 241 reviewers, the real figure is between 4.8% and 11.5% (95% confidence).
- What the stamp means
- Worth it: 15% or fewer regretted it. Skip it: 30% or more. In between gets "Only if", and the page tells you who the "if" is.