The Tallest Observation Decks In The United States
Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower currently has the tallest observation deck in the US, followed by One World Observatory in New York City. Using heights from Observation Decks USA, this ranking measures the highest public observation level above street level and excludes antennas, spires, and harness-only exterior platforms. That keeps the comparison focused on the highest places people can actually stand, where glass floors and sheer drops make every extra foot feel dramatic.
Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower
The Willis Tower in Chicago's Loop is 108 stories high and has three stories below ground. Its architectural height is 1,451 feet (442.1 meters), excluding the antennas. The tower was completed in 1974, and its Skydeck is on the 103rd floor. The ledge extends 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) from the tower, and its floor is 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) of glass. On a clear day the view reaches across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
The ledge is suspended 1,353 feet (412 meters) in the air, making it the highest observation deck in the US. Glass balconies make up the deck, each capable of supporting up to 10,000 pounds. Giordano's serves pizza at the top, and sunset is a popular time to ride up.
One World Observatory at One World Trade Center
The One World Trade Center skyscraper, in Lower Manhattan, New York, was completed in 2014. The One World Observatory opened to the public in 2015. The deck height is 1,268 feet, and it sits between the 100th and 102nd floors. The views are 360 degrees of New York City, including Midtown, the harbor, New Jersey, and Brooklyn.
The SkyPod Elevator reaches the top of the Trade Center in 47 seconds. The route to the observatory passes through the See Forever Theater, which shows time-lapse images of the city. ONE Dine, on the 101st floor, serves dinner and cocktails afterward.
Empire State Building 102nd Floor Observatory
The Empire State Building is Midtown Manhattan's most famous Art Deco skyscraper. The building was completed in 1931, and it features two observation areas. The 86th-floor deck is located at 1,050 feet (320 meters) above street level. This deck is open-air and instantly recognizable from film and TV. The main 102nd Floor Observatory is enclosed at 1,250 feet (381 meters). A glass elevator connects the 86th floor with the redesigned 102nd-floor space.
The stone walls and small windows were replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass panels that provide 360-degree views. On a clear day the view reaches across six states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware. The 80th Floor Viewing Gallery and the Immersive Museum are also open to ticket holders.
Edge at 30 Hudson Yards
March 2020 saw the opening of Edge on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards on Manhattan's West Side. This sky deck is the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere at an elevation of 1,131 feet (345 meters) above street level. The deck is a 7,500-square-foot cantilevered platform that stretches 80 feet (24.4 meters) into midair from the building's exterior and weighs 765,000 pounds. Seventy-nine glass panels angle outward and weigh 1,200 pounds each. These panels provide panoramic views across New York City and New Jersey. A 225-square-foot glass floor looks straight down 100 stories.
The Eastern Point corner takes one person at a time, enclosed by glass. Several interactive environments fill the indoor levels, including Crystal Cave, Reflections, and Pulse. The floor above features Peak, a fine-dining restaurant and event space.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is in Midtown Manhattan and opened in October 2021 as part of the 1,401-foot (427-meter) skyscraper next to Grand Central Terminal. It is an observatory experience with multiple levels between floors 91 and 93. The main observation areas are located between 1,020 feet (310.9 meters) and 1,063 feet (324 meters) above street level. Snøhetta designed the observatory's interior which features Air, a 65,000-square-foot art installation created by Kenzo Digital. The installation is filled with mirrors, sound, and other reflective surfaces to create an immersive visual environment. Two glass skyboxes project out from the building envelope.
Levitation is 1,063 feet (324 meters) above Madison Avenue, while Ascent travels up the side of the building to a height of 1,210 feet (369 meters). There is also a wrap-around terrace from where the views stretch up to 80 miles (128.7 kilometers). The venue includes Après, where the food and drink are curated by Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group.
360 Chicago
360 Chicago is situated on the 94th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center). This observatory is 1,030 feet (313 meters) above the Magnificent Mile and first opened in 1970. The 12,000-square-foot deck looks out over Lake Michigan and up to four states on a clear day. They are Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
The main attraction at 360 Chicago, TILT, was installed in 2014. This platform is made of glass and steel and rotates eight riders at a time outward over Michigan Avenue at a 30-degree angle. CloudBar shares the floor, pouring Chicago-made beers and spirits alongside snacks.
The STRAT Tower Observation Deck
Located at the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip, the STRAT hotel, Casino & Tower features a 1,149-foot (350-meter) observation tower and opened in 1996. The tower is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the country, and its public observation deck space is 869 feet (265 meters) above ground. It features indoor and outdoor viewing areas on floors 108 and 109.
The indoor level (108) is climate-controlled and offers 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Valley through angled glass windows. This level also houses 108 Eats and 108 Drinks. The level on floor 109 is open-air and offers observation viewfinders. It is also the level for the extreme thrill rides, Big Shot and X-Scream. The SkyJump is one of the most popular attractions, featuring an 829-foot (252.7-meter) decelerator descent down the STRAT Tower.
Taking In The Views From Above
Chicago with its historic skyscrapers, Manhattan's glass platforms, and Las Vegas's desert tower all offer some of the tallest observation decks in the country. And these decks offer more than just unmatched views. Each one adds sensory experiences, art installations, and thrill rides to the view itself.
