By Cleo Vivas-Rojas
A dear couple friend of mine came to visit New York City, and they invited me to join them at The Edge at Hudson Yards. I’d always been curious about it, but for one reason or another, I had never made the trip. Let me tell you — it’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s absolutely worth it.
We picked the perfect day: blue skies, plenty of sunshine, and that signature crisp NYC breeze that only shows up when you’re 1,100 feet above the streets.
Located at 30 Hudson Yards, The Edge is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, soaring 1,131 feet into the sky. It officially opened in March 2020, just days before the world shut down. Designed by William Pedersen of the renowned architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), The Edge feels like a piece of the future suspended in midair over Manhattan.
Walking to the Edge
When we arrived, people were already lining up at the corners for that perfect Instagram moment — and of course, we joined the fun. What caught me off guard was how the glass walls tilt outward, allowing you to step right up to the edge with nothing but angled glass between you and the sky. I didn’t quite lean — I’ll admit — but I stood close enough to feel like I was floating. It was both terrifying and exhilarating.
What makes The Edge unforgettable isn’t just the view — it’s the design. The sky deck juts out from the building at a dramatic angle, creating a sense of weightless wonder. There’s something surreal about standing in the open air, high above the city, leaning into the skyline with only glass holding you back.
A View Like No Other
From up there, you’re treated to 360-degree views that stretch as far as the eye can see. Indoors and out, the scenery is breathtaking: Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River, and so much more. On a clear day like we had, it feels like you can see forever.
A Leap of Faith
And then… the glass floor. A small, triangular section of the deck invites you to look straight down to the streets below. I’ll be honest — I had to hold my friends’ hands to take that first step. But once I did, I felt a wave of awe. It’s a moment you don’t forget.
Why I Love Being a Tourist in My Own City
Sometimes we skip experiences because they feel “too touristy” or we don’t want to seem like we’re doing what everyone else is doing. But I’ve never understood that mindset. I love being a tourist in my own city.
New York is full of surprises, full of stories, full of wonder — if you let it be. And The Edge? It’s one of those rare NYC attractions that truly lives up to the hype.
Whether you’re visiting for a day or have called this city home for years, I highly recommend adding The Edge to your list. Embrace the adventure. Take the leap, and see New York from a whole new angle.
The Edge is located at 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
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Leave a comment — have you been to The Edge or would you dare to lean on the glass?
Travel. Visit. Explore. — Let’s keep discovering one city moment at a time.
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All photos are from Cleo Vivas-Rojas