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Edge New York City Visitors Guide

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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Suspended 100 floors above Manhattan, the Edge is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. The large triangular-shaped outdoor viewing platform sits 80 feet out from the side of the building, offering panoramic views of Manhattan’s skyline, including the iconic Empire State Building, World Trade Center, and Chrysler Building. On clear days, viewers will also be able to spot Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River, and New Jersey. 

In case the 360-degree view around the platform isn’t enough, visitors will also be able to look downwards, thanks to a specially-designed glass floor that offers a heart-pumping view straight down to the street. 

To get to the Edge, visitors will start the experience by winding through an interesting exhibition about the history of the building and the surrounding area, before boarding a specially-designed elevator that smoothly whisks guests up over 1,000 feet in 60 seconds.

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How Much Are Tickets to Edge New York?

Tickets to the Edge start at $36 for adults, $31 for children aged 6-12, and $34 for seniors aged 62 and above. Visiting during peak days and times (such as at sunset) will add an extra $4-$10 on to your ticket.

Where is Edge New York?

The Edge is in New York City’s new Hudson Yards neighborhood. Enter through the indoor shopping mall, The Shops at Hudson Yards and take the elevator to the fourth floor. You’ll see signs for Edge throughout the building.

What to Wear to Edge New York

The Edge features an outdoor sky deck, where the weather can be significantly colder and windier than it is at ground level—so be sure to bring a jacket. 

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When is the Best Time to Visit Edge New York?

Sunset is one of the most beautiful times to visit Edge. It’s also one of the more popular time slots, so be sure to book well in advance in order to get sunset tickets.

If you want to watch the sunset from Edge, plan to buy tickets for an hour before to make sure you have plenty of time to get to the top.

The Edge is open from 9 am – 11 pm daily. 

How High is the Edge New York?

The outdoor sky deck at the edge sits 1,131 feet high.

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The Highest Outdoor Observation Deck in the Western Hemisphere Is Now Open

The “edge” in new york city’s hudson yards real estate development opened to the public on march 11. here’s why it’s worth visiting..

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High above Hudson Yards, Edge offers entirely new views of New York City.

Courtesy of Related-Oxford

The “ Edge ” opened on the 100th floor of the 30 Hudson Yards skyscraper in New York on March 11, 2020, officially making it the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere at 1,131 feet. Here’s what you need to know before you go, including essentials like how to get tickets—and where you can find a glass of champagne up top.

Where is the “Edge” observation deck?

Edge is located on the 100th floor of the tallest building at Hudson Yards. If you haven’t been to New York recently, Hudson Yards is a sleek new neighborhood that was built from the ground up on the west side of Manhattan, just north of Chelsea and south of Hell’s Kitchen. Since the area debuted in early 2019, the city’s first Neiman Marcus department store, a José Andrés–backed Spanish food hall, the debut Equinox Hotel, and a climbable landmark dubbed the Vessel have drawn tourists and locals alike to the complex, which centers around a massive shopping mall.

The entrance to 30 Hudson Yards is located at the corner of 10th Avenue and 33rd Street, where the Edge observation deck can be accessed from the fourth floor of the shopping center via a specially designated set of elevators that will take visitors to the 100th floor in 60 seconds. The closest subway stop is the 34th Street–Hudson Yards train station, on the 7 line.

Remind me, how tall is this observation deck again?

A 1,131 feet, the height of this observation deck isn’t the only thing that makes it unique. Unlike the outdoor observation decks at 30 Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building, which are located on the roofs of those historic buildings, Edge is a triangular wedge that juts out 80 feet from the side of the building, giving it the appearance of being suspended in midair. Made up of 15 sections, the 765,000-pound observation deck is bolted together and attached to the southern and eastern sides of the skyscraper.

Technically, the indoor observatories on the 102nd floors of New York’s One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building are the highest observation decks in New York City at 1,250 feet. Before Edge opened, the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor open-air observatory was the city’s tallest observation deck set outdoors at 1,050 feet. Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock 70th floor observation deck is only 850 feet high.

Currently Dubai’s Burj Khalifa holds the world record for the tallest outdoor observation deck in the entire world at 1,820 feet. The indoor observation deck at the Shanghai Tower in China claims the title of the world’s highest observation deck, overall, at 1,841 feet.

Looking east over Manhattan from Edge

What are the views of NYC like from the top?

The name “Edge” is fairly apropos. If you’re scared of heights, you might need to skip this observation deck or stand way, way back from, well, the edge. The 79 angled glass panels that surround the sky deck offer views straight down to the street level 100 floors below and nearly 360 degrees around you, providing a whole new perspective of New York.

From its location at the far western end of Manhattan at 30th Street, you can see the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building to the east, the World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty to the south, and the Hudson River directly west. To the north, you can see Central Park. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see 80 miles into the surrounding areas of New York State and New Jersey.

Looking for an extra rush of adrenaline? Thrill-seekers can walk across the glass floor built into one part of the observation deck (it is not for the faint of heart). Covering 225 square feet of the 7,500-square-foot observation deck, the glass floor looks directly down to the street below.

The view straight down 100 stories from the glass floor of the observation deck is not for the faint of heart.

Photo by Lyndsey Matthews

How much does it cost to visit the Edge observation deck?

Adult tickets cost $36 when bought in advance online at edgenyc.com and $38 on-site. When purchased in advance, tickets for children ages 6 to 12 are $31 or are $33 on-site (children 5 and under can enter free). Online tickets for New York City residents are reduced to $34 (there are also discounted rates for seniors, groups, and U.S. military members). Overall, tickets for Edge are priced similarly to New York’s other observation decks (tickets start at $35 to enter the One World Observatory and $38 for the Empire State Building).

What else is up there?

Eager tourists can take advantage of the 8 a.m. opening—but we’re most excited that it stays open to midnight seven days a week. While Top of the Rock also stays open until midnight and the Empire State Building stays open until 2 a.m., Edge has a champagne bar to make those late night visits even better. Located inside on the 100th floor, the bar will serve champagne, of course, as well as cocktails and light bites that can be taken outdoors while you wander around the sky deck (if the weather turns windy and chilly, you can still enjoy the views from inside).

A full-service restaurant called Peak serves dinner indoors on the 101st floor, too. (Lunch service begins April 3.) There’s hardly a bad view in the entire dining room, but when you call to make a reservation, try to get the two-top located in southeast corner for the best sightlines. Both venues are operated by London’s Rhubarb Hospitality Group, which also operates Wild Ink , an Asian-inspired restaurant on the fifth floor of the Hudson Yards shopping complex.

This article originally appeared online on October 31, 2019; it was updated on March 11, 2020, to include current information.

>> Next: Plan Your Trip With AFAR’s Guide to New York

Edge In New York – A Complete Guide

Posted on Last updated: 18 March 2024

Categories New York , USA

Suspended in mid air, Edge is the newest observation deck in Manhattan and the highest outdoor deck in the western hemisphere. Here is a complete guide.

Table of Contents

How To Get To Edge

Edge is located in the Hudson Yards neighbourhood on the west side of Midtown Manhattan, which is between 10th and 12th Avenues from West 30th to West 34th Streets.

Entry to Edge is on Hudson Boulevard at The Public Square and Gardens opposite Vessel.

Penn Station is just 2 blocks east, between West 31st and West 33rd Streets and 7th and 8th Avenues.

MTA Subway – A, C, E, 1, 2, and 3

PATH Buses: M4, M5, M6, M7, M34 and Q42

The M34-SBS, M12 & M11 buses also stop nearby.

There is parking at 10 Hudson Yards, Abington House, and One Hudson Yards, which are all along West 30th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues.

For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.

Edge Entrance Fee

As with everything in New York, we recommend booking your Edge Observation Deck Admission Ticket in advance.

Adults: $38

Children (6-12 years): $33

Older citizens (62+ years): $36

Also available, at ascending ticket prices, are Flexi Passes, Champagne Admission, and Premium Admission.

For all tourists visiting New York we recommend purchasing either the New York: Go City Explorer Pass with 95+ Tours & Attractions or the New York CityPASS®: Save 40% at 5 Top Attractions .

These are a great way of saving money when visiting multiple tourist attractions during your stay in New York.

Both include:

• Top Of The Rock
• Empire State Building
• Statue of Liberty
• American Museum of Natural History
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum
• And many more!

Edge Opening Times

Monday – Sunday: 8am to midnight.

The last elevator ride is 50 minutes before closing.

Best Time To Visit Edge

Early morning or late evening are the best times to visit Edge if you want to beat the crowds. Also the warmer months and holidays are busier than the rest of the year.

There is no time limit to how long you can stay at Edge but the average length of stay is about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

If you want to bundle up a day of experiences there’s the Edge & 9/11 Museum Ticket with Liberty Cruise tour.

It can get chilly up on the observation deck so dress appropriately. (There is also an inside viewing deck.)

We visited after a day of exploring Washington Square Park , Chelsea Market and The High Line .

For those amazing sunset shots, make sure you book your sunset slot early as this is a very popular time to visit.

Every visitor to Edge receives a free digital photo which you can upgrade to a personalised photo book if you want to spend some extra money.

What To Pack

Photography Camera

Reusable Water Bottle

Lightweight Rain Jacket

Edge History

Opened in March 2020, Edge is a triangular shaped, observation deck jutting out from the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards, a super tall skyscraper in the west side area of Manhattan.

Hudson Yards is a sleek new neighbourhood that is situated just north of Chelsea and south of Hell’s Kitchen.

Construction of the skyscraper started in October 2014 and was part of the Hudson Yards redevelopment project, a plan to redevelop the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s West Side.

Both the observation deck and the building were designed by New York-based architectural firm Kohn Pederson Fox.

It shot to popularity amongst visitors after going viral on social media and quickly became one of the most Instagrammable places in New York .

What To Expect At Edge

Edge is the highest open air observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.

At 1100 feet high, it’s 50 feet higher that the Empire State Building’s open air observatory.

Situated on the 100th floor of the 30 Hudson Yards building and extending 80 feet off the side of the building, this triangular shaped observation deck with its glass floor is a unique sight to behold.

As well as a glass floor, Edge also has glass panel sides that lean away from the suspended deck making it feel like you are floating in the sky. This really is an astounding piece of architecture.

Standing on this observation deck, you will have amazing, 360 degree views across New York City, from the tip of Central Park to the Statue of Liberty and beyond, making for some awesome photos.

Furthermore, if you are brave enough to look down, you will have thrilling, uninterrupted views straight down to the busy streets of New York City, 100 floors below you!

There’s also a famous glass floor that is extremely popular with tourists. Making this fairly new attraction on of the top things to do in New York .

If you can fight off the crowds then you can lay down and take a selfie with the streets below!

No outside food or drink is allowed on Edge, except for drinking water in clear plastic bottles.

There is however, a Champagne Bar that offers a selection of snacks and beverage options if you fancy a treat!

If you are looking to purchase something to remember your visit, there is a gift shop on Level 4 of The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards and Edge souvenirs are also available on Level 100.

For an even more epic experience you can actually abseil from the highest open-air building ascent in the world.

City Climb allows climbers to scale the outside of a skyscraper more than 1,200 feet above the ground, then lean out and look down from the highest outdoor platform in New York City.

This is can be seen from the viewing platform of Edge if you simply look up!

Overall, Edge is a great place to visit and capture a glimpse of the city that never sleeps.

However, be prepared to queue for the corner photos.

It was very busy when we visited and people are certainly in no rush to move once they begin their photoshoots.

It’s the newest of the viewpoints in New York therefore people are flocking to see what all the fuss is about. Although we certainly preferred Top Of The Rock or One World Observatory .

Next up on the New York itinerary were Grand Bazaar NYC and the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge View .

Where To Stay In New York

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

This Manhattan hotel in Midtown overlooks Central Park and is within walking distance of Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center.

Free cable and a bathrobe are provided in every room at the New York Central Park Ritz-Carlton. All rooms are elegant, with wood furniture and light colors. Many rooms also include a city or park view.

La Prairie Spa at the Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park offers massage and facial services, as well as a sauna. Guests can also work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center.

The 57th street subway station is just 2 blocks away, providing easy access to the city. Radio City Music Hall and the Broadway Theatre District are also both within 1 mile of the hotel.

citizenM New York Times Square

Located right in the heart of Manhattan, this hotel is just 1 minute’s walk from Times Square. It’s also within 5 minutes’ walk of Central Park and Columbus Circle.

A flat-screen TV and a small refrigerator with free water are available in citizenM’s rooms. Bathrooms include Hansgrohe rain showers and oversized bathroom amenities.

With the room iPad, all guests can control room lights, black-out blinds, curtains and temperature. As well as TV and radio channels.

Free high-speed Wi-Fi and express check in are on offer at citizenM New York Times Square.

Three outdoor terraces are provided at the New York Times Square citizenM. They feature a state-of-the-art fitness centre with yoga facilities.

After working out, guests can relax with drinks and sweeping views of the city on the exclusive rooftop bar.

Central Park West Hostel

Located in New York City’s Upper West Side, this hostel is a block from the 86th street underground station and 2 blocks from Central Park. It offers Wi-Fi and staff-organized events.

A shared kitchen, café area, and spacious lounge with a flat-screen TV are part of the facilities at the FIT Hotel. Lockers are also provided in the dormitory rooms and luggage storage is available.

The front desk of this New York City hostel is open 24 hours a day. It features daily housekeeping and free linens.

Times Square is only 10 minutes via underground journey.

For more places to stay in New York, you can check the latest prices on Booking.c om .

Planning Your Trip

Book your flight.

Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight.

They search websites and airlines around the globe to find you the best possible routes and prices.

Book Your Accommodation

Use Booking.com to find the best accommodation deals.

They consistently return the cheapest rates on everything from guesthouses to hotels for all of your budget needs.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Use SafetyWing to find the best travel insurance for you.

They provide travel and medical incident insurance built specifically for digital nomads.

Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations.

Book Your Tours & Activities

Use GetYourGuide to book your activities in advance.

They sell the best tours, excursions and activities to attractions around the world.

Conveniently book, download and access your tickets on the move all from your mobile.

Book Your Rental Car

Use RentalCars.com to find the best deals on rental cars in the area.

They compare all major car rental companies and allow you to easily book the perfect vehicle for your trip.

Buy Those Last Minute Bits

Use Amazon to buy everything you need for your adventure.

They offer next day delivery and you can use my travel packing checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

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Edge – Visiting A Great New York City Observation Deck

By: Author Kenny

Posted on Last updated: December 15, 2023

In this post we discuss everything you need to know about visiting Edge, an observation deck with great views of New York City in the Hudson Yards neighborhood. We’ll start with the basics of visiting before discussing our visit and whether or not we feel Edge is worth the price.

Basics of Visiting Edge Observation Deck

Where is edge located in new york city.

Edge is located on the 100th and 101st floors of 30 Hudson Yards , a skyscraper in the new Hudson Yards development in Manhattan’s West Side.

The easiest way to get to Edge is generally going to be to take the 7 train to its terminus at 34 Street-Hudson Yards . This station sits under Bella Abzug Park. Exiting the station, you can look for the very distinct Vessel structure, from which 30 Hudson Yards is located right across the street. (Note: Vessel is closed as of this update. If it reopened, it would be a good activity to pair with Edge.)

The entrance to Edge is located on the fourth floor of 30 Hudson Yards. The “Beyond the Edge” gift shop is also on that floor, and once you find the store the ticket counter and entrance to Edge are right next to it.

How much are tickets for Edge?

As of this update, tickets for Edge start at $38 for adults ($33 child, $36 senior). Peak dates come at a premium of $4, and sunset comes at a premium of $10. So an adult seeing sunset on a peak date will pay $52 plus tax for the ticket.

Standard tickets come with a specific hour for you to enter. There is also a Flex Pass ticket for about $20 more than the standard ticket. Flex Pass allows you to book a full day and enter once anytime during that day. This ticket is probably most useful if sunset times are fully booked.

There are champagne and premium (champagne+photo package) options. The standard tickets also have various add ons available, but we’re not going into those.

Where can I buy Edge tickets?

You can buy Edge tickets online or at various spots in 30 Hudson Yards, including right at the entrance to Edge. We strongly recommend buying online. Times can get fully booked, and sunset in particular regularly gets fully booked. Tickets also cost $2 more onsite.

Are reservations required for Edge?

When you buy your tickets for Edge you’ll pick an hour time slot during which you can enter. The more expensive Flex Pass tickets require you only to pick a day. Then you can enter once anytime on that date.

Is Edge a part of CityPass New York?

Edge is not a part of the standard New York CityPass, but it is a part of the alternative C3 pass option .

Making a visit to New York City? Start planning your trip with our New York City Three Day Itinerary!

How long do you need to visit Edge?

Since there can be waits to ride the elevators, I’d recommend budgeting at least an hour for your visit. We spent about 90 minutes from arriving at the building to exiting with no lines at all, including a break for a snack and a lot of time corralling Zoe in the store. Two hours is probably going to be more than enough for most everyone, but if you are big into photography / instagram, want to have a leisurely drink / snack, and don’t want lines to ruin your plans, then plan for 2.5 to 3 hours.

What is City Climb?

City Climb is an attraction at Edge where guests are secured in climbing gear and get to walk to the nearly very top of the building and lean out over the city. We won’t be covering it in this post.

What happens to Edge in bad weather?

Edge’s outdoor observation deck can close in bad weather. Personally, since the outdoor deck is an essential part of the visit, I’d be very cautious about planning a visit too far in advance.

If you’re planning a trip and have some flexibility, I’d recommend keeping an eye on availability on the website. If lots of times remain open, then you might want to wait until your trip to book the day with the clearest skies.

Our Visit to Edge Observation Deck

I booked a visit for Zoe and me to Edge in the morning the day I wanted to visit. The skies weren’t perfectly clear, but with no rain at all in the forecast, it seemed like a good day.

The online booking interface was totally intuitive. Since Zoe is under 6 years old they didn’t require a ticket. For a single adult admission I paid $45.73 after tax (this was a peak day). I immediately received an email with the scannable barcode.

We took the 7 train to 34 Street-Hudson Yards, exiting into Bella Abzug Park and immediately heading toward Vessel. Zoe enjoyed the rather standard fountains in the park more than any other part of the experience (except maybe the train).

There’s a door specifically marked as an entrance for Edge along Hudson Blvd, opposite Vessel, with the address “20 Hudson Yards.” This entrance (actually only the exit door was unlocked) leads to a set of express elevators to the fourth floor. There are also some ticket kiosks outside the elevator. Any entrance / elevator that gets you to the fourth floor is going to be fine, though.

The store is the most prominent part of Edge on the fourth floor, but the ticket desk and entrance is right next to it.

There was no line when I arrived in the middle of my hour-long window, so I scanned right in. As you walk to the elevator that takes you to the 100th floor, you’ll pass by some pretty cool displays about the engineering involved in the Hudson Yards project.

The elevator ride to the top is about a minute trip. The sides of the elevator are all screens, and as you go up the city is drawn around you. It’s a pretty fun effect.

Edge itself takes up two floors. The first floor is where the outdoor sky deck and store are located. The second floor houses a small cafe.  Scattered throughout both floors are a few bars (including one outside).

The second floor also has a restaurant, Peak. You’ll need a reservation to dine at Peak, but guests with a dining reservation at Peak get complimentary access to Edge. (Note this applies  only to the restaurant, not the lounge.)

Visiting New York City for the holiday season? Consider a NYC Christmas Cruise or swing by the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show!

While you can walk around both the first and second floor to take in the views, the highlight of the experience is overwhelmingly the outdoor viewing deck.

The interior is pretty barebones. There’s a store, the cafe, and some bars, but you won’t find things like interactive / informative exhibits. Part of me thinks that stuff is gimmicky anyways. But when you visit something like Edge you want to take time to savor it with multiple visits to the outdoor deck over the course of, say, an hour. Stopping for a bite or a drink is one way to pass some time between outdoor visits, but interactive exhibits can be good, too.

We headed right outside when we arrived. There are two dominant views from outside. The view toward downtown includes Chelsea Piers, One World Trade Center and, way small in the distance,  the Statue of Liberty. I wished I had brought binoculars, which would have made this a really excellent view.

The view east/northeast contains…pretty much everything else you want to see.

The skies were a little hazy during my visit. Unfortunately that’s just the level of cloud cover that’s basically unavoidable unless you wait for the perfect time to visit.

What struck me most about the view was how close the Empire State Building was. It doesn’t come through well in the photos, but it was pretty cool to see this icon pretty close from nearly the same height as its peak.

Since the observation deck is actually extended from the building itself, there is a spot where you can stand and look directly down onto the streets beneath you.

One popular photo spot was this (below) triangular portion of the roof. People would stand in there and have people inside the building take photos of them. I’d recommend heading to Edge’s instagram account to get an idea of these and other photos.

There’s an outdoor set of steps that you can sit on that lead up to the second floor cafe.

Zoe and I sat and had a snack on the second floor. The cafe had iced coffee ($5) and a view toward the north, which made for a nice break.

Afterward we spent some time in the store. There was a decent selection of Edge merchandise…

…but I guess the biggest thing I learned today was that Hudson Yards is really into Hudson Yards because there was even more Hudson Yards merchandise.

After another visit outside (to take more of the same pictures), we headed home. Overall, we spent 70 minutes at Edge. I felt like this was more than enough time, though if you were more into photography / instagram, or if you spent more time on a snack / lunch you could fill 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Conversely, you could probably be up and down in 30 minutes. Like I said, you’re really there for the outdoor deck and the store, and that combination can be handled quickly if you’re on a schedule.

Is Edge observation deck worth it?

Edge offers fantastic views of New York City from an outdoor deck. Weather permitting, it is definitely worth its cost. Weather is a tricky part. I don’t think Edge would be worth it in bad weather if the deck was closed. Very similar views can be found inside, particularly on the second floor, but the overall experience wouldn’t be the same.

That issue aside, while I had hoped for a little more interactivity at Edge, the experience didn’t disappoint. It was beautiful to be outside and take in a great view of the city featuring several famed skyscrapers. The view downtown and of Chelsea Piers was a nice bonus, and binoculars would have really made it something special.

Guide To Visiting Edge At Hudson Yards In NYC

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: May 3, 2021

The Edge is one of New York City’s newest observation decks found on the 100th floor of Hudson Yards in Midtown Manhattan. It features an outdoor viewing platform and a chance for thrill seekers to climb more than 1,200 ft above the ground. This observation deck is open everyday with tickets starting at $36 for adults.

In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know for visiting the Edge observatory including tips we learned during our trip.

Our NYC Experience

Kristen is a  New York state native  and  we lived in NYC for a few months in 2021 . We chose to move to the city so we could create the best possible content because you can’t just visit New York City for a weekend and claim to be an expert. Read more  about us .

While we no longer live here, we still travel to the city every year because it’s one of the  best places to travel in the USA .  We’ve visited the Edge multiple times over the years . This is one of the newer decks in the city and our second favorite observation deck in New York.

What Is Edge?

Edge is the highest outdoor sky deck in the western hemisphere and the only one in New York City. Opened to the public on March 11th, 2020, this observatory sits 1,131 ft (345m) above the Manhattan skyline inside Hudson Yards.

This is one of the newer and more modern observation decks in NYC featuring sweeping views of both Midtown and Lower Manhattan. It’s a unique experience because the viewing platform seems to be suspended in mid-air so you’ll feel as if you’re floating among the clouds .

The main attraction is located on the 100th floor, but visitors can also visit the 101st floor or push the limits even further with Edge City Climb . In this experience, you’ll climb a staircase more than 1,200 ft to the crown of Hudson Yards so you can lean out over the edge (pun intended).

Dominating the western Manhattan skyline, the Edge sky deck is located inside of 30 Hudson Yards between W 30th and 33rd Streets on 10th Avenue. It’s open everyday from 10:00am to 9:00pm.

The easiest entrance to find is on Hudson Boulevard at The Public Square and Gardens . This is opposite the Vessel. Enter the Shops at Hudson Yards and head to the 4th floor in order to reach the main entrance for the observation deck.

• Address : 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
• Location : Google Maps

You can get to the Edge in many different ways including subway, bus, train, ferry and car.

• Nearest subway : Take the train to 34th street and the 7 is the main line to Hudson Yards (lines A, C, E, 1, 2, and 3).
• Bus : M34-SBS, M12, and M11 all stop near Hudson Yards.
• Train : Penn Station is two blocks east between West 31st and West 33rd Streets and 7th and 8th Avenues. Use Amtrak, LIRR, New Jersey Transit or PATH.
• Ferry : Use the Midtown terminal at West 39th Street and the West Side Highway.

If you’re visiting with a car, there are multiple parking garages nearby but rates, availability and space may vary. You can also try Uber, Lyft or taxi but this might not be the most cost effective option.

Travel Tip : You can also walk the High Line to visit Edge. We did this and enjoyed the walk. Begin at the corner of Gansevoort St and Washington St in the Meatpacking District. You’ll end at the Vessel and Hudson Yards.

The Edge Tickets

You’ll need a ticket to visit Edge in NYC. There are  three main ticket options  with day, sunset and evening price categories. Ticket prices fluctuate by a few dollars throughout the day due to supply and demand with dynamic pricing and it will cost  $10 more to visit at sunset .

The general admission ticket gives you access to the 100th and 101st floors . You’ll also receive a free digital souvenir photo , but you’ll have to select a date and time to visit at time of purchase.

Here are the three ticket options explained in detail:

• General Admission – Online tickets begin at $36 for adults and $31 for children (ages 6-12).
• Flex Pass – General Admission + Flexible arrival. Online tickets begin at $54 for adults and $49 for children (ages 6-12).
• Express Admission – General Admission + Flexible arrival + Priority elevator access and lanes. Online tickets begin at $81 for adults and $76 for children (ages 6-12).

The Annual Pass is a great option for local New Yorkers because you can come all year long at any time. It costs $99 per year and we wish this was available when we lived in the city!

City Climb is an additional add on with a hefty price of $185 per person . But it includes access to the observation deck and the chance to scale one of the tallest sky scrappers in New York. We discuss more about this later in our guide.

Travel Tip : Play around with the times for the best price. At the time of writing, a Friday visit at 10:00am, cost $37.00, 12:00pm cost $38.00, 4:00pm cost $49.00 and 8:00pm cost $37.00. A Saturday visit almost always cost more no matter what time of day you visit.

Where To Purchase Tickets

There are many ways to purchase Edge observation deck tickets. You can buy directly from the official website here or onsite at 30 Hudson Yards . You can also purchase an entry ticket through:

• Get Your Guide

Travel Tip : If you book with the official website, you’ll pay an additional $3.64 tax. However, this is the only NY observation deck that doesn’t charge an extra processing fee. Click on the orange links to compare prices and reviews to see if you can beat it.

If you plan to visit several of New York City’s top attractions, we recommend purchasing an attraction pass . This will give you instant access to the most iconic museums, landmarks and observation decks at a discounted price.

Having used all of the NYC attraction passes ourselves when we lived here, we recommend the NY Sightseeing Pass because it’s extremely easy to use while offering both flexibility and big savings.

Edge at Hudson Yards is included with the NY Sightseeing Pass and we have an exclusive 5-10% discount just for our readers.

Want To Save Money In NYC?

Use the button below to claim 5-10% off any NY Sightseeing Pass.

You can also read our detailed NY attraction pass comparison to help you decide which New York pass you should purchase for your visit.

The Edge Walkthrough

At Edge, you’ll experience two observation decks. The outdoor viewing platform on the 100th floor and the indoor space on the 101st floor. Similar to Top of the Rock , this is not a one-way system so you can go between both levels as many times as you wish.

If you have a sunset ticket, you might want to think about where you want to watch the sun fall over Manhattan. We personally like the skyline steps , but there are a few other options.

In this next section, we’re going to give you a detailed walkthrough including the  best things to do at Edge  and exactly what you can expect.

1. Biodiversity Exhibit

Once you show your timed entry ticket or flexible ticket, you’ll be lead through security for quick bag check. We’ve never waited more than 15 minutes in this line because we avoided the peak season of summer. If this is when you plan to visit, the lines might be long so plan for extra time .

After security, you’ll be lead through a series of small exhibits. These don’t take long to see, but we do think they are worth your time. Most of the exhibits focus on energy and sustainability . There are some truly interesting infographics about green energy, how the building works and what happens with waste below ground.

2. Light Display

After making your way through the exhibits, you’ll walk through a hallway filled with cylindrical tubes putting on a dazzling display of lights, colors and patterns. It’s one of the stranger yet exciting displays.

Many people walk right through, but if you can time your shot well, this would be a great photo opportunity . But it’s dark so you’ll need to bump the ISO higher on your camera or use your phone.

3. Elevator Ride

Compared to other observatories in New York, the elevator at Edge is slightly better than average . It will transport you from the 4th to the 100th floor in 52 seconds. As the elevator climbs, you can watch a video showcasing the Hudson Yards exterior.

It feels as though you’re floating up into the sky and as you approach the 100th floor, the elevator speed changes slightly to give the effect that you’re floating and then landing on solid ground.

Need help organizing your visit to NYC? Our popular 50+ page New York City Guidebook can help you with planning every aspect of your trip.

4. 100th Floor

Once you make your way out of the elevator, you’ll arrive on the 100th floor. Most visitors make a beeline for the outdoor viewing platform . It offers an impressive view from the banks of the Hudson River across all of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty , New Jersey and even Central Park.

To the left, you’ll be able to see the Empire State Building from the Edge sky deck but the view is not as good as the view of this iconic building from Top of the Rock.

However, the views of Lower Manhattan are absolutely stunning here and you’ll struggle to find a similar view anywhere else in New York . You’ll be able to look directly down the Hudson River to One World Observatory and all of Manhattan. At sunset, all of the buildings illuminate and it’s pure magic .

Further Reading : What to do on a Central Park snow day

5. Eastern Point

As you take in the views from the sky deck, one of the most popular photo spots is against the famous frameless glass panels on the eastern section. There will probably be a very long line so you’ll know exactly where to go.

We think the Eastern Point is the most sought after photo location because visitors are completely surrounded by glass. At this spot, the angled walls come to a point and there is only enough space for one to two people.

6. Skyline Steps

Another great place to take in the views is the skyline steps because you can see the Manhattan skyline without the glass panels obstructing your sight . This is our favorite spot for sunset because you can see all of Manhattan as the sun sets directly behind it.

When we first visited in 2021, you had to purchase a snack or some champagne to sit on these steps. But now you can sit on this amphitheater style seating area for free . We think this is a much better use of the space and it’s also a great spot for people watching.

Photography Tip : There is a great photo opportunity for the Empire State Building from the skyline steps. Position yourself halfway down the stairs where the glass panels align. This will give you a clear line of sight with no glass panels to obstruct your view.

7. Glass Floor

Another major highlight is the glass triangular section of the floor. You’ll be able to see 100 floors down directly to the streets of Manhattan and it’s certainly not for the faint hearted.

Located near the Eastern Point, you’ll see people lying down or standing up to get a fun angle for their photo on the glass floor. If you have a fear of heights , you may want to skip this area . We could only spend a few seconds on this window before our stomachs got the best of us.

8. 101st Floor

If you need a break from the elements or you want to explore further, head inside towards the staircase near the elevators. This will take you to the 101st floor where you can find the Champagne Bar and Peak , a restaurant, bar and popular event space. If you want to eat here, you’ll need to reserve a table .

We like this floor because it has large floor to ceiling windows where you can see additional views of New York City. The outdoor platform is better, but if you’re visiting New York in winter , this is a good place to warm up.

9. Champagne Bar

In addition to Peak, you can also get a small snack or a fancy cocktail at the Champagne Bar. The location for this bar may differ due to inclement weather or planned events.

We also think the prices are a little too steep and we recommend you eat before you visit unless you have a reservation at the restaurant.

10. City Climb

Opened on November 9th, 2021, this experience suspends visitors 1,200 ft above the streets of Manhattan . After meeting your guide, you’ll strap in and climb the rail which will keep you safely attached to the side of building in a double clipped harness.

At the top, you can lean out to feel like the highest person in New York. This has become a popular activity in city and it will cost $185/person. However, there are no additional costs associated with times of the day unlike the general admission tickets.

Each visitor must meet the following restrictions in order to participate:

• Height : 4.9ft – 6.7ft
• Max Weigh t: 310 lbs (140kg, 22 stone)
• Not under the influence of alcohol
• No cameras are allowed and all photos will be taken by City Climb Staff

Travel Tip : We have not personally experienced City Climb because we couldn’t justify the price and we didn’t like that we couldn’t take our own photos. But if this is a once in a lifetime New York trip, you might want to consider this activity.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Edge in New York is about one hour before sunset . This is the perfect time of day because you’ll be able to see the skyline in the daytime, while the sun sets and at night. Golden hour also  offers the softest light  which will be easier on your eyes.

However, this is also the most expensive and busiest time of day to visit. If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend you visit early in the morning or after the sun has set.  There is no limit to how long you can stay at the observation deck  so use this to your advantage.

We’ve visited Edge in the morning right at 10:00am, during sunset and at night. The morning and night times had less visitors which made for a better experience. If you visit mid-day, the sun will be high in the sky at its strongest which doesn’t make for good photos so we avoided this time.

There is something in the air at Edge because even though we’ve visited all of the observation decks in the city multiple times, this is the only one where we’ve seen numerous marriage proposals . We think this is the most romantic observatory and sunset is certainly the best times for couples.

Travel Tip : Stay until the sun has completely set. Everyone will disperse within a matter of minutes right after the sun goes down. But you’ll be able to take in the beautiful colors of the sky with minimal crowds. This will also avoid the mad dash to the elevator so you’ll avoid the long lines too.

Tips For Visiting

We’ve covered everything you need to know in this guide, but here are a few important tips:

• Purchase your tickets in advance  – Visiting at sunset means you’ll have to purchase tickets online well in advance to secure your time slot. If you can’t get a sunset ticket, book a time slot slightly ahead of sunset and wait.
• Bad weather – If visibility is bad, the Sky Assurance Weather Guarantee allows you to rebook tickets for a new date.
• Prices vary – Edge uses dynamic prices based off demand. Play around with the times to secure the best deal.
• Bring a jacket – This is an outdoor viewing platform so if you visit in the colder months, you’ll need a jacket to stay comfortable.
• Don’t expect a good hair day – Because you’re suspended 100 floors in the air on an open platform, it can be very windy. Bring a hat or wear your long hair up to avoid the wind.
• Take a yoga class – This is a 45 minutes yoga class on the outdoor sky deck beginning at 6:30am. Tickets cost $70 and can be booked here .
• How to get the best photos – Use a polarizing filter to reduce or remove glare and don’t use flash. You can take photos between the glass walls, but it will take a little maneuvering. Clean the window prior to shooting by wiping off any smudge marks and shoot as straight as possible.
• No tripods allowed – You’ll have to get creative when finding a solid platform for your long exposures if you stay to take photos at night.

Travel Tip : The average visit lasts about 45 minutes so this is observation deck can be visited in under one hour if you’re short on time.

Pros And Cons

We personally enjoyed our visit to this observation deck, but there were a few negatives to visiting too. Here are a few pros and cons to help sway your decision:

• Highest outdoor sky deck in New York and the western hemisphere
• The view is beautiful especially at sunset
• The entire experience felt clean, finessed and polished
• Most interesting and unique design with both indoor and outdoor viewing platforms
• Sweeping views of Midtown and Lower Manhattan along with the Hudson River and New Jersey
• One of the most Instagrammable and best observation decks for photography
• It’s possible to get unobstructed photos without glass panels on the staircase steps
• One of the cheaper observation decks in the city
• City climb offers the highest outdoor point you can visit in NYC
• Crowds will be a common source of frustration, particularly when trying to get the highly sought after photo in the eastern point
• Snacks, champagne and other cocktails are overpriced for what you get
• Timed entry tickets for sunset tickets can sell out extremely quickly
• Many landmarks are partially obstructed or far away like the Empire State Building which is not in direct line of sight from Edge
• The glass panels on the deck can severely limit image quality if you’re going for that perfect instagram photo

In Conclusion

We like this observation deck because it’s sleek, modern, elegant and offers a unique panoramic perspective over the NYC skyline . Between the outdoor viewing platform and the City Climb, this is truly a unique experience.

So is the Edge at Hudson Yards worth it ?

Yes, Edge is worth it because this is the highest outdoor sky deck in New York. According to  TripAdvisor , the observatory is consistently rated a 3.5/5.0 with various reviews. We don’t agree with this rating and think it deserves a higher rating around a 4.5.

One of the best parts about visiting Edge is the Hudson River and Lower Manhattan view. We like being able to watch the sunset over Manhattan, the Empire State Building and One World Observatory. At night, this is one of the best places to see the city come alive .

This is our second favorite observation deck in the city, but one of the biggest complaints is the large crowds because the outdoor viewing platform is not that big. If you’re visiting in summer, it will be extremely busy and this might not be your best choice.

Another thing to note is the outdoor sky deck may close in bad weather such as high winds and thunderstorms. The Sky Assurance Weather Guarantee allows you to rebook for another date, but this might hurt your New York itinerary.

Edge At Hudson Yards Photos

We took many photos at this observation deck because it was such an amazing experience. Here are a few of our favorite images to inspire your visit:

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Want more New York content? Head over to our New York Travel Guides to explore the Finger Lakes, Adirondacks and the best of NYC.

We hope this guide to the Edge Observatory helps with planning your visit to New York’s highest outdoor sky deck!

Please let us know if you have any questions about this observation deck or New York City in the comments below.

Happy Summiting ,

Mark and Kristen

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All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

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Edge: New York’s Highest Outdoor Deck Opens to the Public

Today Edge, the New York’s highest outdoor sky deck, officially opened to the public offering unparalleled 360-degree views of the iconic city skyline. Beginning at 1:00 PM, the first ticketed visitors stepped out onto Edge’s outdoor viewing area featuring a thrilling glass-floor, angled glass walls, and outdoor skyline steps from the 100th to 101st floors of 30 Hudson Yards. Visitors also experienced the immersive, multi-room ‘Journey to Edge’ show telling the history of New York City’s newest neighborhood from construction over an active rail yard to sustainability achievements and more. To mark the opening, Edge has also launched a nightly light show designed by L’Observatoire International which will run from sunset to midnight daily through 4 April.

“The overwhelming public response to Hudson Yards over the past year – making us part of everything from their morning coffee run to a place to celebrate special occasions – has been incredibly humbling. With the opening Edge, one of the final pieces of the first phase of Hudson Yards, it was important to us to extend an invitation not only to the world to experience our great city from new heights, but also to New Yorkers who have made us part of the City’s cultural fabric. We are proud to ensure Edge is accessible to New York Public School students which we hope will inspire the next generation of New Yorkers to fall even more in love with this great city,” said Stephen Ross, Chairman of Related Companies.

“Our goal at Oxford is to connect people to exceptional places, and Edge is another incredible attraction that Hudson Yards has to offer New Yorkers and visitors from across the globe. It’s truly one of the best views of one of the best cities in the world, and we’re excited for everyone to experience it first hand,” added Michael Turner, President of Oxford Properties.

Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) and extending out 80 feet from the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards, Edge redefines the New York skyline. Its monumental triangular form completes the tower’s architectural dialogue with the city. A marvel of modern engineering and structural design, the 765,000-pound observation deck is comprised of 15 sections, each weighing between 35,000 and 100,000 pounds, bolted together and anchored to the east and south sides of the building. The 7,500-square-foot outdoor viewing area is surrounded by 79 glass panels, each weighing 1,400 pounds, manufactured in Germany and finished in Italy. Interiors of Edge and Peak were designed by Rockwell Group while the ‘Journey to Edge’ was created by the firm’s experience design studio, LAB at Rockwell Group.

“The Edge observation deck is the most dramatic in a series of gestures which link KPF’s buildings, in the Hudson Yards development, to the principal surrounding structures of the city,” said William Pedersen, KPF Founding and Design Principal. “Gesturing directly towards the Empire State Building, and higher than its observation deck, Edge pays homage to its role as the most emblematic of all New York buildings.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of this incredible project. Edge takes visitors on an experiential journey starting from the dedicated queuing area, all the way up to the breathtaking reveal of the 360-degree city view,” said Melissa Hoffman, Principal and Studio Leader, LAB at Rockwell Group.

Edge is now open seven days a week year-round from 8:00 AM to midnight. General admission adult tickets are $36 purchased online and $38 purchased on-site. Child tickets are $31 purchased online and $33 on-site. New York City residents can buy adult tickets online for $34. Special rates available for seniors, active and retired members of the U.S. military and groups. Tickets to Edge are available now at http://www.edgenyc.com

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25 Ways to Celebrate the Year End Holidays in New York City

From the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—which officially kicks off the holiday season—to the Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center and the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square, New York City offers unparalleled experiences for visitors and locals alike. NYC hosts classic and surprising ways to celebrate the holidays with vibrant performances, tours, lightings and more taking place from early November into January. These include the awe-inspiring window displays at stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s Herald Square and the new Nordstrom Women’s Store, and the return of the NYC Winter Lantern Festival in Staten. Following are 25 things to see and do across the boroughs this holiday season in New York City.  Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes  November 8–January 5 Midtown, Manhattan  The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes returns to Radio City Music Hall, dazzling audiences of all ages. The production sparkles with incredible costumes, festive songs and the iconic synchronized high kicks.  The Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural  History November 25–January 12 Upper West Side, Manhattan  One of New York’s beloved traditions includes a 13-foot tree and 1,000 origami models. Hosted at the American Museum of Natural History, the  signature Origami Holiday Tree has been an annual tradition for over 40 years. Volunteers, including local, national and international origami artists, fold year-round. Each year, the tree features a different theme relating to special exhibitions or collections at the museum.  NYC Winter Lantern Festival November 20–January 12 Randall Manor, Staten Island  The NYC Winter Lantern Festival is returning for a second year to Staten Island. Sponsored by Empire Outlets and venue partner Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, eight acres at Snug Harbor will be lit up by more than 50 LED installations. The LED lanterns will be accompanied by live performances of traditional Chinese dance and art.  Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo  November 21–January 5 Fordham, the Bronx  Returning for the first time since 2007, the stunning light displays at the Bronx Zoo will cover several acres in a walk-through experience with wildlife-themed LED displays, custom Asian lanterns and animated light shows on Astor Court. Entertainment will include holiday-themed music, performances, ice carving, train rides, seasonal treats and souvenirs.  New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show  November 23–January 26 Fordham, the Bronx  Head to the New York Botanical Garden to be enchanted by model trains zipping through a display of more than 175 New York landmarks, each re-created with bark, leaves and other natural materials. The New York Botanical Garden is conveniently accessible via the Metro-North Railroad from Grand Central Terminal.  Gingerbread Lane at New York Hall of Science  November 23–January 13 Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens  Holding the record for the largest gingerbread village, Gingerbread Lane at the New York Hall of Science is back and more edible than ever. Visitors are invited to witness the vast collection of gingerbread structures which are embellished with candy canes, chocolate and frosting.  Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade  November 28 Manhattan  The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is

As cops beef up patrols after Central Park robbery spree, visitors still on edge; taking precautions

A major uptick of muggings in Central Park — including three violent robberies within a 27-hour span — has left parkgoers on edge, wondering if they will be targeted next, visitors to the iconic greenspace said Saturday.

In response to the recent robberies, the NYPD said Saturday that it has stepped up patrols in the park. But visitors were still wary.

“It’s a little unnerving,” Upper West Side resident Deborah Moralez said about the jump in robberies as she entered the park at 97th St. on a balmy, sun-dappled Saturday afternoon. “I’m a little blown away by it actually.”

Moralez, 69, enjoys taking walks through Central Park on the weekends. Normally, she feels “fairly safe,” she said, but the recent robberies have given her pause.

“It’s very unsettling, but it’s not going to stop me from coming into the park,” she said defiantly.

Cops have seen a fivefold jump in robberies in Central Park this year, from three last year to 15 as of last Sunday.

That number doesn’t include the three that happened within 27 hours beginning Thursday night, when a mugger punched and threatened to rape a 28-year-old woman inside the park at W. 97th St. , right where Moralez entered Saturday.

The woman was walking through the park about 7:15 p.m. when her attacker grabbed her from behind, cops said. He demanded her phone and wallet, then said he wanted to have sex with her before he punched her, cops said.

The victim purposely fell to the ground and curled up, tucking her bag against her body to stop the thief from grabbing it or trying to take off her clothes, cops said. The thief ran off with the woman’s phone, and she was not seriously harmed.

At 6:15 a.m. on Friday, three young men with a handgun robbed a 42-year-old man who was taking photos of the Pond near E. 59th St. and East Drive. One of the thieves put a gun to the victim’s head while his two accomplices repeatedly punched him in the face and knocked him to the ground before making off with his cell phone and wallet.

The mayhem continued about 9:40 p.m. Friday night when a crew of teenage muggers tried to hold up a 25-year-old man near E. 109th St. and East Drive, cops said. The robbers demanded his phone, but the victim charged at them, sending them running off.

As he brazenly chased after the muggers, the victim tripped and injured his finger, cops said. It was only then that he realized one of the muggers was holding a gun.

No arrests have been made in any of the three cases.

Parkgoers said they are as cautious as possible when walking through Central Park .

“I don’t listen to music. I do try to be aware of my surroundings. I avoid areas where it looks like there’s not a lot of people around,” Sonya Kim, 34, told the Daily News. “I avoid nighttime, but otherwise I don’t have any other rules. I haven’t really felt unsafe.”

Leland Hale, 29, enjoys coming to Central Park near E. 59th St. and East Drive to practice his cello on the weekends. He was surprised the robberies had occurred in such heavily traveled parts of the park.

“At 6 o’clock in the morning this time of the year the sun’s out,” he said. “It’s very concerning. This area specifically. It’s more public than most of the park. You’ve got to go a little bit deeper into the park to get a little seclusion.

“I’ve got a wife. I’ve got kids at home,” he said, thinking about what he would do if he crossed paths with a mugger in the park. “If they want to take my phone, fine. I can get a new phone. None of that’s more important than making sure I make it home alive.”

Kim believes that when it comes to safety, Central Park is just like the rest of the city — and she’s not planning on leaving the Big Apple anytime soon.

“I don’t think I would avoid the park because of [the robberies],” she said. “I just feel like these incidents, you never know when it’s going to happen.”

And, despite the recent uptick in robberies, Central Park is still “one of the best places on Earth,” parkgoer Susan Cushing, 55, added.

“I don’t think it’s changed drastically,” she said. “I feel like it’s patrolled enough. If you need a policeman, you can find one.”

©2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Trump criminal trial wraps for the day after opening statements and first witness

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell in the courthouse

Key takeaways from opening statements and the first witness in Trump's hush money trial

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Prosecutors and Trump’s attorneys delivered opening statements and the first witness — a former National Enquirer publisher — was called Monday in the historic and unprecedented criminal trial of a former president.

Each side got their first chance to lay out a theory of the case for jurors. Prosecutors told jurors that the reimbursement of hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels was part of a larger conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election.

The former president’s attorneys responded by telling the jury that Trump was innocent and not involved in the creation of the 34 business records he’s charged with falsifying. They also pointedly added that there’s “nothing wrong with trying to influence an election.”

Here are key takeaways from Monday:

• Prosecutors say Trump schemed "to corrupt the 2016 presidential election": The district attorney’s office framed the case for jurors as illegal payments to try to influence illicitly influence the 2016 election that Trump then tried to illegally cover up by falsifying business records. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo walked the jury through Trump’s efforts, along with Michael Cohen and former American Media Inc., chief David Pecker, to keep damaging information from coming to light during the 2016 election.
• Defense says Donald Trump is innocent: Defense attorney Todd Blanche began his opening statement with a simple assertion: “Donald Trump is innocent.” Blanche told the jury that the story isn’t as simple as prosecutors laid out and argued that Trump was not involved with any of the business records he’s accused of falsifying beyond signing the checks. Blanche didn’t dispute the paper trail existed, but he argued to the jury there was nothing illegal about signing non-disclosure agreements — or trying to influence an election.
• Tabloid publisher testifies first: Prosecutors called former AMI CEO David Pecker as the first witness in their case against Trump. He testified for less than 30 minutes Monday morning before the trial adjourned for the day. He’s expected to continue testifying Tuesday. Colangelo teed up the former tabloid publisher as a key player in Trump’s “catch and kill” scheme to control the public narrative about him ahead of the 2016 election.
• Gag order hearing will lead off court on Tuesday: Before the trial resumes Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan is holding a hearing on allegations that Trump violated the judge’s gag order barring discussion of witnesses. The district attorney’s office asked the judge to fine Trump $1,000 for each of several gag order violations leading up to and since the trial started. In addition to the fines, prosecutors want the judge to remind Trump he could be imprisoned if he continues to disobey the order.
• Trump was thinking about the $175 million bond hearing down the street: Meanwhile, other lawyers for Trump were in a courtroom a block away arguing over the legitimacy of the $175 million bond Trump posted to appeal the judgment in his civil fraud trial. Trump, who could not attend the civil hearing because he’s required to attend each day of the criminal trial, railed against Attorney General Letitia James.

Fact check: Trump falsely claims Michael Cohen’s crimes "had nothing to do with me"

From CNN’s Daniel Dale

Speaking to reporters Monday after opening statements in his criminal trial in Manhattan, former President Donald Trump declared that the crimes committed by his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen “had nothing to do with me.” 

Cohen is expected to be a key  witness for the prosecution . Trump said: “The things he got in trouble for were things that had nothing to do with me. He got in trouble; he went to jail. This has nothing to do with me. This had to do with the taxicab company that he owned, which is just something he owned – and medallions and borrowing money and a lot of things – but it had nothing to do with me.” 

Facts First:  Trump’s claim that Cohen’s prison sentence “had nothing to do with me” is false. Cohen’s three-year sentence in 2018 was for  multiple crimes , some of which were directly related to Trump. Most notably, Cohen was sentenced for  campaign finance offenses   connected to a hush money scheme  during the 2016 presidential campaign to conceal Trump’s alleged extramarital relationships -- the same hush money scheme that is central to this prosecution against Trump. Cohen was  also sentenced to two months in prison , to run concurrently with the three-year sentence, for  lying to Congress in 2017 in relation to previous talks about the possibility of building a Trump Tower in Moscow, Russia , including about the  extent of Trump’s involvement in the aborted Moscow initiative  and about when in 2016 the discussions ended. (The discussions continued into June 2016, the month after Trump  became the presumptive Republican nominee , and did not conclude in January 2016 before the first votes were cast, as Cohen had claimed.)

Referring to Trump as “Individual-1,” Cohen  said  at the time of his 2018 guilty plea for making false statements to the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence: “I made these statements to be consistent with Individual-1’s political messaging and out of loyalty to Individual-1.” When Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to the campaign finance violations, he  said  he broke the law “in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office,” Trump. 

David Pecker is an important witness in prosecutor's quest to prove criminal intent, legal analyst says

From CNN's Elise Hammond

David Pecker will be back on the stand on Tuesday to continue testimony in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump. Not only is he the first witness to answer questions from the prosecution, but he is also a critical piece of how the state is trying to prove criminal intent, one former federal prosecutor said.

Criminal intent means that “not just an act happened, but an act happened for a purpose,” said Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst. “The defendant did something wrong to carry out some criminal purpose.”

As the then-chairman of American Media Inc., which publishes the National Enquirer, Pecker was involved in numerous “catch-and-kill” schemes he orchestrated on behalf of Trump, and he allegedly helped broker the deal with adult film star Stormy Daniels which is at the center of  the case.

“It’s not just the catch-and-kill payments, but catch-and-kill payments for the purpose of concealing information from voters in the context of an election,” Williams explained, referring to the 2016 presidential election. 

Williams said it’s likely that prosecutors will focus much of their questioning trying to uncover what was discussed in meetings between Pecker and Trump.

The question at the heart of the argument, Williams said, is if the payments were intended to conceal information from voters, “or was it just Donald Trump saying, ‘Well, you know, this is embarrassing to my wife and my kids, I really want to keep this hidden.’”

Read about the stages of Trump's criminal trial — and what they mean 

From CNN's Lauren del Valle, Jhasua Razo and Gillian Roberts

Former President Donald Trump’s first criminal trial is expected to take six to eight weeks from start to finish.

This trial, related to a  hush money payment  to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016, is the first of  four ongoing criminal cases  that are expected to head to trial for the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee.

Now that opening statements are done, prosecutors are presenting trial evidence through witness testimony and exhibits. David Pecker, the ex-publisher of the National Enquirer, will resume testimony Tuesday.

Defense attorneys can cross examine the prosecution’s witnesses and typically aim to discredit their testimony. Witnesses’ responses are considered evidence, but not the questions posed by an attorney.

Read more about the stages of the trial, and what they mean here.

Michael Cohen jabs back at Trump's claim that Cohen's crimes have nothing to do with him

From CNN's Laura Dolan

Michael Cohen, who is expected to be a key witness in Donald Trump’s criminal trial, jabbed back at his former boss in response to comments Trump made about him outside the courtroom Monday.

Speaking to reporters in the courtroom hallway after court concluded, Trump said Cohen’s crimes have “nothing to do with me."

“He got in trouble, he went to jail. This has nothing to do with me,” said Trump. “This had to do with the taxicab company that he owned, which is just something he owned — and medallions and borrowing money.”

Shortly after those comments. Cohen posted on social media, “Hey Von ShitzInPantz … your attacks of me stink of desperation. We are all hoping that you take the stand in your defense. 

Cohen, who is Trump’s former attorney, served time in federal prison after pleading guilty to breaking federal campaign laws when he facilitated the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, which is directly linked to the charges against Trump.  As for the taxi medallions that Trump referenced, Cohen was also sentenced for tax evasion related to a taxi medallion enterprise and lying to a bank in relation to a home loan. 

Trump is under a gag order and was ordered by Judge Juan Merchan not to comment about any witnesses in the trial.

CNN's Daniel Dale contributed to this post.

See courtroom sketches from today's Trump trial

No cameras are allowed inside the Manhattan courtroom where Donald Trump's hush money trial is underway, but a sketch artist captured the scene as opening statements unfolded and the first witness took the stand.

Biden builds early advertising edge as Trump spends millions on legal fees

From CNN's David Wright

President Joe Biden and his allies have nearly tripled Donald Trump’s network in ad spending over the last month and a half while the former president has had to devote millions of campaign funds to legal expenses — and sit in a New York courthouse for his hush money trial.

Since March 6, after Super Tuesday when Trump effectively secured the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, through April 21, Biden’s campaign and other Democratic advertisers spent $27.2 million on advertising for the presidential race, while the Trump campaign and GOP advertisers spent about $9.3 million, according to AdImpact data.

Ad spending data (presidential race, March 6 to April 21)

• Democrats: $27,153,293
• Republicans: $9,344,948

During that time, Biden's campaign has spent millions in key battleground states, including $4.1 million in Michigan, $3.9 million in Pennsylvania, and at least $2 million in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Georgia. And the Biden network has used its plentiful airtime to promote the administration’s first-term record and slam Trump, focusing on key issues such as the  cost of living  and  abortion rights .

Meanwhile, Trump’s network has failed to match that effort since he became the presumptive nominee, though a pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc., recently ramped up its advertising, booking over $1 million worth of airtime in Pennsylvania to coincide with Biden’s recent campaign swing through the state last week.

Trump has also benefited over that stretch from a nearly $3 million anti-Biden campaign from outside groups aligned with the oil and gas industries, which have been  running ads  in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, criticizing California fuel standards  defended  by the Biden administration. But despite some recent signs of activity, Trump’s network has been significantly outspent on the airwaves since his general election matchup with Biden came into focus. And  the latest round of FEC filings  shows how Biden’s fundraising edge is enabling that advertising advantage, as Trump’s ongoing legal battles drain millions from his campaign coffers.  

How we got here: A timeline of the Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels hush money case

From CNN’s Lauren del Valle, Kara Scannell, Annette Choi and Gillian Roberts 

The first criminal trial of a US ex-president is underway in New York, where former President Donald Trump faces charges from the Manhattan District attorney related to a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. 

This is the first of four criminal cases expected to go to trial for Trump, also the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee. CNN compiled a timeline of the key events leading up to the historic trial. 

Here’s how we got here: 

• September 2016: Donald Trump discusses a $150,000 hush money payment understood to be for former Playboy model Karen McDougal with Michael Cohen who secretly records the conversation . McDougal has alleged she had an extramarital affair with Trump beginning in 2006, which he has denied. 
• October 7, 2016: The Washington Post releases an "Access Hollywood" video from 2005 in which Trump uses vulgar language to describe his sexual approach to women with then show host Billy Bush. 
• October 27, 2016: According to prosecutors, Cohen pays Daniels $130,000 to her attorney through a shell company in exchange for her silence about an affair she allegedly had with Trump in 2006. This $130,000 sum is separate from the $150,000 paid to McDougal. Trump has publicly denied having any affairs and has denied making the payments. 
• November 8, 2016: Trump secures the election to become the 45th president of the United States. 
• February 2017: Prosecutors say Cohen meets with Trump in the Oval Office to confirm how he would be reimbursed for the hush money payment Cohen fronted to Daniels. Under the plan, Cohen would send a series of false invoices requesting payment for legal services he performed pursuant to a retainer agreement and receive monthly checks for $35,000 for a total of $420,000 to cover the payment, his taxes and a bonus, prosecutors alleged. Prosecutors also allege there was never a retainer agreement. 
• January 2018: The Wall Street Journal breaks news about the hush money payment Cohen made to Daniels in 2016. 

See the full timeline.  

Trump is also facing charges in 3 other criminal cases

From CNN’s Devan Cole, Amy O'Kruk and Curt Merrill 

The hush money criminal trial against former President Donald Trump is just one of  four criminal cases  he faces while juggling his presidential campaign.

The former president is facing at least  88 charges  over the four criminal indictments in Georgia, New York, Washington, DC, and Florida. Trump has pleaded not guilty to every charge in these cases. 

Here's a recap of each case: 

• Hush money:  Trump was first indicted in March 2023 by the Manhattan district attorney on state charges related to a hush-money payment to an adult film star in 2016. Prosecutors allege Trump was part of an illegal conspiracy to  undermine  the integrity of the 2016 election. Further, they allege he was part of an unlawful plan to suppress negative information, including the $130,000 payment. 
• Classified documents:  Trump was indicted in June 2023 by a federal grand jury in Miami for taking classified national defense documents from the White House after he left office and resisting the government’s attempts to retrieve the materials. The National Archives said in early 2022 that at least 15 boxes of White House records were recovered from the estate, including   some that were classified . The charges were brought by special counsel Jack Smith. 
• Federal election interference:  Smith separately charged the former president last August with four crimes over his efforts to reverse the 2020 election results. The indictment alleges Trump and a co-conspirator "attempted to exploit the violence and chaos at the Capitol by calling lawmakers to convince them ... to delay the certification" of the election. That case is currently on hold as the Supreme Court weighs Trump’s claims of presidential immunity in the matter. 
• Fulton County:  State prosecutors in Georgia brought a similar election subversion case against Trump and others. An Atlanta-based grand jury on August 14, 2023, indicted Trump and 18 others on state charges stemming from their alleged efforts to overturn the former president’s 2020 electoral defeat. A trial date has not yet been set in that case. 

Read more about  the four criminal cases  Trump faces.  

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