Both towers offer observation decks in Midtown, but they photograph the skyline differently. The Empire State Building's 86th-floor open-air Main Deck (with a pricier 102nd-floor deck also available) looks out over the city but doesn't include the Empire State Building itself in the frame. Top of the Rock, atop 30 Rockefeller Center, faces the opposite way — its signature view has the Empire State Building rising in the center of the shot with Central Park to the north, which is why it's generally the better photo spot for classic skyline shots, while the Empire State Building is the better choice for unobstructed 360-degree views.
Current pricing: the Empire State Building's standard Main Deck (86th floor) adult ticket runs around $44 plus a booking fee, with pricier 102nd-floor combo tickets also available. Top of the Rock's timed general admission starts from around $42 for adults, with add-on packages running well beyond that; pricing at both venues is dynamic and shifts by date and demand, so check esbnyc.com and rockefellercenter.com/tickets directly before you go.
Both require timed-entry reservations booked in advance online — walk-up same-day tickets are unreliable, especially in peak season. To skip the worst lines, book the earliest morning slot or a sunset slot and avoid midday; both venues also sell skip-the-line or VIP ticket tiers that use a separate, faster queue.