Dawson A.
Yelp
DO NOT GO!! TRY SUMMIT ONE INSTEAD. It gives Times Square on an inescapable rooftop or a claustrophobia horror movie.
Our visit to The Edge was one of the worst tourist experiences I've had in New York City. We arrived just after sunset with what we thought were upgraded tickets -- "Flex" and "Priority" -- expecting a smoother experience. Instead, we were met with chaos from the start.
The line to enter snaked through multiple levels of the mall and easily had 500+ people in it. There was little to no signage indicating where Flex or Priority ticket holders should go, and staff didn't seem to know either. We were bounced from line to line, herded through multiple bottlenecks, and eventually crammed shoulder-to-shoulder into a small elevator with about 15 other people. It probably took a total of 50 minutes to actually get to the top.
Once we reached the top, the overcrowding only worsened. There was confusion over where to go and what we were even allowed to access. We mistakenly joined another massive line thinking it was for "The Climb," only to realize later it was the exit line. The deck itself was so overcrowded it was almost impossible to see anything. For a place that promises sweeping views, it delivered nothing but blocked sightlines and frustration.
But the worst part was trying to leave. The line to get down wrapped around the building twice. I am not exaggerating when I say it looked like a two-hour wait -- and this was on the 100th floor. There were no clear directions, no updates from staff, and no crowd control. It felt disorganized, unsafe, and honestly, a bit scary. We eventually found our own way to a restaurant elevator upstairs, which we used to exit -- but it didn't feel right to leave behind hundreds of people stuck waiting.
This entire experience was unacceptable. There were no warnings about the crowd size or wait times. For the price they charge, this felt not only like a waste of money but also a potential safety hazard. I wasn't alone in feeling this way -- many people around us expressed frustration, confusion, and concern.
My suggestions to The Edge team:
* Implement timed wristbands to manage crowd flow and create a system to limit how long guests can stay at the top.
* Improve signage and communication, especially for Flex/Priority ticket holders.
* Station more informed staff throughout the experience.
* Most importantly, cap the number of visitors allowed at once for safety.
Until changes are made, I can't in good conscience recommend The Edge to anyone. I'll be sharing my experience with friends and across social platforms so others can make an informed decision. You don't expect to feel unsafe at a premium NYC attraction -- but that's exactly how I felt.