The tallest building in the Hudson Yards – also the 6th tallest building in New York City or 8th tallest in the United States – boasts The Edge, a viewing platform on the 101st floor.

Above is a shot I took from 34th street – the particles in the air from Canadian wildfires – it was a “moderate air quality day” unsuitable for asthma sufferers – contribute to the hazy look both of the building from the street and the views of the city from the observation deck. Below the picture in the Wikipedia entry shows the building in clear blue skies not marred by the devastations wrought by Climate Change.

Our friend Mitch suggested we check out the views from the Edge. 3X $50 for timed tickets purchased the experience last Saturday.

After passing through ticket control, we joined the line in a large waiting area with a ceiling of thousands of lights representing Manhattan.

Mitch and Ed.

Then we were ushered through a passage past building support columns lit up like at a dance club.

This long, often stalling line before being let into the elevators up to the platform had us waiting for over thirty minutes – as if for a popular ride at an amusement park. We waited the longest time in this area pictured below that simulated the noise and traffic of a busy subway station – which may be a novelty attraction for tourists (?), but to us natives at least was a nerve grating area to be stuck in for so long. What was the point of timed tickets if it still takes so long to get in, or up? We were beginning to sour at the experience…

Finally we got up to the upper story of two that connect to the outdoor viewing platform of The Edge (as well as hosting an overpriced restaurant).

The Upper West Side in the Canadian Haze.

Looking East towards the Empire State Building.

First view from above out at The Edge observation deck.

Going out to the observation deck.

The infamous glass floor, looking down at skyscrapers below.

I say “infamous” because that more than anything up here gave me the willies.

Looking south towards the Financial District.

The (new) World Trade Center standing tallest.

An impromptu long line formed of people wanting to take selfies at the far corner.

Ed and I took our selfie at a more easily accessed spot.

The Hudson river and New Jersey.

A fake flower photo op area.

One more stroll back out.

Before we had gotten into the elevators to go up, our picture was taken in front of a neutral screen. Upon leaving we had the opportunity to purchase photos of us placed in front of choice Edge locations, like that popular corner spot.

I was content with the photos I took for real.

I’m sure the observation deck is securely constructed, but seeing it like that only reinforces the irrational fantasy I felt much of the time up there about the whole thing likely to just dislodge and spill its contents like a tilting ladle.