America's urban cities are renowned for their outsized architecture punctuated by impressive buildings – New York City alone boasts over one hundred structures towering above 300 meters! While many are residential towers, countless others house observation decks and stunning panoramic views. Join us as we guide you through the tallest skyscrapers in the United States…

Central Park Tower, 472 m – the 2nd tallest skyscraper in the United States
   

Standing at 472 meters with 131 floors, Central Park Tower ranks as the second-tallest tower in New York, after the One World Trade Center. Inaugurated in 2020 in Midtown, this residential skyscraper houses luxury apartments, including penthouses, with breathtaking views of the iconic park bearing its name.

Looking for a property in the area? Know that the building contains New York's most expensive apartment: spanning the tower's top three floors across 1,600 m², it's valued at $250 million. If your budget doesn't quite stretch that far, you can admire its modern architecture from Central Park itself…

Empire State Building, 443 m
   

New York's third-tallest skyscraper, the Empire State Building reaches 443 meters. Located a 30-minute walk from Central Park (west of Fifth Avenue), you can admire the stunning Art Deco architecture of this edifice, constructed between 1930 and 1931.

The Empire State Building houses the most-visited observation deck in the Big Apple. To access it? Head to its official website to book tickets, then make your way to the 86th floor! Once at the top, you'll enjoy a 360° panorama of New York and iconic landmarks (including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty).

You can also arrange a combined visit to the 86th and 102nd floors (which features a second observation deck). Budget-wise? Plan for approximately €40 per adult, or €72 to access both levels. You'll take an elevator to reach the observation decks. To make the experience unforgettable, immersive soundscapes play during your ascent!

Willis Tower (Sears Tower), 442 m
   

The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) is the tallest tower in Chicago. With 110 floors, it stands at 442 meters high. Erected in 1973, this skyscraper primarily houses offices, but also includes a six-story shopping center, built in 2015 by the building's new owners – the investment fund Blackstone Group. In 2021, the tower underwent further renovations and now welcomes cafés and tea lounges on its rooftop terrace.

Want to visit its observation deck? Head to the 103rd floor… You'll be able to spot four American states and experience something truly unique thanks to its stunning glass balcony, called The Ledge – giving the impression you're walking through mid-air!

Tickets can be reserved on the building's official website. Budget approximately €35 per adult. A tip? Be punctual! The tower welcomes 1.5 million visitors each year: reservations are valid for just 30 minutes.

Steinway Tower (111 West 57th Street), 435 m
   

The architecture of Steinway Tower (or 111 West 57th Street) results from interdisciplinary expertise. What makes it singular? It's the world's slimmest building… Comprising 84 floors and just 46 apartments, this tower features a tuned mass damper – a system that keeps it from swaying in the wind!

One Vanderbilt, 427 m

Completed in 2021, the One Vanderbilt tower is located on 42nd Street in New York, steps from Grand Central Terminal. Designed by the renowned architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, the skyscraper rises 58 stories and houses the Summit One Vanderbilt observation experience.

More than a simple panoramic view, the Summit is an atypical experience offering various attractions… In the room called "Transcendence 1" you'll discover a space entirely rendered in mirrors by artist Kenzo Digital – a playful environment perfect for stunning souvenir photos.

In the "Affinity" room? You can admire the sky and the city's monuments reflecting off helium-filled silver balloons! A recommendation? Reserve your tickets on the official website to ensure your preferred time slot is available. Ticket prices range from €40 to €60 depending on options (with or without elevator access, with or without a cocktail, etc.)

Trump International Hotel and Tower, 423 m
     

In Chicago, you'll find the Trump International Hotel and Tower. At 423 meters tall, the tower is visible from numerous vantage points throughout the city… This residential skyscraper also houses a 5-star hotel with 339 rooms – the smallest of which span 600 m² (expect around €400 per night per person if you're interested). To admire it from the outside? Head to the Chicago River area, at 401 North Wabash Avenue.

30 Hudson Yards, 387 m

Along the Hudson River in New York, you'll find Hudson Yards, a 387-meter tower, recognizable by its striking postmodern architecture. Also called the North Tower, this skyscraper is prized for its sublime suspended terrace, which creates the impression of floating in the sky. This 360° observation deck (the Edge) is open to visitors. Budget around €30 for a visit (tickets reservable on the official website).

Wilshire Grand Center, 335 m
   

If you're stopping by Los Angeles, don't leave without seeing the Wilshire Grand Center! This 73-story skyscraper, located in the heart of the city, was built in 2012. The building features metamodern architecture – a movement blending aesthetics, culture, and philosophy. The tower houses a luxury hotel as well as several acclaimed restaurants. The 37th floor serves as an observation deck (open to hotel guests).

53W53 Tower, 320 m

Rising 320 meters, this skyrise overlooks Midtown New York. It was designed by architect Jean Nouvel (who also created the Branly Museum in Paris). The tower derives its name from its location (53 West 53rd Street) and sits within the MoMA complex, the renowned modern art museum. Constructed in glass, this tower is known for its slender silhouette and is often cited as an architectural "work of art."

Columbia Center, 284 m
   

Erected in the early 1980s, Seattle's Columbia Center rises to 284 meters… Less impressive than the towers mentioned above? Yet it remains Washington's tallest tower!

There's a reason for this: the Height of Buildings Act; a federal law regulating building heights in Washington State – designed to prevent "shadowing" the famous Capitol dome.

The Columbia Center houses a public observation deck. Situated on the 73rd floor, the Sky View Observatory offers panoramic city views and an unobstructed perspective of the Space Needle – the futuristic-looking observation tower built in 1962 for the World's Fair.

America's Tallest Buildings: The Recap