viewpoints, experiences with a lot of adrenaline and prices

The appearance of several new viewpoints in New York City in recent years has triggered a dizzying competition for the attention and visitor dollars. It seems that each of these observation platforms tries to surpass the others with enhanced immersive experiencesbecoming almost amusement parks in the sky.

With my thrill-seeker cap on, this year I made multiple surprising trips to the top of some buildings in the downtown Manhattan to see if all that paraphernalia represented rewarding novelties or unnecessary distractions. The experiences could be modest or horrifying, but they were always exhilarating.

The attractiveness. You’re probably familiar with that 1932 photograph of construction workers eating lunch while sitting on a steel beam high above the New York City skyline.

Now, without lunch and fortunately with seat beltsyou can recreate that moment with your friends and family.

The experience. On the elevator ride up through 69 floors, I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Beam. My amusement park-loving mind made me imagine an I-shaped beam swinging outward to suspend me over the edge, like the X-Scream ride on the rooftop of the Strat Hotel in Las Vegas.

But this is much, much tamer than that. The beam (there are two) has capacity for seven people sitting, but if there is only one person, like in my case, you can still take advantage of it without company.

I put my loose belongings in a container, as if I were going to free fall at Six Flags, then sat in the middle seat and fastened my seat belt.

The beam raised me 4 meters from the floor of the viewpoint and then rotated to point me north, facing Central Park, but still certain that the floor of the platform was directly below me. Then he turned back to face a camera that photographed me sitting on the beam.

The views. Beautiful and spectacular. It was fun standing on a steel beam looking out at the skinny residential towers of downtown and the park. But since this experience takes place on the north side of the viewpoint, you do not have good views of the Empire State Building from this vantage point. You have to walk to the other side of the platform to see it.

Intensity factor. Moderate. Although in reality you are only 4 meters above the terrace, from certain angles and With a little imagination you can feel like you are floating higher.. But nothing that will give you nightmares.

• How much does it cost: US$40 for access to the observation deck; additional US$ 25 for La viga

The attractiveness. Have you ever taken a ropes course? Cool. Now, have you ever done a ropes course 400 meters in the air? This experience gives very brave people the opportunity to Climb the crown of one of the tallest buildings in the city and then they show their entire body from the edge outwards.

The experience. While I was still on the ground floor, at ground level, one of the guides at the Edge viewpoint told me that there were people who cried on his shoulder when he was high up. Nice way for me to prepare. You also notice that things are about to get serious when they demand from you how prerequisite a breathalyzer test.

Edge has an unmistakable observation deckwith a glass floor, which protrudes from the building.

But those who are going to climb climb even higher above that platform. We started by taking the elevator to the terrace level, where we stood blue rompers and they put harnesses on us. This took place in a room with a glass wall that allowed us to see the visiting public who were not going to climb. A couple of strangers chatted with me through the glass, totally disbelieving that I was “really going up there.”

Next They tied us to a rail with ropes that extends to the highest part of everything. We walked out to a long flight of stairs. On the left side we had the rail; in the right, nothing but open air.

We climbed more than 150 steps in single file to a platform where we individually lean out with our entire bodies on our backs over the edge. The euphoria of doing something so exorbitant finally overcame the stress and fear I felt.

The views. Better than none when you get to the top. It’s cathartic to be there, looking from above the Empire State Building. Although as I climbed those stairs it was easier for me not to look down.

Intensity factor. The highest possible. But it is an experience like no other in the city, so if you have the stomach to endure it, do it.

• Cost: US$ 185 (only for those over 13 years old)

The attractiveness. Would you like to combine an immersive interactive mirror-reflected dance with skyscraper views? This is your place.

The experience. Mirrors, mirrors on all the walls.

When you exit the elevators on the 91st floor, you immediately enter a multi-level space with mirrors on seemingly every surface (you must put plastic booties over your shoes to minimize damage), making you feel like you’re in somewhere between a nightclub and a work by the artist MC Escher.

But don’t worry, too there are windows, so you can see the horizon from inside. Another space is full of reflective balloons that you can grab and bounce around the place.

The views. Somewhere, hidden behind the balloons and reflections, are some of the best views of the city.

I went out to the 93rd floor terrace to absorb everything. From one side, Summit One Vanderbilt offers you a privileged view of the Chrysler building, one of the architectural wonders of the city. From the other side you have a exciting view of the Empire State Buildingwhich of course you can’t see when you are at the Empire State Building observation deck.

Intensity factor. Mild. Although the overwhelming sensation of immersion It is certainly high.

• Cost: US$43 for ages 13 and up; from 6 to 12 years, US$37; children under 5 years old, free.

The attractiveness. If you can get up, watch the sun rise from one of the city’s most famous buildings.

The experience. I was glad that this activity was sponsored by Starbucks because I needed the cup of coffee included in the package.

This experience takes place only on saturdays and started at 5 am. Miraculously, I got out of bed and stumbled in the dark to the building, where a handful of people went up to the 86th floor. I kept wondering what the hell I was doing there so early, until the sun started to rise.

The views. Absolutely amazing. The numerous shades of the horizondotted with skyscrapers everywhere, definitely justify getting up early.

It’s a great way to transform a conventional viewing platform into a sublime location. Additionally, there were times during the experience when I felt like I had entire areas of the terrace to myself, which is not something you’re likely to find when visiting this building during normal business hours.

Intensity factor. Mild. There are no stunts here, just magia visual.

Mekado Murphy / The New York Times. Special for Clarín

Translation: Román García Azcárate