12 US Cities with the Most Skyscrapers — And Where to Get the Best Views

Growing up in New Jersey, the New York City skyline was this constant, endless forest of glass and steel that felt almost surreal as a kid craning her neck skyward. No matter how many other cities I’ve visited since, nothing quite matches that first, jaw-dropping impression of Manhattan’s skyscrapers.

While other metropolises have their share of towering giants, none command that same cinematic presence. Still, I stayed a city girl, drawn to the energy that only a skyline full of 500-foot-tall buildings can create. From Chicago’s architectural icons to Miami’s new wave of glittering towers, here are 12 US cities with the most skyscrapers.

1. New York City, New York

• Number of Skyscrapers: 317
• Tallest building: One World Trade Center, 1,776 feet

No other US city even comes close to the number of neck-craning buildings as New York City. The skyline is a constant work in progress, with new towers popping up every time you visit again.

One World Trade Center might hold the crown for tallest, but the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building still are the most popular. You can’t walk five blocks in Manhattan without staring up at something that used to be the tallest building in the world.

Best Observatory Views: One World Trade Center may be the tallest, but the Edge at Hudson Yards offers a glass-floor view from 1,100 feet up, and the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observatory is still a classic. For a full-frontal skyline shot, hop on the Staten Island Ferry; it’s free and iconic.

2. Chicago, Illinois

• Number of Skyscrapers: 128
• Tallest building: Willis Tower, 1,450 feet

Chicago invented the skyscraper and still owns the rights to some of the most iconic. Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) held the title of the world’s tallest for 25 years, and it’s still a US bucket-list elevator ride.

The city’s architecture dates back to the Great Fire of 1871, when everything had to be rebuilt. Now, the skyline is so packed with famous towers that architecture boat tours have become a local attraction.

Best Views: Willis Tower has a sky deck with glass ledges that make your stomach drop. For a less heart-stopping view, the 360 Chicago in the John Hancock Center has the Tilt attraction that leans you out over the city.

3. Miami, Florida

• Number of Skyscrapers: 70
• Tallest building: Panorama Tower, 868 feet

Over the past two decades, Miami has gone vertical and is now a full-fledged member of the skyscraper club. The Panorama Tower tops the list, but there’s a whole lineup of glassy, luxury condos trying to outdo each other.

With more high-rises in the works, the city that once prided itself on low, pastel buildings is starting to look more like a beachy cousin to Manhattan.

Best Views: The best views come from the rooftop at Sugar in Brickell. Downtown, the Perez Art Museum’s terrace offers a more artsy angle on the high-rises. The pool deck at the W Miami is prime city gazing territory.

4. Houston, Texas

• Number of Skyscrapers: 50
• Tallest building: JPMorgan Chase Tower, 1,002 feet

Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the skyline. Oil money helped build Houston’s downtown filled with big, reflective towers.

Best Views: JPMorgan Chase Tower is the tallest, with a unique five-sided design. While the observation deck is closed, the bar at the Hilton Americas has killer views. For an even better angle, the Buffalo Bayou Park trails give you skyline views from the middle of a nature reserve.

5. Los Angeles, California

• Number of Skyscrapers: 34
• Tallest building: Wilshire Grand Center, 1,100 feet

For a city that’s all about being seen, you would actually think LA’s skyline would be more dense. Height restrictions kept things low until Wilshire Grand Center broke the glass ceiling in 2017, topping out at 1,100 feet with a sail-like crown that lights up at night. In recent years, downtown LA has been cranking out more skyscrapers to try to catch up.

Best Views: Go up Spire 73, the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere for the ultimate rooftop view. Or head to OUE Skyspace in the US Bank Tower and slide down a glass chute 1,000 feet in the air.

6. San Francisco, California

• Number of Skyscrapers: 27
• Tallest building: Salesforce Tower, 1,070 feet

San Francisco used to be all hills and bridges, but now the vertical power is starting to form. As the downtown is quite small, the skyscrapers feel dense and close together.

Start with the Salesforce Tower, the tallest building in San Francisco and one of the newest additions to the skyline. You can even take a tour to learn about its sustainable design and unique features. For another

Best Views: For the best view, the rooftop bar at the Loews Regency Hotel has panoramic sights without the Salesforce price tag. The rooftop garden at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art also gives you stunning views of the city. Hike up to Twin Peaks for a 360-degree view of San Francisco and beyond.

7. Boston, Massachusetts

• Number of Skyscrapers: 25
• Tallest building: John Hancock Tower, 790 feet

Boston’s skyline is a study in contrasts, with historic churches dwarfed by glass-and-steel giants like the John Hancock Tower. Built in 1976, the Hancock still holds the height record, with its iconic glass façade that once had a habit of popping out windows.

More recent additions like Millennium Tower and The Hub add some modern flavor to a skyline that’s still mostly old money and brick.

Best Views: Head to the Skywalk Observatory at Prudential Center to see all the way to Cape Cod on a clear day. Hit the rooftop at Legal Harborside for skyline views.

8. Dallas, Texas

• Number of Skyscrapers: 20
• Tallest building: Bank of America Plaza, 921 feet

Dallas is a little corporate, with a mix of reflective glass towers and Art Deco throwbacks. The Bank of America Plaza lights up with 360-degree green neon every night.

Best Views: The Reunion Tower’s GeO-Deck gives you a 470-foot-high spin around the city. The rooftop bar at the Canvas Hotel serves up skyline views with a side of poolside cabanas.

9. Seattle, Washington

• Number of Skyscrapers: 20
• Tallest building: Columbia Center, 937 feet

Seattle’s skyline used to be all about the Space Needle, but that was before Amazon started collecting high-rises. Now, the skyline is dotted with glass towers and rooftop lounges.

Best Views: Columbia Center’s Sky View Observatory is the highest public viewpoint in the Pacific Northwest. Kerry Park is the go-to spot for skyline shots with the Space Needle front and center. By the waterfront, the Great Wheel gives you a 175-foot-high spin.

10. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Number of Skyscrapers: 18
• Tallest building: Comcast Technology Center, 1,121 feet

For a city that once had a strict “don’t build higher than Billy Penn’s hat” rule, Philly has come a long way. The Comcast Technology Center shot up in 2018 and took the crown as the city’s tallest building. The LEED-certified tower is packed with tech companies and has a Four Seasons hotel at the top.

Best Views: Its Four Seasons rooftop lounge is the highest bar in the city. The observation deck at Liberty Place is open to the public and has a solid view without the drink minimum. For a classic angle, walk the Ben Franklin Bridge at sunset and watch the skyline light up.

11. Atlanta, Georgia

• Number of Skyscrapers: 17
• Tallest building: Bank of America Plaza, 1,023 feet

Atlanta might be known for its trees, but its skyline is full of giants, too. The Bank of America Plaza stands out with its gold-lit spire. The rest of downtown combines classic towers and shiny new construction that developers keep inching higher.

Best Views: The Westin Peachtree Plaza’s Sundial restaurant rotates 360 degrees. The rooftop at Ponce City Market is less stuffy but has an equally impressive view.

12. Las Vegas, Nevada

• Number of Skyscrapers: 17
• Tallest building: The Strat Tower, 1,149 feet

Las Vegas builds skyscrapers and, in entertainment fashion, puts roller coasters on them. The Strat Tower is both the tallest and has thrill rides dangling off the top. The rest of the skyline is a length of iconic hotels and resorts that would be tourist traps anywhere else.

Best Views: Dangle off the side on the rides on the Strat. The Skyfall Lounge at Delano has Strip views or go up the viewing platform in the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.

Cat Xu

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Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.

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