I'm escorting my mother to NYC in a couple weeks and she would like to revisit some photographs she took from the mid-60's through late-70's. Many were taken from office buildings that she snuck or sweet-talked her way into others were taken from public observation decks or helicopters. A friend is getting us into a building on Lexington Avenue and hopefully the roof depending on weather.

Given tickets to all of these cost a fortune and we really only have an evening and a morning free, I'm wondering which is likely to be the most satisfactory.

My recollection was the Top of the Rock has a vantage point where you aren't shooting through glass, is that still true? I know the new WTC is completely indoors.

Any insights are welcome, I have never really done anything touristy in New York.