New York Tickets Empire State Building

Empire State Building, NYC: Tickets and Info

This website offers official tickets for this venue. Please note, however, that it is not the official website of the venue.

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5.0

(1)

Empire State Building General Admission: Main Deck

Highlights

Explore the historic Empire State Building, renowned as the world’s most famous skyscraper.

Enjoy sweeping 360-degree vistas from the 86th-floor open-air observatory.

Discover interactive museum exhibits on the 2nd floor that highlight the building’s construction and cinematic history.

Benefit from fast-track entry options available during checkout.

Access an audio guide app featuring multiple languages for a richer experience.

4.5

(2)

Empire State Building: 102nd Floor Top Deck & 86th Floor Observatory

Highlights

Explore interactive exhibits depicting the Empire State Building’s history and its cinematic significance.

Enjoy the 86th Floor Observatory offering panoramic 360-degree open-air views of New York City.

Ascend to the 102nd Floor Top Deck with floor-to-ceiling windows revealing expansive vistas across multiple states on clear days.

Discover the iconic Art Deco design in the Fifth Avenue lobby, welcoming visitors from around the globe.

Benefit from a downloadable audio guide available in nine languages to enrich your visit.

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(2)

Empire State Building: Express Entry

Highlights

Avoid waiting lines with priority entrance.

Explore engaging exhibits about the building’s history and pop culture significance.

Enjoy breathtaking panoramic vistas from the 86th-floor outdoor observation deck.

Listen to a downloadable audio guide available in multiple languages.

Benefit from on-site amenities including free WiFi and wheelchair accessibility.

New York CityPASS: Save 40% on Admission to 5 Top Attractions

Highlights

Benefit from substantial savings on multiple top city attractions.

Visit iconic places such as the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History.

Select three additional popular attractions to tailor your sightseeing.

Enjoy mobile ticket delivery for easy entry.

Use your pass over a span of nine consecutive days after the first visit.

Book Empire State Building tickets online and head up one of New York’s best-known skyscrapers. A visit takes in two observation decks, a museum on how the building went up, and the restored Art Deco lobby on Fifth Avenue.

About the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building stands at 350 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It opened in 1931 and was the tallest building in the world for nearly 40 years. These days it holds offices, a museum about its own history, and observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors.

Why Visit the Empire State Building?

The 86th Floor Observatory: The open-air deck sits 1,050 feet up and runs all the way around the building, so you can walk the full circle and look out in every direction. Outdoor heaters keep it bearable in winter.

The 102nd Floor Observatory: Another 200 feet higher, at 1,250 feet, the 102nd floor is enclosed by floor-to-ceiling windows. On a clear day you can see six states from up here.

The Art Deco Lobby: The Fifth Avenue lobby has been restored to its 1931 look, with marble walls and a ceiling mural of gold stars and gears. It’s worth a few minutes on your way in or out.

Tower Lights: After dark, the lights at the top of the tower change color for holidays, events and causes through the year. You’ll see them from all over Manhattan.

Visiting the Empire State Building

Facilities & Accessibility
Additional Info

The building is ADA-compliant. The visitor entrance on West 34th Street is step-free, ramps run throughout, and there are accessible restrooms on the 86th floor. Manual and motorized wheelchairs are allowed, and service dogs are welcome everywhere.

Strollers can come along too, as long as you can fold them on the observation decks.

Empire State Building Visiting Hours

Opening Hours: Open 365 days a year. Hours change with the season, and entry closes one hour before the observatories do.

Timed Entry: Every ticket is for a set time slot, so book ahead for weekends and sunset.

Quieter Visits: The first slots of the morning tend to be the least crowded.

Empire State Building - Directions

Address: 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10118. Visitors enter at 20 West 34th Street.

Getting There: The nearest subway stops are 34th Street-Herald Square (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W) and 34th Street-Penn Station (1, 2, 3, A, C, E), each about five minutes away on foot.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Empire State Building

What floors are the observatories on?

There are two: the open-air 86th floor at 1,050 feet and the enclosed 102nd floor at 1,250 feet.

Is the 86th floor observatory outdoors?

Yes. It's an open-air deck that wraps around the building, with heaters for the colder months.

What else is there to see besides the views?

The museum on the 2nd and 80th floors covers the building's construction, opening day and pop culture history, and the Art Deco lobby is on Fifth Avenue.

Do I need to book a specific time?

Yes. All visits have a timed entry, so you choose your slot when you book.

Can I bring a stroller?

Yes. Strollers are allowed, but they must be folded on the observation decks.

What should I expect at security?

Every visitor is screened on the way in. Banned items such as glass bottles, alcohol and outside food are confiscated and not returned.

When did the Empire State Building open?

It opened on May 1, 1931, after 410 days of construction.

What are the opening hours?

Opening hours change by season, and entry closes about one hour before closing time. Check today's hours on the official Empire State Building website before you go.

When is the best time to visit?

The observatory is busiest during the first two hours after opening and in the hour right after sunset. Visit outside those times for shorter lines.

Can I take photos?

Yes, photos for personal use are welcome. Tripods and professional equipment are not allowed.