Empire State Building
Tickets, Observation Deck Info & Visitor Guide to New York's Most Iconic Skyscraper
⏱ 1.5-2 hours👤 All ages$$
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Skip the line · mobile tickets accepted at the door
Completed in 1931 in just 14 months during the depths of the Great Depression, the Empire State Building stood as the world's tallest building until the World Trade Center opened in 1970. It remains the most recognizable skyscraper in New York's skyline — 102 floors, 1,454 feet to the top of the antenna, art deco from spire to sidewalk.
Two observation experiences are sold. The 86th-floor deck is the classic outdoor wraparound — four sides, open to weather, the experience postcards are made of. The 102nd-floor observatory is enclosed (floor-to-ceiling glass, climate-controlled) and gives a slightly higher view but loses the open-air feel that defines the 86th. Most first-time visitors prefer the 86th; serious view-collectors do both.
The full visitor experience now includes the 80th-floor "Dare to Dream" multimedia exhibit (renovated 2019 — actually compelling), a King Kong installation on the way up, and several interactive displays through the lobby and elevator banks. Allow 90 minutes for the full circuit. Sunset is the most popular slot — book at least a week ahead in summer.
What to Expect
Format
Timed-entry ticket. Elevator banks take you up through the 80th-floor exhibit, then to the 86th-floor outdoor deck. 102nd-floor access is a separate (paid) upgrade. Self-paced on each level.
Best Time
30-45 minutes before sunset is the most spectacular but the most crowded slot. Late morning (10-11 AM) is the quietest and gives you the best photos with the sun behind you. Avoid noon-1 PM tour-bus rush.
Duration
90 minutes for the full experience. Add 30 min if you do the 102nd floor.
Tips
Buy ahead — walk-up lines can be 60+ min in peak season. Express Pass is worth the upcharge in summer; skip it in winter. Bring a jacket on the 86th — even in summer, the wind at that altitude is significant.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
First-time NYC visitors who want the postcard view from the postcard building.
Families
Kids love the King Kong installation and the elevator ride. The 86th-floor outdoor deck is well-railed and safe.
Couples
Sunset on the 86th is one of the most-proposed-at spots in NYC. Book the timed entry 30 min before sunset, not at sunset itself.
Pair With
Pair with Top of the Rock for the comparison day — different angles, different vibes, both worth doing.
Time Needed
1.5-2 hours.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
86th floor or 102nd floor?
86th if you have to pick one — outdoor, open-air, the classic experience. 102nd is higher and enclosed (better in bad weather) but more expensive and loses the iconic feel.
Is the Empire State Building taller than One World Trade?
No — One World Trade is taller (1,776 ft to the spire vs. 1,454 ft). But Empire State has the more iconic observation experience and a richer architectural story.
Best time of day to visit?
Sunset is most popular and most crowded. Morning (10-11 AM) is quietest. Night visits offer a city of lights view that's worth seeing.
Is there food on the observation deck?
Concession-level snacks only. Plan to eat before or after.
How long should I plan for the visit?
90 minutes is the sweet spot. Add 30 min for the 102nd-floor add-on.
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Top of the Rock
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The newest observation experience in NYC — a mirrored immersive art installation across multiple floors at the top of One Vanderbilt, including glass-floor ledges and an outdoor terrace.
One World Observatory
The observation deck at the top of One World Trade Center — the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, with the most emotionally weighted view in the city.