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Guide To Visiting The Empire State Building in New York City – Everything You Need to Know!

Last updated: December 16, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 2 Comments

If you’re visiting New York City, then one landmark you won’t want to miss is the Empire State Building. This iconic structure is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world, and is a must-see when you visit New York.

The Empire State Building can be admired from the outside, but for the best experience you’ll want to go inside it to take in the spectacular views on offer from the upper levels.

Of course, if you do decide to visit the Empire State Building, then you will want to do a little bit of planning. This is one of the most popular attractions in the city, with millions of people visiting every year. As such, it gets quite busy, and lines are common. We recommend buying your ticket online in advance.

In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Empire State Building to help you make the most of your visit. We share tips based on our experiences visiting it on multiple trips to New York City. We’ll cover how to get here, where to buy tickets, tips for your visit, ideas for saving money, and lots more.

Let’s get started!

Overview of the Empire State Building

Before we go into our guide for visiting the Empire State Building, we thought we’d share some facts and information about this iconic New York landmark which we think you’ll find interesting, and perhaps make you even more excited for your visit.

What is the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is a huge Art Deco skyscraper in the centre of Manhattan. It has 102 floors, and when it opened it was the tallest skyscraper in the world.

The building is primarily used as office space by a wide variety of companies, as well as serving as a popular tourist attraction. There are shops and eateries on the ground floors, as well as observation decks you can visit on the 80th, 86th and 102nd floors.

It has its own zip code, has featured in numerous movies and TV shows, including King Kong , An Affair to Remember , Sleepless in Seattle , and Elf . It is definitely a must-visit attraction for visitors to New York City.

When was the Empire State Building Built?

Construction on the Empire State Building started on the 17th March 1930, and was completed 13 months later on the 11th April 1931. It was opened on the 1st May 1931.

The building was constructed at a record pace, at an average of 4.5 stories a week. During one 10 day period, 14 floors were built!

What is the Empire State Building Made From?

The Empire State Building is constructed from a steel frame with a limestone facade. The use of steel frames combined with the invention of elevators is what made it possible to build skyscrapers to such dizzying heights, and the technique is still used in skyscraper construction to this day.

Why is it Called the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building derives its name from the nickname given to the State of New York, which is the Empire State.

How Tall is the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is 1,454 feet (443.2 meters) high, measured to the very tip of the building. The roof is 1,250 ft (381 m) high.

When it was built it was the tallest building in the world, a title it held until the World Trade Centre buildings were finished in 1970.

Today it is only the seventh tallest building in the city, and only in the top 50 worldwide. However, it is still the most well known of New York’s impressive skyscraper collection, even if it is no longer the tallest.

Where is the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is in midtown Manhattan. The full address is Empire State Building, 350 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10118. It is also sometimes listed as 20 West 34th Street New York.

The Empire State Building is a huge building. It’s so large in fact it has its own zip code. It also has multiple entrances. As a visitor who is planning to go up to the observatories, you will need to enter at 20 West 34th Street, which is the dedicated observatory entrance.

How to Get to the Empire State Building

Getting to the Empire State Building is easy – the building is very central and you have lots of options. Here’s an overview of the various ways to get here.

Public Transport to the Empire State Building

New York City has a good public transport system which includes buses and a subway, as well as a number of other options. You can see our complete guide to getting around New York here for more ideas.

For the Empire State Building, the best options are going to be either by subway or public bus.

Subway to Empire State Building

There are a number of metro stations within a five or ten minute walk of the Empire State Building. The closest are:

• 34th Street Penn Station: Lines 1, 2, and 3 and A, C, and E. Five minute walk from the exit to the Empire State Building
• 34th Street Herald Square Station: Lines N, Q, R, and W and B, D, F, and M. Five minute walk from the exit to the Empire State Building
• Grand Central Terminal: Lines 4, 5, 6 and 7. 10 minute walk from the exit to the Empire State Building.

You can get information on routes and schedules on the MTA website here .

Bus to Empire State Building

Multiple bus routes service the Empire State Building, depending on where you are coming from. Nearby bus stops, all within 5 minutes walk of the Empire State Building include:

• W 34 St & 5 Avenue: multiple buses including QM10, QM12, QM15, QM16, QM17 and more.
• 5 Av / W 34 Street: BxM7 and BxM18
• 5 Av/W 35 Street: X27, X28, X37, and X38

There are many more bus stops in the vicinity of the Empire State Building. You can see more information on routes and schedules on the MTA website here .

Sightseeing Bus to the Empire State Building

As with many cities around the world, there are a number of sightseeing buses operating in New York. These visit the most popular attractions in the city, and usually have either a live commentary or pre-recorded audio that tells you what you are seeing.

You can buy tickets for these that last various durations, usually a minimum of one day, and you can get on and off them as you please.

Naturally, as the Empire State Building is a popular attraction in the city, most sightseeing buses have a stop nearby so you can visit easily. We used the Big Bus New York Sightseeing bus on a recent trip to New York, and enjoyed the live audio commentary on the bus we rode.

You can purchase tickets in advance for either 1, 2 or 3 days here . Alternatively, sightseeing buses are included on the majority of New York attraction passes .

Driving to the Empire State Building

We would definitely recommend against driving to the Empire State Building. Traffic in Manhattan is always busy and parking, if you can find any, is likely to be expensive.

Of course, if you do have a car and wish to park, there are options. You can see nearby parking structures and parking lots with this link .

If you drive, we recommend booking a parking spot in advance to be sure of a spot. We’d also suggest parking for the day as this will work out more cost effective, and then using public transport to get around to visit any other sights.

Do you Have to Pay to Visit the Empire State Building?

If you wish to visit any of the exhibits or observation decks at the Empire State Building, then you will need a ticket. See the next section for details of ticket pricing.

Of course, you can visit the outside of the building, as well as the ground floor dining options and shops for free.

How Much Does It Cost to Visit the Empire State Building?

Pricing for the Empire State Building varies depending on the experience you want, with ticket prices ranging from $44 all the way up to $500 for an adult. Prices are correct as of April 2023.

First, you have to decide which floors you want to visit.

• Main Deck access includes access to the observation deck on the 86th floor, as well as all the exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors.
• Top Deck access includes the above, as well as access to the 102nd floor observation deck.

As well as the two different areas, you can also pay for more premium experiences and add-ons. These include

• Express tickets which allow you to skip the security lines and elevator lines.
• Guided tours, which are either small group or private
• Tickets for access to the tower at sunrise
• Lunch or Dinner at one of the sit-down restaurants on site
• A ticket that lets you visit twice on the same day, once in the daytime and once at night, to see the city at different times of day.

Here are the prices for the main ticket types. These prices are taken directly from the official website and are accurate as of April 2023. Children under 6 are free for all ticket types.

Note that the prices on the official site do not include any service fees or taxes, which are added at checkout. There is currently a $2 convenience fee per ticket, plus around 9% tax per ticket to add to the below prices when buying from the official site.

• A Main Deck ticket costs $44 for an adult, $38 for a child (6-12) and $42 for a senior (62+).
• An Express Ticket to the Main Deck costs $84 for all visitors. This includes priority skip the line access through the security line and elevators
• A Top Deck ticket costs $79 for an adult, $73 for a child (6-12) and $77 for a senior (62+)
• An Express Ticket to the Top Deck costs $119 for all visitors. This includes priority skip the line access through the security line and elevators and expedited entry to the 86th and 102nd floors

Note that if you choose to visit during sunset hours, there’s an additional fee of around $10 (before tax) per ticket as this is the most popular time to visit.

In addition to the main tickets above, there are some additional tours and experiences, which are priced as follows:

• AM/PM Experience – $64 for an adult, $54 for a child (6-12). This ticket is the same as the Main Deck ticket but allows you to return after 8pm and visit the observatory deck after dark.
• Sunrise on 86th floor – costs $125 for all visitors. This is a limited availability ticket, with only 50 sold per session
• Premium Experience – costs $175 for all visitors. VIP behind the scenes tour which visits all the decks with a tour guide. Groups no larger than 7 people.
• ESB All Access Tour – costs $500 per person. The most exclusive tour available. Includes celebrity treatment, a private tour, champagne and snacks
• Happily Ever After Empire – costs $1,000 per couple. If you’re looking for a unique location to pop the question, you can book this package which includes priority access to the 86th floor, a private guided tour of the building, your own private corner, to ask the question, a complimentary bottle of champagne and access to the 102nd floor.

Where to Buy Empire State Building Tickets?

There are a number of options for purchasing Empire State Building tickets.

First, you can buy entry tickets in person on-site. You’ll find the ticket machines after the security line on the second floor. We’d generally advise against buying entry tickets on site as it’s an unnecessary line that you can skip by purchasing online instead. In addition, current rules state that tickets must be purchased in advance.

We recommend instead that you buy your tickets from GetYourGuide here . They are an authorised ticket seller, and tickets are normally the same price or sometimes slightly cheaper than the official site once the taxes and convenience fees are taken into account.

Tickets booked via GetYourGuide also usually have the advantage of being refundable up to 24 hours in advance of your visit, unlike the tickets on the official website which are nonrefundable. However, always check the ticket description before purchase to check the policy.

Tickets are sent to your e-mail and you can either display them on your phone for scanning, or print them out.

They have a number of ticket options:

• This ticket is the most popular option for visitors, and includes access to the 2nd floor exhibition, 80th floor, and 86th floor observation deck. Also known as the standard Main deck ticket. It does not include 102nd floor access, but you can upgrade the ticket on site if you wish at either the 2nd floor or 86th floor. You can also pay a little bit more for the express version. Click here to buy this ticket.
• This AM/PM experience ticket gives you the same entry as the main deck ticket in the day, and also allows you to return after dark so you can see the city at night. Click here to buy this ticket.
• This sunrise experience ticket gives you early access to the 86th floor observation deck of the Empire State Building for sunrise. Tickets are limited to 50 per sunrise, meaning this is the best way to get the Empire State Building observation deck almost to yourself. After sunrise, you’ll get to visit the 2nd floor exhibits.
• This VIP Guided Tour Experience . You can book either a small-group guided tour or the red-carpet VIP private tour experience with celebrity green room access, drinks and snacks.

If you want to visit the 102nd floor, you will either need to upgrade your ticket on site, or buy the 102nd ticket from the official site here .

When comparing prices against the official site, be aware that a convenience fee of $2 is added to every ticket, and the prices shown do not include tax.

Attraction Passes that Include the Empire State Building

As with many cities around the world, there are a number of attraction passes for New York City which include free or discounted admission to some of the top attractions in the city. I’ve put together a comprehensive guide to New York Attraction passes , but here’s a quick list of the ones which include free entry to the Empire State Building.

Note that generally these passes just include standard entry to the Main Deck, so whilst they let you skip the ticket line, they are not express passes and they do not allow access to the 102nd floor observatory.

You can however pay for an upgrade on site for access to the the 102nd floor observatory if you wish.

• New York CityPASS – this includes access to the Empire State Building, with the added benefit that you can return and get same night admission after 10pm. It also includes access to five other major attractions in the city
• The New York Pass – includes standard skip the ticket line entry to the Empire State Building as well as over 100 other attractions in the city
• New York Sightseeing Pass – includes standard skip the ticket line entry to the Empire State Building as well as over 100 other attractions in the city

On a recent trip to New York City we used the New York Pass to visit the Empire State Building and had no issues.

Note that you do not need to reserve a timeslot with these passes, however at busier times it can be a good idea to do so. Information on how to do so is provided with each pass.

Can You Skip The Lines at the Empire State Building?

Yes, it is possible to purchase a ticket to skip the lines at the Empire State Building.

There are three types of line you will encounter when visiting the Empire State Building.

First there is a security line, then there’s a line for tickets, and then if it is particularly busy, there will be lines for the various elevators.

If you purchase your entry ticket in advance, then you can skip the lines for the ticket machines, which are found on the 2nd floor. We highly recommend purchasing your ticket in advance so you don’t waste time in the ticket line.

It’s also possible to purchase an express ticket like this (make sure you select the express option). This will let you take advantage of VIP entry, and go to the front of the security and elevator lines by using the express lanes.

Of course, if lots of people have these tickets there is the potential to be a bit of a wait, but for the most part these tickets will offer a faster experience than the standard ticket that most visitors buy.

What are the Opening Times for the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is normally open 365 days of the year from 8am until 2am. The last elevators typically ascend at 1:15 am.

In exceptional circumstances these opening times may change – check the official website in advance of your visit to be sure it is open when you visit.

Note: currently the opening times are changed. Check the official website for the latest information.

You can also visit the Empire State Building for sunrise, with the exclusive sunrise access ticket . Times will vary depending on the time of the sunrise.

Tours of the Empire State Building

There are a number ways to experience the Empire State Building. As well as the official tours mentioned earlier in this guide, there are a number of other options you have, both for visiting, and for getting a unique view of the building.

These include:

• This guided walking tour which includes tickets to the Empire State Building as well as tour of a number of other sights in the city
• How about experiencing the Empire State Building from the air? You can get a truly once in a lifetime view by taking a private or shared helicopter ride over the city.

What is there to See and Do at the Empire State Building?

The majority of visitors who come to the Empire State Building are primarily interested in visiting the world famous outdoor observation deck and taking in the views of the city.

However, there is more to do on site than enjoying the view, and the entire experience has been significantly improved in recent years. As a result, a visit to the Empire State Building is definitely no longer just about standing in line for an elevator and taking in that view.

If you haven’t visited before, or perhaps haven’t visited for a while, you may be surprised as to how much there is to see and do here following major upgrades in 2019.

Here are some of the things you can do on site.

Observation Decks at the Empire State Building

Obviously the main reason for your visit is to go up towards the top of the tower and experience the views. There are three floors with observatories in the Empire State Building as follows:

• 80th floor indoor observatory . Opened in late 2019, this is the newest observatory. It’s an entirely indoor observatory, so the views are through glass windows
• 86th floor indoor/outdoor observatory . The original and most famous of the observatories, this features both an indoor and outdoor viewing area which wraps around the whole building. This is the highest floor within the actual tower, all the height above this is the spire. It’s also the highest open-air viewpoint in the city.
• 102nd floor observatory . Found on the highest floor of the building, and fully refurbished in 2019, this floor now features floor to ceiling glass windows offering spectacular views over the city.

Exhibits and Route through the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building has a number of exhibits where you can learn about all sorts of things related to the building. This includes information about the construction of the Empire State Buildings, its architecture, its history, and its appearances in popular culture.

Here are all the exhibits you will see when you visit, as well as where they are located so you know what to expect at which part of your visit.

The first nine exhibits are located on the 2nd floor after the ticket check. These flow one after another in progressive order, and are as follows:

• The Site in the 1920s : The exhibits start with an overview of the site before the building was even here, when the Waldorf Astoria Hotel stood on this location.
• Construction : Models, images, and statues depict the construction process of the building, which took just over a year to complete
• Opening Day : Newspaper prints and images share the excitement of the day the Empire State Building opened to the world
• Modern Marvel : This interactive exhibit tells the story of how the present day Empire State Building is both energy efficient and sustainable
• Otis Elevators : A skyscraper could not exist without elevators, and this exhibit tells the story of the elevators that make a visit to the upper floor possible in minutes
• Urban Campus : The Empire State Building is more than just a tourist attraction—thousands of people come to work here every day. This exhibit shows some of the workspaces and views that visitors don’t normally get to see
• World’s Most Famous Building : The Empire State Building is regularly featured in the media, including in movies, TV shows, games, commercials, This 72 screen exhibit offers an immersive snapshot of over 600 clips that feature the building.
• Kong : Arguably the most well known film to have featured the Empire State Building, the 1933 Kong movie was where the Empire State Building made its silver screen debut. This fun exhibit gives you an idea of what it might have been like to be inside the building as Kong scaled it!
• Celebrity : A lot of people visit the Empire State Building, including some of the world’s most well known faces. This exhibit shares a history of some of these more famous visitors, including signed memorabilia.

Following these 2nd floor exhibits, you will ride the elevator to the 80th floor. This elevator ride is also an experience, with the whole ceiling of the elevator displaying a fun video that shows the building being built around the elevator shaft as you ascend. Thankfully it’s all done by the time you get to the top!

Following the elevator ride you’ll come out on the 80th floor. This is also an observatory deck with windows offering views over the city, so you will likely want to pause at a window and enjoy the view.

However, as well as the views from the windows you’ll find the following exhibits on the 80th floor:

• NYC: Above and Beyond : This interactive exhibit asks you questions about your interests and will then suggest an itinerary of sights you might want to visit throughout the city
• Artistry in Light : This short film with accompanying images tells the story of how the music and light shows at the Empire State Building are put together.
• Stephen Wiltshire’s Drawing : In 2017 British artist Stephen Wiltshire took a 45 minute long helicopter flight over New York City. He then drew, from memory, a detailed landscape image of the city. This is now on display on the 80th floor
• Scenes of NYC : The last major exhibit features some of the classic viewfinders that the 86th floor is known for. If you look through the viewfinders, you’ll see panoramic views of nine well-known New York locations and landmarks.

From the 80th floor there is another elevator to the 86th floor which is just a standard elevator.

The 86th floor is all about the view, with both an indoor and outdoor viewing experience. There are some plaques and signs, but no major exhibits on this floor.

From the 86th floor you can also ride up to the 102nd floor observation deck via another elevator if you have the correct ticket. This glass elevator has a light show and offers view of the inside of the tower as you ascend.

The top floor also has no exhibits, but the stunning views through the floor to ceiling windows more than make up for that.

One thing to bear in mind when visiting is that the exhibits, particularly on the second floor, are designed with a one-way flow in mind. Basically a visit to the Empire State Building used to involve a lot of lines, and the idea was to replace this rather boring line experience with something a lot more fun and interactive.

What this means is that you shouldn’t feel the urge to rush through and head to the top, as it’s a one-way flow and after you leave the 2nd floor exhibits for the 80th floor, you cannot return to them. So make sure you take your time and see everything on your way – the view will be waiting for you at the top when you are done!

The exception to this rule is for the sunrise ticket , where you visit the exhibits after the sunrise.

Restaurants at the Empire State Building

You can dine at the Empire State Building, and there are a number of options for doing so, including both table service options and fast-casual self-service dining options. All the dining options are on the ground floor, and can be visited without a ticket.

For a sit down meal, you have two main options. First there is the STATE Grill & Bar which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as bar and lounge snacks. They also have a full drinks menu of soft and alcoholic beverages.

The other main sit-down dining option is Tacombi . This offers Mexican food including Tacos made from scratch. There’s also a full drinks range, with their margaritas being a popular option.

If you’d prefer something a bit quicker, there are a number of casual dining options on the ground floor as well, which include Chopt, Chipotle, and Sushi-Terra. There’s also a Juice Press and a Starbucks on site if you are just looking for a drink.

Shopping at the Empire State Building

Naturally, you can go souvenir shopping at the Empire State Building. There’s a gift store on the 80th floor as well as on the 2nd floor just after you exit the elevators and before you leave the building.

There’s also a Walgreens, AT&T store, and a FedEx Express store on site.

Tips for Visiting the Empire State Building

Here are a few things to be aware of when you visit the Empire State Building so you are fully prepared.

Prohibited Items at the Empire State Building

There are a few things you can’t bring to the Empire State Building, which include:

• Bags or Luggage, including carry-on sized luggage. Be sure to leave your suitcases and luggage at your hotel, in your tour bus, or in a storage locker elsewhere in the city before visiting. Small backpacks or purses are fine, but will of course be searched during the security check.
• Glass, including glass bottles
• Alcoholic beverages
• Can, bottles, or flasks
• Professional camera and video equipment, including tripods.
• Sports equipment such as tennis rackets, baseball bats etc.
• Musical instruments
• Costumes or theatrical masks
• Firearms of any kind

Note that there are no lockers, luggage storage, or coat check facilities at the Empire State Building. So if you bring any of the prohibited items you will not be allowed in. You can see the full list of prohibited items here .

If you have luggage you need to store, then we suggest taking advantage of a luggage storage service like Nannybag , which has locations all around the city including some near the Empire State Building.

Strollers at the Empire State Building

Foldable strollers and prams are permitted at the Empire State Building and the lifts can accommodate them. There is no stroller storage, so you will need to use the stroller throughout the visit.

Note that you must fold the stroller on the observation decks.

It is probably a wise idea to not bring a stroller unless you need to do so as you will end up needing to fold and carry it for a lot of the visit.

Restrooms at the Empire State Building

There are restrooms available at the Empire State Building on the 86th floor, including wheelchair accessible toilets.

Bag / Coat Storage at the Empire State Building

There is no luggage storage or coat check at the Empire State Building. You will have to carry whatever you bring for the duration of your visit. If you wish to store a bag nearby, check out Nannybag for some locations.

Photography at the Empire State Building

Photography and video recording for personal use is permitted at the Empire State Building on all the floors.

However, professional photography equipment is not permitted, which includes tripods, monopods, or bi-pods. If you want to do any commercial filming you will need to get prior written permission.

How Long To Visit the Empire State Building For?

As you can see from our guide, there is a lot to see and do at the Empire State Building. We would recommend a minimum of 90 minutes for your visit if you are visiting the main deck, and around 2 hours if you also intend to also  visit the 102nd floor.

Of course, you’ll want to allow more time if you plan to eat here.

What is the Best Time of Day to Visit the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is a popular attraction and it does get crowded. If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s recommended you visit either early in the morning, between 8am and 10am, or late at night, from around 11pm onwards.

Download the Free Empire State Building App

To make the most of your experience you might want to download the free Empire State Building app, which is available on the Apple store for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android . We would recommend downloading this ahead of your visit.

The app features audio and visual information to help you navigate your way around, as well as history and trivia about the building. It’s free, and you’ll just need to bring along your own headphones or earbuds to listen to it during your visit.

Accessibility at the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is fully ADA compliant, and visitors with disabilities should generally have no problem visiting. Both motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs are allowed on site, and there are ramps throughout the building where required.

Service dogs are also allowed on site, and the 86th floor features accessible restrooms as well as lowered viewing walls and binoculars. You can see more information on their accessibility page here .

If you have any questions or concerns prior to your visit, you can reach out to the on-site team via their website here .

Where to Stay Near the Empire State Building

New York City has a huge range of accommodation options at a variety of budgets. In our experience, there are definitely more mid-range and high end properties, although there are some budget options.

If you want to stay near the Empire State Building, we’ve put together this list of options which are all within a 20 minute walk of the Empire State Building. This means you’ll be able to easily visit early in the morning or late at night, and not have to think too much about getting back to your hotel!

These accommodation options are ordered approximately by price, from lowest to highest, although prices do vary so always check different options to find the right property for your budget and requirements.

• American Dream Hostel – this is a positively reviewed hostel which features private rooms that share bathrooms. It’s around a 20 minute walk from the Empire State Building, making it one of the closest hostels we could find in the area. There’s a free breakfast, snacks through the day, and an on-site kitchen and luggage storage.
• Hotel 31 – This 2* hotel is just 650 yards fro the Empire State Building. Accommodation is simple, and there are both rooms with private and shared bathrooms. Breakfast is available as an option, and there’s a 24 hour reception
• The Paul Hotel – this hotel has a mix of private bunk bed rooms and standard rooms, all of which have private bathrooms and coffee making facilities. It’s only 450 yards from the Empire State Building and there’s also a sun terrace and fitness centre on site. Breakfast is available.
• Hotel Wolcott – this 3* hotel is one of the closest options to the Empire State Building, found just a 3 minute walk away. All rooms have private bathrooms and air conditioning. There’s no dining available on site.
• Arlo Nomad – This is a well rated 4* hotel just 350 yards from the Empire State Building. A variety of room types are available, including “micro-hotel” options with bunk beds. Rooms have refrigerators and there’s an on-site restaurant and rooftop bar
• Hampton by Hilton Manhattan 35th Street – just one block away from the Empire State Building, this well rated 3* hotel offers comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, free coffee/tea, and inclusive breakfast
• U Hotel Fifth Avenue – a 3* boutique hotel just 2 minutes walk from the Empire State Building offering private rooms with en-suite facilities and air conditioning. Breakfast is available and there’s an on-site Starbucks
• Park Terrace Hotel on Bryant Park – A very well reviewed 4* hotel with sound-proofed rooms featuring Nespresso machines and en-suite facilities. There’s a fitness centre, sauna, and business centre as well as on-site dining and drinking options
• The Langham – one of the best 5* hotels near the Empire State Building, this is the option to go for if you are looking for luxury. Only 350 yards from the Empire State Building, the spacious rooms feature espresso makers, private bathrooms, and all the amenities you would expect.

Hopefully that gives you some ideas for where to stay near the Empire State Building. You can see more hotels, hostels and apartments on booking.com here .

We recommend checking listings on The Plum Guide for Midtown if you are interested in an apartment rental for your time in New York.

Plum Guide offer a range of high quality accommodation options across a range of price points and we’ve used them for a number of stays around the world. Basically they only allow the highest quality listings to appear on their site, saving you time having to wade through hundreds of options. You can see our Plum Guide review here for our experiences with them. For more options, see our guide to AirBnB alternatives here .

Further Reading

Well, that’s it for our guide to visiting the Empire State Building! We hope you found it useful.

We also wanted to share some more content we’ve written on visiting New York City and travelling in the USA in general, to ensure you have all the information you might need. We’ve also got a few third party resources to recommend that we think you might find helpful for your trip.

• To help you plan your visit more, we have a guide to spending 2 days in New York City as well as 3 days in New York City
• We have a detailed  guide to getting around New York , which should help you plan your transport in the city
• If you are thinking of investing in an attraction pass, see our guide to our favourite New York City attraction passes
• If you enjoy walking tours, check out our  review of some of the Take Walks  New York walking tours
• Wondering how much to budget for your trip? We have a guide to  how much it costs to travel in the USA  to help you plan
• If you’re heading on from New York and thinking of hiring a car, take a look at our  tips for driving in the USA
• If you’re looking for a guide to New York, we can recommend the  Frommer’s EasyGuide to New York City .

And that’s it for this guide! As always, if you have any feedback, comments or questions, just pop them in the comments section below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Safe travels!

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Shelley Martin says

6th August 2023 at 2:30 am

Thanks for the great article! I want to be on the deck half an hour prior to sunset on Wednesday 27 September, which is 6.45 pm. What entrance time do you think i should book my ticket for? Coming from Australia!

Laurence Norah says

6th August 2023 at 9:48 am

Hey Shelley!

My pleasure! So I would probably aim for around 4pm to 5pm. That should give you plenty of time to see all the exhibits as you go through from the entrance (there’s quite a lot to see before you actually go up the elevator). That said, if you don’t think you’ll be as interested in the galleries and exhibits and just want to get to the top, then I’d say 5pm should give you plenty of time. Normally even at busier times the queues aren’t more than 45 minutes to an hour, and you’re visiting on a weekday so it should be fine.

Have a great time in NYC!

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Empire State Building – tickets, prices, timings, what to expect, FAQs

The Empire State Building (ESB) is an 88-year-old skyscraper on 5th Avenue, Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

Tourists love to go up the observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors of ESB and look at the New York skyline.

Named after NYC’s nickname, The Empire State, it is an American cultural icon featured in more than 250 TV shows and movies.

This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Empire State Building.

Top Empire State Building Tickets

# Standard ticket to 86th floor # Express ticket to 86th floor # Sunrise tickets

Table of contents

What to expect, where to book tickets, how do online tickets work, empire state building tickets price, free entry to empire state, standard ticket to 86th floor, express ticket to 86th floor, sunrise tickets, combo tickets, how to reach, empire state’s entrance, how long does empire state building take, standard or express tickets, empire state building at night, main deck on 86th floor, top deck on 102nd floor, the exhibits, 86 floor observatory vs 102 floor observatory, empire state building audio guide, faqs about the empire state building.

Looking up at New York’s skyscrapers is a great experience, but it doesn’t compare to looking down on the city from atop its most famous skyscraper – the Empire State Building.

Be greeted by a friendly team of burgundy-uniformed personnel who will guide you through the Empire State Building’s inspiring murals and artwork.

The most famous spot on the skyscraper is the 86th floor, where many movies, such as ‘Independence Day’ and ‘Sleepless in Seattle,’ have filmed memorable scenes.

From the 86th floor, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of up to six states from the surrounding open-air promenade and climate-controlled viewing galleries.

Have the opportunity to snap aerial shots of Central Park, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the One World Trade Center.

Recreate the famous King Kong scene by beating your chest like the giant ape did as he climbed the building.

By using the official Empire State Building app, visitors can enhance their experience and make the most of their visit to this National Historic Landmark.

The app offers access to multimedia apps, exhibitions, and signage, all available in nine different languages.

Plus, visitors can explore the revamped 80th floor, which features exciting and artistic exhibits.

With two attractions for the price of one, the Empire State Building is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the best views of New York City.

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Tickets for the Empire State Building are available to be purchased at the attraction or online in advance.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.

Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.

Go to the Empire State Building booking page , select your preferred date, time, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.

After the purchase, you will receive the tickets via email.

You don’t need to carry printouts.

Show the smartphone tickets at the gate on the day of your visit and walk into the attraction.

A standard adult ticket for visitors aged 13 to 61 years costs US$48 between to US$51, depending on the date of your visit.

Seniors aged 62 or above pay between US$46 and US$47 at the Empire State Building.

Tickets for children between six and 12 years of age range between US$42 to US$45 at the Empire State Building.

Kids under six years of age can enter for free.

Express Entry tickets for the Empire State Building cost US$91 for all visitors over six years of age.

Once at the Empire State Building, you can upgrade both the Standard and the Express Entry tickets by paying US$20 more and go up to the Top Deck (102nd floor) as well.

If you want to watch the sunrise from the 86th floor of ESB, buy the sunrise ticket for US$147 per person.

The  New York CityPASS  includes tickets to the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History along three choices of famous local landmarks like 9/11 Memorial Museum, Top of the Rock, etc. You get 40% off the total entry price compared to the combined admission of individual tickets.

Children aged five and under can enter the Empire State Building for free.

Military personnel in uniform can also walk in for free.

All other visitors need a ticket to explore this New York City landmark.

If you are on a budget holiday and don’t want to go up to the observatory, you can visit the Empire State’s lobby for free.

Empire State for free with Discount cards

Visitors can enter the building for free if they have bought the New York Explorer Pass .

The Explorer Pass lets you skip the queue at the Empire State’s ticketing counter and go straight to the 86th-floor observatory for free.

Besides ESB, the discount card also helps you explore attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Museum and Memorial, MoMA, Top of the Rock Observatory, The Edge, and many more for free.

The discount pass helps you save up to 45% of your ticket cost.

Visitors can also buy New York Sightseeing Day Pass to get free entry to the Empire State Building.

Visit more than 100 Big Apple attractions with the money-saving New York Sightseeing Day Pass and save up to 50%.

You can customize your sightseeing itinerary and choose from a 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, or 10-day pass to suit your schedule.

Enjoy free entry to One World Observatory, Top of the Rock, and Statue of Liberty – plus many more – and enjoy unlimited access to CitySightseeing hop-on hop-off buses for the duration of your pass.

Empire State Building tickets

When you visit the Empire State Building, there are three lines you stand in and wait for your turn.

Line 1: The queue at the ticketing counter

Line 2: The queue at the security check

Line 3: The line in front of the elevators

The Standard ticket helps you skip the first line, and the Express ticket helps you skip the three lines.

Important: Kids five years and below don’t need to buy tickets.

When you buy the Standard ticket online, you can skip the first line.

You won’t have to stand in the ticketing counter line because you will already have the entry tickets with you.

This ticket allows entry to the 86th-floor observatory – the highest open-air observatory in New York City.

The ticket also provides access to the second-floor immersive exhibits and also includes a downloadable interactive audio guide app and free high-speed WiFi on-site.

From the Ticket Office on the 2nd floor or from the kiosk at the 86th-floor deck, you can upgrade the Standard ticket and visit the 102nd-floor observatory as well.

Ticket Price

Adult ticket (13 to 61 years): US$48 to US$51 Child ticket (6 to 12 years): US$42 to US$45 Seniors ticket (62+ years): US$46 to US$49

Infant ticket (up to 5 years): Free

With an Express ticket, you can skip the lines at the ticketing counter, jump to the front of the security check line, and get to the front of the elevator queue.

To put it briefly, visitors can experience a grand reception at the Empire State Building when booking this ticket.

We recommend the Express ticket for weekends and holidays when the Empire State gets lots of visitors.

Visitors can access the exhibits at the attraction without queuing and can explore the immersive second-floor exhibits.

The ticket includes a downloadable interactive audio guide app and free high-speed WiFi on-site.

You start with the observatory on the 86th floor and can upgrade to the one on the 102nd floor for just US$20.

General Admission (6+ years): US$91 Infant ticket (up to 5 years): Free

With the Empire State Building’s Sunrise ticket, you can watch the sunrise in New York from the best place possible – the 86th-floor observatory.

The time for this tour varies, depending on the sunrise time. Only 100 tickets get sold every day.

Access to the observatory is provided 30 minutes before sunrise.

General Admission : US$147

Empire State Premium Experience Book this  Empire State Building’s premium experience  and see how celebrities are welcomed into the building. During this all-access tour, you will live the red-carpet lifestyle.

To make the most of your visit to New York, it’s best to plan ahead and book a combo ticket.

Take advantage of exclusive deals and explore the city’s top attractions near the Empire State Building, some of which are within a mile.

You can buy ESB tickets in combination with tickets for the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt , the Statue of Liberty , MoMA , 9/11 Memorial & Museum , One World Observatory , or the New York Tourist Card .

Combo tickets are ideal for large families, groups, or those on a budget holiday and can help you visit all major attractions by booking just once!

Avail discounts of up to 28% when booking these combo tickets.

Recommended Reading: Empire State Building facts

The Empire State Building is situated on the west side of Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, between 33rd and 34th Streets.

Address: 20 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA. Get Directions

You can reach the Empire State Building by public transport or car.

The W 34 St & 5 Av is located right across the street from the Empire State Building and can be reached by several buses including QM10, QM12, SIM23, and SIM24.

Get down at the 33 St station to reach the attraction.

Take subway line 4 or 6.

If you are driving by car, turn on Google Maps and get started!

Choose between parking options around the attraction.

Times Square is on 42nd Street, and the Empire State Building is on 34th Street, making it seven blocks downtown. From Times Square, a 15-minute walk down Broadway can get you to the Empire State.

Visual Story : 15 must-know tips before visiting Empire State Building

Till late 2018, both the visitors to the observatories and the building’s tenants would use the entrance on 350 Fifth Avenue , which was an inconvenience for all.

Now, tourists going up the observatories must enter the Empire State Building through the 20 West 34th Street entrance .

The new entrance provides visitors to the Empire State Building’s world-famous Observatories with a better and more seamless entry.

The opening and closing hours at the Empire State Building keep changing depending on the month and season.

Empire State Building opens at times ranging from 8 am to 10 am, depending on the season.

Meanwhile, the closing hours range between 10 pm and 1 am.

The elevator’s last trip up to the observatory is 45 minutes before the day’s closing.

Both the 86th and the 102nd-floor observatories are open for tourists 365 days of the year, irrespective of the weather.

To explore the Empire State Building’s Main Deck on the 86th floor, visitors usually take 60 minutes.

If you upgrade your tickets (at the cost of US$20 per person) and visit the Top Deck on the 102nd floor as well, you need an additional 30 minutes.

However, if you haven’t bought your tickets online, factor 45 to 60 minutes more in the ticketing line.

To avoid waiting in the ticketing line, buy  Empire State’s Standard tickets .

To skip all the lines, buy Express tickets .

Best time to visit

We suggest booking your tour on a weekday when the attraction is less busy for a more enjoyable visit.

The best time to visit the Empire State Building is as soon as it opens, after which the lines start getting longer.

If you can’t make it in the morning, the next best time is from 3 pm to 5 pm.

The best time of the day for family groups to visit the Empire State Building is around 9 or 10 pm, while couples can find a more private atmosphere around 11 pm.

Weekends and public holidays are the most crowded at the attraction.

Many visitors are confused about which tickets to buy while visiting Empire State Building – Standard tickets or Express tickets.

Here is our Standard ticket vs. Express ticket comparison to help you decide:

Standard tickets

• Also known as the General Admission ticket
• The adult ticket can cost US$48 to US$51 per person
• Seniors citizens pay between US$46 to US$49 per person
• Children between 6 to 12 years can get tickets for US$42 to US$45
• Kids 5 years and below enter for free
• If you buy Standard Tickets online , you wait in two lines – for security and the elevator. Else, you also wait in line to purchase tickets
• During peak seasons and hours, purchasing a Standard ticket helps you save more than 60 minutes in the lines

Express tickets

• Also known as Skip all the Lines ticket
• The cost of the Express ticket is $87 irrespective of the age of the visitor
• Kids below six years get in for free
• If you buy Express Tickets online , you don’t wait in any queue
• During peak times, this ticket can save you more than an hour of waiting time

Our recommendation

The Express tickets are expensive, so we suggest them only under the following conditions:

• You are visiting during the peak season
• You don’t have much time and want to finish your tour of the Empire State Building in an hour
• You are traveling with kids and fear they may get irritated while waiting
• Money isn’t an issue for you, but you want a hassle-free experience at Empire State Building

Got reasons to buy Express Tickets? Book Now

Most tourists don’t know that the Empire State Building is open until 1 am, on some nights.

The last elevator goes up at 12.15 am.

So when should one visit the Empire State Building? Day time or night?

Empire State Building day or night?

Read on to learn how visiting the Empire State Building at night is an experience of a lifetime.

– You can spot many famous illuminated skyscrapers (including Wall Street)

– The Hudson River looks breathtaking, reflecting the city lights and the lit-up ferries moving across it.

– From the top of the Empire State Building, you can see for almost as far as 80 miles (130 km). All starlit.

– You can also spot the Statue of Liberty holding her torch, gleaming above the New York harbor.

– The Empire State Building has thousands of programmable LED lights that change colors on holidays and special observances. You can experience this upfront. For instance, on the Fourth of July, the tower is lit up with red, white, and blue lights.

– You can also see the shimmering lights of the Williamsburg and Brooklyn Bridge.

– You get to enjoy the city view, and at the same time, you can stargaze as you get a close view of the night sky. It is like watching into two different galaxies, one above you and one that is below.

– You get your personal space as the crowds are non-existent.

– Most of the nights, a live saxophonist takes requests. So it can be a romantic getaway.

– If you love taking photographs, you can capture the perfect night sky and the city lights

What to see at the Empire State building?

Most tourists don’t know that the Empire State isn’t just about the observatories.

Inside the Empire State Building , there are two kinds of attractions – observatories and exhibits.

Observation decks

The Empire State is the 6th tallest building in the United States of America.

There are two observatories in the Empire State Building – on the 86th and 102nd floors.

The Empire State Building’s Observation decks allow a 360-degree view of the city.

This Deck is the highest open-air observatory in New York City.

All the ESB ticket holders get access to this Main deck observatory.

High-powered binoculars present in the observatory help you get a closer look at the city.

Because of the protective fencing, it isn’t easy to take selfies and photos from the 86th floor.

The 102nd-floor observatory is much smaller and completely enclosed.

It has huge glass windows through which you can see the most beautiful panoramic view of New York City.

On a clear day, you can see as far as the five states – New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

From this Empire State Building observatory, you can see approximately 130 km (80 miles approx).

The ESB lobby is one of the few interior areas of the city that have been labeled as historic landmarks by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

This lobby’s backdrop is an image of the Empire State Building itself, with beams of light radiating from the building.

Besides the observatories, the Empire State Building has numerous exhibits spread over the second and the 80th floors. 

We list them here:

• Site in 1920s
• Construction exhibit
• Opening Day
• Modern Marvel
• Otis Elevators
• Urban Campus
• Most Famous Building exhibit
• King Kong’s Escape 
• Celebrities Galore
• Artistry in Light
• Stephen Wiltshire’s Drawing

Follow the link to know  what’s inside the Empire State Building .

Recommended Reading – Empire State Building or Top of the Rock – Empire State Building or One World Observatory

When you buy the Empire State Building tickets – Standard, Express, or Sunrise- you can only book the Main Deck (86th floor) experience.

But once you are at the venue, you can decide to visit the observatory on the 102nd floor and upgrade.

The Top Deck upgrades are available at the Observatory ticket office (2nd floor) or the 86th-floor kiosk for $20 extra per person.

Most tourists wonder if the upgrade to the 102-floor observatory is worth it.

The 86th floor is 320 meters (1050 feet) above the ground, while the 102nd floor is 381 meters (1250 feet) high.

That’s a difference of 61 meters (200 feet).

At that height, we don’t think a mere 61 meters (200 feet) makes a huge difference in how you see the New York skyline.

Visitors who have been to the Top Deck also feel the views weren’t much different.

However, we recommend the upgrade during winter when the outdoor 86th-floor observatory will be colder than the indoor 102nd-floor observatory.

If you are visiting in the summer months, save US$20 per person and see either Top of the Rock or One World Observatory .

If you visit the ESB, you can download a free multimedia tour app, which acts as your audio guide.

The app can help you navigate through four specific areas:

1. The Sustainability Exhibit 2. “Dare to Dream” Exhibit (it is about the history of the building) 3. The 86th-floor Observatory 4. The 102nd-floor Observatory

Download the Empire State Building guide for  Android and iPhone .

Must see: Stunning wildlife photos projected on Empire State Building

Here are some questions visitors usually ask before booking tickets for the Empire State Building.

It is best to buy the tickets online to ensure availability and have a hassle-free experience.

It is an open-air observation deck on the 86th floor that offers a panoramic view of New York City.

Yes, visitors can visit ESB throughout the year.

Yes, visitors can stop by the gift shop on the 80th floor.

It takes about a minute to reach the 86th-floor observation deck by elevator.

No, there is no time limit for how long you can stay on the ESB observation deck. However, most visitors spend around one hour taking in the views.

No, outside food and drinks are not allowed on the ESB observation deck. However, there is a café on the 80th floor where you can purchase snacks and drinks.

There is no specific dress code for visiting the observation deck, but it is recommended to dress comfortably and wear appropriate footwear.

Yes, there are restrictions for visiting the observation deck. For example, large bags and backpacks are not allowed, and there are certain items that are prohibited, such as tripods and selfie sticks.

The observation deck is open all year round, but it may close for safety reasons during severe weather conditions, such as thunderstorms or heavy snowfall. It is recommended to check the weather forecast before visiting.

Sources # Esbnyc.com # Citypass.com # Tripadvisor.com The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

Popular attractions in New York

Observatories in USA

# One World Observatory # Top of the Rock # Chicago Skydeck # 360 Chicago # Edge Hudson Yards

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This article was researched & written by

Jamshed V Rajan

He is a two-faced traveler, who enjoys both the hustle-bustle of an urban holiday and the serenity of a break from the rest of the World. During some of his vacations, he is a resort hopper, and on others, he barely spends time in his hotel. He loves to try mouth-watering local cuisines, especially non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

1 thought on “Empire State Building – tickets, prices, timings, what to expect, FAQs”

Thank you. It will be my first visit to New York City. Empire State building has been on my list for 20 years.

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Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Empire State Building

No iconic landmark like the Empire State Building can personify New York City. This 102-story skyscraper has defined the city’s landscape for decades now and is one of the most popular stops to check out! As a world-class destination, large crowds tend to flock to the Empire State Building year-round so planning a trip will cut down on needless wasted time. Make the most of your trip to this renowned structure by reading up on everything you need to know before you go!

How To Get There

The Empire State Building is located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan at 350 Fifth Avenue. Train routes will vary based on what line you’re taking: 

• ACE/123 trains: Get off at 34th Street Penn Station and walk five minutes to the building entrance. 
• NQRW or BDFM lines: exit the train at 34th Street – Herald Square Station and walk another five minutes.
•  456 or 7 lines, get off the train at Grand Central station then walk 10 minutes to the building’s entrance. 

There are also numerous bus routes in the area to choose from depending on where you’re located:  

• W 34 St & 5 Avenue: multiple buses including QM10, QM12, QM15, QM16, QM17 (etc.)
• 5 Av / W 34 Street: BxM7 and BxM18
• 5 Av/W 35 Street: X27, X28, X37, and X38

While driving isn’t recommended, if you’re arriving by car the closest garage is located on 33rd Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway, just across the street from the building. 

Hours and Tickets

Visiting hours will differ depending on the month you decide to visit. 

• From January 4th - February 16th: hours of operation will run from 10 am - 9 pm, with entry doors closing at 8:15 pm. 
• From February 17th- March 8th: hours of operation will be from 10 am - 10 pm and entry doors will close at 9:15 pm. 

Check the Empire State Building’s official website for more information on the future hours of operation. Reservations are required to be permitted inside so book them online ASAP. Pricing will depend on how many visitors are in your party and what experience you’re seeking during a visit. 

For one person looking to explore the main deck of the 86th-floor observatory (which includes access to all the exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors as well), tickets typically start at $44 for adults, $42 for seniors, and $38 for children. Top deck access tickets include the aforementioned perks plus access to the 102nd floor which comes out to $79 for adults, $77 for seniors, and $73 for children. Other packages offered are listed on the official site. 

Points of Interest

2nd floor observatory.

There are eight exhibits featured on this floor:

• The Site in the 1920s: Take a trip back in time and explore the city streets when the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel occupied the Empire State Building’s current location during the early 20th century. 
• Construction: Guests will be immersed in the efforts that went into creating the modern Empire State Building, greatly inspired by the historical photography of Lewis Hine.
• Opening Day: An attraction capturing the excitement of the Empire State Building’s initial opening to the general public in the 1930s. 
• Modern Marvel: An interactive exhibit highlighting the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability efforts that went into building the Empire State Building. 
• Urban Campus: Catch of glimpse into the workspaces and views frequented by employees that visitors normally don’t get to see. 
• World’s Most Famous Building: A 72-screen,180-degree multimedia exhibit displaying a 600-clip montage of the Empire State Building’s appearances in various commercials, films, TV shows, comics, and games. 
• Kong: Come and see the infamous hands of King Kong from the Eponymous 1933 movie and get a feel for what it might’ve been like to be inside the building as Kong scaled it!
• Celebrity: Some of the most famous visitors (athletes, musicians, actors) with their images and signed memorabilia adorning the walls are featured here.

80th Floor Observatory

The latest installation in the collection opened in 2019 as an entirely indoor attraction. Exhibits on this floor include:

• NYC: Above and Beyond: Create a personalized itinerary of attractions around the city based on your interests and the duration of your trip with this interactive exhibit.
• Artistry in Light: A short film detailing the creation of music and art shows at the Empire State Building.
• Stephen Wiltshire’s Drawing: A vastly detailed landscape drawing done by British Artist Stephen Wilshire entirely from his memory. 
• Scenes of NYC: Breathtaking scenery can be seen from the glass windows and through the classic viewfinders, visitors can check out panoramic views of nine famed New York locations.

86th Floor Observatory

There are no major exhibits on this floor but it is perfect for taking the perfect pictures of NYC from above. Indoor and outdoor viewing experiences are provided. You’ll be able to view the Manhattan skyline from here and it has been a popular setting for many movies and television shows over the years. 

102nd Floor Observatory  

Another floor with no dedicated exhibits but stunning views through floor-to-ceiling windows. You’ll ride up to the Top Deck in the manually operated Otis elevator, watching the altitude gradually rise along the way. There’s no better way to get an aerial view of Central Park or the skyscrapers up to eighty miles away on a good day.  

Other Nearby Attractions

Central park.

This popular 843-acre Manhattan Park offers a reprieve from the concrete streets of New York! Lush greenery and noteworthy sights are plentiful. 

Statue of Liberty

Another must-see iconic landmark in NYC is open every day of the week. Tickets start at $23.50 including a tour of Ellis Island. 

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

One of the largest and most influential institutions in the world boasting over 150,000 works of art. Popular artists include Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso. 

Where to Stay Near the Empire State Building

The Langham, Hyatt Place, and RIFF Chelsea are all strongly recommended hotels for those looking to book a room while they’re in town. Check out booking.com for a comprehensive list of the best hotels to stay at in the area depending on your preferences and price range. 

Other Important Information 

Restrooms are available at the Empire State Building on the 86th floor, including wheelchair-accessible toilets. Expect to go through a security check similar to the airport when first entering the building. There is no coat check and only carry-on luggage is permitted. Glass, cans, bottles, flasks, professional camera equipment, sports equipment, musical instruments, alcoholic beverages, costumes and theatrical masks, and firearms are not allowed under any circumstances. An expansive list of prohibited items is available under the FAQ section of the official Empire State Building website.

Foldable strollers and prams are permitted at the Empire State Building and the lifts can accommodate them although there is no storage so you will have to carry them for the duration of your visit. There is a handicap-accessible entrance at 20 West 34th Street, where ramps and elevators can accommodate both motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs. Service dogs are also allowed on site, and the 86th floor features lowered viewing walls and binoculars. 

Najma Chavez

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Najma draws on her deep knowledge and passion for the New York City Metropolitan Area. She has written professionally for three years and is on track to finish her B.A. in English, Technical, and Professional Writing at Indiana University-East. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with friends, family, and her cat! She also likes to dedicate time to working out, reading books, wood carving, and volunteering part-time at her local animal shelter. 

VISIT THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Get all the information you need before you visit the Empire State Building.

9 A.M. –  12 A.M.

Buy Tickets

Take a closer look at our two observation decks and learn about the exhibits to see during your visit.

Browse your ticket options and start planning an unforgettable Empire State Building Experience.

Dine, indulge, and take home memories of your trip to New York City.

Find out how to get here by subway or map out your trip from a custom destination.

For years, celebrities and notable dignitaries have come to admire the Empire State Building's Art Deco beauty and unmatched views. Celebrity visitors include heads of state from countries around the world, film and music stars, sports heroes, political figures, and men and women of every accomplishment

Find out when the best times are to visit, so you can beat the crowds and soak up the views.

Important information regarding accessibility and accommodation for visitors with disabilities.

Visit The Heart of NYC

It’s New York’s can’t-miss experience. Book your ticket to the top today.

The Best Time to Visit the Empire State Building

By Cassie Shortsleeve

Since its opening in 1931, New York City’s Empire State Building has dazzled both tourists and locals alike. In fact, the 102-story skyscraper is the most photographed building in the world . For a full visit, (the building is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., 365 days per year) allow at least two hours, suggests Lia Batkin, co-founder of New York-based In the Know Experiences . And consider the weather. On a clear day, you’ll see as far as five states ( New York , New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts). If it’s cloudy, you won’t see a thing.

Then consider visiting at these times.

Early birds can watch the sunrise from the 86th floor observatory before it opens to the general public at 8 a.m. Limited to 100 people per morning, the Sunrise Experience ($100) provides access to the observatory 30 minutes before sunrise, allowing people to watch the city that never sleeps wake up. Buy tickets in advance online or at the ESB’s ticket office.

Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Thanks to fewer crowds, this is one of the time frames the Empire State Building itself suggests visiting (though you can always view wait times in real-time on the building’s website). Early morning is also a particularly good time to go if you’re new to New York, says Kitt Garrett, founder and CEO of Discover New York . “It provides an incredible overview and a feel for the city that simply looking down a street can’t provide.”

Book a weekday trip and bypass the (often crowded) ticket office by purchasing a ticket online ($54). Choose the VIP express pass ($60) to skip the lines.

After 9 p.m.

The last elevator up to the observatory leaves at 1:15 a.m—and hitting the ESB between midnight and closing time means you can enjoy both a night out and the world’s most famous building. Garrett says: “It’s the exclamation mark you want at the end of the evening.” Romantics, wander up Thursday to Saturday, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. (and till 1 a.m. during the summer) to catch a live saxophonist. Says Batkin: “He takes requests.”

Empire State Building | Tickets, Hours & Views

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The Empire State Building is one of the most iconic landmarks in the entire U.S., and it’s impossible to think of New York City without seeing this massive skyscraper looming over Midtown, one of the best neighborhoods in Manhattan . Of course, it’s even better to visit the Empire State Building and see it for yourself, as this is one of the top things to do in NYC .

Every time we visit the Big Apple, we’re always amazed by the size and height of the Empire State Building . Not only that, but this Art Deco skyscraper holds nearly 100 years of history, so it’s one of the most famous buildings in NYC .

Empire State Building | Tickets, Hours & Views

Since this is a popular tourist attraction, you must plan your visit and purchase tickets to the Empire State Building in advance. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know, including the Empire State Building hours , tours, and more. For example, there are different ticket options as well as New York city passes that include this famous landmark. I recommend the New York Pass , but you can look through all the passes in our article.

Guide to visiting the Empire State Building observation deck

You’re probably excited to visit the Empire State Building , but keep in mind that you can’t just walk in and go up to the observatories. Don’t worry, because I’ll share all the info you need to get your tickets for the Empire State Building and maximize your time at this incredible attraction, which is especially important if you have just 2 days in NYC .

In this guide, I’ll share the most important information about this NYC landmark, including:

Empire State Building ticket options

Empire state building hours.

Empire State Building tours

Other places to visit inside the Empire State Building

By the end of this article, you’ll have everything you need to tour the Empire State Building .

As one of the best observation decks in New York City , the Empire State Building is wildly popular, so purchasing tickets in advance is a must-do. There are several different ticket options and packages depending on which Empire State Building observatory you want to visit.

Empire State Building 86 th floor

The 86 th -floor observatory of the Empire State Building is known as the Main Deck and is 1,050 feet high. It’s famous for its appearance in several movies and TV shows and seeing it in person is even more breathtaking. I recommend including this observation deck on our 3-day NYC itinerary .

This open-air, wraparound deck gives you 360° views of New York City , the Hudson River, and beyond. On clear days, you can even see New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Connecticut! Again, you need to purchase Empire State Building tickets in advance, so get your skip-the-line ticket as soon as possible.

Empire State Building 102 nd floor

For the best views from the Empire State Building , you must visit the 102 nd floor. From up here, you’ll be 1,224 feet high and able to see up to 80 miles into the distance. It’s the ultimate panoramic view of New York’s bridges, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and other iconic sights.

After checking out the 86 th floor, take a glass elevator to the highest Empire State Building observation deck . The 102 nd floor was recently renovated and features floor-to-ceiling windows, so the experience is incredible.

Best of all, with this ticket , you can select the upgrade option to see both the 86 th and 102nd-floor observatories.

Attraction passes that include the Empire State Building

If you’re going to be in the Big Apple for a couple of days and you want to see several popular landmarks, it’s worth getting a New York city pass . There are different tourist cards available, although we recommend the New York Pass since it offers a variety of options depending on the length of your trip.

All of the passes include access to the Empire State Building’s 86 th floor , and the New York Pass gives you a discount if you want to also visit the 102 nd floor. We have a complete guide to these attraction passes that breaks down the cost savings, but I’ll tell you here that it’s a great value, especially if you want to see other observation decks in NYC like the Top of the Rock .

Before you purchase tickets for the Empire State Building , you should consider the hours of operation. This way, you can select the best time slot to visit the Empire State Building , based on your itinerary and preferences.

Currently, the Empire State Building’s hours are 10 am to 12 am, and the attraction is typically open 365 days a year. Most people spend about 1 to 1.5 hours here, so keep that in mind when planning your visit.

Visiting the Empire State Building at night

While the view from the Empire State Building is gorgeous any time of day, many people prefer visiting at sunset or after dark. Capturing the iconic view from this skyscraper is one of the best things to do in New York City at night , especially with your special someone!

If you want to go to the Empire State Building at night , I recommend booking this combo ticket that includes a morning visit and a nighttime visit. That way, you get the best of both worlds .

Many tourists opt for a self-guided visit to the Empire State Building , either with their 86 th -floor ticket or 102 nd -floor ticket. Both options include the exhibits on the 2 nd and 80 th floors, which I’ll talk about later.

If you prefer to do a tour of the Empire State Building , consider this VIP guided tour . It’ll grant you access to the secret VIP entrance, which leads to the Art Deco Lobby. Then, head to the Celebrity Green Room, where you’ll enjoy champagne, coffee, tea, and snacks. Browse the Celebrity Walk exhibit, which details the famous figures who have visited this iconic skyscraper.

Then, you’ll meet your tour guide, who will lead you to the 86 th -floor observatory, all while sharing unique insights and info about the building’s architecture and design. This 1.5-hour tour is reserved for small groups and includes skip-the-line access and a complimentary souvenir photo.

View from the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building’s observation decks provide some of the best photo ops in all of New York City . As I said before, you’ll get magnificent views no matter when you go, although I think the best time to visit the Empire State Building is at sunset, so you can admire the golden glow over Manhattan. After dark, the entire city lights up, creating a glittery landscape. It’s no wonder is one of the top couples’ things to do in NYC .

To be fair, if you visit during the daytime, you can better distinguish all the sights, including the Hudson and East Rivers, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty. You’ll also be able to see prominent skyscrapers like the Flatiron Building, the Chrysler Building, One World Observatory, and the Rockefeller Center. With some luck, the skies will be clear, and you can gaze up to 80 miles into Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania .

While most people come to see the Empire State Building’s observatories , that’s not all that this landmark skyscraper has to offer. Below are some more things to do at the Empire State Building , including places to eat and shop.

Exhibits and route through the Empire State Building

Regardless of the Empire State Building ticket you purchase, you’ll have access to the exhibits on the 2 nd and 80 th floors. I recommend stopping by to learn more about the history of this skyscraper, from its construction to opening day in 1931 to its most recent renovations.

One of the exhibits contains a replica of the skyscraper’s original Otis elevator while another is dedicated to the building’s sustainability and energy conservation efforts. The Artistry in Light section is where you can watch a short film detailing the technology involved in the attraction’s light-and-sound shows.

Another small theater shows hundreds of clips featuring the Empire State Building’s cinematic and pop culture history, including celebrities and public figures who have visited the landmark over the years. There is even a gallery with a King Kong installation, portraying the massive gorilla’s hands crashing through the building’s walls.

Up on the 80 th floor, look through the viewfinders, then snap an Empire State Building photo with one of the bronze sculptures depicting 1930s construction workers. The fun doesn’t stop there, of course, because then it’s time to ascend to the 86 th -floor observatory.

Empire State Building restaurants

There are a few restaurants in the Empire State Building , so if you want to make it a date night, you won’t have trouble finding a place for dinner. For example, the STATE Grill & Bar serves lunch, dinner, and cocktails, as well as prix fixe menus. Another place is Tacombi , a Mexican restaurant serving authentic Mexican tacos and margaritas.

There are also more casual, fast-food options like Chipotle and Starbucks. Some highly-rated restaurants near the Empire State Building include Antoya Korean BBQ and Fine & Rare , where you can get classic American favorites while listening to live jazz.

Shopping at the Empire State Building

If you want to pick up some souvenirs during your visit to the Empire State Building , you can check out the gift shop on the 80 th floor. Also, the Empire State Building is on 5 th Avenue, the most famous shopping street in NYC. So, you’ll be close to all kinds of luxury shops like Banana Republic, Armani, Swarovski, Zara, Urban Outfitters, and Macy’s flagship store.

Empire State Building history and facts

As you go inside the Empire State Building , you’ll find exhibits and photos commemorating its history. I recommend checking out these interesting displays, although I’ll give you a glimpse of what to expect below.

Empire State Building history

Before the Empire State Building was built, the area was the site of the Waldorf Astoria hotel. However, the hotel became less popular with New York’s upper class by the 1920s, so the plan was to replace it with a corporate office building.

In early 1930, construction on the Empire State Building began. It took a little over a year to complete the project, but its opening coincided with the Great Depression, so only a small fraction of the office space was rented out.

To help drum up more tenants, the owners began advertising the Empire State Building’s height . This attracted lots of tourists who wanted to visit the Empire State Building’s observation decks , and the skyscraper became more of a tourist attraction.

Empire State Building construction

Construction on the Empire State Building began on March 17, 1930, and it took just one year and 45 days to complete the structure. It took over 3,500 workers to build the steel skyscraper, which cost nearly $42 million.

Empire State Building height

The Empire State Building’s 86 th -floor observatory is 1,050 tall, while the 102nd-floor observation deck is 1,224 feet tall. The roof of the Empire State Building is 1,250 feet above the ground, while the tip hovers 1,454 feet tall.

Empire State Building lights

Since 1977, lights on the façade have lit up the Empire State Building at night , usually on holidays. In 2012, the bulbs were replaced with 1,200 LED lights, allowing for millions of color combinations and patterns that synchronize to music.

Empire State Building in movies

Besides its references in TV shows and books, the Empire State Building has been featured in dozens of movies. The most famous appearance was in 1933’s King Kong , when the giant gorilla climbed to the top of the skyscraper. The building was also featured in Sleepless in Seattle , Independence Day , and Spider-Man .

Hotels near the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building in NYC is centrally located in Midtown Manhattan, one of the best neighborhoods in NYC , so it’s close to all kinds of shops, restaurants, and hotels. If you want to stay in this part of town, these are the best hotels near the Empire State Building :

• Hilton Garden Inn West 35th Street – This clean hotel is a block from the Empire State Building, giving you great views of the attraction from your room.
• MOXY NYC Times Square – In addition to its free coffee, Wi-Fi, and gym, this hotel is home to Magic Hour , one of the best rooftop bars in NYC where you can see the Empire State Building.
• U Hotel Fifth Avenue – This is a boutique hotel next to the Empire State Building, featuring Italian marble bathrooms, 24-hour concierge service, and beautiful views.

For other accommodations in Midtown and the rest of Manhattan, look at our guide on where to stay in New York City .

Empire State Building FAQs

If you still have questions about New York’s Empire State Building , here are the answers to some commonly asked questions.

When was the Empire State Building built?

Construction began on March 17, 1930, and the building opened on April 11, 1931.

Why was the Empire State Building built?

The skyscraper, which was intended to be the tallest in the world, was built for corporate office space.

Where is the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is in Midtown Manhattan, at 20 West 34 th Street, NYC.

How tall is the Empire State Building?

The total height of the Empire State Building is 1,454 feet.

How many floors does the Empire State Building have?

The Empire State Building has 102 floors, although there is a secret 103 rd floor that’s inaccessible to the public.

What’s inside the Empire State Building?

Most of the Empire State Building’s floors are still used as office space. The second and 80 th floors contain exhibits, while the observatories are on the 86 th and 102 nd floors. The lobby is designed in the Art Deco style and is accessible to the public.

When is the best time to visit the Empire State Building?

To avoid long lines, plan to visit the Empire State Building when it opens at 10 am or right before it closes, around 11 pm. That said, for the most beautiful views, go just before sunset.

How long does it take to visit the Empire State Building?

People usually spend an hour to an hour and a half touring the Empire State Building .

Why do the lights on the Empire State Building change?

The lights on the Empire State Building change to commemorate holidays and special events. The computerized lights have over 16 million colors.

That’s it for this guide to the Empire State Building . I hope you found all the information you need to plan your visit, but if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment. Have a wonderful time at this manmade wonder!

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10 Empire State Building Visitor Tips

TripSavvy / Donghee Eim

Visiting the Empire State Building is extremely popular with travelers coming to New York City. During peak travel season and on weekends, this can mean long waits to get to the 86th-floor observatory, but with these insider tips and advice, you can save yourself time and make the most of your visit to the ​Empire State Building.

Buy Your Tickets Online and Wait in Fewer Lines

Getting to the Empire State Observatory requires waiting in three lines: one for security, one for tickets, and one for the elevator. There's no skipping the security line, but you can skip the ticket line by buying your tickets online in advance. You can even skip the line for the elevator and security if you buy an Express Pass (though it costs more than double the price of a regular ticket).

Don't Miss the 102nd Floor Observatory

For a long time, you could only go as high as the 86th-floor Observatory at the Empire State Building, but now, you can head even higher up to the 102nd Floor Observatory. While the 102nd Floor Observatory isn't open air the way the 86th floor is, being 16 stories further up gives you a ​ great view New York City -- you'll be able to see all the New York City area bridges and Central Park . Because the area is glassed in, you'll get better pictures from the 86th Floor, but the view is extraordinary! You can't buy tickets to the 102nd Floor Observatory online, but you can buy tickets at a kiosk on the 86th Floor (so you can still skip the ticket line) or at the regular ticket booth.

Begin or End Your Day at the Empire State Building

If you're trying to squeeze a lot of activities into a short period of time, it's good to keep in mind that the Empire State Building opens at 8 a.m. and the last elevator ascends at 1:15 a.m. (the Observatory is open until 2 a.m.). This makes the Empire State Building a good choice for beginning or ending your day​ since it's open before most other attractions and closes after many other attractions.

Consider the Weather

The views from the Empire State Building are best on clear, dry days. Check the weather in New York City and take that into consideration when planning your visit to the Empire State Building. Of course, the first clear day after a few rainy days will be popular with other visitors as well, so prepare for long lines.

While you'll have access to interior areas while visiting, the best views are from the outside. If it's cold, plan to dress warmly, as the wind can make it feel even cooler at the top of the Empire State Building. Likewise, the sun can be strong atop the Empire State Building, so take that into consideration, especially during the summer when you might want to wear a hat or bring sunblock.

Should You Visit During the Day or at Night?

The views from the Empire State Building are impressive at anytime, but keep in mind that during the daytime (especially on a clear day), you'll be able to see the layout of the city and geography of the surrounding area in greater detail, while nighttime viewing offers the excitement of the city's lights. You can experience the best of both worlds by timing your visit during sunset, where you can watch the sunlight fade and the city's glowing lights emerge.

Allow Plenty of Time for Your Visit to the Empire State Building

Even if you buy your tickets online, there's no avoiding the line for security clearance or the maze of walking to get to the elevators so plan at least 2 hours for your visit to the Empire State Building. There isn't much to do on the security line, but they've designed it so the line moves most of the time and they've also put together some interesting displays about the energy-savings measures that are being done at the Empire State Building. On weekends and when the weather is especially beautiful the lines can be even longer. The lines tend to be shortest if you arrive very early in the day.

Skip Firework Viewing From the Empire State Building

While it may seem like a good idea to head to the Empire State Building observatory to view fireworks on the Fourth of July or other holidays, you may actually want to plan to avoid planning your visit for those days. On July 4th , they actually close the Observatory before the fireworks and sell about 300 special "July 4 Fireworks tickets" which includes refreshments and restrict the crowd to about 1/4 of the usual maximum. Call the building directly at 212-736-3100 to book these tickets, which are available on a first come, first served basis, and generally go on sale in early June.

Be Prepared for the Security Check

Every visitor to the Empire State Building must pass through security screening, so be aware. Glass and bottles are not permitted in the building. Cameras and camcorders are permitted, but tripods are not. There is no coat/luggage check at the Empire State Building, so whatever you bring into the building, you will have to carry with you throughout your visit.

You Can Only Get Married on Valentine's Day

The Empire State Building is only available for weddings on Valentine's Day, and you'll have to apply and be chosen to participate. Applications are typically due by November 30.

Keep the Kids Entertained

Kids love to see the views from the Empire State Building, but very few of them love waiting in lines. You might want to spring for the express passes to avoid the hassle or bring along some activities to keep them occupied during the wait. You can also review some of the education materials from ESBNY to help your children prepare for their visit and get excited.

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The Complete Empire State Building Guide: Know Before You Go

The Empire State Building is on most visitors’ must-do list when coming to New York City. It’s world-famous, and over 4 million people visit each year.

Thanks to that popularity, big crowds can lead to long lines and some complexity for your travel plans. To ensure you have the best experience when you arrive, I’ll share handy tips and tricks from my experience as a tour guide to help you avoid common frustrations.

Planning ahead for your Empire State Building visit

The Empire State Building observatory is open 365 days a year, 8 a.m.-2 a.m., with the last elevator going up at 1:15 a.m. Purchased tickets allow you to go up to either the 86th floor observation deck or the 102nd floor for an extra charge. You can wait to purchase tickets when you arrive, but to avoid waiting in an extra line, purchase your tickets online ahead of time. Prices range from $31-$36 with kids’ admission (those under 6) free.

At the top of the Empire State Building

The elevator ride is quick, less than one minute. When you arrive at the top, you’re on your own and free to roam around. On a clear day, visibility from the deck is up to 80 miles. You’ll be able to spot several of NYC’s most famous landmarks. These include:

• The Chrysler Building
• Rockefeller Center
• One World Trade Center
• Central Park
• Times Square
• The Statue of Liberty

You can even see five different states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware.

Restrooms and binoculars are available on the 86th floor, but there are no restaurants or other eateries. The gift shop is on the 80th floor and can be visited anytime during your stay.

There is no time limit to your visit. The entire experience usually takes around an hour. If you wish to come back to see the view again at night, you can purchase a night pass and return later that day without purchasing a second ticket.

Getting through security

Everyone will go through airport style security. Items that are not permitted to the observation deck include glass, alcohol, professional cameras and equipment, markers, musical instruments, luggage, costume masks, and more. There are no lockers available so make sure to leave these items at home.

Be sure to use the restrooms on the second floor before getting to security or else you’ll be waiting for a while. If you bring a stroller, you’ll need to be able to fold it in order to enter the elevators.

Accessibility

The Empire State Building is handicap accessible and motorized or non-motorized wheelchairs are available if needed. Ramps are present throughout the observatory, and guests will also find lowered viewing walls and binoculars.

There’s also a multi-language, interactive audio tour guide app available to download before your visit or while on-site.

What to do if you hate waiting in line

To avoid the heavy crowds, you should go either right when the observatory opens at 8 a.m., around 3 p.m., or really late, around midnight — crowds tend to be thinnest at these times. It’s also a good idea to avoid weekends. If you can handle the cold, winter (except right around Christmas) is by far the least crowded and will have fewer visitors throughout the day.

If you’re unable to go at these hours, you can book the VIP Express Pass that allows you to skip all the lines to get to the top. The cost starts at $69 per person.

Looking for an even more exclusive experience? You can book the Premium Experience Package and get a 90-minute all-access guided tour through the building and skip-the-line privileges to the 86th and 102nd floors. Or consider the Sunrise Experience, which gives you priority entrance before the general public to watch the sunrise over the city.

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How to get there.

The street address that you can plug into GPS for the Empire State Building is 20 W. 34th Street. It’s located between 5th and 6th avenues.

If you’re coming by subway, take the 1, 2, or 3 train to the 34th Street/Penn Station stop or the B, D, F, M, N, Q, or R train to the 34th Street/Herald Square stop. The building is only two blocks east of Penn Station , if you are taking Amtrak or NJ Transit into the city and want to walk right over.

Guide tip: The observatory entrance is right on 34th Street. Look for the number 20 and the word “observatory” over the doorway. The other entrances you may see on 5th Avenue or 33rd Street are private and not accessible to guests.

The Empire State Building from the ground

If you don’t want to splurge on the ride up, you can still enjoy excellent views of the Empire State Building without paying a fortune. The NYC ferries take you from Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn and drop you off on 34th Street for only the cost of a subway swipe ($2.75). The trip provides excellent views of the Manhattan skyline with the Empire State Building in ideal position. Check the NYC ferry schedule for departure times and route information.

Even if you don’t go to the top, you should put aside some time to see the building up close. The Art Deco lobby is beautiful and can be accessed free of charge. If you’re willing to purchase a ticket and skip the observation deck, you should check out some of the exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors. As one of the largest office buildings in the world, there is a lot to discover about the history and architecture. Visit their website for more information on which exhibits are open today.

The 102nd floor: An insider’s perspective

One of the biggest questions people ask is if it’s worth it to spend the extra money to go up to the 102nd floor observatory. Prices for the upgrade are $62-$68 and includes admission to the 86th floor as well. Most people find the view from the 86th floor to be spectacular, so it must be even better 16 floors higher, right?

I say, not really, and if you do any amount of research on TripAdvisor, Yelp, or Google, you’ll find most people agree.

If you hate waiting in line, bad news: You’ll have to wait in yet another long line at the 86th floor to enter a cozy elevator that only fits a small number of people at a time. When you finally get to the top, you’ll be in a relatively small room, enclosed with glass, surrounded by other visitors trying to get the best view. Plus, the glass in the way causes a reflection which leads to less-than-stellar photos. You’ll also miss out on the breeze from outside.

Plus, the view from the 102nd floor and the 86th floor looks pretty similar, since you’re already so high up. To be honest, the only real benefit is that there’s a chance of it being less crowded. If you get lucky, maybe you’ll happen to visit on a day where not many people upgrade and you get the space with a lot less people.

Odds are, you’re better off saving your money and staying on the 86th floor. You’ll get fresh air, more space to move around and better pictures.

The secret floor of the Empire State Building: The 103rd

The 103rd floor is one floor above the official “top floor” accessible to the public. It has a balcony that is open to the air and protected by a short ledge and knee-high railing.

The tiny balcony is reached by taking a series of elevators past the inner workings of the building with the final approach to the top via a narrow, steel stairway.

Originally, this floor was supposed to be used as a mooring mast for airships attached to the spire. Airships were once considered the future of modern air travel. Unfortunately, this floor is now closed off to the general public. Only celebrities like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and notable dignitaries have had the privilege of taking pictures up there.

If you want to take vertigo-inducing photos in privacy at the highest floor, it appears you’ll first need to put out some hit songs. The 103rd floor of the Empire State Building is one of New York’s most difficult-to-access hidden views.

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What to do near the empire state building.

Being in such a busy location, the Empire State Building offers plenty to see in almost every direction. The location stands right at the edge of Koreatown, a tiny neighborhood filled to the brim with authentic Korean-style eateries. If you’re looking for good food at prices that aren’t too steep, stop by New Wonjo or Woorijip before or after your visit.

Heading uptown, you’re only 10-15 minutes away on foot from three major sights: Times Square, Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library . If you’re not too tired, you could even head down to the Empire State Building after your Broadway show to catch the view late at night.

Just past Koreatown is Madison Square Park and the picturesque Flatiron Building. While the park is better to see during the day, if you happen to be heading that way at night, stop by Eataly at 23rd and 5th for casual dining, food shopping, or a couple scoops of gelato.

Less than a block away from the Empire State Building is Herald Square. This area is often filled with people shopping or dining, so it’s a good option for either. Go inside the largest Macy’s in the world which takes up an entire city block.

Answers to your Empire State Building questions

Why is the Empire State Building famous?

There are many reasons for the fame surrounding the Empire State Building.

When it first opened in 1931, it was the tallest building in the world at 1,454 feet. It was also built in record-breaking time ( one year and 45 days ) during the Great Depression, a time of financial hardship for many American people and businesses.

The observation deck atop the building was an added bonus, but for many years it was very difficult to convince tourists to visit and businesses to rent space — until the 1933 “King Kong” was released and featured the memorable scene of Kong climbing to the top of the building. This image became so famous in pop culture that millions of people flocked to the building.

And in case you didn’t know, the name of the building comes from the nickname for New York, the Empire State, due to its wealth and resources.

Who chooses the colors of the lights?

At night, the building is lit up with bright lights and displays up to 16 million varied colors that change instantaneously. The colors are determined by the staff each night, often reflecting holidays or important events.

A typical night will feature the “signature white” color but you’ll see red, white, and blue to recognize Independence Day, rainbow lights on June 28 in honor of NYC Pride, or red and green with Candy Cane stripes for Christmas. These are just a few of the ways the building uses light to celebrate.

Should I propose at the Empire State Building?

You wouldn’t be the first! But really, it’s a sweet gesture. There’s even a saxophone player on the 86th floor, Thursday through Saturday after 10 p.m., who takes special requests and can help set the mood.

Fun fact: The building doesn’t allow private wedding ceremonies, so each year a Valentine’s Day wedding contest is held to select one couple to get married at the building on Feb. 14.

The heart of New York City

New York City is full of famous attractions, and the Empire State Building is definitely near the top of that list. I find it so impressive that after almost 100 years, with all the skyscrapers that have been built in this city, it’s held onto its legacy of fame. Seeing it for the first time, even if just from the outside, is a highlight for many visitors.

If your trip to NYC is already packed with things to see, don’t fret. You’ll be amazed at how much ground you can cover in just a few hours in this tightly packed city with a tour of NYC’s biggest highlights . And you can get that perfect photo of the Empire State Building along the way.

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How to Visit the Empire State Building Guide + Money Saving Tips!

Wondering how to visit the Empire State Building plus tips for your visit? This guide has you covered!

The Empire State Building is not only one of the most popular tourist attractions and tours in NYC, but this skyscraper is one of the most recognized landmarks of the city as well as for the United States. For decades, tourists have been visiting the Empire State Building not only for the historic tidbits but also the sweeping bird’s eye views of the rest of the skyline and city!

Join the list of celebrity dignitaries who have visited this iconic landmark and use our guide to make your visit to the Empire State Building easy breezy. With a little planning ahead you can make one of the busiest tourist attractions in the city more enjoyable!

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Overview of the Empire State Building

Visiting the Empire State Building is one of the best ways to learn more about New York City. This is one of the most popular observation decks in NYC and the Empire State Building is known to have some of the best views in the entire city! 

Knowing more about the building’s history will make you appreciate your experience a lot more. The Empire State Building is a 102-story skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, United States.

After one year of building, The Empire State Building was completed in 1931. Right away, it held the record for the world’s tallest building up until 1970 when the World Trade Center was completed.

Located in Midtown South, The Empire State Building was first built as a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Since then, it has been remodeled over a dozen times to keep its record of the tallest building!

This Art Deco skyscraper draws in over four million tourists each year! Since its feature in King Kong in 1933, it has been featured in over 250 other movies and television shows. It has also made its name as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers! 

The Empire State Building boasts a unique design that distinguishes it from the surrounding architecture. Its short, five-story base occupies an entire lot of the building. The 81 stories above are set back sharply from the base, allowing the rest of the building to be illuminated by sunlight and free from any street noise! 

Where is the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is located in Midtown Manhattan at 20 W 34th St. If you’re visiting the Empire State Building, you can enter through the main door on 34th St. and Fifth Avenue!

Also, be sure to check out our guide to the best views of the Empire State Building to look at it vs looking from it!

How to Get to the Empire State Building

Visiting the Empire State Building is easiest by stopping at Penn Station. Then, it will be right in front of you once you get off at 34th Street! You can take the 1, 2, or 3 train to Penn Station and get off there.

You can also take the B, D, F, N, Q, or R train to 34th St/Herald Square. Once you’re there, you’ll see the building on the East side of the subway! 

Empire State Building Observatory

The 80th, 86th, and 102nd floors of the Empire State Building have observation decks where you have a chance to get a view of up to five surrounding states on a clear day, views of the surrounding boroughs, unbeatable views of the NYC skyline including some of the most famous skyscrapers like the World Trade Center and the Chrysler Building, and of course views of Central Park, the Hudson River, and East River surrounding you on the island of Manhattan!

The Empire State Building observatory with the best views is on the 102nd floor, as you’re the highest, but they all do offer incredible views.

To visit the Empire State Building observatory, prices start at $39 for children and can reach up to $500 for a more in-depth tour of the building! It’s suggested you purchase Skip the Line Empire State Building tickets in advance so you don’t have to wait in any queues on the day of.

You can visit these observation decks day or night, and once you have tickets, there is no time limit to your visit. There is also a gift shop on the 80th floor that’s great for getting souvenirs! 

Although all of the observation decks in the building have great views, the view on the very top floor (102) is known to be the best.

On your way up to the 80th floor, there are many exhibits that you can check out to make the most of your visit! Many of these exhibits outline the making of the Empire State Building in the 1920s and the actions that have been taken since to keep this building one of the tallest in the world.

Many other exhibits outline the A-list celebrities that have been to the building, what the workers experience during their time in the building, and hidden views that most visitors don’t get to see. 

The stairs above the 2nd floor of the Empire State Building are often entirely closed to the public. However, rest assured that the elevator ride up to the 102nd floor takes less than one minute! In fact, the entire Empire State Building has 73 Otis elevators so that you can be sure you won’t have to sweat or wait in line to get to the top. 

Empire State Building 80th Floor Observatory 

If you’re visiting the observation deck of the Empire State Building, the 80th floor will most likely be your first stop! The recently redesigned 80th floor of the Empire State Building is the new landing spot for anyone on their way up to the 86th or 102nd floor. This floor has six exhibitions and totals over 13,000 square feet! 

One of the most popular exhibits on the 80th floor is the augmented reality experience that lets you learn all about New York City and its most famous landmarks near the building. You can take a realistic tour of the High Line, Grand Central Terminal, and many other spots in Midtown Manhattan at this exhibit! 

Some highlights from here are views of the Statue of Liberty , Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the surrounding skyscrapers!

The 80th floor also has an exhibit that lets visitors create a custom itinerary for all five boroughs of the city. At the end, visitors can email this to themselves and rest assured that the rest of their time in the city is planned out. 

Lastly, this floor has a large gift shop that’s great for getting souvenirs, paintings, books, and more. 

Empire State Building 86th Floor Observatory 

The 86th floor of the Empire State Building is often referred to as the main observation deck of the Empire State Building. Unlike the other floors in the building, the 86th floor is reserved for those who have reservations during a selected time window.

This floor is known for being the site of many famous television shows and movies, including Zoolander, Oblivion, and An Affair to Remember! 

On a clear, sunny day, the deck on the 86th floor offers a view of six states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware. On top of these views, you can also see 360-degree views of the five boroughs!

Empire State Building 102nd Floor Observatory

The 102nd floor in the Empire State Building is the highest that visitors can go. Standing at just over 1,200 feet, this Empire State Building Observatory is accessed through a unique glass elevator. This elevator boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and 360-degree views of the entire city. 

Although the 86th floor offers a heated outdoor experience during the winter, the 102nd floor is indoors all year round. Although it isn’t much higher than the 86th floor, it is known to have the best views and is worth the extra cost. 

Empire State Building Tickets

Before touring the Empire State Building, it’s best to buy your tickets online. The easiest way to secure your spot at the Empire State Building is to purchase tickets online, recommend booking the Skip the Line Empire State Building tickets so you don’t have to wait in any queues on the day of as this is one of the most popular NYC experiences .

The skip the line tickets are general admission, to see all the other tours and ticket options available visit the Empire State Building website as the tickets vary depending on what you want to see and do, some only include the 86th floor and others include the 86th & 102nd-floor observatories.

Get your tickets in advance here.

Alternatively, you can purchase a discount voucher that gets you into multiple NYC attractions for a fraction of the price if you plan on doing multiple activities on your trip to save money and hundreds of dollars! All you have to do is pick which attraction pass is best for your visit, make a one time purchase, and then the attractions are free or included in your pass!

CityPASS offers a 3 attraction pass or a 6 attraction pass with over 12 city attractions to choose from including the Empire State Building. Using this pass instead of buying individual tickets can save up to 35% equaling hundreds of dollars in savings.

Another great option is the New York Pass which you can purchase anywhere from a 1 Day Pass to a 10 Day Pass that gets you into over 100 attractions. Once you purchase your New York Pass you download the Go City app and use that to get into the popular NYC attractions as well as some hidden gems.

Using New York Pass instead of buying individual attraction tickets can save you hundreds of dollars and up to 45% savings on popular attractions including free admission to the Empire State Building!

See our full breakdown of the New York Pass and our breakdown of the New York CityPASS to see if it’s worth it for your visit to save hundreds of dollars on multiple attractions!

How Long do you Need to Visit the Empire State Building?

When you see all of the exhibits, touring the Empire State Building will typically take at least 90 minutes. Although the building recommends at least one hour for your visit on their website, most visitors end up staying closer to 2 hours. That way, you can see the immersive galleries, observation decks, and gift shop. 

We recommend planning for the full time as when it’s busy you can’t just go straight to the top, you will have to go through all the exhibits along the way to get to the elevators taking you up to the observatories.

Tips for Visiting the Empire State Building

Empire State Building hours:

The Empire State Building is open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year and one of the most popular things to do in NYC . Although many visitors love visiting the observation decks during the daytime, touring the Empire State Building at night is also an option and great idea if you want to experience the observatories at a less busy time. The views are incredible and there are typically fewer crowds during the later hours! 

Empire State Building Peak seasons:

While touring the Empire State Building, it’s essential to remember that the most popular time to go on the observation decks is during sunset. Although the view at this time is excellent, keep in mind that it will be crowded.

Throughout the year, summer vacation through Christmas is the busiest time for this building. If you want to visit one of the observation decks during the spring or winter, you can expect to see fewer crowds! 

Empire State Building Views:

Each floor in this building offers a unique view. While the 86th floor provides an outdoor experience that lets you see up to five states on clear days including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware.

For NYC views you can see 360 views of Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond including some of the other famous skyscrapers

The 102nd-floor deck enables you to see 360-degree views in a glass-enclosed elevator!

It’s best to visit the Empire State Building on a day where you know there won’t be rain, clouds, or fog in the sky. 

Prohibited items:

• All weapons 
• All glass items 
• Alcoholic beverages 
• Cans, bottles, flasks 
• Professional cameras and/or camera equipment
• Sports equipment
• Musical instruments 
• Marking instruments such as spray paint and markers 
• Large packages such as parcels or luggage 
• Costumes and non-medical masks 
• Unfolded strollers are not prohibited on the Empire State Building observatory

Empire State Building Accessibility:

The Empire State Building is ADA compliant, if you need to use the ADA compliant and accessible entrance head to the main entrance at 20 West 34th Street.

Empire State Building Dining options:

Inside the Empire State Building is STATE Grill and Bar. This is one of the most popular restaurants in Midtown Manhattan! This American restaurant offers street-level views and art deco design inside.

Another excellent dining option on the ground floor is Tacombi. Voted to have the best fish taco in the entire state of New York, this Mexican restaurant offers great margaritas and fresh tacos! Although, I’d say go for the pastor tacos or the avocado tostada.

If you’re searching for a quick bite to eat on the ground floor of the building, you can also stop by the Chipotle, Starbucks, Chopt, Sushi-Teria, or Juice Press!

If you have a little more flexibility with your dining and schedule, head to Koreatown for some of my personal favorite areas for cuisine! Great options include Korean BBQ at Jongro BBQ or Baekjeong, most restaurants can be found on W 32nd Street between Broadway and 4th Avenue just a few minutes walk from the Empire State Building.

Another great option for enjoying the Empire State Building after your visit is to head to one of the best rooftop bars in NYC directly under the Empire State Building at Cloud Social in Koreatown! Sit outside at their outdoor rooftop patio with an unbeatable view of that famous skyscraper!

Hotels Near the Empire State Building:

The Langham New York

400 5th Ave

The Langham New York is a chic, sleek, well-appointed 5th Avenue hotel voted one of New York’s best by Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Award and located just a short walk to the Empire State Building in Midtown.

Guest rooms also offer impressive views of the Empire State Building and 5th Ave making it one of the best hotels in NYC with a view . Some suites include private terraces for an even more luxurious feel (ask for one of the Empire suites for direct views of the building). Book here.

Nyma – The New York Manhattan Hotel

6 W 32nd St

Located in the heart of Koreatown, this boutique hotel is situated next to the base of the Empire State Building and is a prime location for sightseeing during your NYC trip and visit to the Empire State Building.

Nyma – The New York Manhattan Hotel features modern rooms and is where you can find the rooftop lounge, Cloud Social on the terrace level that offers direct views underneath the Empire State Building. Book here.

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great information and tips to keep in mind.. great effort keep it up.

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Private VIP Tours, Skip the Line, Ticket Prices

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• Security line, mandatory for all.
• Ticket line, unless you have pre-purchased tickets from the ESB site, either regular or Express or an attractions pass that includes the 82nd Floor.
• Elevators to the observatory.

Hotels Near the Empire State Building

Hotels near penn station, nyc.

• Pendry Manhattan West - new in 2021, beautiful rooms (photo)
• Hilton New York Fashion District - great rooftop with amazing views
• Crowne Plaza HY36 - opened in 2018, great reviews online

Empire State Building Hours – Plan Your Visit

Empire state building address and information.

• Handicap Entrance – 34th St., the entrance between Bank of America and Starbucks. Note: The 34th Street Handicap Entrance is only open Monday – Friday until 6pm. Please use the Main Entrance for all other times.
• Everyone will be directed to use the Main or Handicap Entrances if you try to enter the building from any other entrance.

5 Cool Facts About the Empire State Building

• It was the tallest building in the world for over 40 years. When it was completed in 1931, the Empire State Building stood at a height of 1,250 feet, making it the tallest building in the world at the time for over 40 years until the completion of the World Trade Center’s North Tower in 1972. Today, it is the 4th tallest building in New York City, the 6th tallest in the United States, and the 43rd tallest tower in the world.
• It was built during the Great Depression and provided jobs for over 3,000 workers. The construction of the Empire State Building was a massive undertaking during a time of economic hardship. However, it provided much-needed jobs for over 3,000 workers during the Great Depression. The building’s construction was also a symbol of hope and progress for many Americans during a difficult time. Despite the challenges, the building was completed in just 410 days, a remarkable feat of engineering and construction.
• The Empire State Building has its own zip code (I know, I worked there!) The zip code is 10118 and it is exclusively used for the building’s mail. The building receives an average of 1,000 pieces of mail every day, including letters, packages, and even wedding invitations. The zip code was established in 1980 and is just one of the many unique features of this iconic New York City landmark.
• It has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows, including King Kong and Sleepless in Seattle . Our #1 Attraction has become a cultural icon and has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows. One of the most famous examples is the 1933 film King Kong , in which the giant ape climbs to the top of the building. Other notable appearances include Sleepless in Seattle , An Affair to Remember , and Independence Day . The building has also been featured in countless photographs, paintings, and other works of art.
• The Empire State Building Annual Run Up, held in October, lets competitors race up its 86 flights, the equivalent of 1,576 stairs! Some runners have achieved this in 10 minutes!

Sightsee from the Sky

• Empire State Building - (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
• Top of the Rock - (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
• One World Observatory - (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
• Edge - (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
• Summit One Vanderbilt - (91-93 floors) Opens Oct 2021, all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building

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Top 10 Things To Know About The Empire State Building

One of the most popular and most impressive highlights of New York City is the Empire State Building. It is world-renowned for being the centerpiece of many calendars and postcards worldwide as it towers above the rest of the concrete jungle around it. The architectural marvel is most certainly worth more than just one visit. We have compiled a list of the top 10 Empire State Building facts for you below to prepare you for your visit. 

You may also like:

• NYC Attractions
• Is the 102nd floor worth it?

Empire State Building or Top of the Rock?

Empire State Building tickets

Table of Contents

1. Best time to visit the Empire State Building?

The best time to visit the Empire State Building is definitely between 8:00 am –  10:00 am to arrive before the crowds do,  or after 10:00 pm  if you want to wait until most people have started to leave . Around these times is when you will find the shortest wait times to get tickets, and to get to the top.

It is, therefore, the perfect start or end to a day of sightseeing! The observation platform is open daily until 2:00 am so that you can enjoy the spectacular skyline and views at night as well if you wish to. Make sure that if you are visiting late or during the winter months that bring a jacket – it can get quite chilly and windy so far up!

Special events: During the summer months you will find live music being played between 9:30 pm and midnight on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

2. When is the Empire State Building open?

The observation platform is open daily from 8:00 am to 2:00 am. The last elevator to the top will leave at 1:15 am for those of you who want to see the city at night time.

Hours of operation on holidays slightly:

• New Year’s Day: 8:00 am to 2:00 am
• Thanksgiving : 8:00 am to 2:00 am
• Thanksgiving weekend: 8:00 am to 2:00 am
• Christmas Eve (December 24): 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Christmas (December 25): 8:00 am to 2:00 am
• December 26 – 30: 7:00 am to 1:00 am
• New Year’s: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.

3. Is the 102nd floor worth it?

You can decide whether you want to go to the 102nd or 86th floor when you are downstairs purchasing your tickets for the Empire State Building . Keep in mind, however, while the 102nd-floor observation deck is slightly higher, the platform on the 86th floor is outside (and not glass enclosed in glass), meaning you can take better photos from there. The observation platform on the 102nd floor, however, provides more complete views of some of New York’s bridges, central park , and other details. You also get to ride in a hand-operated elevator to get to the top which is a special experience as you can count each floor as it goes by.

If you are using the tickets to the Empire State Building included in one of the many New York discount passes , keep in mind these are only valid for the 86th floor.

BUY ADMISSION

4. Do you need to book Empire State Building tickets in advance?

If you want to get to the top of the Empire State Building, you have to make it through a total of 3 queues : the security check, the ticket line, and the elevator line. There is no way to avoid security control, but you can avoid the lines for tickets and the elevators with the appropriate online ticket . If you just have a regular ticket the queue can be anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes long depending on the time of your visit. After their reopening in July 2020, the Empire State Building is starting off with online sales only to avoid long lines and crowds at the attraction.

The new Empire State Building entrance is located on 20 West 34th Street and shines in a whole new design. The new entrance of the Empire State Building will speed up waiting times and surprises with a two-story architectural model of the Empire State Building.

Digital screens, self-service kiosks, and an impressive design come along with the whole new Empire State Building entrance.

Buying an Express Pass is a good idea for holidays and other long weekends. Only a limited number of Express Passes are sold meaning that the waiting time is never longer than 7 minutes. With the new entrance, VIP Express Ticket holders are getting a very special treatment including walking on the red carpet right into the Empire State Building.

5. How long will a visit to the Empire State Building take?

Even if you have bought tickets online (and don’t need to stand in line for those), you should allow around  2 hours for your visit. This is due to the fact that you will definitely spend a significant amount of time enjoying the view. It is also sometimes the case that you will already encounter long lines at the security check meaning you should allow some extra time for this (included in the 2 hours).

If you have an express ticket however, this is the only queue you will have to wait in. The area to the queue is also made interesting by the many facts and figures that have been placed throughout. This way you can learn something about the building as you wait to get up to the observation deck!

6. Don’t forget to bring something to occupy the kids

7. Where to find cheap tickets for the Empire State Building?

You can find ticket deals for the Empire State Building all year round on our tips and tricks for buying tickets page. Check out  this page , where you can take advantage of several online discounts for tickets!

8. Security check – what do I need to look out for?

Every visitor to the Empire State Building must pass through the security check. Glass and bottles, masks, guns, spray cans, skateboards, and tennis balls are prohibited. Masks are mandatory and there will be temperature screening and hand sanitization prior to entrance

Cameras are allowed, but no tripods. There is no coat check or luggage storage, make sure you only have with you what you can or want to take up to the observation deck.

9. Can I bring food and drinks or buy them there?

You can eat and drink at the Empire State Building. There are no restaurants on the observation platforms but the lobby offers small snacks. You can also find numerous cafés and bistros nearby (the Heartland Brewery or Starbucks, for example).

10. How do I get to the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is located on 20 West 34th Street. You can’t miss it – it stands tall above the maze of buildings in Manhattan and you will always catch a glimpse if you are close.

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The Empire State Building: Is it worth going up to the 102nd floor?

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

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How much time do people typically spend in the...

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Empire State Building Questions & Answers

How much time do people typically spend in the building. We have early entry passes for October - so 7:30am and wanted to get an idea how long we will spend in there

There are lots of cool things to see and read on the way up so you could spend a long time reading and interacting. Aside from the queue tome which could be long, I’d set aside 2-3 hours. We went early evening so we could see the twinkling lights of the city and watch them them all come on. The rest of the world had the same idea as it was packed to the rafters. Amazing experience though.

You stand in line before you get to go up. I stood for 30 min. And after that it is up to you how much time you want to be there. When I was there, there was a construction going on so 86th. deck was the only deck I got. Usually people just make their photos and look a little and thats it. All together about 2h max.

We spent about 90 minutes there but you could easily stay for 2-3 hours once in.

Hi- depends on the que of visitors. I’d say 10-15 minutes to get through security with no line. Another 10-15 minutes to get up to observation deck. Another 20-30 minutes admiring the view. Use the Loo at ground level... as waits can get long on observation level...

I was there August 18 and I found it all went quite quick for the visit, about two hours approximately. Depending on how long you stay on each of the different floors available.

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Empire of the Sun Sets ‘Ask That God’ Tour

The tour is in support of "Ask That God," Empire of the Sun's first album in eight years.

By Lars Brandle

Lars Brandle

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Empire of the Sun rises again with a tour in support of Ask That God , the forthcoming fourth studio album by the electro-pop outfit from Down Under.

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Due out July 26 (via EMI Australia), Ask That God is led by the first singles “ Changes ” and “Music On The Radio;” both are accompanied with sparkling, Michael Maxxis-helmed music videos that capture Steele and Littlemore in all their astral-wizardry.

Ask That God is the follow-up to 2016’s Two Vines , which logged at week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums and featured contributions from Fleetwood Mac’s  Lindsey Buckingham , Wendy Melvoin from Prince’s Revolution band and two members of David Bowie’s  Blackstar  band, pianist Henry Hey and bassist Tim Lefebvre. 

To build the buzz, Empire of the Sun today shared behind the scenes footage from the “Changes” music video.

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“ Ask That God is an album we searched for and were thankfully blessed with. We are nothing more than conduits, gathering experience and finding what is meant for the Empire to find,” explains Steele.

Since their breakthrough debut album from 2008, Walking On A Dream, which housed the title track and “We Are The People,” Empire of the Sun has collected eight ARIA Awards (including four at the 2009 ceremony), two APRA Music Awards, an APRA Billions Award , and collected 7.6 billion streams, according to EMI.

Littlemore hinted at some hidden gems in an interview with Billboard   in 2021 . “There’s a lot of great music in the bag. I’m hoping that will see the light of day,” Littlemore told this reporter. “I have great faith. I don’t feel we have exhausted that well by any stretch. The name still has a lot of goodwill. I really hope we can come together and finish it.”

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The Government Takes On Ticketmaster

Explaining a case that could reshape the multibillion-dollar live entertainment industry..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

Hi, everybody, it’s Sabrina. Before we start today, we wanted to invite you to something special. The Tribeca Festival is starting a brand new annual gala to celebrate excellence in audio. For this, the inaugural year, they’ve chosen to celebrate “The Daily.” We know you, our incredible audience, live all over the world, but we’d like to invite you to join us.

The gala is in New York, on June 9, at 5:00 pm. You can get all the details and buy tickets at tribecafil.com/thedaily. That’s tribecafilm.com/thedaily. I’ll be there, Michael too, along with a bunch of us from the show. Mo Rocca is going to host it. So if you’re in the area or you’re visiting, we’d love to see you there. OK, on with today’s show. From “The New York Times,” I’m Sabrina Tavernise. And this is “The Daily.”

I have got a bone to pick, as usual, with Ticketmaster.

The biggest problem that I have right now is not getting tickets to the Era Tour.

Loading, loading, loading. Want them so bad. Want them so bad. Want them so bad. Nope.

I looked at my account and the tickets are gone.

Over the past few years, few companies have provoked as much anger —

I cannot afford $1,500 tickets.

— among music fans.

Oh, my god.

— as Ticketmaster.

I literally hate Ticketmaster. Like, there is no company I think I hate more than Ticketmaster.

Ticketmaster ought to look in the mirror and say, I’m the problem. It’s me.

Last week, the Department of Justice announced it was taking the company to court. Today, my colleague David McCabe, on how the government’s case could reshape America’s multi-billion dollar live music industry.

It’s Thursday, May 30.

So, David, good to have you back. You have become a beloved guest at “The Daily,” because the government keeps bringing these huge antitrust cases and we keep turning to you to explain them.

Well, it’s a pleasure to be back. And today I have a question for you, which is, what was the first concert you ever went to?

Oh, my gosh. The first concert I ever went to? Oh, my god, I think it was Van Halen in the 1980s, which maybe is before you were born.

You know, no comment, but that’s a pretty good first concert.

And the case that we’re here to talk about today is actually all about shows like a Van Halen concert in 1980.

OK, I’m ready. So let’s get into it. This case, as you and I both know, is about Ticketmaster. So tell us about this case.

So anyone who attends concerts regularly or even irregularly probably knows about Ticketmaster. It’s kind of the ubiquitous digital box office. And those people are probably also familiar with the ubiquitous fan complaints about Ticketmaster — that the company puts high fees that they don’t entirely explain onto tickets, that tickets will sell out really fast during these sort of frantic pre-sales for tours, and that the website doesn’t always work very well.

And probably the most infamous Ticketmaster incident in recent memory was a couple of years ago when the pre-sale began for Taylor Swift’s massive Eras Tour. And fans got locked out, couldn’t get tickets and were absolutely furious. And it really put in the spotlight the power of this company over the ability to buy a ticket to a live music event.

So the DOJ is pointing the finger at this company for all this consumer angst at Ticketmaster.

Well, and when you say this company, it’s not just Ticketmaster. It’s the company that owns Ticketmaster, a company called Live Nation Entertainment. We’ll say Live Nation for short. And it’s a giant company. And to think about just how gigantic and how expansive Live Nation is, I think it’s helpful to think about the fan experience of going to a concert.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

It starts with buying a ticket. And maybe you buy a group of tickets for you and your friends. And then one of your friends can’t make it. They’ve got other plans. You resell their tickets so you can make your money back. And then the day of the show you go, it’s this big production. It’s at a venue. Someone has booked the artist to appear. You go, you buy a beer, you have a good time.

Live Nation is involved in many parts of that process, and that starts with being a major concert promoter. They’re the one putting it on, arranging the event. They’re also selling the tickets through Ticketmaster. Sometimes they’re also involved in reselling the tickets when your friend can’t make it.

And not only that, they actually sometimes manage the artists. And they own or operate the venues where the show is happening. So even down to that beer you’re drinking to enjoy with the show, they might be involved in picking the person who sells that beer to you.

So, basically, they’re everywhere.

They’re everywhere. And the Justice Department says that’s a big part of the problem, that its power is bad for fans.

Good morning. Earlier today, the Department of Justice —

And we really heard that come through at the press conference last week that the Justice Department held to announce this case —

People always remember the first time that they were transformed by live music.

— where Merrick Garland, the Attorney General, really personalized this issue.

I still remember, as a senior in college, going to a Bonnie Raitt concert and seeing a —

He told this story about going to a Bonnie Raitt concert in college.

Merrick Garland did?

Yeah, Merrick Garland did.

I don’t think of Merrick Garland and Bonnie Raitt together in the same sentence.

Well, apparently, in college he attended a Bonnie Raitt show. And the thing he highlighted was that the opener was a young Bruce Springsteen.

We all knew that we had just seen the future of rock and roll.

And in that story, the attorney general seems to be getting at two important threads of this case. The first is that concerts are formative for the people who attend them. And the second is that concerts are an important way that artists reach their fans. That young Bruce Springsteen went on to now be one of the biggest touring artists in the world.

The Justice Department filed this lawsuit on behalf of fans who should be able to go to concerts without a monopoly standing in their way. We have filed this lawsuit on behalf of artists who should be able —

And so the Justice Department is responding here to a feeling that Live Nation, this giant company, has become a gatekeeper for both artists and fans. And that has allowed it to pay artists less sometimes, but also charge fans those fees that they’re so mad about.

It is time for fans and artists to stop paying the price for Live Nation’s monopoly. Thank you.

So help us understand how things have gotten to this point, where Live Nation is so powerful that the DOJ feels the need to sue them.

Well, this company has a long history of tangling with the Justice Department. And that really starts in 2009, when Live Nation and Ticketmaster announced that they were going to merge. And this merger, this big corporate deal, will marry Live Nation’s concert promotion business, the business of putting on shows, with Ticketmaster’s experience as an online ticketing platform.

And the Justice Department — a big part of its job is looking at corporate mergers to figure out if they will substantially lessen competition in the economy. So the Justice Department reviews this merger, and in 2010 decides we will let this merger go through. But we do have some concerns that it might reduce competition in the industry of ticketing. And so we’re going to reach a legal settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster that puts conditions on the deal, that requires the company to sell some assets to kind of lessen its footprint. And so the merger goes through. And that creates the sort of modern day Live Nation, Ticketmaster combination.

So the government ultimately actually just lets it happen.

That’s right. They put conditions on the merger, but ultimately they let it go through. And the company continues to tangle with the Justice Department over the next 15 or so years. But mostly they keep getting bigger. They keep growing their footprint across this ecosystem that creates some of the biggest concert tours in the country.

So just how big has the company actually become? Give me some numbers.

Well, let’s start here. Every year, they sell about 600 million tickets.

600 million tickets? That’s more than the number of people in the United States of America.

Yeah. And that is a global number, but it’s a lot of tickets. Right? The Department of Justice estimates that in the United states, Live Nation controls about percent of ticketing to major venue concerts.

So that’s a big percentage. They also own or control, like, in excess of 250 venues, including a big percentage, the Justice Department says, of major amphitheaters, the kind of big outdoor concert venues that are ultimately kind of in between a nightclub and the size of a big football stadium. And they manage hundreds of artists. They have this direct relationship with artists. And so this company is wide and it is deep into this industry.

So ultimately, the Justice Department says that — and I’m going to quote here — it’s the, quote, “gatekeeper for delivery of nearly all live music in America today.”

OK, it’s big. But as we know from other DOJ cases — and this is something that you have taught me, David — the cases against Apple and Google, just being big is not in and of itself a problem.

That’s right. Where companies run afoul of the law is when they use their power as a monopoly against their competitors in order to stay powerful or get more powerful.

And the Justice Department says that Live Nation has built a complex machine to do just that.

We’ll be right back.

So what does the DOJ say that Live Nation is able to do because it is so big? How does it use its bigness?

So the most prominent allegation is that Live Nation uses its power as a concert promoter to entrench its power in ticketing. As a reminder, when you put together a concert, a promoter works with an artist to book the show. They book the show at a venue. And that venue, for all of its shows, has to choose a ticketing provider, a digital box office where people can buy their way into the shows.

And what the Justice Department is arguing here is that Live Nation is able to wield its big artists, the tours that it promotes, as a cudgel to force venues to use Ticketmaster, its ticketing service. So the Justice Department says that in an instance in which a venue switched away from using Ticketmaster, that Live Nation routed tours around that venue, which of course means less money for that venue and a problem for their business.

Interesting. So basically, Live Nation is saying, look, if you want Taylor Swift in your little amphitheater over there, you’re going to have to use Ticketmaster. It’s Ticketmaster or no Taylor Swift.

That is effectively the behavior the Justice Department is arguing has happened here. They’re saying that Live Nation does this in veiled ways and that, more importantly, it’s really understood by venues throughout the industry that if you don’t use Ticketmaster, that you really risk out on losing important Live Nation managed tours. And then once these venues do choose Ticketmaster, Live Nation locks them into these long, exclusive ticketing contracts, which can last for as long as 14 years.

14 years? That’s pretty long. What else is DOJ alleging that Live Nation has done?

Another thing the Justice Department says that Live Nation does is use its power as an owner of venues to get away with paying artists less money for their tours.

So how does that work?

Basically, the argument is that because Live Nation controls so many of certain types of venues, that there are instances in which an artist’s tour might largely be dominated by Live Nation owned venues. And the Justice Department is saying that Live Nation knows that artists don’t have a lot of other options for where to play their concerts and, as a result, is able to pay those artists less. Because there’s not competitive pressure when they’re booking those tours.

That seems pretty unfair to artists who would really benefit from other venues owned by other people competing for them.

And that’s exactly what the Justice Department is saying, that artists lose out, not just fans. And there’s a striking story in the complaint that I think crystallizes how the Justice Department sees these streams of power coming together.

And it concerns a concert, which the lawsuit doesn’t name, in 2021. My colleague Ben Sisario has reported that it was a Kanye West concert featuring Drake. It was a benefit show, and it was taking place at the LA Coliseum in Los Angeles.

One of the companies involved in putting on this show was a firm called TEG. They do promotion and ticketing of the kind that Live Nation does. And the government says that Live Nation saw this as a threat, that they saw this company TEG involved in this show, and they were worried about what it would mean for them, and that they then undertook steps to put pressure on TEG and make their life difficult in a couple of ways.

The first was that TEG had reached a deal to sell some tickets, according to the complaint, through StubHub. StubHub is a secondary resale market. You can buy tickets to shows when people aren’t going to use them.

Right, and competitor to Ticketmaster, right?

And competitor to Ticketmaster. And the Justice Department says that Live Nation found out about that and said, well, we have the exclusive ticketing contract for this venue. And so we will make sure that if you bought your ticket on StubHub, you won’t be allowed to come in to this show.

Really? Like, they couldn’t come into the concert?

Well, and ultimately, the complaint says that StubHub had to work with Ticketmaster to fulfill the tickets that had already been sold, that they stopped selling new tickets, and that hundreds of people who bought their tickets on StubHub didn’t get into the show.

That seems very unfair. Like, they bought a ticket.

Well, and according to the Justice Department, it didn’t stop there, that Live Nation used its industry connections to pressure an investor in TEG, this company that it viewed as a threat, and that it pushed that investor to pull back from its relationship with TEG, which obviously would have weakened this potential competitor.

So these are very strong armed tactics. What is the DOJ saying is the result of all of this? What does all of this amount to?

It says that all of this adds up to higher fees for consumers and a worse product, a worse quality ticketing experience when fans go to buy. Because Live Nation doesn’t have to compete with anyone. It doesn’t have to innovate in response to competitors. So, among other things, the Justice Department wants to break this company up, at the very least by separating Ticketmaster, the ticketing unit, the box office unit, from the rest of Live Nation that does all these other things — promotes concerts, owns venues, et cetera.

So in other words, go back to the way it was in the beginning.

Yeah, or as much as you can.

And why does that fix the problem?

Well, the Justice Department doesn’t say a lot on this point. But it’s clear that what they want to do with this lawsuit is disrupt this cycle where Live Nation’s power reinforces itself again, and again, and again.

And what does Live Nation say in response? I imagine they disagree with all of this.

They do. They’ve said a lot. And they start out by saying something that will be familiar to you, because other companies that have been accused of antitrust violations say it as well, which is that they don’t fit the profile of a monopoly, that their overall profit margins are lower than those of companies like Meta, or Apple, or Google, and that even if you look at Ticketmaster specifically, they take a smaller percentage of every sale than a lot of other digital platforms. So they say basically the numbers show that we don’t have the kind of power you would normally associate with a monopoly.

And then they say, listen, we know that there are things that fans don’t like about the ticketing experience. There may be fixes to those. But largely, it’s not Live Nation’s fault, they say. They say that artists generally set the prices they want people to pay for tickets.

Really? So artists themselves do it.

Right, that artists sign off on how much a ticket will cost to their shows.

And they also say that demand sometimes drives ticket prices up. If there are more people who want to see a show than there are seats or standing room to see that show, the prices will be higher. And finally, they say that there’s this kind of pernicious outside force of scalpers, people who resell tickets, that use bots to hoover up way more tickets than they could possibly use and then resell them at a higher price. And so they say that all of these things may contribute to a fan experience that people don’t like, but that it’s not necessarily Live Nation’s fault.

I mean, to me, this makes certain sense. I guess if you think of a Taylor Swift show and lots of people trying to buy tickets, one reason why those tickets are expensive is not necessarily because there’s something nefarious going on, but because lots of people want to buy tickets. And there’s a market, and supply and demand has a role here.

Well, and a clear question here that I have, that other people have asked, is how much does the Justice Department think ticket prices have gone up because of this alleged Live Nation monopoly? And the Justice Department hasn’t answered that question.

They haven’t disentangled it with all of the other stuff that’s around — market forces, everything?

That’s right. And there’s another element of Live Nation’s response that we should mention, which is that the company basically says this lawsuit is politically motivated, that this administration, the Biden administration, is bringing lawsuits that don’t hold a lot of water but are anti-business. That’s what Live Nation is saying.

I mean, it does sort of ring true in some sense. Right? This has been the tilt of this administration toward cracking down on big companies. The DOJ has changed in this respect. They’re filing a lawsuit to break up a merger that a previous DOJ had actually approved.

Well, you’re right. This Department of Justice, this administration more broadly, has a different view about antitrust. They think that antitrust law can be a more expansive tool to address problems in the economy. And they’ve put that into practice. They’ve sued Google for violating anti-monopoly laws. They’ve sued Apple for violating anti-monopoly laws.

But I think ultimately what they believe is that they’re responding to a change in the economy, that these companies have gotten much bigger, that they have gotten more powerful. And they are responding to the way the companies broke the law on their way to becoming that big.

So, David, when you and I talked about Google and Apple — you referenced them here — you know, we talked about how there were broad repercussions for the future on American society. What would you say the implications are in this case?

This case ultimately, for the Justice Department, is about the market for culture and creativity. You know, a few years ago, the Justice Department successfully blocked Penguin Random House, a big publisher, from buying Simon and Schuster, another publisher. And they said that one problem with this merger was that it would reduce how much authors got paid, and that it would create a market where fewer books and fewer types of stories broke through.

This Justice Department is embracing an idea that the more concentrated the economy gets, the more it stifles creative expression, the ability of artists to make art and get it to the public and the ability of the public to consume it. And that, they say, is a central question of democracy. Because things like music are how we talk about big social issues or big political issues. So that is, they say, what’s at the heart of this case, that it is not just about the fees, it’s not just about how much an artist gets paid. But it’s about whether or not there is a fair marketplace for ideas, and whether or not consumers are able to access it.

David, thank you.

Thank you. [MUSIC PLAYING]

Here’s what else you should know today. On Wednesday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito declined to recuse himself from two cases arising from the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol after “The Times” reported that flags displayed outside his houses appeared to support the Stop the Steal movement. In letters to Democratic members of Congress who had demanded his recusal, Justice Alito said that the flags, at his home in Virginia and a beach house in New Jersey, were flown by his wife, Martha Ann, and that he had had nothing to do with it.

And a group of 12 New York jurors deliberated for more than four hours in the final stretch of the criminal trial of Donald Trump, in which the former president is accused of falsifying business records. The jurors asked for portions of the testimony from two witnesses to be read back to them, as well as the judge’s instructions. They were then dismissed for the day and will resume deliberations today.

Today’s episode was produced by Will Reid, Rob Szypko and Rachelle Bonja. It was edited by Michael Benoit and Brendan Klinkenberg, contains original music by Marion Lozano, Dan Powell, and Will Reid, and was engineered by Alyssa Moxley. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Sabrina Tavernise. See you tomorrow.

• June 3, 2024   •   32:07 How Trump’s Conviction Could Reshape the Election
• May 31, 2024   •   31:29 Guilty
• May 30, 2024   •   25:21 The Government Takes On Ticketmaster
• May 29, 2024   •   29:46 The Closing Arguments in the Trump Trial
• May 28, 2024   •   25:56 The Alitos and Their Flags
• May 24, 2024   •   25:18 Whales Have an Alphabet
• May 23, 2024   •   34:24 I.C.C. Prosecutor Requests Warrants for Israeli and Hamas Leaders
• May 22, 2024   •   23:20 Biden’s Open War on Hidden Fees
• May 21, 2024   •   24:14 The Crypto Comeback
• May 20, 2024   •   31:51 Was the 401(k) a Mistake?
• May 19, 2024   •   33:23 The Sunday Read: ‘Why Did This Guy Put a Song About Me on Spotify?’
• May 17, 2024   •   51:10 The Campus Protesters Explain Themselves

Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise

Featuring David McCabe

Produced by Will Reid ,  Rob Szypko and Rachelle Bonja

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg and Michael Benoist

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Dan Powell and Will Reid

Engineered by Alyssa Moxley

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

Over recent years, few companies have provoked more anger among music fans than Ticketmaster. Last week, the Department of Justice announced it was taking the business to court.

David McCabe, who covers technology policy for The Times, explains how the case could reshape America’s multibillion-dollar live music industry.

On today’s episode

David McCabe , a technology policy correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading

The government is accusing Ticketmaster’s corporate parent, Live Nation Entertainment, of violating antitrust laws .

Here’s a guide to the emails at the heart of the government’s case .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson, Nina Lassam and Nick Pitman.

David McCabe covers tech policy. He joined The Times from Axios in 2019. More about David McCabe

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Neve campbell on returning to ‘scream’ franchise: “really grateful they came back to me in a respectful way”, gerard butler in talks to re-team with christian gudegast for action adventure ‘empire state’ – cannes market hot project.

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EXCLUSIVE : Gerard Butler  is in talks to re-team with Den Of Thieves director Christian Gudegast in comedic action-thriller  Empire State,  about an attack on the iconic skyscraper.

In  Empire State , when the Empire State Building comes under attack by a military contractor hellbent on revenge, Navy SEAL turned NY firefighter Rhett (Butler) and NYPD Tactical officer Dani (yet to be cast) must put aside their relationship troubles as they work to rescue hostages and save the famous landmark.

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The  Empire State  script was written by S. Craig Zahler ( Bone Tomahawk ) and Brian Tucker ( Secret Invasion ).

CAA Media Finance will handle the domestic rights, while The Veterans is launching international sales at Cannes .

Butler and Gudegast are in post on  Den of Thieves 2: Pantera . Butler recently wrapped production on Universal Pictures’ live-action adaptation of the animation franchise  How To Train Your Dragon , reprising his role of Hiccup’s father Stoick. He is currently filming  Greenland: Migration , the sequel to Ric Roman Waugh’s apocalyptic action movie.

Gudegast also wrote  London Has Fallen,  which starred Butler and grossed over $200M worldwide.

Butler is represented by CAA and Alan Siegel Entertainment; Gudegast is repped by Entertainment 360 and Patrick Knapp; Zahler is repped by UTA and Range; and Tucker by CAA and David Fox.

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