Empire State Building Tickets and Tours

Visiting the iconic Empire State Building is an experience you have to include in your trip to New York. It is an Art Deco gem, both inside and out, and the exhibitions it houses and its views of the city will not leave you indifferent.

My first tip is to buy your tickets in advance: this will save you from having to queue to buy tickets, although you will still have to queue for security checks.

With this general admission ticket to the Empire State Building, you can go up to the main observation deck on the 86th floor and enjoy a 360º panoramic view of Manhattan. It also includes access to the museum on the second floor, where you can learn about the history of the city's most iconic skyscraper.

You can choose the time that suits you best, either during the day or at sunset, and if you don't want to wait in line, you have the option of express access. It's ideal for those traveling with children (children under 6 are free) and want total flexibility in planning their visit.

Why I like this option: it's the easiest and most economical way to go up the Empire State Building, with flexible hours and the option to skip the lines.

Recommended if... you want to experience the most cinematic New York from one of its most iconic skyscrapers, without complications or paying extra.

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In addition to general admission to the Empire State Building, which includes access to the 86th floor observation deck and the museum on the second floor, you can choose other options to suit different types of experiences. From going higher up to avoiding lines or enjoying the sunrise from one of the world's most iconic buildings, here are a few options:

• Ticket with access to the 102nd floor from $84: includes access to the top observation deck on the 102nd floor with floor-to-ceiling windows and the 86th floor platform.
• Skip-the-line ticket to the Empire State Building from $90: skip the lines and go straight into the building, ideal if you're short on time.
• Empire State Building ticket at sunrise from $146: exclusive access to the building in the early hours of the day to enjoy the views as the city wakes up.

Yes, there are several guided tours of the Empire State Building, and they are highly recommended if you want to enrich your experience with historical context, interesting facts, and architectural details about one of the world's most iconic buildings.

These tours include guided access to the main observatory and, in some cases, combine the tour with other tourist stops, making them an ideal option for those who want to discover more of the city in a short time. Here are some options:

• Guided tour of the Empire State Building and Harry Potter store from $128: an original experience that combines history and magic in a 3-hour tour of the Empire State Building and the Harry Potter store.
• Private tour with express access to the Empire State Building from $483: an exclusive tour with a personal guide and access to the 86th and 102nd floors without queuing.
• Guided tour of New York with admission to the Empire State Building from $154: a 4-hour tour of the city's most iconic sights, including admission to the Empire State Building.
• Guided tour of the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock from $84: guided tour of Manhattan with access to the Empire State Building and optional entry to Top of the Rock.

By booking your tickets for the Empire State online and in advance $51 you'll pay around 51 However, if you're traveling with children, in a group, or are eligible for a special rate, you may be able to get better prices. If you're on a budget when planning your visit to this legendary skyscraper, check out my Empire State ticket price guide to see what rates apply to you and decide how to buy your tickets.

If you prefer a guided tour, such as the tour that combines the Empire State with the Harry Potter store, prices start at ** 128**

Prices at the box office

Buying tickets at the box office is also an option and you will pay the same price, although, as mentioned above, the queues can be very long (and you may not get a spot to go up at the time you want).

The Empire State Building is located at 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001. The best way to get there is on foot if you are in the city center, or by subway to 34 St – Herald Sq and then down the street. You can't miss it! Wherever you are, I have a plan for you. Check out this article on how to get to the Empire State Building, where I suggest different routes or itineraries depending on how much time you have, your budget, and whether you want to visit neighborhoods and other attractions nearby.

For example, near the iconic building, located in the heart of Midtown, you'll find everything from Central Park and Times Square to other key points in the city such as the Flatiron Building. Also nearby is the area known as Koreatown, full of bakeries, cafes, Korean barbecue restaurants, and karaoke bars, as well as cosmetics stores with products imported directly from South Korea.

If you're trying to choose the best time to go up the Empire State Building while avoiding queues and crowds, visit the Empire State in the morning. At 8:00 a.m., you'll hardly have to wait in line, and you'll enjoy an almost private experience any day of the week. Your other best option is to visit the building around 12:30 a.m., although on Saturdays and Sundays you're sure to encounter other tourists.

When buying your ticket, you have to choose a day on which you can access the Empire State Building at any time. I'm a romantic and I think going up first thing in the morning or at midnight is a fantasy, but you can choose whatever time you want, as it's open every day of the year without exception from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., and the last elevator up is at 1:15 a.m. Here's everything you need to know about the Empire State at night experience.

Alex's Traveler Tip

Did you know that the Empire State Building is open until 2 a.m.? Go up to the Empire State Building late at night to be completely alone in front of the immensity of New York. It's worth it!

There is no time limit for your visit to the Empire State Building. Most people spend around an hour on the observation deck, but you can stay until closing time if you like.

If you want to go up the Empire State Building at sunset, I recommend checking what time the sun sets and going up to the observatory an hour before to get a good spot and enjoy the visit before it starts to fill up with tourists.

One thing that sets the Empire State Building apart from other skyscrapers in New York is that it is open until 2 a.m., allowing you to go at almost any time you want. I'll let you in on a secret: going to the top of the building after a party and a night out in New York is at the top of my list.

The Empire State Building is undoubtedly one of the most popular attractions in the Big Apple, which is why admission is included in most tourist passes for visiting the city. Still not sure what a tourist card is or how it works?

In a nutshell, it's a card that you book in advance for a "flat rate" and gives you access to various attractions in the city, saving you time (by skipping the lines at the ticket office) and money.

As I mentioned, most of these cards include admission to the Empire State Building. Here is a list of these cards and links to my practical guide for each one. But if you are thinking of purchasing a card, I recommend reading this article comparing New York tourist passes.

List of passes that include the Empire State Building

My personal advice

If you can't decide what time to go up the iconic skyscraper, I recommend buying the New York CityPASS and going up in the morning to enjoy a hassle-free experience without the crowds, then returning at sunset to enjoy the views.

To visit the Empire State Building with your New York CityPASS, simply go to the building and enter through the door designated for visitors with a tourist card.

From the Empire State Building Observatory, you can look through the famous binoculars and watch life go by in New York, with views of Bryant Park, the Flatiron Building, Fifth Avenue, One World Trade Center, and of course, admire the majesty of Manhattan's buildings as a whole.

From the moment it opened in 1931, the Empire State Building became the centerpiece of the New York skyline and a major attraction for tourists who climbed to its observation deck. Here's what you can see from the top of the Empire State Building:

If heights make you hungry and you like to know where to eat in advance, there are a few restaurants near the Empire State Building that you'll want to try. For example, you can head to Koreatown and try Turntable Chicken Jazz or BCD Tofu House, where you'll find vegetarian options.

My personal recommendation is to walk a little towards the Chrysler Building and go to Urbanspace Vanderbilt, a warehouse converted into a market with stalls selling all kinds of food. However, if you want to plan your gastronomic day well, take a look at this list of places to eat near the Empire State Building.

If you visit the Empire State Building with children, it's best to go as early in the morning as possible. You'll be allowed to bring backpacks, as long as they're the size of a typical backpack with straps, and if you have a stroller, you'll most likely be asked to fold it up to go up to the observation deck.

When you arrive at the Empire State Building, you can take a photo and buy it later to take home as a souvenir. It costs about $20, and I don't think it's worth it, but if you know your kids will love it, make sure you don't wear any green clothing, as it will ruin the photo (they take it in front of a green screen).

Many people wonder how many floors the Empire State Building has. Well, the exact number is 102, although the observation deck is on the 86th floor and not on the top floor. You can use any of the 73 elevators in the building to visit them, so that uncomfortable moment of waiting for the elevator should be kept to a minimum, although not the trip itself. There are restrooms on the 2nd and 86th floors of the Empire State Building, so don't worry, if you have an emergency at the top, you won't have to rush back down to the ground.

Camera tripods and excessively large suitcases or backpacks are not allowed in the Empire State Building, and the building does not have lockers where you can leave your belongings. If you need it, LuggageHero is quite close to the skyscraper and is the cheapest option for leaving your belongings while you go up the Empire State Building.

Inside, you can see the "Dare to Dream" exhibition dedicated to the construction of the Empire State Building and the stories of its builders, through architectural plans, drawings, and photographs. There is also an exhibition dedicated to explaining the building's sustainable energy use.

A little bit of history

Something that not many people know is that in the same year it opened, the spire at its highest point served as an anchor point for a zeppelin, as according to the building's architects, this would be the mode of transport of the future. Luckily, they designed one of the world's greatest architectural gems, because they weren't very good at predicting the future...

Symbol of Art Deco

What makes the Empire State Building a must-see on your adventures in New York is not only the breathtaking views from its observatory, but also its impressive Art Deco interior, which is a marvel in itself. It is a truly complete experience that you are sure to remember fondly for many years after your trip.

New York is a city made to be admired from below but also from above, and to do so, you have a multitude of skyscrapers from which the views of New York are breathtaking.

One World Observatory

Perhaps One World doesn't spring to mind immediately due to its relatively short history, but it offers impressive views of the financial district, with shops, an elegant restaurant, and interactive activities that children will love. If you'd like to visit, you can find all the details in my practical guide: One World Observatory in New York: Tickets and Tours.

Rockefeller Center, the Top of the Rock

And of all the skyscrapers in New York, my personal recommendation is Rockefeller Center. Its observation deck, known as the Top of the Rock, offers the best views of the city, including a spectacular close-up of the Empire State Building. In fact, many visitors face a dilemma when deciding between the two. If it helps, here's a comparison: going up to the Top of the Rock vs going up to the Empire State Building.

Other iconic buildings

If you're someone who likes to avoid the usual tourist traps, there are many other buildings in New York that you can visit, even if they don't have an observation deck. The Woolworth Building, Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building, and many others will delight anyone who loves architecture.

Alternatively, if climbing a skyscraper doesn't appeal to you but you want to enjoy the views of New York from above, you have other options such as taking a helicopter tour of Manhattan or visiting one of the city's many rooftop bars. But in my opinion, climbing a skyscraper is an amazing experience that you can't miss, especially on your first time in New York!

Now all you have to do is choose a skyscraper and get ready to see one of the most beautiful cities in the world as it deserves to be seen. Have a great trip to the heights!