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, 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 slot you prefer, 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 enter free) and want total flexibility to organize 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 possibility of avoiding 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 the general admission ticket to the Empire State Building, which includes access to the 86th floor observatory and the museum on the second floor, you can choose other alternatives that suit different types of experiences. From going higher up to avoiding lines or enjoying the sunrise from one of the most iconic buildings in the world, here are some options:

• Ticket with access to the 102nd floor from $83: includes access to the upper 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: allows you to skip the lines and enter the building directly, ideal if you are short on time.
• Ticket to the Empire State Building 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 most iconic buildings in the world.

These tours allow you to access the main observatory with a guide, and in some cases, they 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: a unique 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 skip-the-line access to the 86th and 102nd floors.
• 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 $79: guided tour of Manhattan with access to the Empire State Building and optional entry to Top of the Rock.

By booking your Empire State tickets online and in advance $51 you'll pay around 51 However, if you're traveling with children, in a group, or have access to a special rate, you may be able to get better prices. If you're concerned about your budget when planning your visit to this legendary skyscraper, you can check my guide to Empire State ticket prices to see which rate applies to you and decide how to purchase your tickets.

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

Prices at the ticket office

Buying tickets at the box office is also an option, and the price will be the same, although as I mentioned earlier, the lines can be very long (and you may not be able to get a spot to go up at the time you wanted).

The Empire State Building is located at 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, and the best way to get there is either on foot if you are in the city center or by subway to 34th 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 of 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 Building 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 you buy your ticket, you have to choose a day on which you can access the Empire State Building at any time you want. 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 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., and the last elevator up is at 1:15 a.m. Here's everything you need to know about the Empire State Building at night.

Alex's Traveler Tip

Did you know that the Empire State Building is open until 2 a.m.? Go up the Empire State Building late at night to be completely alone in 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 wish.

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., which means you can 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 nighttime stroll through 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, and therefore, admission is included in the vast majority of tourist passes available for visiting the city. Still don't know what a tourist card is or how it works?

In short, it's a card that you book in advance for a "flat rate" and gives you access to various attractions in the city, allowing you to save time (by skipping the lines at the ticket offices) 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're 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 , crowd-free experience, 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 star 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're visiting 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 handles, 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 have your photo taken and buy it later 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 will take it in front of a chroma key).

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 the top floor. You can use any of the building's 73 elevators 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 high altitude, 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 to, 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 also 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. Thank goodness they designed one of the world's greatest architectural gems, because as fortune tellers they weren't much use...

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 truly a marvel. It is a very 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

One World may not immediately spring to mind due to its relatively recent construction, but it offers impressive views of the financial district, with shops, an elegant restaurant, and interactive activities that children will enjoy. If you would like to visit, you can find all the details in my practical guide: One World Observatory in New York: Tickets and Tours.

Rockefeller Center, 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 they have to decide between going up one or the other. 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

In addition, if you are someone who shuns the established tourist circuits, there are many more buildings in New York that you can visit, even if they don't have an observatory. The Woolworth Building, Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building, and many others will delight anyone who is passionate about architecture.

Alternatively, if climbing a skyscraper doesn't appeal to you but you want to enjoy the views of New York from above, there are 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!