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Empire State Building
The 86th-floor open-air deck is the classic New York view and the reason to come. If you want the Empire State itself in your shots, though, you are standing in the wrong building.
The 1931 Art Deco one everybody pictures, and the 86th-floor open-air deck is the version worth doing: wind in your face, 360 degrees over Manhattan. The enclosed 102nd floor sits higher and costs more, but plenty of people come down preferring the open deck below it. One catch worth naming: you cannot see this building from inside it.
Worth it for
- A first trip when you want the most famous deck in the city, day or night
- Anyone who likes Art Deco, since the lobby and the climb-up exhibits deliver it
You can skip if
- You want the Empire State Building in your own photos, which means going up a different tower
- Low cloud or haze has settled in and swallowed the view
Our pick for Empire State Building
The 86th-floor open-air deck earns its reputation: Midtown's grid falls away below you in every direction, the Hudson and East Rivers bracket the island, and at night the city turns into something you will genuinely want to stand in for a while. Timed entry booked ahead means you choose the light you want and walk straight to the elevators, no guessing at the door.
If our pick doesn't fit
The building's own site sells the timed slots directly with no reseller fee added on top.
Official ticketsPairs the classic open-air deck with SUMMIT's immersive indoor experience, a solid double if you want contrasting perspectives on Midtown.
Bundles two of NYC's most iconic landmarks for a packed day, though the ferry crossing adds substantial travel time.
See all options for Empire State Building
What travelers flag about Empire State Building
We weighed recent New York traveler opinion on the Empire State Building against the provider reviews. These are the themes that came up again and again.
- Iconic to be in, only okay to look fromReported by many
The near-universal verdict: the building itself is a thrill to stand on top of, historic and famous, but as a pure view it is only okay and it is pricey for what you get. The 86th-floor deck also gets cramped and its safety cages get in the way of photos.
- You cannot see the Empire State from itReported by many
The single most repeated point: the one building you cannot photograph from up here is the Empire State Building itself. If that skyline shot is what you want, people overwhelmingly send you to Top of the Rock, which puts the ESB and Central Park in your frame.
- Don't stack the upsellsReported by several
The 102nd-floor add-on draws steady grumbles that it is not worth the extra money over the 86th-floor deck. Book direct on the building's own site, go at opening or for sunset on a clear day, and skip the top-floor upsell unless height alone is the point.
Sourced from recent traveler discussions, not provider reviews. We only flag what several visitors independently reported, and the bars show how widely each point came up.
Which ticket should you buy?
The two observatories
The main draw is the 86th-floor observatory, an open-air deck that wraps around the building with a 360-degree view over Manhattan and beyond. On a clear day you can see for many miles, and the open air makes it feel different from a glassed-in deck. This is where most visitors spend their time.
Above it, the 102nd-floor observatory is fully enclosed and sits much higher, with floor-to-ceiling glass. It costs extra and is an add-on to the 86th-floor ticket. The higher view is impressive, but many people find the open 86th-floor deck the more memorable of the two.
The visit on the way up
The route to the deck was rebuilt into a guided experience with exhibits on the building's construction, its role in the city, and its place in films and popular culture. You pass through these on the way to the elevators, so the trip up is part of the attraction rather than just a ride.
The building stays open late, which makes it one of the better night views in the city, with the lit-up grid spread out below. The tower's own lights change color for holidays and events, something you see from the street rather than the deck.
Tickets and timing
Entry is by timed ticket, so you choose an arrival window when you book. Sunset slots and weekend evenings are the most popular and fill first, so reserve early if you want a specific time. Same-day tickets are sold at the building, but booking ahead locks in your slot and usually means a shorter wait.
Crowds peak around sunset and on weekends. For a calmer visit, go early in the morning soon after opening or late in the evening. Weather matters: low clouds or haze can cut the view, and the open-air 86th-floor deck is exposed to wind and cold.
Getting there
The building sits in the heart of Midtown, a short walk from several subway lines and from Penn Station and Herald Square. It is easy to combine with nearby sights, and you can walk to Times Square, Bryant Park, and the shops along Fifth Avenue.
Because it is so central, it pairs naturally with a Midtown day. Many visitors go up here and also visit Top of the Rock a few blocks north, since each deck gives a different angle on the skyline.
Empire State Building: FAQs
The main open-air observatory is on the 86th floor, with a 360-degree view. A higher, fully enclosed observatory sits on the 102nd floor and costs extra as an add-on. There is also an indoor exhibit area on the 80th floor.
Tickets are timed, and booking ahead lets you pick your arrival window and usually means a shorter wait. Sunset and weekend slots fill first. Same-day tickets are sold at the building, but popular times can be gone.
Sunset is the most popular and crowded. For thinner crowds, go early after opening or late in the evening, since the building stays open late. Clear days give the best views; haze and low cloud reduce them.
It depends. The 102nd floor is higher and fully enclosed with great views, but many visitors find the open-air 86th-floor deck more memorable. If budget is tight, the 86th floor alone is plenty.
Plan one to two hours. That covers the exhibits on the way up, time on the deck or decks, and the elevator rides. Busy periods with long lines can stretch it longer, which is another reason to book a timed slot.
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