Empire State Building
About
What It Is
The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper situated on the west side of Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets, in the Midtown South neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. [2] Designed by Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, it was built between 1930 and 1931, opening on May 1, 1931, and stands 1,250 feet to its roof, or 1,454 feet including its antenna. [2] It held the title of world's tallest building until 1970 and has been designated a New York City landmark and a National Historic Landmark. [2] The American Society of Civil Engineers named it one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, and it has appeared in more than 250 films and television series since 1933. [2]
Activities & Experiences
Visitors can access two outdoor and indoor observation decks: the open-air 86th Floor Observation Deck and the 102nd Floor Observatory, both offering 360-degree views of the New York City skyline, with sightlines extending to Central Park, Brooklyn, the Statue of Liberty, and up to six states. [1] Immersive museum galleries on the second and 80th floors cover the building's construction history, its 1920s site, its opening day, and its pop-culture presence, and are included with all standard tickets. [1] Additional on-site experiences include an interactive Kong exhibit, an Art Deco lobby, a celebrity wall, dining, and shopping. [1]
Practical Access
Visitors enter the observatories through 20 West 34th Street; the ticket office is located at 12 West 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. [2][1] The nearest subway stations are 34th Street–Herald Square, one block west, and 33rd Street at Park Avenue, two blocks east, with a PATH station at 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue also nearby. [2] The building is open 365 days a year, with hours varying seasonally; as of the sources available, the general operating window is 9 AM to 10 PM with doors closing at 9 PM. [1] Timed reservations are required for entry and are strongly recommended to be booked online in advance to avoid wait times and potential sellouts. [1] Standard adult admission to the 86th Floor Observation Deck starts from USD 46; a flex ticket starts from USD 66; combined 86th and 102nd floor access starts from USD 81. [1]
Restrictions
All visits require a timed reservation; walk-up entry without a reservation is not guaranteed. [1] The Express Pass option bypasses the second-floor exhibits, though guests may still choose to visit them. [1]
What Makes It Distinctive
The Empire State Building was the first structure in the world to exceed 100 stories and held the record for world's tallest building for nearly four decades. [2] It carries dual landmark status at both the city and national level, and the American Institute of Architects ranked it first on its list of America's Favorite Architecture in 2007. [2] Rated the number-one attraction in the United States in TripAdvisor's 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards and the top attraction in New York City for five consecutive years, it draws approximately four million visitors annually. [1][2] The combination of a historically significant Art Deco structure, multiple observation levels, and integrated museum galleries makes it a self-contained cultural destination rather than a single-purpose viewpoint. [1][2]
Sources
- Open year-round
- Typical duration: 2h
Access & fees
- from $44 (86th floor)
- from $64 (flex ticket)
- from $79 (both decks)
- service animals permitted
- the observatories are designed to accommodate wheelchair users.
- wheelchair-accessible 102nd-floor observatory
- wheelchair-accessible 86th-floor observatory
Things to do
- art deco lobby photography
- enjoy 360° views of manhattan and beyond
- experience new york illuminated at night
- explore interactive exhibits about the building's construction and history
- museum exhibit tour
- observation deck visit
- photo opportunities
- photography and skyline viewing
- see the restored art deco lobby
- visit the immersive king kong exhibit
- watch sunset over manhattan
Before you go
- book tickets online in advance
- flex ticket for date flexibility
Amenities
- dining and shopping
- outdoor deck heaters
Best time to visit
- year-round viable
Events & seasons
- the annual empire state building run-up challenges competitors to climb 1,576 stairs from the lobby to the 86th floor.
Features
- 1,454 ft total height
- 102nd-floor observatory
- 86th-floor open-air deck
- art deco architecture
- immersive museum galleries
- indoor 80th-floor observatory
- its appearance in king kong (1933) helped turn the building into a worldwide cultural icon.
- its tower lights change colors to commemorate holidays, celebrations, charitable causes, sporting events, and major occasions.
- national historic landmark
- new york city landmark
- this is one of the better choices among new york's historic attractions for travelers with mobility limitations.
Nearby
- 33rd st path station
- 34th st–herald square subway
- macy's herald square
Good to know
- drones are not permitted.
- large bags and luggage are restricted, and there are no storage lockers.
- observatory entrance
- open 365 days/year
- smoking and vaping are prohibited.
- ticket office at 12 w 34th st
- timed reservation required
- tripods and large professional photography equipment are restricted.
- visitors undergo security screening before entering the observatories.