Empire State Building
A 443-meter Art Deco skyscraper completed in 1931. Its open-air observatory on the 86th floor and enclosed deck on the 102nd floor offer views of Manhattan, and it is the symbol of the New York skyline.
The Empire State Building stands at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. It was completed in 1931 in just 410 days. At 443 meters including its antenna, it held the title of world's tallest building for 40 years. It is the pinnacle of Art Deco skyscraper design and has appeared in countless films, including King Kong and Sleepless in Seattle. Your visit starts on the second floor with museum-style exhibits covering the building's construction, an interactive King Kong display, and a Sleepless in Seattle set. From there, take the elevator to the open-air observatory on the 86th floor, 320 meters up. With no glass in the way, you get 360-degree views: north over Central Park and Midtown, and south toward One World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty. This is also a classic spot for photographing the Chrysler Building and the Manhattan night skyline. For an extra fee, you can go up to the enclosed observatory on the 102nd floor, 381 meters high, with floor-to-ceiling glass.
Adult admission to the 86th floor costs about $44 to $48. Adding the 102nd floor brings the price to about $79. Prices go up for sunrise and sunset slots. Booking a timed slot on the official website lets you skip the line. The Day & Night option gives you two entries on the same day.
The best time to go is about an hour before sunset, so you can see the city by daylight, at golden hour, and as the lights come on. Alternatively, arrive at 8 a.m. when the building opens, when crowds are smallest. The tower's night lighting changes color for holidays, such as red for Lunar New Year.
Getting there: take the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, or W train to 34 St-Herald Sq, a 3-minute walk away. From Penn Station, it's an 8-minute walk.
For comparison, Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center lets you include the Empire State Building in your photos, while Summit One Vanderbilt offers a more immersive art experience. Choose one or two based on your preferences.
Note that the 86th floor is windy and cold, so bring warm clothing in winter. Tripods and large bags are not allowed through security. Lines are long on weekend evenings.
Opening hours
09:00–24:00 (last entry 23:15; may change on holidays)
Nearby sights
- New York Public Library Main Branch
- Flatiron Building
- SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
- Times Square / Broadway
- Grand Central Terminal
- Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock
- Union Square
- St. Patrick's Cathedral