Visit the Empire State Building in New York City!

Updated on July 31st, 2026

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One of New York City’s most iconic landmarks, the Empire State Building is definitely a sight to see! If you’re visiting New York for the first time, seeing the top of the Empire State Building is almost a rite of passage. There are millions of people from all over the world who come to Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue with the same idea in mind every day, which means the lines can get quite long.

For those of you determined to see the glorious Art Deco building, we’ll give you some practical visitor information with tips on how to avoid the lines, so you can make the most of your visit to the Empire State Building!

History of the Empire State Building

In the first decades of the 20th century, New York City was gripped by a competition to construct the world’s tallest building. Work on the Empire State Building began on March 17, 1930, as did construction on two other buildings vying for the title: 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building.

When the Empire State Building was completed in 1931 it won the title for the tallest building. Stretching 1,250 feet (381 meters) it was the tallest building in the world for 40 years.

The building became even taller in 1950 when it received a new TV and radio antenna, adding 217 feet (66 meters) to the building’s height. Besides broadcast stations, the building also houses many offices, and shops on the ground floor. In fact, the Empire State Building is so grand, it even has its own zip code!

Empire State Building Practical Visitor Information

Getting to the Empire State Building is easy thanks to New York City’s extensive subway system. You can catch the 1, 2 or 3 train to Penn Station/34th Street and walk east two blocks, or you can take the B, D, F, M, N, Q, or R trains to 34th Street / Herald Square to be greeted by a stunning view of the Empire State Building.

The Empire State Building is open 365 days of the year, making it easy to fit into any New York City itinerary. Operating hours vary by season. It is one of the city’s most popular attractions, crowds are common throughout the day. For a more relaxing experience, plan your visit early in the morning or later in the evening, when wait times are typically shorter. 

Purchasing your tickets online beforehand through the Empire State Building’s official website is highly recommended. If your plans are flexible, you can also purchase a Flex Ticket, which allows you to choose your visit date and arrive at any time during operating hours. For the quickest experience, an Express Pass is available for an additional fee and lets you skip the regular entry and elevator lines.

Inside the Empire State Building

General admission tickets to the Empire State Building’s 86th Floor Observatory start at approximately $44 for adults when purchased online, with discounted rates available for children and seniors. The iconic open-air observation deck offers breathtaking 360-degree views of New York City and its surrounding boroughs. Visitors who want to experience the building’s highest viewpoint can upgrade their ticket to include the 102nd Floor Observatory for an additional fee. 

Unlike the open-air 86th Floor Observatory, 102nd Floor Observatory is enclosed with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, offering panoramic views from nearly 1,250 feet (381 meters) above the city. While the views extend even farther on those clear days, photographers may prefer the 86th floor for its unobstructed, reflection-free photo opportunities. For safety reasons, tripods and other large camera equipment are not permitted inside the observations.

Tickets to the Empire State Building are only valid for one visit, so if you want to have a view of New York City during the day and see what it looks like at night, plan your visit for the late afternoon. By the time you make your way to the observation deck you’ll be able to catch the sunset and if you stick around after that you can see the whole city light up beneath you. When it gets dark the Empire State Building itself is illuminated with its famous tower lights. The colors often commemorate holidays, special events, charitable causes, and New York sports teams. You can check the Empire State Building website to see the lighting schedule for a specific day.

For visitors of all ages, the 2nd floor features interactive exhibits, including “NYC: Above & Beyond,” an immersive experience about New York City and the Empire State Building. For the adults there’s also an interesting permanent exhibition on the 80th floor. This installation shows the engineering and construction process of the Empire State Building, and is free if you’ve purchased an Observatory ticket. The official gift shop, along with food and beverages options including Starbucks, can be found throughout the building.

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Explore Midtown Manhattan

The Empire State Building is located right in the middle of bustling Midtown, Manhattan. Shopping possibilities around the tower are endless: if you walk north from the tower along Fifth Avenue you’ll come across stores of every size and budget.

One block west from 5th Avenue on 34th Street lies Herald Square, which is also surrounded by big chain stores and the flagship store of Macy’s, which occupies an entire block! To find out more about Herald Square and the surrounding area, check out our Herald Square video tour.

There are also many options for lunch or dining near the Empire State Building, as Koreatown with its many authentic restaurants is located just a block away. If you want to take the time to fully explore the neighborhood surrounding the Empire State Building, we have many vacation rentals available in Midtown, Manhattan where you can enjoy staying in the heart of New York City!

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