Empire State Building

About Us

At 20 W 34th Street, a building that opened in 1931 has somehow never stopped feeling like a revelation. The Empire State Building earned the title of America's #1 attraction on TripAdvisor's 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards, and anyone who has stepped off the elevator onto the 86th Floor Observation Deck at sunset understands exactly why. The wind hits you, the city unfolds in every direction, and Manhattan's grid suddenly makes perfect sense from 1,050 feet up.

The experience runs far deeper than the view. Two floors of immersive museum exhibits trace the building's construction, its cultural life, and its place in the American imagination. The 102nd Floor Observatory pushes you even higher, into a glass-enclosed summit that feels genuinely separate from the world below. With 127,000-plus reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5 stars, the numbers confirm what visitors keep saying: this one lives up to its reputation.

Open every single day from 9:00 AM until midnight, the building invites early risers chasing morning light and night owls hunting the city's glittering skyline in equal measure. Bring a jacket for the open-air 86th floor deck, buy your tickets in advance, and plan to stay longer than you think you'll need.

What We Offer

The 86th Floor Observation Deck is the classic experience, an open-air terrace with unobstructed 360-degree views of the five boroughs, New Jersey, and on clear days, up to 80 miles in every direction. Step up to the 102nd Floor Observatory for the building's highest publicly accessible vantage point, a glass-enclosed space that puts you at the very top of one of the world's most recognized silhouettes.

Beyond the decks, the building's immersive museum exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors bring the history of construction and culture to life with hands-on storytelling. Group sales reservations, birthday celebrations, and gift tickets make the ESB an exceptional destination for special occasions. The ESB Run-Up stair race returns in 2026 for competitors who want to climb all 1,576 steps. Brand partnerships, licensing, influencer collaborations, and tower lights sponsorships round out a full suite of opportunities for organizations looking to connect with one of the world's most recognized landmarks.

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What Our Customers Say

Don't just take our word for it - hear from our satisfied customers

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5 months ago

"Visiting the Empire State Building is one of those experiences that lives up to its reputation. There’s a sense of history the moment you step inside—this isn’t just an observation deck, it’s a piece of New York’s story. The exhibits do a great job walking you through the building’s construction, its place in pop culture, and what it has symbolized for generations. The views from the top are unreal. Being able to look out over Manhattan and see the city stretch in every direction really puts its scale into perspective. It doesn’t matter how many photos you’ve seen—seeing it in person hits differently. We visited in January, and while it was cold at the top, the clearer winter air made the views even sharper. What stood out was how smooth and well-organized the entire experience felt. Security and elevators moved efficiently, and even with other visitors around, it never felt chaotic. The colder season definitely helped keep crowds manageable, giving us time to actually enjoy the moment instead of rushing through it. The Empire State Building isn’t just about the view—it’s about standing in a place that’s been part of countless stories, movies, and memories. If it’s your first time in New York or your tenth, it’s still worth the visit."

— Kenneth Hiner

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

4 months ago

"Amazing trip here, lovely service by staff all around and was quick to get us tickets. We got lucky next to no lines at all. Beautiful skyline up above of new york during sunset. Maybe bring a jacket due to wind if your sensitive to cold."

— Anthony Morales

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

4 months ago

"What an amazing trip. We had reservations and express tickets but the day we went, there was hardly a crowd so while we still used the express line and it helped during one of the turns, it was barely noticeable. Im sure if it was super crowded, then it would’ve been more noticeable in terms of getting in faster and going upstairs faster. From the moment you walk in, it is beautiful. The ride up to the 80th floor was quick and easy barely felt it. They had this cute video playing so it just felt super fast like the ride was super fast. The views are definitely out of this world. Then we took another elevator up to the second level observatory and again just phenomenal views. Went with kids. Staff members there were very good at giving directions very patient and also constantly watching what’s going on. Felt super safe felt super calm and had a great time. Check it out."

— Violeta Talavera

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

4 months ago

"Reasonably priced and super easy to get in. There is a neat museum but honestly we headed up as soon as we could. The view from the balcony is what we really came to see. And wow! What a view, 360 of the entire city. We loved being able to see so many city landmarks, its was such a great experience to take in. I would recommend to anybody who hasn’t done it yet."

— Jonathan Gillis

⭐⭐⭐

a month ago

"Make sure when you buy the tickets you read which floor you want to go to general tickets only go to the 86 floor which still wasn’t a bad experience. When entering on the second floor to the pathway, there is two employees taking pictures there and they do not ask you if you want to do it or skip it. They simply just tell you to step up to take a picture. I didn’t want to take a picture so I passed it and the guard got mad at me and started yelling stating there’s no reason for me to do that you should wait your turn. I simply said this is my first and last time that I will come here and I did not want to take a picture so I did not think I had to wait in line. Besides that when I did go to the 86 floor, it was a wonderful experience. There was an elevator assistant named Princess. She was just amazing and was full of good vibes. Upon checking out, the lady named Angela assisted me and she had a great conversation very respectful."

— Margie Vega

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Empire State Building's hours?

The building is open every day of the week, Monday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight). That includes weekends and most holidays, so you have a wide window to plan your visit around sunrise, golden hour, or the city lights at night.

What is the difference between the 86th and 102nd floor observatories?

The 86th Floor Observation Deck is an open-air terrace at 1,050 feet, offering 360-degree views and the classic Empire State Building experience. The 102nd Floor Observatory sits at 1,250 feet in a glass-enclosed space and provides the building's highest publicly accessible vantage point. Many visitors opt for a combined ticket to experience both.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

Advance tickets are strongly recommended. They allow you to select a time slot, skip the general admission line, and often access the express entry lane. Walk-up tickets are sometimes available but wait times can vary significantly depending on the season and time of day.

Is there a museum inside the Empire State Building?

Yes. Immersive museum exhibits are located on the 2nd and 80th floors. They cover the building's construction history, its cultural significance, and its enduring place in American life. The exhibits are included as part of the observatory experience.

Can I host a birthday party or group event at the Empire State Building?

Absolutely. The Empire State Building offers dedicated group sales reservations and birthday celebration packages. For larger organizations, brand partnerships, tower lights sponsorships, and licensing opportunities are also available through their events team.

Where exactly is the Empire State Building located?

The building is located at 20 W 34th Street, New York, NY 10001, at the corner of 34th Street and Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It is easily accessible by subway via multiple lines with stops at 34th Street Penn Station and 34th Street Herald Square.

What is the ESB Run-Up event?

The ESB Run-Up is a competitive stair race up all 1,576 steps of the Empire State Building. It is one of the most iconic vertical races in the world. The next edition is scheduled for 2026, and registration details are available through the official Empire State Building website.

Hours of Operation

Monday 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Tuesday 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Wednesday 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Thursday Today 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Saturday 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Sunday 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM

New York's Sky, Yours to Own

About Us

What We Offer

Gallery

What Our Customers Say

Frequently Asked Questions

Hours of Operation

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New York's Sky, Yours to Own

About Us

What We Offer

Gallery

What Our Customers Say

Frequently Asked Questions

Hours of Operation

Get In Touch

More from the neighborhood

Macy's

Madison Square Garden

Nederlander Theatre

Lucky Strike Times Square

Lyceum Theatre

More places nearby