Empire State Building: Tickets and Tours

Your NYC experience isn’t complete until you have admired the beauty of the city from the top of the legendary Empire State Building. Climb 320 meters and enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of New York City. Discover NYC's highlights from the observatory deck and take incredible pictures.

Erected in 1931, NYC's iconic Empire State Building is the world’s most famous skyscraper and a must-visit for all New York first-time visitors. Get your Empire State Building tickets and don’t miss out on this incredible experience.

Here's all you need to know about the Empire State Building, one of the most popular attractions in New York City.

How much do Empire State Building tickets cost?

There are many ways to see the sights of NYC at the Empire State Building:

Ticket for 86th Floor Main Deck Observatory

See the second floor of the Empire State Building, followed by an elevator ride to the 86th floor for 360-degree views of the NYC skyline.

• Adult: US$ 42
• Senior (62+): US$ 40
• Child (6-12): US$ 36

Ticket for 86th Floor Main Desk Observatory (skip-the-line)

The optional package includes all the features of the 86th Floor Observation Deck along with priority access boarding the elevators.

• All Ages: US$ 78
• Children (6 and Under): FREE

Ticket for 86th & 102nd Floor Observation Decks

The ultimate Empire State Building experience includes access to both observation decks as well as the 2nd-floor museum.

• Adult: US$ 72
• Senior (62+): US$ 70
• Child (6-12): US$ 66

Ticket for Sunrise at ESB

A special opportunity to see the views from the 86th or 102nd floor at sunrise. It is important to book tickets in advance as the opportunity is limited to 100 visitors (86th floor) and 30 visitors (102nd floor).

• 86th Floor or 102nd Floor: US$ 115

Ticket for Morning or Evening Experience

A terrific way to see the Empire State Building at two different times of the day. The morning experience brings sunrise and a new day. Later, you return to watch the sunset and the city lights at night.

• Adult: US$ 61
• Child (6-12): US$ 52

Please note that all tickets include the 2nd floor museum.

What are the Empire State Building opening hours?

The Empire State Building is open daily, from earliest 8 AM to latest 1 AM at night. This changes depending on the time of year, and it's advisable to check the opening hours ahead of your visit.

Where can I get discounted Empire State Building tickets?

Empire State Building tickets to the observation decks and museum are available through the official website and online travel agencies. We strongly recommend you to use our search engine to search for Empire State Building discounted tickets. Travel providers offer discounts on a regular basis.

Are there any combined tickets including Empire State Building tickets and other attractions in NYC?

There are multiple ways to combine Empire State Building tickets with other popular landmarks and attractions in New York City. Here are the most famous ones:

• Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty: Visit two of the most legendary landmarks in New York City. Lady Liberty greeted immigrants for decades. Empire State Building was one of the finest achievements of the early 20th century.
• Empire State Building plus Bus Tour: The package includes access to hop-on, hop-off NYC buses that take you to ESB, Statue of Liberty, and other attractions in Manhattan.

What will I see?

The Empire State Building is one of the most iconic structures in the history of the world. The 102-story building was the tallest in the world from 1931 to 1970. It stands 443 meters tall and currently is the seventh-tallest building in New York City.

The 2nd story museum introduces visitors to the history of NYC, as well as the construction and historical significance of the Empire State Building. You will learn about its impressive construction, which only took one year, and 45 days, despite being built in the 1920s. You will also learn about how it competed with the Chrysler Building at the time across the skyline.

The observation decks from the 86th and 102nd floors provide 360-degree views of New York City. While it is no longer the tallest building in the world, the views are still spectacular. Catching a sunrise or sunset on the observation deck is hard to match elsewhere. The observation decks are also known as a place for lovers and marriage proposals.

Are Empire State Building tickets included in any attractions passes?

NYC attractions passes are great to save money if you wish to visit several attractions. The Empire State Building currently offers its bundle through the NYC City Pass. The City Pass includes access to the 86th floor and museum with a bonus night admission. Additionally, you can see other popular NYC attractions like the Statue of Liberty, 9-11 Memorial and Museum, and Top of the Rock, to name a few.

When is the best time to visit the Empire State Building?

The best time to visit the Empire State Building is in the morning, between 8-10 AM, when it is least crowded. After that, the lines begin to fill up quickly. Consequently, you may want to consider paying extra for the skip-the-line priority access, given how popular the landmark is with tourists.

Travel Tips

• Anticipate at least two hours to see the Empire State Building. It takes some time to board an elevator to one of the two observation decks.
• You may want to consider skip-the-line priority access if you don't want to queue.
• Prepare for your visit by downloading the ESB multimedia app. The app is a great resource to use while visiting the building if you are not scheduling a guided tour.