Empire State Building Observation Deck Guide

Last Updated on 3rd December 2024

This Empire State Building Observation Deck guide contains affiliate links and mentions of a press visit experience with the Empire State Building. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own, please see my disclaimer for more.

Seeing the New York City skyline from one of the city’s five observation decks is an absolute must-do on any trip to the Big Apple. However, the question is: what is the best observation deck in NYC and how do you choose which one to visit?

At the time of writing this Empire State Building Observation Deck guide, I have now visited all five of New York’s observatories (some of them many times), so I feel like I have a good authority on the subject of choosing which observation deck to visit in New York City.

The Empire State Building viewing platform is one of the most famous observation decks in the world, sat atop the 86th and 102nd floors of one of the most renowned buildings in the world.

In my Empire State Building Observation Deck guide below, I’m sharing everything you need to know about visiting this world-famous viewing platform, including the Empire State Building admission price, opening hours, and whether it’s worth visiting the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building, as well as the 86th floor!

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What to expect when visiting the Empire State Building

Located in Midtown Manhattan, between 5th and 6th Avenues on West 34th Street, just minutes from Bryant Park, Macy’s, and Times Square, the Empire State Building is one of the most famous and beloved buildings in the entire world.

While the building itself is obviously incredibly famous, its also home to its very own observation deck (two, in fact!) which boasts spectacular views of the New York City skyline.

It’s also the oldest modern-day observatory in New York City, having opened in 1931, just 13 months after constructed began on the world-renowned landmark. The Empire State Building is also one of the most visited attractions in the United States, with more than 2.5 million annual visitors.

Empire State Building Observation Deck guide – facts and stats

Including the spire and antenna, the ESB sits at an impressive 1,454 feet (443 meters), making it the 4th tallest building in New York City.
There are 103 floors and 1,860 steps from street level to the 102nd floor observatory.
It took just 410 days to complete the Empire State Building.
It’s considered to be the most photographed building in the world, according to Cornell University researchers.
You can see six different states from the observatory on a clear day.
The Empire State Building’s antenna is hit by lightning approximately 25 times a year!
The building is home to some of the biggest companies in the world, including LinkedIn and Shutterstock, and it even has its own zip code (10118)!
The Empire State Building has 73 elevators.
Empire State Observatory hours vary each day; check the Empire State Building website for accurate opening times.
How to get to the Empire State Building: 20 West 34th Street, NY 10001.

Get your tickets to the Empire State Building here!

Exhibits – Empire State Building Observation Deck Guide

Upon entering at the West 34th Street entrance, you’ll follow the signs (and queues!) to the second floor of the Empire State Building where you’ll find the first exhibits of your ESB experience.

Beginning with a mini museum exhibit detailing the construction of the world-famous building, you can see videos that have recreated what it would have looked like to work on the initial development of the building, as well as life-sized bronze sculptures of four workers who you can take pictures with (providing that it’s not too busy!).

Kong is probably the most famous and fun exhibit to see as you make your way through the building; pose for photos inside Kong’s hands and hear his growls as planes circle outside the windows; this is definitely a must-see if you’re visiting the Empire State with kids!

There’s also a “Modern Marvel” exhibit dedicated to showcasing how the Empire State Building is leading the way in energy efficient buildings, as well as a montage of 600 clips dedicated to famous comics, video games, movies, and TV shows that have used the Empire State as a major filming location, including King Kong, Sleepless in Seattle, Gossip Girl, Spiderman, An Affair to Remember, Elf, and many more!

While you’ll likely want to rush through the many exhibits to reach the observation decks and enjoy the marvellous views, I would seriously encourage you to spend some time exploring all the exhibits across the 2nd and 80th floors before taking the elevator up to 86 or 102 as there’s so much amazing stuff to see!

It can certainly be busy wandering through the exhibits, but it’s well worth taking your time and soaking everything up.

Empire State Building 86th floor vs 102 floor

One of the coolest and most unique things about the Empire State Building is that it’s home to two observatory levels, 16 floors apart. The 86th floor observation deck has been a part of the Empire State since it first opened its doors in 1931, while the 102nd floor observatory only opened its doors to the public in October 2019.

If you’re thinking about visiting the Empire State Building, you have the choice to visit just the 86th floor observation deck level, or both the 86th floor and the 102nd floor. Having experienced both myself, I’ve shared my honest thoughts about both viewing decks in the section below!

86th Floor Empire State Building

From the 80th floor, you’ll head up to the 86th floor observatory, which is known as the main Empire State viewing deck.

This open-air observation deck boasts panoramic views of all five of New York City’s boroughs, and you can even see six other states on a clear day including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware.

This observatory level can get incredibly busy and crowded, and while you will always be able to enjoy the views and take epic pictures of the skyline, you will need to have some patience as there will be hundreds of other people all trying to enjoy the same views at the same time!

While the views from the 86th floor are truly remarkable, I do find this level to be a little cramped, as it’s not quite as spacious as the outdoor decks at the Top of the Rock or Edge, for example.

However, considering the historical significance of this viewing platform (it’s almost 95 years old!), I think it’s fair to say that it still offers a pretty incredible viewing experience of New York City.

102nd Floor Empire State Building

The 102nd floor of the Empire State Building was only officially unveiled in 2019 to coincide with a complete renovation of the 2nd and 80th floor exhibition spaces, so it’s a relatively new viewing platform in the New York City skyline.

Tickets to the 102nd floor start at an extra $35 on top of the $44 admission price for the 86th floor observatory (starting at $79 for both observation decks).

The views from the 102nd floor of this remarkable NY observatory are some of the best in the city; the height of this viewing deck is matched only by One World Observatory, whose highest viewing platform is also on the 102nd floor.

From the Empire viewing deck, you can see for up to 80 miles in every direction on a clear day, which includes vistas of six different states!

As well as enjoying 360° views, you can also see some of NYC’s most famous attractions and landmarks from an incredible perspective, including Bryant Park, the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade, Edge/Hudson Yards, the East River, Hudson River, Summit One Vanderbilt, Chrysler Building, Central Park, and more!

Is it worth it to go to the 102 floor of the Empire State Building?

While I personally loved our visit to the 102nd floor observation deck of the Empire State Building, it’s hard to give a definitive answer as to whether it’s worth going to the 102nd floor of the observatory.

While I do think the extra 16 floors of height don’t make too much of a difference in terms of the views you enjoy, I do think it’s pretty cool to go to the very top of the building.

When we visited in October 2024, the 102 floor was also much quieter than the 86th floor, and while the 102nd floor observatory is much smaller and indoors-only, it didn’t actually feel as busy or cramped as the 86th floor.

To give as straightforward of an answer as possible; I don’t think it’s worth paying at least an extra $35 per person to go to the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building.

I think it’s definitely worth visiting the Empire State and enjoying the views from the 86th floor, but I would personally recommend visiting another observation deck alongside the ESB (such as the Top of the Rock, Edge, or Summit One Vanderbilt), instead of paying the extra $35+ to go to floor 102.

Empire State Building Observation Deck guide – tickets

There are several types of Empire State Building Observation Deck tickets to choose from, including:

86th Floor Observatory – from $44 for adults
86th and 102nd Floors Observation Decks – from $79 for adults
Skip-the-line admission – from $92 for adults
Starbucks Reserve® Sunrise Experience – from $135 for adults
Go City Explorer Pass – from $84 for 2 choice pass
Go City All-Inclusive Pass – from $154 for 1-day pass
New York CityPASS® – from $146 for adults

My personal recommendation for tickets to visit the Empire State Observation Deck would be the general admission 86th floor observatory tickets. These are priced from $44 for adults and $38 for children, and while it is the most expensive NYC observation deck, it is very much worth the money to see incredible views of New York City and beyond.

You can also visit the Empire State with the Go City Pass or the New York CityPASS®. Pre-booking is required with both of these New York passes; you can find information about how to pre-book your slot at the ESB on each city pass website.

Book your Empire State Building tickets here!

Empire State Building Observation Deck guide – FAQs

Where is the entrance to the Empire State Building observatory?

The entrance to the Empire State Building Observatory is located via the visitors center at 20 West 34th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues. You will know you’re in the right place when you see the huge queues to get inside!

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

Of course, the best time to visit any observation deck in NYC is at sunset as this offers the most magical views of the city skyline. However, this is also by far the busiest and most expensive time to visit the Empire State Building, and while the observatory is always busy, sunset is almost too crowded, in my opinion.

Therefore, I would recommend visiting first thing in the morning once the observatory opens (opening hours at the Empire State Building vary, but it’s usually open by 10 AM every morning, so I would recommend planning your visit for mid-morning).

How long do you need at the Empire State Building?

There is no time limit for visiting the Empire State Observatory, so you can spend as long as you want there once you’re at the top. I would recommend allowing at least 60-90 minutes for your visit, and perhaps a little longer if you’re planning to go to the 102nd floor of the New York observatory as well.

During peak times such as the summer months and in December, you may want to allocate a bit longer for your visit to the Empire State Observation Deck as you will likely be queuing for quite some time to gain access to the elevators.

What is better, Top of the Rock or Empire State Building?

If you’ve read any of the other 80+ New York City guides on my website, you’ll likely know just how much I adore the Top of the Rock observation deck, so that will always be my number one favourite observatory in NYC.

I personally prefer the view from the Top of the Rock to the Empire State view, but that’s only because I love seeing the Empire State Building, rather than being stood at the top of it. I think the Empire State main deck experience is awesome, but I just think it’s such a beautiful building, that I would rather see it from another New York observation deck.

How long is the elevator ride in the Empire State Building?

The elevator ride to the Empire State NYC observatory takes less than 60 seconds, so even if you’re afraid of elevators, you’ll be whizzed to the Empire State top deck in under a minute!

Do you need to book Empire State Building in advance?

I would strongly recommend purchasing tickets for the Empire State Building in advance. While it is possible to buy tickets onsite at the 2nd floor kiosks, you will likely spend a long time queuing to get tickets and then even longer queuing to get to the elevators to go up to the observatory.

Not only that, but tickets also sell out in advance, especially during peak visiting times such as over the Christmas period and during the summer months, so I would always suggest buying tickets online in advance.

Purchase tickets for the Empire State Observatory building here!

Empire State Building Observation Deck guide – is it worth visiting?

I definitely think that the Empire State Building is worth visiting, however, I would personally suggest visiting on a returning visit to NYC, rather than during your first time in the city. This is because I personally much prefer seeing the Empire State Building from another observation deck, rather than experiencing the Empire State Building inside view.

It’s such a stunning and iconic building, that I would rather see the building in its entirety from another observation deck (such as the Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt), rather than experiencing the views from the Empire State Building’s observatory.

However, I do thoroughly love an Empire State Building visit, and I would definitely encourage you to experience its magic for yourself, but I would probably suggest a visit to returning visitors to New York City, rather than first-timers.

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