Know Before You Go: Visiting the Empire State Building

If we were to write an NYC observation deck guide, this famous skyscraper would likely be top of the list. The two viewing platforms at the Empire State Building are the highest in Manhattan, and the views span six states—New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware—on a clear day. Add to that the fact that you’ll be experiencing a piece of New York history, a marvel of art deco architecture, and one of the most iconic buildings of the Manhattan skyline. So, yes, it's definitely worth a visit.

Whether you’re spending the holidays in New York City, plan to watch the sunset from the Empire State Building, or want to gaze out over the illuminated city by night—it’s all possible. The Empire State Building is open every day of the year, come rain or shine, including on holidays. Opening hours vary throughout the year, but it typically opens between 9am and 10am and closes between 9pm and 11pm. The only stipulation is that you must have a pre-booked ticket.

For the most impressive Empire State Building views and photo opportunities, choose a clear day with high visibility. If you want to dodge the crowds, avoid the early morning and post-sunset rush—the observation decks are often busiest in the first two hours after opening and the hour after sunset. While peak times can vary throughout the year, the midday slot from 12pm–2pm is often the quietest. For an even more memorable visit, you could also watch the sunrise during an early morning visit before opening, arrive after dark, or choose a snowy day in the middle of winter to visit the Empire State Building in order to beat the crowds.

Prebooked tickets are essential for visiting the Empire State Building and are sold with timed entries every 15 minutes. There are two standard options for Empire State Building tickets—tickets to the 86th-floor observatory at 1,050 feet (320 meters) or tickets to both the 86th- and 102nd-floor observation deck at 1,250 feet (381 meters). Additional options include a VIP Express Pass, which lets you skip all the lines and exhibitions and get straight to the view, or guided tours that take you to otherwise off-limits areas.

Insider tip: A CityPASS® ticket grants double entry (day and night) to the Empire State Building, plus entrance to up to three other top attractions, including the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

Plan between one and two hours at the Empire State Building with a standard (not fast-track) entrance ticket. This will give you plenty of time to browse the exhibitions in the lobby and 2nd floor, which detail the Empire State Building’s history, construction, and art deco architecture, as well as enjoying the views from both the 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories, from where you can spot the Statue of Liberty, the One World Trade Center, the Chrysler Building, and more.

Insider tip: While it’s possible to purchase tickets on-site at the 2nd-floor kiosks, it’s highly recommended to reserve online in advance instead—you’ll avoid the long lines and the disappointment if your preferred time slots are sold out.

Situated at the corner of W 34th Street and Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building sits right at the heart of Midtown Manhattan, about a 10-minute walk from Grand Central Station (456 or 7 lines). If you’re not close enough to walk, hop on the subway. The closest stations are 34th Street/Penn (123 or ACE lines) and Herald Square/34th Street (NQRW or BDFM lines), both about a 5-minute walk away. Alternatively, NYC hop-on hop-off bus tours will drop you right outside.

Thanks to its central Manhattan location, the Empire State Building is close to many of the city’s most popular attractions. Legendary department store Macy’s® Herald Square and Madison Square Garden are just a short stroll away, while Times Square, Broadway, and the Rockefeller Center are less than a 15-minute walk.

If you’re looking for other family-friendly activities in NYC, Madame Tussauds New York and Central Park are close by, or you can head down to the waterfront for a New York City boat cruise. If you want a view of Manhattan that includes the Empire State Building, head to the Top of the Rock observation deck at the Rockefeller Center instead.

While you can still take in the views without going outside (and the 102nd Floor Observatory is sealed in), one of the most fun parts of an Empire State Building visit is the outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor. With this in mind, dress according to the weather and consider the fact that the ground-level conditions are often heightened the higher you go. Wrap up warm in winter, bring a broad-rimmed hat in summer, and pack something warm on a breezy day.

The Empire State Building is fully ADA–compliant, with elevator access and ramps to all of the exhibition and viewing areas, as well as accessible restrooms. On the 86th floor, the observatory walls and binoculars have been lowered to ensure that everyone can access the spectacular views. You can bring your motorized or non-motorized wheelchairs, and service dogs are also permitted throughout.

Insider tip: The 34th Street–Herald Square subway station, one block from the Empire State Building, is accessible. There are also accessible parking spots at the garage on 33rd Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway.

• Why is the Empire State Building famous? The Empire State Building is one of New York’s iconic landmarks and attracts more than 2.5 million annual visitors. At 102 stories high, it was famously the world’s tallest building when it opened in 1931 and became a symbol of NYC’s—and the United States’—industrial prowess.

• What are five Empire State Building facts? The Empire State Building remains one of the world’s tallest buildings, but despite its pioneering architecture, it only took 20 months to build. The striking art deco design was inspired by a pencil, and its interiors are equally renowned, with the lobby designated a historic landmark. It’s so big, it even has its own ZIP code: 10118.

• Why is it called the Empire State Building? The Empire State Building takes its name from New York’s nickname, the “Empire State,” which is thought to date back to George Washington’s proclamation of New York as the “Seat of the Empire” during the American Revolution. The building’s name was chosen to reflect the global prominence of US trade and industry in the early 20th century.

• What movie made the Empire State Building famous? The 1933 film King Kong, released just two years after the Empire State Building was unveiled, helped to make the NYC landmark a household name. The memorable scene with Kong atop the skyscraper went down in movie history, and the tower has since featured in Sleepless in Seattle, Independence Day, and countless other films.