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NYC Empire State Building Observation Deck Ticket

Badge of Excellence
New York City, USA
Very popular!
5+ bookings in the past 6 hours.
+14
  • 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket

Why travelers loved this

4.5
·
· Kayla_B ·
Oct 2026
It was a great experience in we went in that evening at night which was more romantic. Renita was a great employee and All the employees were happy. Making jokes and having a great time. The music and photos and the Canolli was great.
· Barbara_L ·
Sep 2026
Well worth the price, we went to the 102 floor but if that's out of your price range the 86th floor is a wonderful experience. The museum too is well done and the view spectacular. We are a family ages 10-76 and it worked for us all.

Overview

Marvel at the 360-degree, unobstructed views from the world-famous Empire State Building. Enjoy access to the open-air 86th Floor Observation Deck for stunning views of Central Park and beyond. Upgrade to the 102nd Floor Observation Deck with floor-to-ceiling glass windows for the ultimate skyline view that stretches up to six states. All tickets include access to exhibition displays on the 2nd and 80th floors. You can also upgrade for skip-the-line entry for faster arrival.
  • Experience the 86th Floor Observation Deck, with the option to upgrade to the 102nd Floor
  • Interactive History–Explore exhibits on construction, pop culture, and sustainability
  • Upgrade for skip-the-line tickets to make sightseeing extra efficient
  • Get up close and personal with a New York City icon

What's Included

  • Admission to the Empire State Building
  • Access to 86th Floor Observation Deck
  • Access to second floor immersive exhibits
  • Free Wi-Fi on-site

    Meeting and Pickup

    Departure Point

    • Empire State Building, 20 West 34th Street, New York City, NY 10001

    What To Expect

    Make your own way to the Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan any day of the year.

    Begin your visit at the Empire State Building’s iconic 86th Floor Observation Deck, where you enjoy the best 360-degree views in New York City. From 1,054 feet (320 meters) above, take in sweeping panoramas of Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and beyond. This open-air deck is the perfect spot for unforgettable photos both day and night.

    For even better views, choose a ticket to the reimagined 102nd Floor Observation Deck. Here, floor-to-ceiling glass windows provide unmatched views of up to six states. This ultimate New York City view provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the city from one of the highest vantage points in Manhattan.

    Before you take in the views, immerse yourself in the Empire State Building’s history and artistry. Explore the interactive museum galleries on the second and 80th floors, where exhibits trace its historic construction, sustainability innovations, and starring role in films like "King Kong" and
    "Sleepless in Seattle." Don’t miss the Art Deco Fifth Avenue Lobby, a New York architectural gem, that has welcomed millions of visitors from around the world.
    1

    Empire State Building

    Admission Ticket Included

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Stroller accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
    • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Most travelers can participate
    • No refunds due to weather conditions, length of lines or wait times at the building
    • Infant tickets for children 0-5 years are free and can be picked up at the ticket office upon arrival
    • For the best experience, we recommend visiting two hours after opening time
    • Running a little late? Please arrive as close as possible to your scheduled time, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Reviews

    4.5
    based on 7,881 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

    Review summary

    Last 12 months

    246 reviews

    Select a theme to learn more

    Travelers praise the well-paced, family-friendly tour for its smooth organization and engaging experience across all ages. The natural and urban landscapes, especially the Empire State Building’s observation decks, receive consistent acclaim for their breathtaking panoramic views. While many find value in express passes and additional access, opinions on cost vary. Communication issues, including unclear instructions and staff responsiveness, are frequently noted, tempering an otherwise enjoyable and well-structured visit.

    Was this helpful?

    Traveler reviews summarised by AI

    Sort by: Most insightful

    Wow

    Tony_L, Nov 2026
    Views amazing ,staff all friendly and helpful .loads of info on way to top .don't bother vip .only difference we saw was you walked on a red carpet and was a bit short to walk

    Empire State Building tour

    Pamela_E, Nov 2026
    It’s beautiful scenery and a wonderful experience. The explanation about construction was very well done

    Excellent

    Parimala_P, Nov 2026
    Very nice experience with tickets and the place 102 floor experience was too good , so would recommend for all

    Response from Host, Nov 2026

    We're glad you enjoyed! Thank you for coming!

    The end of a perfect night

    Kayla_B, Oct 2026
    It was a great experience in we went in that evening at night which was more romantic. Renita was a great employee and All the employees were happy. Making jokes and having a great time. The music and photos and the Canolli was great.

    Amazing! Views were...

    Jessica_C, Oct 2026
    Amazing! Views were spectacular, definitely made the whole trip!! I would recommend going at night when everything is lit up.

    Great experience

    Christopher_D, Oct 2026
    The whole process of going up the building was really good. Very organised with lots of staff in lovely uniforms telling us where to go.Airport type security before we went into the exhibition. We didn't realise there was so much to see before we actually went to the top and because we wanted to get up there before the sun went down, we went straight up so missed the information, photos etc and couldn't get to see it all at the end,when we came back down. We even missed a photo opportunity with King Kong! I'd say if you want to see and do it all,book tickets for about an hour earlier than the time you plan to be at the top.There were toilets on all floors we were able to access and a stand selling ice cream on the observation deck. Great view from the top.Wrap up though as very windy!Great experience.

    Empire State Building

    Diana_M, Oct 2026
    Nothing very good experience staff was very helpful and friendly. Beautiful experience, views from the top floor were amazing

    Beautiful Sunset - But SUPER Crowded!!

    Kimberly_H, Oct 2026
    If you get sunset tickets, it's SUPER crowded, so go early. We were there 15 minutes early and still barely got a good view. I'd recommend being up there 30 minutes early to make sure you get the best spot right up to the edge.

    Iconic building! Enjoyed...

    Mara_L, Oct 2026
    Iconic building! Enjoyed learning about its history. Amazing views! Definitely a must do in new york.

    The perfect 70th Birthday Gift

    MICHAEL_M, Oct 2026
    One of the greatest experiences in your life. If you are in New York, you must do this. Best view of New York. Pay the extra and go up to level 126.

    Must do!

    Melissa_P, Oct 2026
    Definitely a must-do. The history of this iconic building is a great learning lesson. Go early and middle of the week (if possible) to avoid crowds and have the ability to take in the entire experience on your timeline.

    Amazing view and great for sunsets

    Brendaliz_J, Oct 2026
    A must go when the sun is setting beautiful you see the day turning into night. Loved the experience

    Top Floor of the Empire State Building!

    Roger_H, Oct 2026
    The day we had our excursion was rainy and foggy. We were greeted by Ms Danny who told us to wait around for awhile and she would teach us all about the buildings and lakes we could see. She was right and the fog lifted and rain stopped and we had an amazing time with her and learned so much! What a thrill to be on the 102nd floor! Thank you Ms Danny for taking such good care of us!

    Great experience! Very...

    Genevieve_H, Oct 2026
    Great experience! Very well laid out for visitors. Ticket process easy and was very easy to communicate at the ticket collection office.

    Worth the views if you have good weather

    Lawrence_D, Oct 2026
    We didn't have a lot of time, so we did the express line. But the views were beautiful, and we were lucky with the weather! The cannoloni and gelato were yummy!

    Great for family with kids

    Sharon_F, Oct 2026
    Seven year old was so excited and loved every minute. She learned and had fun. Everyone had fun and staff was very nice.

    Beautiful views on a...

    Maureen_H, Oct 2026
    Beautiful views on a clear day!! Loved it. Very friendly staff from checking in and navigating through this beautiful building. The observation deck offered spectacular views.

    Good Tour

    Gayla_H, Oct 2026
    We did a self guided tour. The employees guided us through the process of different floors very well and it went seamlessly.

    Beautiful night! My son and I enjoyed celebrating his birthday early here in NYC! Perfect night! We had a great time!

    Cassie_D, Oct 2026
    Food, atmosphere and entertainment were amazing! NYC is such a beautiful city and this was the perfect was to experience it all!

    A must see!

    Kim_L, Sep 2026
    The Empire State bldg did not disappoint. Make sure to take the time reading the history and memorabilia before going to the outside area. The photo frame on the outside was so cute

    Absolutely iconic...

    Michael_C, Sep 2026
    Absolutely iconic building and a well organised tour. We timed it for the sunset too, which was spectacular.

    Empire state views

    Alan_H, Sep 2026
    Great views. Museum is interesting. Probably don't need to do the 102 floor, but why not? Great to see what New York was like 90 years ago

    Great trip- check the weather.

    Fraser_C, Sep 2026
    This was a brilliantly organised trip. The staff welcomed us in. They had an I-pad with a live feed of the view from the decks. (None at all.) We were given every opportunity to amend the date of our trip. We were on a schedule so chose to go anyway. The displays and gadgets were really good, very child friendly. Disabled access was really good too. There were so many restrooms- really well done. On the way up- the interactive lift ceiling was brilliant. Made my wife- who doesn’t like lifts relax and forget about ascending. At the top- there was absolutely no view but it was great fun. Every door had a staff member on it- all very polite and nice. Very well managed and great experience. No one could legislate for the weather.

    Worth it!

    Mary_K, Sep 2026
    It’s not just the ride up to the top, it’s a lot of show and tell info, and walking around before you get on the elevators.

    Great views and wonderful experience

    carol_h, Sep 2026
    We paid to skip the lines and there were no lines, so that was a waste of money, but it was nice to have tickets in advance.

    Great family experience a must do activity.

    Lorna_I, Sep 2026
    Great experience. A must do in NYC. We had grown children with us who also enjoyed it as you had indoor and outdoor areas to observe. The queuing was handled well.

    Just out of this world -...

    Jules_l, Sep 2026
    Just out of this world - no queues, great customer service and support Would highly recommend, however cafe was a little disappointing

    Wow

    Nancy_L, Sep 2026
    Beautiful experience at sunset! We scheduled our time about an hour before sunset so we had plenty of time to enjoy everything!

    Rooftop Experience

    James_C, Sep 2026
    Can be busy and if events are on you will be restricted to certain times you can access the rooftop, expect to pay a lot more for drinks, amazing views, would highly recommend

    Amazing

    Samantha_S, Sep 2026
    Amazing. The people who work there are very friendly. The museum is amazing & the view is outstanding 👏

    From $50.08

    per person

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

    Book ahead!
    On average, this is booked 17 days in advance.

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