Empire State Building: Tips to Go to the Top & All The Info
The Empire State building is one of the most famous observatories in the world with amazing views of the NYC skyline. You’ll get 360-degree views of Manhattan featuring Central Park, Hudson & East River, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, World Trade Center, Statue of Liberty and more! As seen in many movies and TV Shows!
COVID-19 UPDATE: Please note that the Empire State Building remains closed and it will reopen in July 20, 2020!
Empire State Building Hours
Daily from 8am – 2am.
Observation Decks
There are 2 floors.
86th Floor.
The main deck. From here you’ll get the 360-degree views with partial views of Central Park.
It’s the most crowded floor. With indoor & outdoor space.
102nd Floor.
360-degree views with a full view of Central Park.
You’ll get an even clearer view of Manhattan’s grid of streets.
Tickets for the Empire State Building
You can buy them there (lines can be long!) or online.
You can also purchase tickets through their app: Apple – Google Play.
Tickets are only sold through their website or at the box office inside the Empire State Building (NOT on the streets nearby!).
Prices of Empire State Building – Observation Deck
It’s pricey. But you really get an incredible view of the New York skyline.
Free for Kids under 6.
Military discount: $31 per ticket.
CityPass: exchange your CityPass for a ticket to the Empire State Building!
Main Deck – 86th Floor
Adults: $38 | Child: $32 | Senior $36.
Vip express pass (no lines): $73 per person.
Top & Main Deck: 86th & 102nd Floor: $20 more per ticket
Adults: $58 | Child: $52 | Senior $56.
Vip express pass (no lines): $93 per person.
Sunrise – 86th Floor
$114.81 per person. It’s an express ticket, skipping the lines.
Premium Experience – 86th Floor
$161.55 per person. It’s an express ticket, skipping the lines.
AM/PM Experience – 86th Floor
Adults: $55 | Child: $46.
Is it worth paying extra to go to the 102nd Floor?
A big question that many ask! Many people think it’s not worth paying extra for the 102nd floor because it doesn’t add much other than just being 16 floors up. You still get stunning NYC views and you don’t feel you’re missing something out by doing just the 86th floor 😉
Location
338 5th Ave. between 33rd & 34th Sts.
Best Time to go to the Empire State Building
- Mornings 8-11am.
- Nights after 10:45pm are less crowded.
- Evening’s best but it gets crowded! I love seeing the the city at night when it starts getting darker with all the amazing lights of many different colors. The view of Times Square with all the lights at night is fabulous!
Most crowded times to go up:
- Weekends.
- Around noon: 11am-3pm.
- Sunset hours / After office hours.
Day vs. Night
It’s hard to choose one. During the day you get to see more but the city is very beautiful at night! I particularly LOVE how the city looks at night. Breathtaking!
Tips to go to the Empire State Building
- Buy the tickets online to avoid long lines and save time. Sometimes line to buy tickets can be 1.5 hours!
- Go on a clear day.
- Bring a jacket because it can get windy up there!
- Make sure to have your camera and phone charged for pictures and videos!
How Long Does it Take to go to Top of Empire State Building?
4 hours approx. the whole thing.
Expect about 2-3 hours of lines at peak hours.
You’ll watch a video on the ride up the elevator.
The decor inside is very nice!
Empire State Building or Top of the Rock?
Both are great! I’d pick Top of the Rock if you go during the day and the Empire State Building if you go at night.
I’d say that you get to see the Empire State Building from Top of the Rock! And you get a closer & better view of Central Park from Top of the Rock. But the view from the Empire State’s also amazing!
If you go at night, I’d recommend going to the Empire State Building since you’re closer from Times Square and midtown with all the stunning night lights.
The Lights of The Empire State Building at Night
Every night the Empire State Building has different colors of lights that anyone can view from the streets. Each set of colors has different meanings each night. You’ll never see colors that don’t mean anything.
You can find out what the lights mean each night here.
Once You’re Up Make Sure You See…
- Times Square
- Central Park
Chrysler Building
World Trade Center
Can’t wait to hear about your experience 🙂
Links of interest:
Enjoy!
@NewYorkerTips
