NYC Empire State Building Observation Deck Ticket
Overview
Mobile ticket
Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna, the Empire State Building (ESB) is the World’s Most Famous Building. Our 86th Floor Observation Deck, open daily, offers the highest 360 degree open-air vantage point in New York City and on a clear day, you can see up to six states–New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Immerse yourself in the Empire State Building story on your way to the top. Located on the 2nd and 80th floors, exhibits are open to all ticket holders.
Choose to upgrade to the Express ticket to make your way down the red carpet and skip all the lines on your way to the Main Deck. Experience the convenience of an expedited journey to the top of the building.
For the ultimate experience, upgrade to include the observatory on the 102nd Floor. Take your New York City experience higher. Our reimagined 102nd floor offers unmatched, floor-to-ceiling views stretching up to 80 miles on a clear day.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Empire State Building
Experience the views at the center of it all. Set in the heart of Midtown Manhattan with unmatched vistas of New York City and a panorama that stretches across six states. Immerse yourself in the Empire State Building story on your way to the top. Located on the 2nd and 80th floors, exhibits are open to all ticket holders. You may proceed directly to the turnstile with your voucher.
What‘s Included
Free Wi-Fi on-site
Access to second floor immersive exhibits
Access to 86th Floor Observatory
Admission to the Empire State Building
Meeting points
Empire State Building
20 West 34th Street New York City United States
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Options
Express Pass 86th Main Deck
Skip-the Line Ticket 86th : Skip-the-Line Admission down the red carpet all the way to the 86th Floor Main Deck Observatory
General Admission 86th Floor
Main Deck 86th Floor: General Admission to the 86th Floor Main Deck Observatory
General Admission 86th & 102nd
Top Deck 86th & 102nd: General Admission to the 86th Floor Main Deck + 102nd Floor Observation Deck
Express Pass 86 & 102 Top Deck
Skip-the Line Ticket 86 & 102: Skip-the-Line Admission down the red carpet all the way to the 86th Floor Main Deck + 102nd Floor Observation Deck
Reviews
6,863 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
It was worth the admission too crowded
D3404LVjena,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Just a little too crowded to see much but beautiful and it was a clear day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Must-do next time you're in NYC!
WTraveller-1983,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent "must do" experience when you're in NYC. Do this at night - I think that the views are much better! You can either book ahead or pay on the day / night.
Great experience!!
Excursion11728279565,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such an amazing experience and the views were awesome!!! It was more than just the building had lots of other great exhibits that were just as amazing.
one of staff may contain some bad attitude towards tourists
179jingyuh,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I had a negative experience with the reception staff on the first floor. The attitude of the person at the front desk was unprofessional and dismissive. It seemed like they were unwilling to assist, and there was even a moment where they possibly made a discriminatory gesture, such as spitting, which made me feel extremely uncomfortable. This kind of behavior is unacceptable, and it really left a bad impression of the service.
Amazing!!
Cruiser161594,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great experience. The staff is friendly and appreciated the structure of getting folks to and from their destination sights.
Absolutely worth every...
Alicia C,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely worth every penny!! We bought the tickets for not floors without the express pass and we didn't wait in line at all!
Worth the trip!
Mike G,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fun experience for my family. Definitely worth doing, if you haven't. We purchased the 86th and 102nd floor tour.
A great way to see the...
Janet G,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A great way to see the city. It is an iconic building that you can’t miss and besides the views we enjoyed learning about the history.
Snowy Empire Building Views
Carol S,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Staff was very friendly and helpful. Even with limited views due to the snow, it was a great experience! Are there any pics of Mohawk/Seneca Iron Workers?
86th floor tickets only more than enough for a great experience at this iconic venue!
Trilingual2007,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had been to New York and up the Empire State Building once before 10 years ago. Unfortunately, because I used a City pass back then, I already had another activity on the same day (a cruise on the Hudson River with Green Line from Pear 64) so last time around, in Oct 2015, we got up after the cruise, hence it was already dark by then and we could only see illuminated skyscrapers. Therefore, this time around I felt a bit anxious to plan my visit right and make the most of it. I booked my tickets only 24 hours before because I wanted to make sure it was a sunny day with clear skies so I was checking the weather forecast closer to the day. I could see during the two weeks prior to my arrival in New York that every day there were plenty of slots left available. I picked the 1.45pm time as it is before the price goes up for the twilight slots, however once you are up you can stay to watch the sunset if you want to wait until 4.30/5pm so no point in paying the higher rate. There were nearly no queues at all so the more expensive express ticket was not necessary either. I also realised that on the 80th floor, before you go on the 86th floor, you have a viewing room with windows which makes it possible to enjoy the views even with poor weather. Hence I don’t feel that the more expensive ticket for the 102nd floor (which promises an indoor observatory deck) would have been much better neither, as I got views behind glasses on the 80th floor before getting to the outside observation deck on the 86th floor. By the way the staff was so welcoming and organised! Really nice to interact with everyone. All in all we had a fantastic experience :-) If you feel confused, as I did at first, with all the possible tickets to purchase on the official website, including the city pass, I personally recommend the cheaper tickets for museum and 86th floor only, without express tickets to beat the queue if you are going on a week day outside of public holidays, without the twilight slots if you are happy to wait up to see the sunset, without the 102nd floor if you are just concerned about having an indoor deck as you get it on 80th floor; and without a city pass, unless you want to visit all very expensive attractions in New York (we were only interested in the Statue of Liberty - which is cheap to buy separately - and the Met - which is not included in any pass). Enjoy your visit in New York!
From US$47.91
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