Empire State Building Ticket & Visiting Information

The Empire State Building is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Located in Manhattan, NYC, it was completed in 1931 and for almost 40 years it was the tallest building in the world. Designed by architects Shreve, Lamb and Harmon in the Art Deco style it has 102 floors and stands at a height of 443 meters (antenna included). It is now considered to be a cultural icon of the United States and is one of New York’s most visited tourist attractions with millions of visitors each year. A visit to the Empire State Building is absolutely recommended if you are visiting New York. The Art Deco architecture will take you back in time to another era and from the observation decks you will enjoy incredible views of the New York skyline.

Empire State Building Ticket Options

In order to visit the Empire State Building you need to pre-purchase your ticket. Because of the pandemic, tickets are only available online and cannot be purchased at the ticket office. There are a number of different ticket options available. Below we list all of them including a small description of what each ticket includes.

• General Admission to Empire State Building - this mobile ticket gives you skip the line entry into the building, as well as access to the 86th-floor Observation Deck, from where you will enjoy stunning 360° views. Also included in the ticket is access to the exhibitions located on the second floor and high speed internet throughout the building.
• Empire State Building Express Ticket - if you don't want to spend any time waiting in line during your visit then this is the right ticket for you. Although all online tickets to the Empire State Building allow you to bypass the lines at the ticket office they don’t allow you to skip the lines inside the building. Lines at the security check, for the elevator as well as for the exhibitions, especially during high season, are always long. With the Express Ticket you can jump all lines, those outside and inside the building. This ticket also gives you access to the 86th-floor Observation Deck, access to the exhibitions located on the second floor, an interactive audio guide and high speed internet.
• Empire State Building Night and Day Ticket - this is the perfect ticket option for everyone who wants to experience the Empire State Building twice during one day. With the general admission ticket you need to decide whether to visit during the day or at night and this is never an easy decision as the panoramic views from the Observation Deck are always breathtaking. While with this ticket you will be able to visit the 86th-floor Observation Deck twice in one day. This ticket also gives you access to the exhibitions on the second floor. Your day time visit can take place anytime after 8am while your night time visit can take place after 9pm on the same day.
• Empire State Building Sunrise Tickets - for an unforgettable experience go see the sunrise from the highest 360-degree open-air observatory in New York City. Limited to only 100 people a day, not many people can say they have seen the sunrise from the Empire State Building. See the sunrise, enjoy incredible views and observe the city slowly waking up. This ticket includes skip the line entrance, access to the 86th-floor observatory deck and the immersive exhibitions located on the second floor as well as high speed internet throughout the building.
  During the months of January, February and March you will see the sunrise from the 102nd floor, instead of the 86th floor. Since this is a smaller observation deck the visit will be limited to 40 people instead of 100.
  During the warmer months, as well as holidays, visitors will see the sunrise from the 86th-floor observatory deck. Access to the 102nd floor observatory deck can be added for an additional fee after 8am.
• Empire State Building Premium Experience Ticket - with this ticket you will experience the complete VIP treatment during your visit of the Empire State Building. You will enjoy VIP priority access into the building as well as VIP priority entry into all areas inside the building. You will participate in a 90 minute guided tour by an official Empire State Building Observatory Ambassador and learn about the fascinating history of the building. This ticket also gives you access to the observation deck on the 86th floor, access to the exhibitions located on the second floor as well as the Dare to Dream exhibit. A commemorative souvenir photo and high speed internet throughout the building is also included in the ticket price.

Empire State Building Tickets: a few more notes

• Don’t be late. When you buy your ticket you need to select a time and date for your visit. Your ticket will only be valid for the date and time slot selected by you. So, be punctual and, if possible, arrive a few minutes before the selected time slot.
• Access to the 102nd-floor Observation Deck is not included in the tickets described above, but it can be added on-site for an additional fee.

Empire State Building Free and Reduced Entry

• Children younger than 6 years old can visit the Empire State Building for free
• Children between the ages of 6 to 12 pay a reduced ticket price as well as seniors (i.e. visitors older than 62 years old).
• Visitors need to show a valid ID at the entrance to be let in for free or with a discounted ticket .

Empire State Building: Visiting Tips & Good to Know

• Don’t forget to download the free Empire State Building App before your visit. The app includes a digitally guided tour of the entire building as well as image galleries, quizzes, videos, and maps showing nearby points of interest. The apps content is available in 9 languages.
• All visitors have to go through airport-style security, lines at the security check can be long. Skip the line ticket holders cannot skip the line at the security check. If you wish to bypass the lines you need to buy the Express Ticket or the Premium Experience Ticket.
• Large bags, laguage, sports equipment, glass objects, marking instruments, weapons, monopods, or tripods are not allowed into the building and there are no storage facilities in the building.
• The entire Empire State Building is wheelchair-accessible.

Health & Safety Measures

• People 12 and older are required to show proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• All visitors temperature is measured before entering
• Visitors need to wear a mask (visitors need to bring their own).
• The number of visitors allowed in is limited to reduced crowds.
• All touchpoints are frequently cleaned.
• Hand sanitizer are available in the building.
• Social distancing is enforced throughout the visit.

Empire State Building Opening Hours

• The Empire State Building is open every day from 11am to 11pm.
• The Last Admission is 45 minutes before closure.
• For exclusive early access you can buy the Sunrise Ticket Option.