How to Get Empire State Building Tickets for Your Next Trip to NYC

Whenever I travel to a new city, I make it a point to end the trip with an overhead view of the landscape. From the roof of Barcelona’s Casa Milà to the top of Copenhagen’s Round Tower, I’ve tracked my footsteps from above, pointing out the zones I visited as well as the ones I missed, making mental notes for my return. It’s a lovely way of orienting oneself, of feeling as though you have a better grip on this place you once called foreign. I’ve lived in New York City for five years now—and right across the river in New Jersey before that—yet before this fall, I had never ascended to the top of the Empire State Building. My time in the city is far from done, but I’ve always been curious about the skyscraper I spent the entirety of my life marveling at from afar.Recently, on a sunny September day, I finally made my way to 350 Fifth Avenue, ready to visit the same observation deck featured in classic movies like Sleepless in Seattle. It’s a funny thing, how the main draw of visiting the Empire State Building isn’t actually about visiting the Empire State Building (if you want to appreciate its exterior beauty, you’re better off viewing it from the Top of the Rock), but rather the bird's-eye view it offers you of everything surrounding it. Beyond the views, there are also some wonderful exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors offering a historical overview of the building’s construction and legacy. Did you know it was built in just 13 months? (These were the 1930s!)Ready to experience the Art Deco masterpiece yourself? Read on for everything you need to know before visiting the Empire State Building, including how to get tickets, what’s worth it, the best times to visit, and insider tips for how to make the most of your tourist dollars.What is the Empire State Building?How do you get to the Empire State Building?How do you buy tickets for the Empire State Building?Do you have to purchase tickets in advance?Are there guided tours to see the Empire State Building?What can you expect from a trip to the Empire State Building?When is the best time to visit the Empire State Building?What should you bring to the Empire State Building?What is the Empire State Building?The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, and constructed swiftly between the years of 1930 and 1931 (that’s about 4.5 stories per week, making it one of the fastest large-scale construction projects in history). Standing at 1,454 feet tall, it held the title of the world’s tallest building for almost 40 years—that is, until the North Tower of the World Trade Center kicked it down the list in 1970. Today, it’s the eighth tallest building in New York City, and houses over 150 offices, most notably companies like LinkedIn, Workday, and Expedia.The skyscraper is visited by more than 2.5 million people each year. Along with the Statue of Liberty, it’s one of the most photographed icons in New York City, appearing in over 250 movies and TV shows—most notably, King Kong (1933). The first light show occurred in 1976, when the Empire State Building flashed floodlights of red, white, and blue to honor the United States Bicentennial, heralding a tradition of lighting the spire in different colors to celebrate seasonal events and holidays. In 2019, the building underwent a four-year, $165 million renovation, which included a replenishment of the 2nd and 80th floor exhibition spaces, as well as a reimagined 102nd floor observatory.The Empire State Building is located in the heart of Manhattan, and the dedicated visitor entrance is on 20 West 34th Street, walkable from Port Authority, Penn Station, and the PATH, plus the 1/2/3, A/C/E, N/Q/R/W, B/D/F/M, 4/5/6, and 7 subway lines. The original Art Deco lobby, located on 350 Fifth Avenue, is reserved for building tenants, but don’t worry, you’ll get to experience it on your exit from the observatory. If you need to buy tickets on-site, the physical ticket office is located nearby at 12 W 34th Street.The NYC city skyline featuring the Empire State Building GettyHow do you buy tickets for the Empire State Building?The Empire State Building is open 365 days a year, rain or shine, which means you can visit New York City’s famed landmark even on holidays (imagine watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from those heights). As mentioned above, you can buy tickets in advance online at esbnyc.com, as well as third-party sites like Viator and GetYourGuide (they all round out to the same price), or in person at 12 W 34th Street. I visited on a Monday morning in September at 10 a.m., and there were a number of ticket slots available from the touchscreen kiosk as soon as 10:15 that same morning.When it comes to which tickets to purchase, it’s essentially a choice between just the 86th floor ($46) or the 86th and 102nd floors ($81)—both options come with access to the museum exhibits as well as an option to reschedule to any time on the day you select. If you’re having trouble deciding between the two, I’d say the 102nd floor has a slightly better view of Central Park, plus it’s indoors, so it's ideal on a rainy day. But if the sun’s out, you’re better off spending the extra cash on a nice lunch in nearby Koreatown. There are “Flex” and “Express” options to reschedule dates and fast-track through lines, but given how easy it was to buy a ticket on the spot, and how short the lines were during my visit, I’d skip these add-ons.If you’re embarking on a grand tour of New York City, you might want to check out New York CityPass or New York Pass by GoCity, which both offer access to other NYC attractions, in addition to the Empire State Building, at a discounted, bundled rate over a set number of days.Do you have to purchase tickets in advance?Like many post-COVID experiences, the Empire State Building now relies on timed ticketing, which makes it much easier to avoid overcrowding at the ticket kiosk or long lines on the way up to the observatories. Even so, Dan Rogoski, senior vice president and observatory general manager, says, “We strongly recommend that guests purchase tickets in advance on our website to secure their preferred date and time, particularly during holidays and other peak periods, such as sunset." But if your plans are flexible, there's a very good chance you'll be able to score a same-day ticket—the building is open 365 days a year, after all.Are there guided tours to see the Empire State Building?Yes, though they’re a bit of a splurge. The Premium Experience, starting at $175, provides a private group tour for a small group of up to seven, along with skip-the-line entry. The All Access Tour, which can be booked for $500, allows you to channel one of the many celebrities who visit the landmark—you and six other guests will enter through a private VIP entrance, relax in the celebrity green room with complimentary snacks and beverages, then receive a private tour.What can you expect from a trip to the Empire State Building?When you arrive at the entrance on 20 West 34th Street, you’ll go through an airport-like security checkpoint before making your way to the second floor. There, you’ll find interactive museum exhibits that showcase the construction of the Empire State Building before an employee wearing a silver conductor hat escorts you to an elevator that ascends to the 80th floor, where you’ll get the first glimpse of the view from inside. I was astounded by the “NYC: Above and Beyond” artwork encircling the floor, a mural of Manhattan’s cityscape that artist Stephen Wiltshire constructed in five days from memory after taking a 45-minute helicopter ride.After that preview, you’ll ascend to the 86th-floor observatory, which is where the 360-degree magic happens. This is where you can go outdoors and take in the island—pointing out all your favorite neighborhoods and landmarks—protected by those iconic metal gates (and in the winter, overhead heaters). On a clear day, you can see six states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware. Ticket holders with access to the 102nd floor get enhanced views from the comfort of a climate-controlled room. Once you’re up there, there’s no time limit, but I’d allot one to two hours to soak it all in. When you exit, you’ll be dropped off at the gift shop, where you can buy stuffed Empire State Building toys, then head to the original Art Deco lobby, designated a historic landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. If you’re looking for a bite, the building is home to the sit-down State Grill and Bar, a Starbucks Reserve, and a Tacombi.When is the best time to visit the Empire State Building?The same can be said for all great big cities—they’re best experienced in the offseason. If you want to avoid the crowds, visiting the Empire State Building in the spring or fall will not only offer pleasant weather, but also a view of Central Park swarming with cherry blossoms or autumnal foliage. That being said, there’s truly a charm to every season in NYC, and while you might find yourself amongst a sea of puffer jackets during the holiday season, there’s something magical about that, too.As for the best times of day, morning and sunset are peak times at the Empire State Building, so keep that in mind when deciding whether to book in advance or on-site. Running until the end of October, the Empire State Building Sunrise Experience ticket is for the early risers: those brave enough to visit the building at sunrise before the rest of the public arrives (it includes a Starbucks drink, pastry, and unparalleled views of the sun rising over the Chrysler Building). If you work in Midtown and have been meaning to add some whimsy to your daily routine, consider popping in during your lunch break; I learned on my visit that 1–4 p.m. is the least busy time. For both day and night views, the AM/PM ticket option allows you to visit during the day and return again that same night for a comprehensive experience.What should you bring to the Empire State Building?Light layers, as it can get pretty breezy up thereSunglasses to protect your eyes from the glareSunscreen, no matter the weatherA small purse for your belongingsA camera to capture the views; may I suggest this mini one?Madewell Russell oval sunglassesSupergoopUnseen sunscreen stickKodakCharmera keychain digital cameraKodakEktar H35 film camera