Empire State Building
The art deco skyscraper that defined the New York skyline - a 1931 icon with observation decks looking out over the whole city.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
The Empire State Building rose in 1931 as the tallest building in the world and became the enduring symbol of New York, a soaring art deco tower crowned by a slender spire. Its observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors offer one of the great city panoramas, out over the whole of Manhattan and beyond.
What you actually see
- The 86th-floor observatory - the classic open-air deck with the full city panorama.
- The art deco lobby - the restored gilded lobby with its mural.
- The 102nd-floor deck - the higher glass-enclosed view.
- Night views - the city lights spread out after dark, and the tower's own coloured lighting.
When to go
Year-round; a clear day for the best view, and either day or night rewards, with the city lights spectacular after dark. Book a timed ticket to skip the worst queues.
Honest expectations
It is popular, so queues and security can be long without a timed ticket, and it is not cheap. Other decks, such as the Edge or Top of the Rock, offer views that include the Empire State itself. A clear day matters, since haze or cloud dulls the view.
Nearby
Midtown, Herald Square and the Flatiron are around; Times Square and Central Park are a short ride.
What to pack for Empire State Building
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
