The building’s mighty stature offers unparalleled panoramic views from the very heart of New York City. A visit to the Empire State Building, voted the number one attraction in the USA in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Traveler’s Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do, is best when planned.
A range of ticket options and a seamless ticketing process are available to create an unforgettable New York City experience.
How to Plan a Visit
A visit to the Empire State Building – voted the number one attraction in New York City in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do for the fourth consecutive year – is best when planned. Consider factors like ticket purchase, the optimal time to visit, and the length of your visit to make the most of your time at this historic landmark.
Empire State Building Observatory Tickets
The right ticket choice for your Empire State Building visit can enhance your experience and make it unforgettable. From Flex Tickets allowing all-day entry to All-Access Tours or Premium experiences with special amenities, you can purchase tickets for the Empire State Building Observatory online through the official website or onsite at the ticket office located at 12 W 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
The Empire State Building Flex Ticket allows you to arrive at any time on your reserved date, even during the prime sunset hours.
The 86th Floor Observatory ticket grants access to ESB’s immersive museum and iconic 86th Floor Observatory, where you can take in the unmatched view of New York City.
Choose the 86th and 102nd Floor Observatory ticket that includes access to the museum along with both the 86th and 102nd Floor Observatories.
If you are after a more exclusive visit, a Premium Experience is for you, which offers additional benefits like skip-the-line access, priority elevator service, and access to exclusive areas not available to regular ticket holders. Live the red-carpet lifestyle with a Champagne toast in the celebrity green room and get a peek behind-the-scenes in the All-Access Tour or experience an unforgettable sunrise on the 86th Floor Observatory with a cup of ESB Microblend from the building’s Starbucks Reserve.
On Friday, Aug. 22 at 10 p.m., the Empire State Building will debut a first-ever Silent Disco on its iconic 86th Floor Observation Deck, giving guests the opportunity to dance beneath the stars while taking in unmatched 360-degree views of New York City. The exclusive event is limited to just 200 tickets, creating an intimate after-hours experience at one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Guests will receive wireless headphones to enjoy a live DJ set while a dedicated section of the outdoor Observation Deck is transformed into a dance floor high above Manhattan. Tickets are $69, and guests will also have the option to purchase sweet treats and soft drinks from Eataly during the event.
Special Ongoing Display
A rare piece of American history, an 1818 facsimile of the Declaration of Independence printed on silk, was recently unveiled on the 80th floor of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience, which was named the #1 Top Attraction in the United States in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The piece, one of only four or five silk copies of the first facsimile to show the signatures of the engrossed Declaration, traces back to calligrapher Benjamin Owen Tyler, who created a decorative copy of the Declaration following the War of 1812. His subscription book was signed by prominent figures including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Quincy Adams, among others. The new display celebrates 250 years of America and gives visitors from around the world an opportunity to encounter a piece connected to the country’s founding ideals from inside one of its most recognizable landmarks. The artifact is now on display on the Observation Deck Experience’s 80th floor and is included with regular admission. It will remain on display through October 4.
Best Times to Visit
Whether you visit early in the morning or after the sun sets, you will find that each time of day is enchanting in its own way. If you are planning to visit during the winter months, the 86th Floor Observation Deck stays warm with wraparound outdoor heaters, while the 102nd Floor Observation Deck is indoor and temperature-controlled, making it ideal for families with little kids as well as ageing adults.
How Much Time to Plan for Your Visit
The length of your visit at the Empire State Building depends on how much time you want to spend on its world-famous Observatories and throughout the immersive museum. The average visit lasts between one and two hours, but stay longer to identify all of New York City’s famous landmarks within the 360-degree views and see six states from the 102nd Floor Observatory.
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