Visiting the Empire State Building

One of the easiest ways to improve your visit is to purchase tickets in advance before you even get to the front door. You’ll be able to skip the ticket line which can easily save 20 minutes. Military personnel in uniform and children ages 5 and under can see the ESB for free, but all other visitors require a ticket.

The New York CityPASS includes access to the 86th Floor Observatory and audio tour, but you will need to wait in the ticket line to pick up your CityPASS.​ Both the New York Pass and New York Explorer Pass can get you into the 86th Floor Observatory, but be aware that you’ll have to wait in the ticket line to show your passes in order to get your ESB ticket.

For an additional fee, you can ascend to an enclosed viewing area on the 102nd floor, soaring 1,250 feet above the city — from here, on a clear, day you can see over 80 miles. One of the perks of buying a ticket to the 102nd floor is the chance to ride in a manually operated Otis elevator. And like any must-see spot in NYC, there are VIP-only areas, including the observation deck on the 103rd floor. 

Setting your alarm clock early will reward you with lighter crowds and more space. The Empire State Building opens at 8 am everyday. If mornings aren’t your cup of tea, you can still avoid peak crowds as the last elevator ascends at 1:15 a.m. This makes the Empire State Building a good choice for beginning or ending your day​ since it’s open before most other attractions and closes after many other attractions.

The views from the Empire State Building are best on clear, dry days. Check the weather in New York City before visiting the Empire State Buildings. While you’ll have access to interior areas while visiting, the best views are from the outside. If it’s cold, plan to dress warmly, as the wind can make it feel even cooler at the top of the Empire State Building. Likewise, the sun can be strong atop the Empire State Building, especially during the summer when you might want to wear a hat or bring sunblock.

Plan a visit around dusk and you can watch day turn into night, as city lights slowly flicker on all around you and an orange glow lights up the sky.

Don’t pass up the chance to learn more about the building. Located on the second floor, before you reach the elevators, the Sustainability Exhibit gives you an inside look at the 2009 eco-friendly renovations. Architecture buffs, check out the Dare to Dream exhibit on the 80th floor that follows the history, construction and engineering of the world’s most famous skyscraper.

Glass and bottles are not permitted in the building. Cameras and camcorders are permitted, but tripods are not. When visiting the Empire State Building every visitor must pass through security screening. There is no coat/luggage check at the Empire State Building, so whatever you bring into the building, you will have to carry with you throughout your visit.

The Fifth Avenue lobby is one of the few interiors in New York to be designated a historic landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. In 2009, 18 months were spent restoring its aesthetic to the original 1930 design – it only took 13 months to build the entire building! Highlights of the lobby include the Art Deco inspired ceiling murals—in a homage to the mechanical age, planets and stars are rendered as an assembly line of gears, brought back to life in 24-karat gold and aluminum leaf—and, on the wall above the front desk in the Fifth Avenue lobby is one of the most famous images in New York City, a depiction of the building itself with beams of lights radiating from the mast.

The Empire State Building is only available for weddings on Valentine’s Day, and you’ll have to apply and be chosen to participate. Applications are typically due by November 30.