Empire State Building observation deck – height, tickets, views

The Empire State Building observation decks offer some of the world’s most breathtaking views. 

The building provides indoor and outdoor decks, so visitors can choose based on the weather. 

The two observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors are located 284 steps apart, giving visitors different perspectives of the city’s beauty.

Over 4 million people visit these decks each year, taking high-speed elevators to reach the top. 

From the iconic decks, you can enjoy a 360-degree view across New York City and even neighboring states. 

Empire State Building

Schedule a Visit

Where are the observation decks?

The Empire State Building has two observatories – one on the 86th and another on the 102 floor. 

Visitors have two ticket options for the 86th-floor observation deck: Standard Entry or Express Entry.

Those who wish to explore the 86th-floor and 102nd-floor observatories can upgrade their Standard or Express Entry tickets.

A private balcony on the 103rd floor is also exclusively reserved for celebrities.

Empire State Building 86th floor

The Otis elevator swiftly ascends visitors to the 86th-floor observatory in under a minute. 

Perched at 320 meters (1,050 feet), this open-air Main Deck offers unobstructed 360-degree views of New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond. 

Radiant heaters keep the deck warm during winter, allowing guests to enjoy the stunning vistas year-round. 

On clear days, the view extends to five states, providing glimpses of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware.

Ticket to the 86th Floor

The Empire State Building General Admission ticket provides access to the 86th-floor observation deck.

The ticket includes admission to the Empire State Building and access to immersive exhibits on the second floor. 

It has a downloadable interactive audio guide app in English and 8 other languages. 

It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience the iconic landmark and take in the stunning panorama of New York City.

Age	Ticket prices
Adult ticket (13 to 61 years):	$49
Child ticket (6 to 12 years):	$42
Senior Citizen ticket (62+ years):	$47

Infants enjoy free entry to the 86th floor. 

Empire State Building 102nd floor

At 381 meters (1,250 feet) high, the 102nd-floor observatory offers the highest public access in the Empire State Building. 

Accessed through a unique glass elevator, this enclosed platform sits sixteen stories above the 86th-floor deck. 

Renovated in 2020, the observatory boasts large floor-to-ceiling windows.

It provides visitors with a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city. 

On a clear day, you can see up to 130 km (80 miles) into the distance from this elevated vantage point.

Ticket to the 102nd Floor

The Empire State Building All-Access Tour Ticket offers an exceptional experience for visitors. 

With skip-the-line admission, you can avoid queues and have more time to explore. 

The ticket includes access to the 86th-floor observation deck and the second-floor immersive exhibits. 

You can visit the 102nd-floor Observation Deck, providing a panoramic view of New York City. 

Don’t miss this chance to see the city from a new perspective.

Ticket prices: 

The Empire State Building 86th-floor and 102nd-floor ticket costs $130 for all visitors.

Empire State Building – 86th floor or 102nd floor

Visitors often question if they should visit the 86th or 102nd floors and wonder if the observation deck on the 102nd floor is worth the money. 

If budget and time aren’t an issue, then yes, Empire State Building’s 102nd floor is worth a visit. 

The main deck is a better option if you want an indoor observatory deck and do not wish to spend time outdoors. 

Even though there are radiant heaters on the 86th floor, it can get freezing outdoors during winter.  

You might wonder if 16 floors can bring a difference in the views. 

Not exactly. The 102nd floor offers the same view but from a different perspective.

Empire State Building 103rd floor

The 103rd floor, just above the official “top floor,” offers a small balcony with stunning open-air views. 

Accessible by a series of elevators and a narrow steel stairway, this floor was originally intended as a mooring mast for airships. 

The 103rd floor is an open-air area with minimal protection, located in the metal mast atop the tower. 

However, it is now closed to the public and exclusively reserved for celebrities and notable personalities. 

Contacting officials with a marketing idea, PR pitch, or news story angle can also help you get access to this area. 

The experience offers a genuinely vertigo-inducing perspective of New York City’s skyline.

Empire State Building 104th floor

Believe it or not, the Empire State Building has a 104th floor, but it’s not accessible to the public or even celebrities. 

This space is more like a platform than a traditional floor. 

It’s reserved for engineers and maintenance workers securely harnessed to the building. 

To reach this highest point of the Empire State Building, one must climb a few steps from the 103rd floor and then open a hatch to step out. 

It truly is the building’s literal top floor.

Tickets need to explore the observation deck 

You will need tickets to visit the Empire State Building observation deck. 

Based on which floor you plan to visit, you can purchase tickets. 

86th floor ticket

If you are low on time or wish to visit only the 86th floor, you can get general admission tickets. 

There are two types of tickets to the 86th floor: general ticket and express ticket. 

While general tickets help you skip the ticket counter lines, you can jump security check queues and line in front of the elevator with the express ticket. 

While skip-the-line tickets cost more than the general ticket, they help you save time and provide VIP access. 

The general ticket costs $49 for adults and the express ticket costs $92.

102nd floor ticket

Are you in the Empire state building with a general ticket and wish to visit the 102nd floor too? Then purchase an upgrade ticket at the counter. 

For visitors who are yet to visit and wish to tour both the floor, get the 86th-floor and 102nd-floor tickets together online in advance.

You can express your entry ticket to both floors of the Empire State Building with this ticket. 

The Empire state building 86th floor and 102nd-floor ticket costs $130 for all visitors. 

City Pass

Alternatively, if you plan on exploring multiple attractions during your New York City trip, you can buy discount passes like CityPASS or Go City Explorer Pass. 

New York CityPASS offers a 3-attraction or 6-attraction pass, allowing access to over 12 city attractions, including the Empire State Building. 

Using these passes instead of buying individual tickets can lead to substantial savings of up to 45%.

Another excellent option is the New York Go City explorer pass.

It offers a range of choices from a 1-Day Pass to a 10-Day Pass, granting entry to over 100 attractions, including the Empire State Building. 

Once you have the New York Pass, you can use the Go City app to access popular NYC attractions. 

Visitors can save hundreds of dollars and save up to 50% on popular attractions using the New York Pass.

You also get free admission to the Empire State Building with the Go City Explorer Pass!

Time need to explore the decks

Empire State Building’s tickets offer the advantage of no time limits, allowing visitors to stay as long as they wish. 

A typical visit to the 86th-floor observation deck takes about an hour, while the 102nd-floor deck requires an additional half hour. 

During peak tourist season (May to September), there are often long waiting lines to purchase tickets and enter the elevators. 

To avoid these lines, buying Regular Tickets helps skip the ticket counter queues. 

Express Tickets bought online allow skipping both the ticket counter and elevator queues for a smoother experience.

The best way to explore Empire State Building observatory decks 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=1n2Wa4omr-4%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Indeed, a clear and sunny day is the ideal time to visit the Empire State Building’s observation decks for the best views. 

Foggy or rainy weather may hinder visibility and dampen the experience. 

Checking the weather beforehand can help plan your trip accordingly.

Due to its iconic status, the Empire State Building attracts many visitors, leading to potential crowding issues. 

To avoid the overwhelming crowds, visit the observation decks early in the morning. 

This way, you can enjoy the sights of New York City with more space and freedom.

Exploring all the exhibits and attractions at the Empire State Building usually takes around 90 minutes.

But some visitors stay closer to 2 hours. 

Planning for the full time allows you to enjoy the immersive galleries, observation decks, and gift shops. 

During busy periods, visitors may need to go through all the exhibits before reaching the elevators to the observatories. 

Sunset is a popular time to visit the observation decks, but it can be crowded. 

For fewer crowds, consider visiting during the spring or winter months.

Views from Empire State Building observatory decks 

The Empire State Building is a captivating and iconic attraction that lures visitors from around the globe. 

Once the tallest building in the world, it boasts two stunning observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors, providing breathtaking views of the city. 

You can witness the city’s diversity from these vantage points, from neighborhoods with smaller houses to skyscrapers.

It’s a must-visit destination to experience the grandeur and beauty of New York City’s architecture and skyline.

From the 86th-floor observation deck of the Empire State Building, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree open-air view of New York City.

It includes landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and Times Square. 

On clear days, you can even catch glimpses of neighboring states.

From the 102nd floor, an enclosed viewing platform with large floor-to-ceiling windows provides an even more immersive experience. 

From this point, visitors can see the city’s skyline, stunning views of the Manhattan and Hudson rivers.

Visitor’s facilities at the ESB observation deck

The Empire State Building’s observation decks don’t offer guided tours, but visitors can enjoy a free multimedia tour app with admission. 

The app is downloadable for Android and iPhone, accessible via on-site free wifi. 

Powerful binoculars on both decks provide unobstructed views. 

The restrooms are on the 86th floor. 

While no eateries are in the observatories, dining options are available on the main concourse.

FAQs

Featured Image: USAtoday.com