Empire State Building Review

What is the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is one of the best-known attractions in New York City and one of the most famous places in the world.

It is located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and is over 380 meters high.

The observation decks on floors 86 and 102 offer a spectacular view of the NYC skyline and are of course particularly popular with tourists.

Another highlight of the Empire State Building is the night-time lighting, which shines in different colors and is often adapted to special occasions.

Empire State Building Tickets: Admission to the Observation Deck

To help you find the right Empire State Building ticket for you, we answer all your questions about buying tickets, compare the different tickets and give you our personal ticket recommendation.

Where is the best place to buy your Empire State Building ticket?

It’s best to buy your Empire State Building ticket online in advance.

Either via the official Empire State Building ticket store, or alternatively via the reputable third-party provider GetYourGuide.

Buying tickets online makes your experience of the Empire State Building less stressful and allows you to plan your sightseeing perfectly thanks to the timeslot you choose when purchasing your ticket.

In addition, buying tickets spontaneously on site during peak season can lead to price mark-ups due to high demand.

You can buy all the tickets available for the Empire State Building in the official ticket store. GetYourGuide also has an extensive selection: 86th Floor General Admission Ticket, 86th & 102nd Floor Combo Ticket, Express Ticket, Express Combo Ticket and Sunrise Experience.

A detailed overview in table form will follow shortly.

Cancellations in the official ticket store are unfortunately non-refundable. With GetYourGuide, however, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the start and receive a full refund.

If you prefer to be spontaneous and have no problem paying a little more, you can also buy your ticket with timeslot at a vending machine on site.

What Empire State Building tickets are available and how much do they cost?

The following two tables show you all the regular tickets for the Empire State Building NYC, including prices and links to the ticket store.

Empire State Building tickets from the official provider

Note: GA stands for General Admission. General Admission is the normal standard admission.

Empire State Building tickets from third-party providers

Are there discounts for children, students, etc.?

Yes, admission to the Empire State Building is cheaper for certain groups of people.

Children aged 6 to 12 generally pay 5 to 6 dollars less than adults for the respective tickets. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free of charge. Seniors 62 and older receive a 2 dollar discount.

International students with an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) receive up to 25 percent discount on the Empire State Building ticket.

Can you spontaneously visit the Empire State Building observation deck?

Yes, you can also spontaneously visit the observation deck of the Empire State Building. You can buy tickets on site from the ticket machine. However, tickets bought at short notice can be more expensive, especially when demand is high.

You should also be patient, especially during peak season, if you want to go to the Empire State Building spontaneously. This can lead to longer waiting times.

To avoid wasting too much time queuing in New York, we recommend buying an online ticket.

Is the Empire State Building included in a New York Citypass?

Yes, access to the Empire State Building is included in all New York passes – that’s how we got up there!

We had the Explorer Pass with 3 attractions from Go City. It’s really super easy and worked without any problems.

We recommend downloading the Go City app. The app gives you all the relevant information about the individual attractions. It also shows you how to book your timeslot.

We booked our timeslot 1 hour before admission and moved it forward again shortly beforehand. We then had to show our booked timeslot and the Citypass on site.

You can find our pass comparison for New York here:

Our Ticket Recommendation for Empire State Building: 86th Floor General Admission Ticket

We recommend the 86th Floor General Admission Ticket for your visit to the Empire State Building platform. This is the cheapest ticket, but still offers you a great experience in New York’s most famous skyscraper.

The ticket includes:

• Access to the open observation deck on the 86th floor
• 360-degree panoramic view of New York City
• Access to the exhibition galleries

The price of the ticket is

• Adults: $48
• Children (6-12 years): $42
• Seniors (62 years): $46

You can buy the ticket here:

• Online via the official ESB ticket shop
• Online via GetYourGuide
• On site at the ticket machine

How to Get to the Empire State Building in NYC

The Empire State Building is located at 350 Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets in Manhattan. It is very centrally located and easily accessible by public transportation or on foot.

Empire State Building on Google Maps

With the New York subway

The subway is the fastest and most convenient way to reach the Empire State Building. All train lines stop at 33rd and 34th Street.

• 34th Street/Herald Square Station: Lines B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W, 5 minutes’ walk away
• 33rd Street Station: Line 6, 4 minutes’ walk away
• 34th Street/Penn Station: Lines 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, 7 minutes’ walk away

On foot

If you are already in Midtown Manhattan, you can easily reach the Empire State Building on foot. For example, the famous Times Square is only 10 to 15 minutes away on foot.

Empire State Building: How it Works

To make sure your visit to the Empire State Building is a complete success, we’ll answer all your questions about what to do on site.

Empire State Building opening hours

The Empire State Building is open daily from 9.00 am to 11.00 pm. The last admission is at 10.15 pm.

However, opening times may vary depending on the season. So if you want to visit the Empire State Building spontaneously, we recommend you check the current times on the official website.

What is the best time to visit the Empire State Building?

The best time to visit the Empire State Building depends on what you want to experience.

In the morning there are fewer visitors to the Empire State Building, waiting times are shorter and on nice days the light over the city is very soft and perfect for beautiful photos.

Midday and the afternoon are the busiest times. If possible, we advise you not to visit at these times.

Sunset offers a similarly beautiful light as the early morning. However, admission is then more expensive.

In the late evening, you have an unforgettable view of illuminated New York from here. But not of the gleaming Empire State Building – after all, you are standing on this very platform.

Are there different entrances for different ticket types?

Yes, the Empire State Building has different entrances for different ticket types.

All standard tickets (GA) use the main entrance on 5th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Street.

Express ticket holders have access to a separate entrance that allows faster access. You will find it at 20 West 34th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue.

Empire State Building waiting times

Wait times at the Empire State Building depend on the time of day and season.

You have the longest waiting time:

• on weekends
• on public holidays
• during vacations
• at noon & in the afternoon
• at sunset

Even with a booked timeslot, wait times can be 30 to 90 minutes.

You have the shortest waiting time:

• during the week (Monday to Thursday)
• in the early morning
• in the evening (after sunset)

Then the waiting time is only 10 to 20 minutes.

We were very lucky when we visited the Empire State Building in the morning. There were neither the usual long queues nor were the crowds as heavy as usual. We were surprised ourselves.

Security at the Empire State Building New York

The security check at the Empire State Building is similar to the security check at the airport. This is the case at almost every attraction in New York. There are metal detectors and bag checks.

What is allowed on the observation deck and what is not?

You are NOT allowed to take these items onto the Empire State Building:

• Large pieces of luggage & suitcases (no storage on site)
• Food & drinks (baby food is allowed)
• Camera tripods
• Glass bottles & alcoholic beverages
• Weapons & sharp objects (knives, scissors, etc.)
• Skateboards, scooters, etc.
• Musical instruments & loud devices
• Masks & costumes (except on Halloween)

You are allowed to take these items onto the Empire State Building:

• Small bags & backpacks
• Cell phones & small cameras (without tripod)
• Strollers (must be folded, we recommend a travel stroller)

Is the Empire State Building barrier-free?

Yes, the Empire State Building is accessible. There are accessible elevators, accessible restrooms and assistance dogs are also allowed.

How much time should you plan for the Empire State Building?

We recommend 1.5 to 2 hours for a visit to the Empire State Building Observation Deck. This is generally a good length of stay for the observation decks in New York.

What Can You Do at the Empire State Building?

Are you still wondering what exactly you can experience on the Empire State Building? We’ll tell you!

View from the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is not only a true icon when seen from the street, but also offers you a spectacular view over New York City. From the 86th or 102nd floor, you have a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire city.

For example, you can see the Central Park to the north, the Chrysler Building to the east, the East River and Brooklyn – a hip area to stay in New York – and even the One World Trade Center is looming in the distance. Breathtaking!

Exhibition in the Empire State Building

Before you reach the observation deck, you can learn more about the history, special features and construction of the Empire State Building in the immersive exhibition.

For example, you can see how the building was constructed, historical photos and animated re-enactments. You can also find out which stars and starlets have been in the Empire State Building and in which films the building plays an important role.

And while we’re on the subject: King Kong is of course a must. One highlight is King Kong’s hands reaching through the walls. A funny photo backdrop.

Lightshows & Special Events at the Empire State Building

You’ve probably heard of the Empire State Building’s lightshows. The top of the skyscraper regularly lights up in changing colors, which are adapted to certain events. For example, on public holidays or in response to major sporting events.

But now it’s getting even cooler. There are music-synchronized lightshows in which the lighting flashes to match songs – these are broadcast live on New York radio and online.

You can also go up to the Empire State Building platform during the light show. This costs nothing extra. However, we recommend that you choose a spot on another observation deck such as The Edge or Top of the Rock so that you can see the lights clearly.

Our Review: Is the Empire State Building Worth it?

The Empire State Building is undoubtedly one of New York’s most famous sights, and not without reason. Its cult status alone makes the skyscraper a must-see.

Our visit to the observation deck was an exciting and thoroughly positive experience.

We had a timeslot ticket for 10.30 in the morning and were able to go straight through to the security checkpoint – no waiting time, no crowds. Compared to other observation decks, it was by far the emptiest here.

We were really lucky because the Empire State Building is known for its crowds.

The exhibition that you go through before going up to the observation deck was really interesting. We thought the King Kong installation, where you can see King Kong’s hands reaching through the walls, was particularly cool. And the various movie posters were also a nice highlight.

The historic elevator then takes you up to the 86th floor. Once there, you can walk all the way around the building and enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of New York. The view of Rockefeller Center is particularly impressive from here.

What we liked was the open design of the platform. The wind, the sounds of the city and the unobstructed view make the experience particularly intense.

The visit was a great experience. However, we have to be honest and say that we like the view of the Empire State Building from another observation deck, such as The Edge, better than the view of the city from the Empire State Building.

Our top tip is therefore: save money at the Empire State Building and get the cheaper ticket for the 86th floor and buy an additional ticket for The Edge. That way you get “the best of both worlds”.

The Surrounding Area: Combine the Empire State Building with Other Highlights in NYC

Because the Empire State Building is so centrally located, you can combine a visit to the platform with a walk through the surrounding area to see other highlights.

These sights are located near the Empire State Building:

• Macy’s: one of the largest and most famous department stores in the world
• Bryant Park: beautiful, quiet park in the middle of Manhattan
• Madison Square Garden: famous event and sports arena
• New York Public Library: huge, impressive library
• Grand Central Terminal: legendary station concourse with the famous starry ceiling
• Times Square: lively area with Broadway, countless neon signs and stores
• Flatiron Building: one of New York’s most famous buildings

Empire State Building surroundings on a map

For a better overview, we have marked the Empire State Building and the other highlights listed above on a map.

All seven sights are between a 5 and 15-minute walk from the Empire State Building.

FAQ about the Empire State Building New York

The History of the Empire State Building

Have you ever wondered why the Empire State Building is so important to Americans? Let’s explain a little bit:

The Empire State Building is the epitome of big, American dreams. It was built at a time when nobody dared to dream big. And that was during the Great Depression.

In 1929, the global economy collapsed, the stock market plummeted and millions of people lost their jobs. And that’s when a few builders decided: Hey, you know what? We’ll build the tallest building in the world.

So while the whole of America was struggling to survive, a skyscraper was rising into the sky in Manhattan. After just 13 months, the thing was finished – faster than any building ever before. The problem: nobody wanted to move in. The offices remained empty and the Empire State Building became the “Empty State Building”.

And now guess who was the solution? King Kong. Yes, that’s right. The giant gorilla finally made the Empire State Building famous and coveted in 1933 by climbing up the building. Suddenly, everyone wanted to go up to the Empire State Building’s observation deck. From then on, the building was an icon of architecture.

And as befits an icon, the Empire State Building has been through a lot and still stands like a first-class building.

In 1945, a bomber flew directly into the 79th floor in dense fog. Despite fire, debris and chaos, the Empire State Building remained standing. The building is also targeted by lightning. It strikes over a hundred times a year. Even that doesn’t bother the building.

Today, the Empire State Building is the shining heart of New York. And even though it may no longer be able to compete with the new skyscrapers in terms of modernity, it retains its cult status. After all, Spider-Man doesn’t swing along the SUMMIT, but the Empire State Building, hehe.

These were our tips and information for the Empire State Building New York

Do you have any tips for a visit to the Empire State Building? Or do you still have questions? Then write us a comment. We look forward to hearing from you!