New York City is a bustling city that is on the travel bucket list of many people. However, a trip to New York City is incomplete without a trip to the Empire State Building. You have to visit the world’s most famous skyscraper to get the feel of real New York. The Empire State Building offers a sprawling view of Manhattan and the surrounding ocean. It is one of the top most popular tourist attractions in the country, no wonder an Empire State Building tour is something you have to try when you are in New York City! On a clear day, you can also see up to five American states- New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Advantages of an Empire State Building Tour
Skip the line entry to Empire State Building, and enter at the time slot chosen
The Empire State Building has been declared the most popular American building! This means that the building will be swarmed by tourists at all times of the day, what you could do with an Empire State Building tour is book an admission time of your liking, and skip the lines to get into the Empire State Building!
Access to the 86th Floor Observation Deck
The most popular attraction in the Empire State Building is the observation floor on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building. With your Empire State Building tour ticket, you will also get access to the observation deck. This observation deck wraps around the spire of the Empire State Building and gives an unobstructed 360 degrees view of New York, Queens, Brooklyn, and the rest of Manhattan! The Empire State Building has been the backdrop for many popular movies and tv shows, so be sure to be on the lookout for your favorite spot!
Audio Guide to take you through the building in 8 different languages
The Empire State Building has been an important fixture in the New york skyline since 1928. Of course, media plaques all around the building will provide you with information about the Empire State Building, but if you want to know more about the Empire State Building, you will have access to audio guides in 8 different languages! This will allow you to know more in-depth about the iconic Empire State Building.
Access to the Empire State Building Interactive Museum
There are several museums and observatories in Empire State Building. The Empire State Building tour tickets will give you access to interactive museums that are in the Empire State Building. Wouldn’t you want to know how the Empire State Building has been featured in more than 600 movies and tv shows? Or get behind-the-scenes knowledge about how the Empire State Building music to light show is created! All of these exhibits and more are featured in your Empire State Building tour tickets!
The Best Empire State Building Guided Tours
Guided Tours
Combo Guided Tours
Your Comprehensive Guide to Visiting the Iconic Empire State Building
Choosing the Best Empire State Building Guided Tour
Before choosing your tour, take a look at the main features of each type of tour and then make an informed decision. Here’s a list of all your Empire State Building tour options and their highlights.
1Observatory Tickets - Skip The Line
Check out why the Empire State Building is so iconic within the new york city culture. Take in the breathtaking views of new york and manhattan from the empire state building’s observation deck! You can see the 360-degree skyline of 5 US states! Starting from New York to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts! No New york city visit is complete without a trip to the world-famous Empire State Building!
2NYC Explorer Pass
Don't miss out on the best new york has to offer! With the NYC Explorer Pass, you can take time to explore the whole of new york city at your pace. Explore new york city with no hassle and at a pace of your choosing! You can also make a customized itinerary by downloading a pdf of their top 82 attractions and deciding where you want to go at a date and time of your choosing! The validity of the ticket is 60 days, which means that you are in no hurry to rush yourself into visiting attractions when you don't want to!
Empire State Building Tours Deconstructed - A Typical Guided Tour Experience
The Empire State Building was a modern marvel when it was built back in 1931. The building’s steel frame was regarded as a miracle when it was first made and was the first building in the world at that time to have more than 100 floors! The Empire State Building continues to grace new york’s facade, and you should visit it at least once on your trip to new york city!
80th Floor Exhibits
The 80th floor in the Empire State Building is a newly renovated multi-media observation deck. In this deck, you will be able to design your itineraries, with the help of large video blades! These installations were put up in partnership with NYC & Company, a tourism marketing agency. This is where you should start your New York trip!
86th Floor Indoor/Outdoor Observatory
The Iconic 86th-floor observation deck has been in the backdrop of countless movie and tv show scenes! And for good reasons too! This beautiful 360-degree deck surrounds the spire of the Empire State Building and gives you beautiful views of Manhattan and the surrounding areas! Right now, the Stranger Things exhibit is also on display on the 86th-floor observation deck.
The 2nd Floor Exhibits
Located on the second floor of the Empire State Building, the 10,000-square-foot gallery includes several exhibits. The exhibits mostly contain the fascinating history of this iconic building and the engineering and stories behind it. But there are some fun exhibits for you as well! Don’t forget to pose with the iconic king kong mural! Don’t forget to check out the ‘World's Most Famous Building’ exhibit where more than 70 screens will show you scenes from movies and tv shows that featured the Empire State Building
Restaurants at Empire State Building
The Empire State Building features some of the most famous restaurants in New york. Check out State grill and bar for a luxury dining option. Or if you are in the mood for a more Mexican fare, Tacombi is the place to be! The Empire State Building also has a few fast food dining options to fuel you on your journey to the top!
Shopping at Empire State Building
The Empire State Building has a lot of shopping options near the building, while most of the inside of the Empire State Building is dedicated to its exhibits, observation decks, and businesses, there are some shops inside the Empire State Building that can help save your shopping woes. There is an official Empire State Building souvenir shop! Buy a small-scale replica of the Empire State Building to take home, or get yourself a king kong plushie for your loved ones!
Are Empire State Building Tours Really Worth it?
The Empire State Building tours allow you to explore the Empire State Building close-up. The tour tickets will also give you benefits like skipping lines during admission and virtual guides that will give you a comprehensive tour of the Empire State Building. The Empire State Building tour tickets will also grant you admission to most exhibitions and observation decks. So, yes the Empire State Building tour is worth it.
Empire State Building Practical Information
Opening Hours
8 am to 2 am, every day (The last admission is at 1:15 am)
Getting to Empire State Building
- By Subway:
From the ACE lines, get off at 34th street- Penn station.
From the NQRW or BDFM lines, exit the train at 34th Street – Herald Square Station.
From the 456 or 7 lines, exit the train at Grand Central Terminal.
From these stations, Empire State Building is a 5-10 minute walk. - Other transport: If you are anywhere on 34th street in New York, just looking up will show you your destination!
Insider Tips
- The Empire State Building is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New york. This means that it will get crowded during the weekends. Try to visit the Empire State Building on the weekdays.
- It will get very chilly on the observation decks, so bring a jacket or a sweater along!
- The second floor is the last time you get to visit any washrooms, after that, the only washrooms available are way back down.
- To experience the beautiful Tower Lights, time your visit accordingly. To do this, visit the official website for the timings!
- The views are best enjoyed on a clear sunny day, so try to book your tickets after consulting a weather forecast.
- The entrance for people with disabilities is located on 34th street. Between Starbucks and the bank of America. This entrance is open till 6 pm from Monday to Friday.
FAQs
Yes! The building is wheelchair accessible. If you want to enter the building with a wheelchair, take the entrance on 34th street. The entrance is located between a Starbucks and a bank of America outlet.
Bringing luggage into the Empire State Building might get hectic for you. This is because there is a lot of waiting around involved, there are also a lot of people waiting in lines with you. So try to keep luggage and big bags back to your hotel as much as possible.
Yes! There are some amazing restaurants in and around Empire State Building. The state grill and bar are an absolute must-visit if you are looking for good food, good ambiance, and of course- amazing views. There are also fast food options like chipotle and Starbucks.
Make sure to visit as many of the exhibits as possible. These exhibits are not only educational, but they are also enjoyable and entertaining! Make sure to visit the Empire State Building before 10:30 am to beat the crowds. And for couples who are looking for a romantic night out, nothing beats the scenery of the sparkly New York skyline on a chilly late-night outing.
If you are looking to snap a few pictures, the observation decks on the 86th floor and 102nd floor are a photographer’s dream! The scenery becomes especially beautiful when it’s sunset. Just remember that you are not allowed to bring any tripods to the decks.
Ready to head to Empire State Building ?
Purchase discounted Empire State Building tickets via Headout today! Explore Empire State Building in a hassle-free fashion with all the need-to-know information in hand.
Fancy heading out to some other stunning Florence attractions? Take inspiration from our list of the best things to do in NYC here.
In New York for a few days?
In the city for a few days and want some help charting out an itinerary? Check out our 1 day in New York and our 3 days in New York itineraries for inspiration.
