Quick Orientation
The Empire State Building sits on 5th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets in Midtown Manhattan. At 1,454 feet it was the tallest building in the world from 1931 to 1970 and remains the most famous observation deck on earth. The entrance is on 5th Avenue; the main observation deck is on the 86th floor and a smaller enclosed deck sits on the 102nd.
🧮
USA Trip Cost Calculator
Planning your NYC trip? Get a personalised budget with our free calculator — Empire State tickets plus a Midtown hotel add $350+ per person, per day.
The building itself is part of the experience. The lobby murals, the restored 1931 ceilings and the 2nd-floor immersive museum are included with every ticket and genuinely worth 20 minutes.
Ticket Prices 2026
| Ticket | Adult | Child (6-12) | Includes |
|---|
| Main Deck (86th) | $44 | $38 | Lobby + museum + 86th floor |
| Top Deck (86 + 102) | $82 | $76 | Adds enclosed 102nd floor |
| Express Pass | $110-130 | $105 | Skip all lines, any floor |
| AM/PM combo | $64 | $58 | Two visits same day, day + night |
| Dining + skip-line | $210+ | n/a | State Grill & Bar + express access |
Tickets are cheapest booked direct on the Empire State Building website. Third-party resellers mark up 10-20%. Children under 5 are free on all tiers.
86th vs 102nd Floor
The upgrade question. Here is the honest breakdown:
- 86th floor (Main Deck): open-air wrap-around deck with waist-high walls and safety bars. This is the classic "King Kong" view. Windy, cold in winter, perfect for photos.
- 102nd floor (Top Deck): fully enclosed glass, floor-to-ceiling windows, 16 storeys higher. Quieter, warmer, smaller. Not open-air.
- Verdict: the 86th floor is the experience 95% of visitors actually want. Skip the $38 upgrade unless you specifically want the enclosed, quieter space.
If you go for the Top Deck, do the 102nd floor first, then ride down to the 86th. You will appreciate the open air more after the glass box.
Best Time to Visit
Timing is the single biggest factor in whether you love or hate this visit.
| Time slot | Crowd | Photo quality | Recommended for |
|---|
| 10-11am (first entry) | Low | Flat but clear | Families with kids |
| 2-4pm | Medium | Harsh | Skip if possible |
| Sunset -30 min | Very high | Golden hour | Book 2-3 weeks ahead |
| After 9pm | Medium | Skyline lights | Romantic / couples |
| 11pm-last entry | Low | Lights only | Solo travellers, photographers |
Sunset times shift wildly. In December sunset is 4:30pm; in June it is 8:30pm. Check the exact time for your date before booking — you want entry roughly 45 minutes before sunset to see day-to-night.
Observation Deck Showdown
NYC has four major observation decks in 2026. You probably only need one.
| Deck | Price | Best for | Weakness |
|---|
| Empire State (86th) | $44 | The building itself, open-air | Cannot see the Empire State in your photos |
| Top of the Rock | $45 | Photos of Empire State + Central Park | Slightly lower, indoor lifts |
| One World Observatory | $48 | Height (1,776 ft), downtown | Fully enclosed, further south |
| Summit One Vanderbilt | $49 | Mirrored art installation, Insta | Disorienting, no historic charm |
| The Edge (Hudson Yards) | $46 | Outdoor glass triangle | Windy, not central |
Combo Tickets & Fast Passes
- CityPASS New York ($146 adult): includes Empire State Main Deck plus 4 other attractions. Worth it if you visit 3+ included sites.
- New York Pass (from $159/day): 100+ attractions, pays off at 3-4 visits per day.
- Empire State + Circle Line cruise combo ($89): direct-booked, saves about $15.
- Express Pass upgrade (+$66): worth it only on peak sunset slots during July, August and Christmas week.
If you only visit the Empire State Building, skip the passes. A single direct ticket is cheaper and comes with the same museum and lobby access.
What to Wear (Especially Winter)
The 86th-floor deck is open air at 1,050 feet above 5th Avenue. Temperature is typically 10-15 F colder than street level, and wind can hit 30-40 mph on gusty days.
- November-March: heavy coat, beanie, gloves, closed shoes. Scarves can blow away — secure them.
- April and October: a fleece or puffer is enough for the 20-30 minutes most people last outside.
- Summer: light layer. Surprisingly breezy even in July; a t-shirt alone can feel chilly at sunset.
- Rain / fog days: the deck stays open but visibility drops to zero above 30th floor. Check the live cam on the official site before heading over.
Large bags, tripods and selfie sticks are banned. Small cameras and phones are fine. Security is airport-style: allow 15 minutes from entrance to deck even with no line.
Quick Orientation
The Empire State Building sits on 5th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets in Midtown Manhattan. At 1,454 feet it was the tallest building in the world from 1931 to 1970 and remains the most famous observation deck on earth. The entrance is on 5th Avenue; the main observation deck is on the 86th floor and a smaller enclosed deck sits on the 102nd.
🧮
USA Trip Cost Calculator
Planning your NYC trip? Get a personalised budget with our free calculator — Empire State tickets plus a Midtown hotel add $350+ per person, per day.
The building itself is part of the experience. The lobby murals, the restored 1931 ceilings and the 2nd-floor immersive museum are included with every ticket and genuinely worth 20 minutes.
Ticket Prices 2026
| Ticket | Adult | Child (6-12) | Includes |
|---|
| Main Deck (86th) | $44 | $38 | Lobby + museum + 86th floor |
| Top Deck (86 + 102) | $82 | $76 | Adds enclosed 102nd floor |
| Express Pass | $110-130 | $105 | Skip all lines, any floor |
| AM/PM combo | $64 | $58 | Two visits same day, day + night |
| Dining + skip-line | $210+ | n/a | State Grill & Bar + express access |
Tickets are cheapest booked direct on the Empire State Building website. Third-party resellers mark up 10-20%. Children under 5 are free on all tiers.
86th vs 102nd Floor
The upgrade question. Here is the honest breakdown:
- 86th floor (Main Deck): open-air wrap-around deck with waist-high walls and safety bars. This is the classic "King Kong" view. Windy, cold in winter, perfect for photos.
- 102nd floor (Top Deck): fully enclosed glass, floor-to-ceiling windows, 16 storeys higher. Quieter, warmer, smaller. Not open-air.
- Verdict: the 86th floor is the experience 95% of visitors actually want. Skip the $38 upgrade unless you specifically want the enclosed, quieter space.
If you go for the Top Deck, do the 102nd floor first, then ride down to the 86th. You will appreciate the open air more after the glass box.
Best Time to Visit
Timing is the single biggest factor in whether you love or hate this visit.
| Time slot | Crowd | Photo quality | Recommended for |
|---|
| 10-11am (first entry) | Low | Flat but clear | Families with kids |
| 2-4pm | Medium | Harsh | Skip if possible |
| Sunset -30 min | Very high | Golden hour | Book 2-3 weeks ahead |
| After 9pm | Medium | Skyline lights | Romantic / couples |
| 11pm-last entry | Low | Lights only | Solo travellers, photographers |
Sunset times shift wildly. In December sunset is 4:30pm; in June it is 8:30pm. Check the exact time for your date before booking — you want entry roughly 45 minutes before sunset to see day-to-night.
Observation Deck Showdown
NYC has four major observation decks in 2026. You probably only need one.
| Deck | Price | Best for | Weakness |
|---|
| Empire State (86th) | $44 | The building itself, open-air | Cannot see the Empire State in your photos |
| Top of the Rock | $45 | Photos of Empire State + Central Park | Slightly lower, indoor lifts |
| One World Observatory | $48 | Height (1,776 ft), downtown | Fully enclosed, further south |
| Summit One Vanderbilt | $49 | Mirrored art installation, Insta | Disorienting, no historic charm |
| The Edge (Hudson Yards) | $46 | Outdoor glass triangle | Windy, not central |
Combo Tickets & Fast Passes
- CityPASS New York ($146 adult): includes Empire State Main Deck plus 4 other attractions. Worth it if you visit 3+ included sites.
- New York Pass (from $159/day): 100+ attractions, pays off at 3-4 visits per day.
- Empire State + Circle Line cruise combo ($89): direct-booked, saves about $15.
- Express Pass upgrade (+$66): worth it only on peak sunset slots during July, August and Christmas week.
If you only visit the Empire State Building, skip the passes. A single direct ticket is cheaper and comes with the same museum and lobby access.
What to Wear (Especially Winter)
The 86th-floor deck is open air at 1,050 feet above 5th Avenue. Temperature is typically 10-15 F colder than street level, and wind can hit 30-40 mph on gusty days.
- November-March: heavy coat, beanie, gloves, closed shoes. Scarves can blow away — secure them.
- April and October: a fleece or puffer is enough for the 20-30 minutes most people last outside.
- Summer: light layer. Surprisingly breezy even in July; a t-shirt alone can feel chilly at sunset.
- Rain / fog days: the deck stays open but visibility drops to zero above 30th floor. Check the live cam on the official site before heading over.
Large bags, tripods and selfie sticks are banned. Small cameras and phones are fine. Security is airport-style: allow 15 minutes from entrance to deck even with no line.