Empire State Building

An Icon of New York City, the Empire State Building is a must see

Empire State Building-Look Up-Way Up
Empire State Building-Look Up-Way Up cc licensed photo by alistairmcmillan

Completed in 1930, the Empire State Building is a world-famous Big Apple icon and is a must-see on any visitor's itinerary. Standing 1,250 feet tall, the 102-storey Art Deco skyscraper is once again the tallest building of the New York City skyline, following the destruction of the World Trade Center during the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001.

One of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World", the Empire State Building is not only a New York landmark, it symbolises twentieth century man's attempts to break down barriers and achieve the unachievable.

You can visit the Empire State Building's Observatory on the 86th floor for a 360 degree panoramic view of the city from the spacious outdoor promenade and climate controlled glass-enclosed area. The 102nd floor offers a second, fully enclosed observation deck opened in 2005; any higher and you would be swinging like King Kong from the building's enormous spire, originally designed as a mooring mast that would enable airships, but deemed impractical after the Hindenberg disaster. Remember to take the weather into account when planning your visit; clear, dry days offer optimal viewing when you can see the Earth's arc on the horizon.

With ticket lines almost as legendary as the building, save time by buying your ticket online and consider splurging on an Express Pass to proceed directly to the high-speed elevators where you will be whisked 1,050 feet upwards in under a minute. Be prepared for a security check and to carry any items you bring into the building as there is no coat or luggage check. Cameras and camcorders are permitted, but tripods are not.

Once on the observation deck you'll want to take lots of photos and enjoy the breathtaking views. There is a false urban legend circulating that if one drops a penny from the top of the Empire State Building, it could kill someone below. Thankfully, that has been proven false by the Discovery Channel's Mythbusters, however, it is illegal and can incur a hefty fine for anyone silly enough to do so.

Nearby attractions: Madison Square Garden, Macy's and the New York Public Library

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes.

Empire State Building Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Thursday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Address: 20 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA

Phone: (212) 736-3100

Official Website: Empire State Building

Empire State Building Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating No queue, went up in the evening and saw the city lit up at night. Brilliant 360 degree views, fantastic staff and great experience. The lift is under a minute and very smooth, if like me you don't like heights or lifts, you will be fine. Museum is interesting. We bought the digital photo package as a group and split the cost, it was good value as we received lots of photos.
Amy-Jo Battersby - 2 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating Visiting the Empire State Building was an unforgettable experience! The entire process, from entry to the observation decks, was well-organized and smooth. The staff was friendly and helpful, making everything easy and enjoyable. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking—you can see the entire New York City skyline, including Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and beyond. Whether during the day or at sunset, the scenery is magical. It’s a must-visit attraction in NYC, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to experience the city from a whole new perspective!
Precision Floors Installations - in the last week

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5 Star Rating An incredible experience! We bought tickets for the sunset - I`ve been on another skyscraper during the day and it was not so impressive. I guess we were lucky - when we arrived there was no line. There is a room with videos of the films filmed at the Empire. There is also a wall of celebrities been here. The platform is an open space and it was very cold this February when we visited. However they have installed heaters that make the experience much better. And inside there was a guitar player who made our evening so nice. The night view over NY is simply...I am speechless. Before you leave the facility they offer you make a survey and you get a souvenir bag as a gift.
Яна Торбова - a week ago

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5 Star Rating I visited the Empire State Building on a Wednesday night with a group of friends for Sunset and had a wonderful time. Our group bought tickets in advance and there were no lines and wait time was not long at all. The hosts are very welcoming and are happy to answer any questions that you have. We really enjoyed the exhibits showing blue prints of the Empire State Building and reading about the history and construction in the 1930s. We also had fun taking pictures with King Kong and looking at photos of celebrities who visited the building in the past. When we arrived to the 81st and 86th floors we were stunned by the views of New York City. My favorite views were the Chrysler Building and looking west during Sunset.
James Carlson - in the last week

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5 Star Rating A must do while in NY. The building itself is absolutely perfect. Well maintained and so beautiful. The staff really nice and very professional. We loved the vue from up there and the souvenir shop is amazing. We also appreciated a lot the historic part of the visit and the entertainment one. The visit was very well conceived to be a whole experience not just a simple sightseeing which justifies the cost. Very well done.
Joana Marya - a month ago

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Directions

Subway Line Nearest Station Walking Time
1, 2, 3, A, C or E34th Street / Penn Station5 minutes
B, D, F, N, Q or R34th Street / Avenue of the Americas2 minutes

How to get to Empire State Building by Subway

Take the 1, 2, 3, A, C or E train to 34th Street / Penn Station, walk 2 blocks east to 5th Avenue or take B, D, F, M, N, Q or R train to 34th Street / Harald Square, walk 1 block east to 5th Avenue.

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