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Empire State Building Observation Deck

Take in stunning 360-degree views of Central Park, the Hudson and East rivers, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and much more from the vantage point of the Empire State Building's famous 86th Floor Observation Deck, set 1,050 feet above the bustling streets of New York City. Upgrade your visit with a trip to the 102nd Floor Observation Deck or skip the lines with the Express Ticket for an additional fee. See why travelers voted this icon the #1 Attraction in the United States in Tripadvisor's Best of the Best Awards.

Travelers Choice 2022-2024

New York CityPASS includes:

AM/PM Experience – Entry includes the 86th Floor Observation Deck and 2nd Floor Museum, plus bonus same-night general admission.

New York C3 includes:

86th Floor Observation Deck Admission — Entry includes the 2nd Floor Museum. (Sunset upgrades available during reservation process.)

New York C-All includes:

86th Floor Observation Deck Admission — Entry includes the 2nd Floor Museum. (Sunset upgrades available during reservation process.)

Highlights

  1. 01.

    Take in panoramic views of up to six states from the 86th floor’s 360-degree open-air promenade (heated for comfort) or from climate-controlled viewing galleries; high-powered binoculars are available free of charge.

  2. 02.

    Don't miss the immersive exhibit galleries on the 2nd floor. Watch the New York City streets of the late 1920s come to life in full color; see highlights of the Empire State Building’s starring role in pop culture through the decades; experience a close encounter with King Kong (you can even step into his hands!), and more.

  3. 03.

    Check out the grand staircase featuring a two-story built-to-scale architectural model of the building, and get a glimpse of the high-tech LED exhibit that celebrates lighting ceremonies performed by famous guests.

Visit Empire State Building Observation Deck with CityPASS® Tickets

CityPASS® tickets offer multiple great ways to see Empire State Building Observation Deck. No matter which you choose, you'll save.

Advice for Visitors

Tips

The few hours before sunset are typically the least crowded. During busy times, you may encounter a line outside the front door. For comfort and security, there’s a limit on the number of people waiting inside at one time. Once inside, proceed directly to the elevator lines.

Visitors to the Observation Deck can access free Wi-Fi onsite.

Check current views when planning your visit. Rain checks are not available due to inclement weather once your CityPASS reservation barcode has been scanned.

Learn more on the CityPASS Blog about what you'll experience at the Empire State Building Observation Deck.

Attraction Features

Amenities

Dining: Choose from eight in-building dining options, offering food and beverages for every appetite and occasion.

Shopping: Visit the Empire State Building Store for souvenirs, building memorabilia, and themed merchandise.

Accessibility

The Empire State Building is fully ADA compliant, with handicapped restrooms on the 86th Floor Observation Deck. Service dogs are allowed throughout the building. Motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs are permitted. The 86th floor has ramps to make getting around easier and lowered viewing walls so that visitors in chairs can still take in the view. Visit the Empire State Building’s website for more information on services for guests with specific needs.

Parking/Transportation

Get directions and information on public transportation.

Offers & Upgrades

15% Off Your Purchase

Take 15% off at Showtime Pictures and The Empire State Building Store.

102nd Floor Observation Deck

Venture up the Empire State Building’s mast in a glass elevator as you approach the newly renovated 102nd Floor Observation Deck, featuring 360-degree views through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Purchase onsite from 86th floor kiosks. Cost: $35-$38 depending on date and time of visit.

Express Pass

Get to the top faster with an Express Pass! Purchase from an official Empire State Building employee at the onsite ticket office on the day of arrival to move to the front of each line. Cost for CityPASS guests: $41. Please note: Street sales agents outside of the building are not employed by the Empire State Building Observation Deck and are not authorized to sell Express upgrades.

Sunset Upgrade

C3® Ticket Holders: Visiting at sunset? Purchase your sunset upgrade when making your reservation in the My CityPASS app. Does not apply to New York CityPASS tickets, which include sunset hours.

Contact Information & Hours

  • Empire State Building Observation Deck
  • 20 W. 34th St.
  • New York, NY 10118
  • Sep 8-Oct 4 10am-11pm
  • Oct 5-8 10am-10pm
  • Oct 9-15 9am-10pm
  • Oct 16-Nov 1 9am-11pm
  • Nov 2-5 10am-10pm
  • Nov 6-8 9am-10pm
  • Nov 9-12 10am-10pm
  • Nov 13-15 9am-10pm
  • Nov 16-20 10am-10pm
  • Nov 21-Nov 23 9am-10pm
  • Nov 24-2610am-10pm
  • Nov 27-309am-11pm
  • Dec 1-4 10am-10pm
  • Dec 5-7 9am-10pm
  • Dec 8-11 10am-10pm
  • Dec 12-14 9am-10pm
  • Dec 15-17 10am-10pm
  • Dec 18-22 9am-1am
  • Dec 23-30 8am-1am
  • Dec 31 8am-11pm

Last Entry: 45 minutes before closing

Hours vary; check the schedule when planning your visit.

New York CityPASS tickets include a same-night bonus visit during the final three hours of operation.

Evan Joseph

Evan Joseph

Read reviews from CityPASS® travelers.

New York CityPASS
Lovin' the Big Apple
This was our first time using a CityPASS. We were planning our trip when we saw several activity passes for New York. This was the best option for us since we were only staying for 5 days. When we got to the various attractions, we compared prices. We saved a lot! I've now recommended this pass to friends who plan a trip to the Big Apple. We would definitely buy one again when we visit another big city.
New York CityPASS
A great way to view the wonderful city of New York on a budget! My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed all of our days out on this pass and were impressed with the amount we saved, leaving me more money to shop with!!
5 Star Experience!
My family just returned from our wonderful trip in New York City and this pass made it able to see all of the famous attractions in little time and for a wonderful price. I would DEFINITELY recommend this pass to anyone who wants to see more... For less!
New York CityPASS
Totally worth it! Saved us a lot of time and energy! In the city that never sleeps, every minute counts!!!
Great buy!
We loved the city pass! It allowed for flexibility in our days as well as allowed us to feel like we got our money's worth, without the pressure of feeling like we needed to stay in each museum or landmark all day. I will definitely continue to use CityPASS for the cities where available.
New York CityPASS is rated 4.5 out of 5 by 19182.
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Easy, convenient and great value We had a great experience with our New York CityPASS! The tickets were easy to use, activating them went smoothly, and it was a convenient and affordable way to see several of New York's top attractions without the hassle of buying separate tickets. We would definitely recommend CityPASS to friends and family, and we'd happily use it again on a future trip.
Date published: 2026-10-24
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Excellent value New York CityPASS was excellent. Helped save a lot on FX fees and upfront cost.
Date published: 2026-10-23
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The best NYC deal There really is no good reason not to purchase a CityPASS. It has all the popular and purposeful stops to make in NYC and it so much less expensive!
Date published: 2026-10-21
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Amazing sights! We bought CityPASS tickets for our 4 day trip to New York and they were great value, saved us some dollars on entrance fees, they were easy to use. We chose 149 dollar tickets and got five top attractions. Tickets came through fast and were very easy to use wherever we went. I would certainly recommend and will use CityPASS again as once to The Big Apple is never enough.
Date published: 2026-10-21
Rated 5 out of 5 by from A truly magical trip to NYC The CityPASS was excellent value for money for us, so easy to use and access tickets. Very simple to change times and dates of bookings too, which was useful when we had a rainy day and wanted to change our plans for an indoor activity. We also booked a city cruise after seeing it on the CityPASS options list, which is something we hadn’t considered when looking at individual tickets, and it turned out to be one of our favourite trips of the holiday.
Date published: 2026-10-20
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All images courtesy of Empire State Realty Trust