Plan Your Visit to the Iconic Empire State Building in New York
Ranked number one on America’s Favorite Architecture list, the Empire State Building is a 102-storeyed architectural marvel located in Midtown Manhattan with observatory points that offer a 360-degree view of the stunning New York skyline.
Stay on this page to know more about how to visit the Empire State Building, what to see, what the best time to visit is, facilities available, and more.
Empire State Building Opening Hours
Timings: Open from 9 AM to 11 PM daily. Please note that the timings vary throughout the year.
Closed: The Empire State Building is open throughout the year.
Last Admission: Last entry is 45 minutes before closing time.
Empire State Building TimingsBest Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Empire State Building is, without a doubt, during sunset. You get to soak in the best views of the New York skyline during this time but keep in mind that this it is also the most crowded at this time. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, plan your visit around 9 AM, after the attraction opens. Additionally, weekends are far more crowded than weekdays.
The best season to visit the Empire State Building is in spring, when the weather is pleasant and crowds are lesser. If you can handle the cold, winter is also a good time to visit the attraction without too many people. Avoid public holidays and festive seasons like Christmas.
How to Get to the Empire State Building?
By Public Transport
Subway:
- Take a train from lines 123 or ACE alight at Penn Station. The Empire State Building is a 5-minute walk from the station.
- Take a train from NQRW or BDFM lines and get off at Herald Square Station. The Empire State Building entrance is a 5-minute walk from the station.
- Take a train from 456 or 7 lines and get off at Grand Central Terminal. The entrance of the attraction is a 10-minute walk from the station.
Train: Catch a train from Harlem, Hudson, Montauk Branch, Port Jefferson Branch, or Port Washington Branch lines and get down at 34 Street - Penn Station. The attraction is a 7-minute walk from the station.
Bus: Take the BM2, BXM1, BXM4, M2, M34-SBS, Q32, QM10, QM18, QM20, or X37 buses and get off at 5 Av/W 35 St stop. The Empire State Building is about a minute’s walk from the bus stop.
By Car
You can drive down or hire a car to reach the Empire State Building. There are parking facilities available nearby. Alternatively, you can take an Uber or Lyft or any cab to reach the attraction.
Parking facilities:
- AZ Parking on West 33rd Street (456 m) - Find on Maps
- 8 E 33rd Street (416 m) - Find on Maps
- Aero Parking Garage (800 m) - Find on Maps
- Meyers Parking System, Inc. (200 m) - Find on Maps
You can also find free parking near the Empire State Building on Sundays as well as on weekdays post 6 PM.
Know Before You Go
- Cloakrooms: Do not carry large bags as there are no cloakrooms or storage facilities available.
- Gift Shops: Shop for souvenirs, merchandise, and memorabilia from the Empire State Building Store
- Restrooms: There are restrooms located on the 86th floor of the building. Washrooms are also available at different locations inside the building.
- Restaurants: There are restaurants and eateries inside the Empire State Building for visitors to grab a bite.
- The Empire State Building is wheelchair-friendly.
- Both motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs are permitted inside the building.
- There are ramps across the building to make the use of wheelchairs easier and more convenient.
- The main entrance on 20 West 34th Street is handicap-accessible.
- The attraction also has handicap-accessible restrooms on the 86th Floor Observatory.
- Viewing walls and binoculars have also been lowered to make the experience of their visit easy and comfortable.
- Service dogs are allowed in all sections of the building.
- Strollers are allowed inside the Empire State Building but ensure that you fold them up in the observatory areas.
- Kid-friendly restrooms and washrooms are available on the second floor and the 86th Floor Observatory.
- The toilets on the second floor are equipped with baby changing facilities.
- The restaurants inside and near the Empire State Building are family-friendly and suitable for kids too.
- Do not carry any glass items, markers, alcohol, professional cameras and equipment, large bags and luggage, sports equipment, costume masks, and musical instruments to the observation deck.
- Baby strollers must be folded before getting inside the elevator and at the observation decks.
- Knives, fireworks, or any kind of weapons are strictly prohibited.
- Visitors are responsible for their own belongings because there are no locker facilities available inside the attraction.
- Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside the Empire State Building.
- Photography is allowed but make sure you are not carrying any tripods or heavy and large camera equipment.
- STATE Grill & Bar: Enjoy a modern American breakfast, lunch, or dinner at this restaurant that serves a wide selection of salads, appetizers, entrees, and sides.
- Tacombi: Head to Tacombi for a delicious Mexican spread, margaritas, and crunchy tacos made sustainably using fresh ingredients free of additives and preservatives.
- Starbucks: Walk in at the good ol’ Starbucks for your caffeine fill. Enjoy a cup of coffee along with something to munch on while exploring the attraction.
- Sushi-Teria: If you love sushi, Sushi-Teria is the place you need to visit. It is known for its creative and exotic varieties of sushi and salads making it an ideal spot for a quick brunch.
Visit the official Empire State Building store on the second floor of the building to get your hands on souvenirs, gifts, and some ESB merch!
You can also visit the online store to shop for a wide range of collectable items!
Empire State Building Shop
Budget:
- The Americana Inn (600m) - Find on Maps
- Midtown West Hotel (1.1 km) - Find on Maps
Mid-Range:
- The Hotel at Fifth Avenue (230m) - Find on Maps
- Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Times Square South (450m) - Find on Maps
Luxury:
- Hyatt Herald Square New York (350m) - Find on Maps
- The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue (260m) - Find on Maps
- The Museum of Modern Art: One of the leading modern art museums in the world, The Museum of Modern Art is home to over 200,000 artworks by celebrated artists like Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and more.
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum: The 9/11 Memorial & Museum commemorates the tragic events of September 11, 2001, that continue to haunt those who survived the attack as well as the citizens of New York City.
- SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is New York’s newest observation deck offering one of the largest and most immersive art experiences in the world.
There are four entrance gates to the Empire State Building. However, observatory visitors are only allowed to enter the attraction through the entrance located on 20 West 34th Street.
The other entrance gates located on Fifth Avenue, 33rd Street, and 34th Street are reserved for tenants and their visitors or guests.
What’s Inside the Empire State Building?
Main Deck 86th Floor Observatory
Enjoy 360-degree views of the New York skyline from the observatory on the 86th Floor of the Empire State Building. Spot iconic landmarks like Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Hudson River, Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building, Times Square, The Statue of Liberty, and more from the highest open-air observatory in New York City. Several movies have been shot here. The main deck is paradise for photographers, especially during sunset.
Empire State Building Observation Decks
Top Deck 102nd Floor Observatory
The observatory deck on the 102nd Floor offers even better views of New York City, albeit from within a glass enclosure. Enjoy aerial views of famous landmarks like Central Park, the New York streets, several skyscrapers, and more. On a clear day, visitors can see views that are about 80 miles away and include the six states of New York - Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
Exhibits on the 2nd & 80th Floors
Learn about the history of New York and how the Empire State Building was constructed at the various exhibits located on the 2nd and 80th floors of the attraction. The exhibits include black and white photographs of the initial construction stages, a model of the building’s original mast car that would ferry people to the different floors, and newspaper prints, among other things.
Empire State Building Exhibits
Restaurants
Enjoy a nice meal at the restaurants or grab a quick bite before or after your tour at the fast food joints located on the ground floor of the Empire State Building. STATE Grill & Bar is ideal for a modern American breakfast, lunch, or dinner while Tacombi is where you head for tacos and other Mexican dishes. Grab a coffee from Starbucks or something to munch on from Chipotle or Chop’t. Do not miss out on the wide array of sushi from Sushi-Teria.
Empire State Building Restaurants
Gift Shop
There is a gift shop located inside the Empire State Building from where you can shop for souvenirs, merchandise, and other memorabilia. Find a wide range of t-shirts, King Kong merchandise, books, posters, stationery, toys, games, keychains, magnets, mugs, snow globes, and so much more. Take a piece of New York City with you by purchasing gifts and souvenirs from the shops inside the building.
Empire State Building StoreBook Your Empire State Building Tickets
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting the Empire State Building
Yes, the Empire State Building is open to visitors. Book your tickets to visit this iconic attraction.
You should visit the Empire State Building to admire its Art Deco Modernist architecture. View the exhibits showcasing the history of New York and the construction of the building on the 2nd and 80th floors. Soak in 360-degree views of the New York skyline from the observatory decks on the 86th and 102nd floors.
No, you will have to purchase tickets to visit the Empire State Building. Click here to book your tickets.
You can book your tickets to visit the Empire State Building online.
The Empire State Building tickets are priced at $44 and upwards.
The Empire State Building is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
The best time to visit the Empire State Building is during sunset as it offers unparalleled 360-degree views of the New York skyline. The best season to visit would be spring or the winter season (except Christmas).
The Empire State Building is open from 11 AM to 9 PM throughout the week.
Yes, you can visit the Empire State Building in a group.
Yes, you can visit the Empire State Building with kids. Baby-changing facilities and restrooms are available inside the building.
Yes, the Empire State Building is wheelchair friendly.
Yes, you can buy food and drinks or dine at any of the restaurants inside the Empire State Building.
Make sure you set aside at least 2 hours for your visit to the Empire State Building.
Yes, visiting the Empire State Building is worth it because it offers spectacular views of Manhattan and the New York skyline. There are various exhibits showcasing the initial stages of its construction and just how much the city of New York has changed over several decades.
