Attraction
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met on Fifth Avenue is one of the world's great encyclopaedic art museums, spanning five thousand years of art from every corner of the globe.
Empire State Building
The 1931 Art Deco tower on Fifth Avenue remains Midtown's defining skyscraper, with two observation decks and exhibits on the building's history.
At a glance
- Type
- Skyscraper and observatory
- Area
- Midtown, New York, United States
- Official site
- esbnyc.com
Good to know
- 86th-floor open-air deck
- Enclosed 102nd-floor deck
- Exhibits
- Open late
Why we recommend it
Completed in 1931, the Empire State Building is the Art Deco tower that defines the Midtown skyline, and its observatories remain one of the classic New York experiences. The building rose remarkably quickly during the Depression and held the title of the world's tallest for decades. Today the visit is as much about the story of the building as the view from the top.
The observatory entrance is at 20 West 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Before going up, visitors pass through a series of exhibits on the tower's construction, its place in films and its role in the city. Lifts then take you to the 86th floor, where the main open-air deck wraps around the building and gives views in every direction: down Fifth Avenue to Lower Manhattan, across to the Hudson and East Rivers, and north towards Central Park. For a higher, quieter outlook, the enclosed 102nd-floor observatory can be added to your ticket, with a second lift climbing the final sixteen floors.
Opening hours vary with the season, so check the official site for your date. In late autumn the building generally opens in the morning and closes late in the evening, with last entry about an hour before closing. Sunset slots are the most popular and sell out first. Visiting later at night often means shorter queues and the city lit up below, while early mornings are another quiet option.
Allow around one and a half to two hours including security and the exhibits, longer at busy times. The open-air deck can be windy and cold in winter, so bring a warm layer. A visit pairs well with Top of the Rock: the Empire State Building offers the classic panorama, while Top of the Rock gives the best view of the Empire State Building itself. Accessibility information is published on the official website.
The nearest subway stations are 34th Street–Herald Square on the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R and W lines and 34th Street–Penn Station on the 1, 2, 3, A, C and E lines, both about five minutes' walk away. Grand Central is about ten minutes on foot. Koreatown, Macy's at Herald Square and Keens Steakhouse are all within a few blocks.
Empire State Building FAQs
Where is the observatory entrance?
At 20 West 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
Which floors are the observation decks on?
The main open-air deck is on the 86th floor; the enclosed 102nd-floor observatory can be added to your ticket.
What are the opening hours?
They vary by season, so check the official site for your date; the building usually stays open into the late evening.
When is the best time to visit?
Sunset is the most popular slot and sells out first; late evening and early morning tend to be quieter.
How long does a visit take?
Allow about one and a half to two hours including security, the exhibits and the decks.
Which subway stations are nearest?
34th Street–Herald Square (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W) and 34th Street–Penn Station (1, 2, 3, A, C, E), each about five minutes' walk.
Is the 86th-floor deck outdoors?
Yes. It is an open-air deck that wraps around the building, so dress for the weather.