Empire State Building Tickets in New York

What You Need to Know About the Empire State Building

• The Empire State Building is New York‘s most famous skyscraper. Located on Fifth Avenue in the heart of Manhattan, this iconic building opened on May 1, 1931, inaugurated by U.S. President Herbert Hoover. Here’s a fun fact: Hoover performed the opening ceremony from Washington by simply pressing a button to light up the building.
• Construction began on September 17, 1930. The cornerstone was laid with a silver trowel in front of nearly 5,000 people. The building was completed in just 410 days, ahead of schedule. However, following the 1929 stock market crash, many companies quickly abandoned their offices in the building. New Yorkers nicknamed it the “Empty State Building.”
• The Empire State Building has 102 floors and stands 443 m (1,454 ft) tall. It’s no longer New York’s tallest building. That title went to One World Trade Center in May 2013, which reaches 541 m (1,776 ft). Still, the Empire State Building held the world’s tallest building record from 1931 to 1967, when Moscow’s Ostankino Tower at 537 m (1,762 ft) surpassed it.
• The Empire State Building remains one of New York’s most iconic buildings. Its distinctive silhouette appears throughout the city with unmistakable elegance.
• The building is also a movie star, appearing in several Hollywood films. You’ll see it in the classic King Kong and in The Day After Tomorrow, when the hurricane’s eye strikes New York. It’s central to Independence Day and marks the final scene of Sleepless in Seattle. Revisit these classics!

What to See in the Empire State Building

• The Empire State Building’s observation deck is one of New York’s top attractions. From the 86th-floor platform, you’ll enjoy sweeping views across the city.
• The main observation deck is on the 86th floor, 320 m (1,050 ft) high. A second deck sits on the 102nd floor, 373 m (1,224 ft) up. The outdoor terrace on the 86th floor offers plenty to see. If you can, go higher to the 102nd floor—it’s the building’s highest point and has been completely redesigned.
• Before heading to the top, take time to appreciate the Art Deco style of the corridors. The elevator doors are equally striking.
• The building also houses a museum that tells the story of its construction and history. Modernized in 2019, it includes a surprise encounter with King Kong himself. Plan time to explore the museum before taking the elevators to the top.
• The building’s exterior lighting changes regularly for different events. It glows yellow and white in spring and at Easter, red and green during the winter holidays, and red, white, and blue for Independence Day. This tradition began on July 4, 1976, marking 200 years of American independence, when the building was lit in the colors of the American flag. The success led to using different color schemes for other occasions. Check the lighting calendar.

Famous Facts About the Empire State Building

• Did you know the building weighs 365,000 tons—equivalent to about 2,300 whales, over 1,000 Boeing 777s, or 36 times the Eiffel Tower?
• Many celebrities have visited the building’s top. Recent visitors include Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Novak Djokovic, Penélope Cruz, Roger Federer, and Tom Cruise. Perhaps you’ve crossed paths with them!
• On clear days, you can see five states from the observation deck: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
• For the romantic at heart, hundreds of couples have married at the top of the building. The first wedding ceremony took place on Valentine’s Day in 1994.
• Each year, the building hosts a unique stair-climbing race, the Empire State Building Run-Up. The challenge: be the first to climb the 1,576 steps to the 86th-floor observation deck. The men’s record, held since 2003 by Australian Paul Crake, is 9 minutes and 33 seconds. Austrian Andrea Mayr holds the women’s record at 11 minutes and 23 seconds. Interested in competing? Contact the New York Road Runners Club at +1 (212) 423-2221.

Visiting the Empire State Building

• Address: 338-350 Fifth Avenue, New York. The building is located between 33rd and 34th Streets.
• Hours: Hours vary by season. In summer, the building is open daily from 9 am to midnight. The last elevator to the top departs at 11:15 pm. Winter hours are more limited.
• Reservations: You can book tickets in advance. Pre-purchased tickets let you skip the ticket line and go straight to the elevator queue. You’ll have access to the main observation deck on the 86th floor.
• Tip: Admission is included in all major tourist passes, starting with the New York City Pass, the only pass offering two visits—one during the day and one in the evening. The building is also featured in the Explorer Pass, the New York Pass, and the Pass C3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visitor Reviews

• Sophie D.: “The Empire State Building is a magnificent structure. The Art Deco style of the building is unmatched! Even though it’s now surpassed in height, it hasn’t lost its elegance!”
• Sandie B.-D.: “To avoid the lines, we went right when it opened! And remember, even if it’s warm outside, it’s much colder at the top!”
• Aline N.-C.: “I loved it, though I was a bit nervous in the elevator. It goes up incredibly fast, but the view is worth it.”
• Olivier T.: “Go up an hour before sunset. You’ll see the city by day, at sunset, and at night.”
• Carole G.: “Visit in late afternoon to catch the sunset and watch the city light up. It’s magical!”
• Johan: “The Empire is an architectural gem!”

Reviews from our Destination New York Facebook group

The 86th-Floor Observation Deck in Video

The Observatory Museum in Video

Empire State Building Photos

Map

Empire State Building by the Numbers