What is the Empire State Building like in the morning?

Every time I visit New York, I make it a point to visit the city’s main observatories: the spectacular Top of the Rock, the iconic Empire State Building, and One World Observatory. Seeing New York from these vantage points is simply breathtaking. You take in all the neighborhoods you’ve explored and truly grasp the scale of this extraordinary city.
But during my September 2017 visit, I decided to break my routine. Instead of heading to the Empire State Building in late afternoon to watch the sun set over Midtown and the Chrysler Building, I went at opening time, 8 am. By the time I walked down Fifth Avenue, I arrived at the Empire State Building around 8:30 am.

The morning advantage

Visiting the Empire State Building summit in the morning, before 10 am, offers two major benefits:

• First, there’s virtually no line at the entrance. I reached the ticket counter in 5 minutes and showed my New York Explorer Pass. With ticket in hand, I rushed to the elevators expecting crowds there too—but found none. I went straight to the top.
• Second, as you can see in the photo above, the morning view south over Manhattan, the Financial District, and the Statue of Liberty is simply stunning. The sun illuminates the south perfectly, and there’s nothing quite like having One World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty bathed in light. Compared to the Top of the Rock, which I also love, the view of lower Manhattan is remarkably similar from here.

The morning drawback

The view of Midtown and the Chrysler Building is less impressive in the morning because the sun is behind them, as you’ll see in the photos below.

So which time should you go?

If you’re deciding between morning and afternoon, here’s my recommendation:

• On your first New York visit, go to the Top of the Rock in the morning to catch the sun on the Empire State Building and southern Manhattan, then visit the Empire State Building in the afternoon for Midtown in sunlight. This way you’ll see both perspectives at their best.
• On your second, third, or subsequent visit, do the Empire State Building in the morning. You’ve likely already seen it in the afternoon on previous trips, so the change of scenery is worth it.

Getting there

• Address: 338-350 Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Street, New York.
• Hours: Open daily from 8 am to 2 am. The last elevator to the summit departs at 1:15 am.
• Tickets: You can book Empire State Building tickets in advance. Note that admission is also included in all New York City tourist passes.