Climb to the top of the Empire State Building by stairs!
Want to peek behind the scenes of the Empire State Building? We highly recommend taking the stairs. Here's what awaits you...
To reach the observation deck at the Empire State Building, you’ll take an elevator to the 80th floor. From there, you have two choices: take another elevator to the observation platform on the 86th floor, or climb the stairs to finish the ascent.
I’ve done both on my last two visits, and I’d really recommend taking the stairs. The elevator is easier, of course, but the stairwell lets you see a lesser-known side of the Empire State Building.
Behind the scenes at the Empire State Building
You’ll step into a completely different world—far from the Art Deco grandeur of the main lobby and public areas. These stairs are purely functional, with no decoration. White brick lines the walls, and you can climb at your own pace in a relaxed atmosphere. You’ll feel like you’re exploring the building’s inner workings, with red and blue pipes running everywhere. 🙂
To come back down, you must use the elevators to keep visitor traffic from getting tangled in the stairwell. So don’t skip the climb up!
Empire State Building stairs in video
Book your Empire State Building tickets
- To book your admission tickets, visit the page for Empire State Building tickets.
- Note that admission to the Empire State Building is included in all New York tourist passes: the New York City Pass, the New York Explorer Pass, and the New York Pass.