The Empire State Building is a leading New York City attraction, offering a range of visitor experiences and ticket options. Here is how to plan a perfect visit, what to expect, and insider tips of the number one attraction in the USA in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Traveler’s Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do.
Empire State Building Observatory Tickets
The Empire State Building offers several ticket options designed to accommodate different visitor preferences and itineraries. From Flex Tickets allowing all-day entry to All-Access Tours or Premium experiences with special amenities, purchase tickets for the Empire State Building Observatory online through the official website or onsite at the ticket office located at 12 W 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
The 86th Floor Observatory ticket grants access to the immersive museum and iconic 86th Floor Observatory, where you can take in the unmatched view of New York City.
The 86th and 102nd Floor Observatory ticket includes access to the museum along with both the 86th and 102nd Floor Observatories.
For a more exclusive visit, the Premium Experience tickets include additional benefits like skip-the-line access, priority elevator service, and access to exclusive areas not available to regular ticket holders. It also includes a Champagne toast in the celebrity green room, an All-Access Tour of behind-the-scenes, and a sunrise visit to the 86th Floor Observatory, where guests can enjoy a cup of ESB Microblend from the building’s Starbucks Reserve.
Special Ongoing Display
A rare piece of American history, an 1818 facsimile of the Declaration of Independence printed on silk, was recently unveiled on the 80th floor of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience. The piece, one of only four or five silk copies of the first facsimile to show the signatures of the engrossed Declaration, traces back to calligrapher Benjamin Owen Tyler, who created a decorative copy of the Declaration following the War of 1812. His subscription book was signed by prominent figures including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Quincy Adams, among others. The new display celebrates 250 years of America and gives visitors from around the world an opportunity to encounter a piece connected to the country’s founding ideals from inside one of its most recognizable landmarks. The artifact is now on display on the Observation Deck Experience’s 80th floor and is included with regular admission. It will remain on display through October 4.
Best Times to Visit
The Empire State Building Observatory Experience offers different viewing options throughout the day, from early-morning visits to sunset views. During the winter months, the 86th Floor Observation Deck features wraparound outdoor heaters, while the 102nd Floor Observation Deck is enclosed and temperature-controlled, providing comfortable options for families with little kids as well as ageing adults.
How Much Time to Plan for Your Visit
The length of your visit at the Empire State Building depends on how much time guests choose to spend exploring the Observatories and the museum. The average visit lasts between one and two hours, but stay longer to spot New York City’s landmarks within the 360-degree views and see six states from the 102nd Floor Observatory.