Empire State Building Tours

Empire State Building featuring a city
Choose one or more items to build your trip:
No trip to New Yorkis complete without zooming up the top of this iconic building, where the viewsof Manhattan are unmatchable.

The Empire StateBuilding is a world-famous landmark, synonymous with New York. It’s renowned asa backdrop in films such as “An Affair to Remember,” “King Kong,” and“Sleepless in Seattle.” In fact, it’s one of the city’s most significant andromantic skyscrapers.

Officially opened in1931, the Empire State Building took over the Chrysler Building’s title astallest in the world, a record it had held for 40 years. New York owes its“Empire State” nickname to the building, which is to New York what the EiffelTower is to Paris, or the Space Needle is to Seattle. The building, animpressive 1,453 feet tall including the broadcast tower, offers views ofManhattan’s twinkling lights from two observatories. One platform is on the86th floor and there’s another at the very top level on the 102nd floor, rightunder the broadcast tower with its 1454-foot antenna. On the way to theobservatories, be sure to spend time in the Dare to Dream 80th Floor Exhibit.This permanent display includes photographs, construction notes, andinformation on the building’s engineering.

At the 86th floor,take a walk along the open-air promenade for spectacular views of Midtown,Lower Manhattan and Central Park. On a clearday, it’s possible to see as far as New Jersey and Connecticut. Pop a quarteror two in the old-fashioned binoculars for a close-up peek of nearbyattractions, including Bryant Park and Times Square.

The 102nd floorobservatory is the highest public point in New York. The enclosed viewing areais ideal if you’re visiting in winter.

TheEmpire State Building is located in Midtown, Manhattan, in the heart of thecity, easily accessible by bus, subway or rail. The two observatories are opento the public 365 days a year. Lines for the ticket office and elevators can belong, so it’s wise to buy tickets on the Empire State Building’s official website.Wedding proposals aren’t uncommon, and a saxophone player sometimes serenadeslovebirds visiting the 86th floor.

Plan a trip to see Empire State Building

The Westin New York Grand Central
The William Vale
Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Browse tours and tickets to explore Empire State Building

Reviews of Empire State Building

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
4664
" "5 - Excellent 58.70358716173694%
4 - Good
2543
" "4 - Good 32.00755191944619%
3 - Okay
615
" "3 - Okay 7.740717432347388%
2 - Disappointing
69
" "2 - Disappointing 0.868470736312146%
1 - Terrible
54
" "1 - Terrible 0.6796727501573316%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 24, 2020

Sunset from the 86th floor is the best!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 9, 2020

The tour guide was helpful on tour.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 12, 2020

Pay the money for tye 102 panarama view! Totally worth it as long as you are not afraid of heights.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 26, 2019

Actually could see from my window, but views are typically N.Y. restricted, somewhat.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 22, 2019

Fun to ride the elevator to the observation deck. The view of NYC is wonderful, if the weather cooperates.

4/5 - Good

Bre
Dec 20, 2019

They would not just let us visit the 2nd floor. :(

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Empire State Building

Hyatt Grand Central New York
Hyatt Grand Central New York
4 out of 5
109 East 42nd Street, at Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY
Hyatt Grand Central New York
The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
4 out of 5
481 Eighth Ave., New York, NY
The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel
The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel
4 out of 5
790 7th Ave, New York, NY
The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel
Paramount Times Square
Paramount Times Square
4 out of 5
235 West 46th Street, New York, NY
Paramount Times Square
Virgin Hotels New York City
Virgin Hotels New York City
5 out of 5
1227 Broadway, New York, NY
Virgin Hotels New York City
31 Street Broadway Hotel
31 Street Broadway Hotel
2 out of 5
38 West 31st Street, New York, NY
31 Street Broadway Hotel
Kixby
Kixby
4 out of 5
45 W 35th St, New York, NY
Kixby
Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square
Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square
4 out of 5
1568 Broadway, New York, NY
Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square
The Hotel @ Fifth Avenue
The Hotel @ Fifth Avenue
3.5 out of 5
17 West 32nd St, New York, NY
The Hotel @ Fifth Avenue
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.