Empire State Building

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The 102-story skyscraper is a must for any first-time visitor to New York City. While it’s easy to catch a glimpse of the tower around the city, this attraction is best enjoyed from one of its two observation decks, where the panoramic views over the Big Apple are legendary. After admiring the mosaics in the Art Deco lobby, take an elevator to the observation decks for 360-degree views of New York.

Empire State Building tours are part of many New York City guided tours, which often also include stops at Times Square and the Statue of Liberty. If you plan to visit on your own during peak times, it’s a good idea to buy an Express Pass to skip the long lines and head straight to the 86th-floor or top-floor observation decks.

Things to know before you go

• Choose a general admission ticket for standard entrance or a VIP Express Pass to skip the lines.
• The Empire State Building is fully ADA-compliant and stroller accessible. There are accessible restrooms on the 86th floor.
• You won’t be able to bring glass bottles, cans, or tripods into the building.
• Lines for the elevator can get long, particularly during peak hours. Be sure to use the restrooms on the second floor before getting in line.
• STATE Grill and Bar is the building’s street-level, signature restaurant. You’ll also find five other dining options, plus Starbucks.

How to get there

The Empire State Building is in Midtown Manhattan, about a 15-minute walk from Grand Central Terminal. It’s easy to arrive on foot from many other popular Midtown attractions, or by taking the subway to Penn Station/34th Street or 34th Street/Herald Square. The building is also a stop on hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tours.

When to get there

The best time to visit the Empire State Building is in the morning just after opening or late at night, when the lines are shortest. Expect longer lines for tickets, security, and elevators on weekends, holidays, and just before sunset.

Which Floor Should I Visit?

The 86th-floor observatory, known as the Main Deck, is the highest open-air observatory in New York. Its wraparound deck has with high-power binoculars, making it possible to see Central Park, the Hudson River, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty from above. From the indoor Top Deck on the 102nd floor, visitors enjoy even more views (like Central Park in its entirety) and the chance to ride a manually operated Otis elevator. On the second floor, galleries house multiple hands-on exhibits.

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