Verdict
Destinations
Attraction · New York

Empire State Building

The art-deco icon and its 86th-floor open-air deck — the most famous skyline view in the world.

Independent — no pay-to-rank Graded for who you are Verified 2026-06-06How we grade →
The verdict

Who it's worth it for

Great for
  • Families with kids
  • Couples
  • Solo travellers
  • Photographers
Depends
  • Travellers on a budget
  • If you've only got a day
  • History & culture buffs
  • Romantics
Not for

—

Worth it for families with kids, couples and solo travellers.

Why we say this

Insider secrets & local vibes

Time Out calls the renovated 102nd-floor Top Deck the '(quite literal) crown jewel,' reached by a glass elevator with a 24-window panorama 1,250 feet up.
timeout.com
On the clearest days the view stretches up to 80 miles, far enough to take in six states from a single vantage point.
esbnyc.com
Every ticket includes Art Deco galleries on the building's construction and 1920s history, plus the lobby, Kong exhibit and Grand Staircase — it's a full attraction, not just a deck.
esbnyc.com
The classic NYC skyline shot is the Empire State itself, and that's the one landmark you can't capture from its own deck.
wherearethosemorgans.com
The open-air 86th floor starts at $44, but the enclosed 102nd-floor Top Deck nearly doubles that at $79.
esbnyc.com
What it feels like

Reading the room, traveller by traveller

  • First-timers

    It's the most storied skyline view in the world; the 86th-floor open-air deck is the iconic one, and the 102nd adds height and weather protection.

  • As a couple

    The Art Deco romance and night lights make it a classic date; go late to catch the city after dark from the open-air rail.

  • On a budget

    Stick to the 86th floor at $44 — the museum and open-air view are included; the 102nd upgrade is mostly for the extra altitude.

    “86th Floor: Buy Tickets from $44”

    esbnyc.com
  • For photos

    The reason to come is as much the building as the view — the restored Art Deco lobby and ceiling murals are a destination in themselves.

What people say

Straight from the reviews

“The (quite literal) crown jewel of the Empire State Building”

timeout.com

“The newly renovated 102nd floor observatory is reached via a glass elevator from the 86th floor observatory.”

timeout.com
Good to know

Before you go

Cost
$44 (86th); more for 102nd
Time
1.5–2 hrs
Last verified
2026-06-06
Best time
Open until midnight; go around sunset or after dark, and aim for clear days for the long-range view.
Hours
Open daily, roughly 9 a.m.–midnight (last elevator earlier).
Booking
86th floor from $44; 86th + 102nd Top Deck from $79; Express Pass from $120. Buy timed tickets online to skip lines.
Accessibility
Both observatories and the museum are wheelchair accessible by elevator.
Alternatives

If it's not your thing, try

puts the Empire State IN your photo, with the Park behind itnewer, higher, open-air outdoor deck if you want the modern thrill
Was this helpful?
Make the most of it
Book through our partner — we may earn a commission, and it never changes the verdict.
Check availability
Independent — no pay-to-rank Graded for who you are Verified 2026-06-06How we grade →