Empire State Building
An Icon of New York City, the Empire State Building is a must see
Completed in 1930, the Empire State Building is a world-famous Big Apple icon and is a must-see on any visitor's itinerary. Standing 1,250 feet tall, the 102-storey Art Deco skyscraper is once again the tallest building of the New York City skyline, following the destruction of the World Trade Center during the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001.
One of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World", the Empire State Building is not only a New York landmark, it symbolises twentieth century man's attempts to break down barriers and achieve the unachievable.
You can visit the Empire State Building's Observatory on the 86th floor for a 360 degree panoramic view of the city from the spacious outdoor promenade and climate controlled glass-enclosed area. The 102nd floor offers a second, fully enclosed observation deck opened in 2005; any higher and you would be swinging like King Kong from the building's enormous spire, originally designed as a mooring mast that would enable airships, but deemed impractical after the Hindenberg disaster. Remember to take the weather into account when planning your visit; clear, dry days offer optimal viewing when you can see the Earth's arc on the horizon.
With ticket lines almost as legendary as the building, save time by buying your ticket online and consider splurging on an Express Pass to proceed directly to the high-speed elevators where you will be whisked 1,050 feet upwards in under a minute. Be prepared for a security check and to carry any items you bring into the building as there is no coat or luggage check. Cameras and camcorders are permitted, but tripods are not.
Once on the observation deck you'll want to take lots of photos and enjoy the breathtaking views. There is a false urban legend circulating that if one drops a penny from the top of the Empire State Building, it could kill someone below. Thankfully, that has been proven false by the Discovery Channel's Mythbusters, however, it is illegal and can incur a hefty fine for anyone silly enough to do so.
Nearby attractions: Madison Square Garden, Macy's and the New York Public Library
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes.Empire State Building Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Address: 20 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA
Phone: (212) 736-3100
Official Website: Empire State Building
Empire State Building Reviews
Rated out of 5
Highly recommend going at night. We got the 9:45pm tickets and it was like a private experience! You get to walk through the museum without the crowds, there were no lines at any point, and the view of the city that never sleeps was so sparkly and epic. All the staff was so friendly and seemed like they actually enjoyed their job. This is one of the most famous buildings in the world, I can see why. I'm so happy I finally crossed this off the bucket list.
D Wall - a week ago
Wow! Such a beautiful work of architecture and it’s crazy they were able to build it up so fast! I absolutely adore the modern art deco style. It’s one of the most iconic and the most beautiful building in New York in my opinion. I visited on New Year’s Eve of 2023 and the crowds weren’t too bad because everyone was already waiting at Times Square in the morning for the ball to drop. There are lots of informative exhibits as I walked towards the elevators then I got to go up and see the whole city from the top. The elevator ride was very smooth and quick. There is a cool video playing inside the elevator. The views and scenery were absolutely amazing and breathtaking. I could see all the iconic landmarks of NYC such as the One World Trade Center, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, and more. My favourite part is the observation platform where I got to go outside and catch the breeze coming in. I definitely like this more than the One World Trade Center observatory which I went a year ago mainly because of the observation deck. The admission prices are pretty fair compared to other attractions. I highly recommend buying tickets in advance if you are planning to visit because it will make your experience more smooth and convenient. Definitely a must see in New York City and it won’t disappoint!
Kiet TT - 2 months ago
Love the Empire State Building. It was a great day for sightseeing and the afternoon so we watched the sunrise. The staff are super friendly and willing to answer all questions. They have a great presentation with classy uniforms. The views are amazing.You can get a 360 degree view of NYC and it's beautiful boroughs. Highly recommend everyone visit. Historical and beautiful building is worth a re-visit when we return. Love NYC
Chick Petterlin - 3 weeks ago
Historic signature building of NYC. A must see. Although if you choose here then you won’t be able to see this building in the skyline - but the central location contributes its spectacular 360 degree view, overlooking downtown and uptown. You can come at different times of the day and see how the city wakes up, looking a bit cold and dull after working hard all day, and then transforms into a vibrant and energetic look after nightfall. The newly renovated indoors exhibitions are pretty interactive with short and sweet description catering to the worldwide tourists. The elevators are still a bit less well designed - but hey there should always be something left to be desired right?
Bing Wu - a month ago
The views are spectacular at night. Had an amazing time with my family. They were all very friendly getting us in and out. This was a wonder experience. Thankfully the lines were not too crazy long. The entrance is located on the North side of the building now. You will exit out the east side of building out the old entrance.
Joseph Lopez - a week ago
Directions
| Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, A, C or E | 34th Street / Penn Station | 5 minutes |
| B, D, F, N, Q or R | 34th Street / Avenue of the Americas | 2 minutes |
How to get to Empire State Building by Subway
Take the 1, 2, 3, A, C or E train to 34th Street / Penn Station, walk 2 blocks east to 5th Avenue or take B, D, F, M, N, Q or R train to 34th Street / Harald Square, walk 1 block east to 5th Avenue.
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Photo Gallery
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View of Manhattan from the Empire State Building cc licensed photo by Harshil Shah -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Stabbur's Master - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr
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