GoTourist
The Empire State Building and Midtown Manhattan seen from Rockefeller Center

No. 4 Top Landmarks & Attractions 2026

Empire State Building

New York City, New York, United States · City guide: New York

New York's Art Deco icon, with open-air views from the 86th floor.

Open in Maps Apple Maps

Photo: Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The Empire State Building is No. 4 in Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Best of the Best 2026 ranking of the top attractions in the world. It was completed in 1931 after just over a year of construction. The 102-storey skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan was the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years, until the World Trade Center's North Tower overtook it in 1970.

Designed by the firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, it is one of the world's best-known Art Deco buildings and a National Historic Landmark. It rises 443 metres (1,454 feet) to the tip of its antenna, and its tower lights change colour to mark holidays, causes and events.

Midtown Manhattan seen from the Empire State Building observation deck
Midtown Manhattan seen from the Empire State Building observation deck. Photo: Robert Barlow, CC BY 3.0, source

Best time to visit

Clear days give the best visibility. Sunset is the most popular and busiest time, while early morning and late evening are usually quieter. The observatories open every day of the year and stay open late into the night.

Highlights

  • 1

    86th-floor observatory

    The open-air deck wraps around the building 320 metres (1,050 feet) up. It has 360-degree views of Manhattan, Central Park, the Hudson and East rivers and beyond.

  • 2

    102nd-floor observatory

    A smaller, fully enclosed deck at the top of the building, with floor-to-ceiling windows (separate ticket).

  • 3

    Art Deco lobby

    The restored lobby has a ceiling mural of gears and celestial motifs and an aluminium relief of the building.

  • 4

    Museum exhibits

    Exhibits on the way up cover the building's construction, its film appearances, including King Kong, and its energy-efficiency retrofit.

Getting there

The observatory entrance is at 20 West 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The nearest subway stations are 34 St–Herald Sq (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R and W trains) and 33 St (6 train), and Penn Station is a short walk away. From JFK Airport, take the AirTrain to Jamaica and the Long Island Rail Road into Manhattan. From Newark, the AirTrain connects with NJ Transit trains to Penn Station.

Practical tips

Tickets
Timed tickets are sold on the official website. The main ticket covers the 86th floor, and the 102nd floor costs extra.
Time needed
One to two hours, depending on queues. Expect airport-style security screening at the entrance.
Currency
US dollar (USD). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and tipping is expected in restaurants and bars.
Safety
Midtown is busy and generally safe. Ignore street ticket touts and buy from official channels. The emergency number is 911.
Visa & entry
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA before travelling to the US, and other visitors need a visa. See travel.state.gov for the current rules.

Official information: Empire State Building (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

Map

Open in Maps View larger map Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors