Empire State Building Tours and Activities
523 Reviews
The world's tallest building from 1931 to 1977, the Empire State Building is topped with a stepped Art Deco pinnacle that's floodlit at night and boasts holiday and commemorative colors throughout the year. After admiring the mosaics in the Art Deco lobby, take an elevator ride to the 86th or 102nd floor and get ready to drink in astounding 360-degree views from this iconic skyscraper observatory.
The Basics
Set in Midtown Manhattan, 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. Tickets to one or both of the observation decks can be purchased solo, although the Empire State Building is also visited on many city sightseeing 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 line all the way to the 86th floor.
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. Handicapped restrooms are located on the 86th floor.
- Glass bottles, cans, and tripods are prohibited.
- 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 to the Empire State Building
The entrance to the Empire State Building is located on 20 West 34th Street. 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
Since the Empire State Building is one of New York’s most popular attractions, it’s best visited in the morning just after opening or late at night (the decks are open until 2am) when the lines are shortest. Expect longer lines for tickets, security, and the 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 is outfitted 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.
Address: 20 West 34th Street, New York City, New York 10118, USA
Hours: Daily 8am–2pm
Admission: Varies
Admission Tickets (4)

Empire State Building General & Skip-the-Line Tickets
3046
Marvel at the 360-degree, unobstructed views from the Empire State Building and explore its Interactive Museum and more with this combo ticket. See NYC's landmarks from the 86th-floor observatory, enjoy the exhibitions and augmented reality viewfinders on the 80th floor; and explore the 2nd-floor museum’s immersive displays on the building's history. Upgrade for skip-the-line access.
…More
From
$45.73
From
$45.73
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
103 Tours and Activities to Experience Empire State Building
Sort by:Featured

Empire State Building General & Skip-the-Line Tickets
3046
Marvel at the 360-degree, unobstructed views from the Empire State Building and explore its Interactive Museum and more with this combo ticket. See NYC's landmarks from the 86th-floor observatory, enjoy the exhibitions and augmented reality viewfinders on the 80th floor; and explore the 2nd-floor museum’s immersive displays on the building's history. Upgrade for skip-the-line access.
…More
From
$45.73
From
$45.73
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Empire State Building Day and Night Admission Ticket
501
As day turns to night, it's easy to see how New York City earned its City That Never Sleeps moniker. See the Big Apple in the light and dark with a day and night admission ticket to the 86th-floor observation deck at the Empire State Building—the highest observatory in New York City. Beat the lines by arriving with your daytime ticket, valid between 11am and 7:59pm, for 360-degree views of the iconic Manhattan Skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Then, return between 8pm and 10pm for spectacular views of New York by night.
…More
From
$66.41
From
$66.41
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Skip the Line: Empire State Building Sunrise Experience Ticket
16
Wake up with the City that Never Sleeps on a trip to the Observation Deck of the Empire State Building at sunrise, before the building is open to the public. Jumpstart your day with 360-degree panoramic views of the sunrise illuminating New York City below on an experience limited to 100 people.
…More
From
$125.00
From
$125.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Skip the Line: Empire State Building Premium VIP Tour Ticket
46
Avoid the long lines at the Empire State Building with a small-group tour that gets you priority, skip-the-line access to the iconic skyscraper. You’ll join an ‘Observatory Ambassador’, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and get spectacular views across the New York City skyline, all without spending a New York minute waiting in line.
…More
From
$175.00
From
$175.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

The New York Pass: 100+ Attractions including Empire State Building
701
Simplify your trip to the Big Apple, save time and money, and gain access to more than 100 New York attractions, experiences, and tours with this New York Pass. Choose from 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 10-day pass options, granting you access to top NYC attractions including the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, cruises, and more.
Please note: Enjoy the extra flexibility in case your travel plans need to change: All passes (purchased by December 31) are valid for two year from purchase date and only become activated with your first attraction visit. After activation your pass will be valid for the number of consecutive days purchased.
…More
From
$122.55
$6.45 savings
From
$122.55
$6.45 savings

Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight
1036
Catch a bird's eye view of the Big Apple during this helicopter ride over Manhattan. Look out over the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, the financial district and more. You’ll also spot top sights like Ellis Island and the Empire State Building during this unique sightseeing flight over one of the world's most iconic cities.
…More
From
$215.00
From
$215.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
2747
Make the most of your time in the city that never sleeps on a guided tour of NYC’s top attractions. Travel by both boat (seasonal) and bus as you swing by the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and more. Then hop aboard a luxury boat for a sightseeing cruise past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, complete with stunning views of the world-famous skyline and Brooklyn Bridge.
…More
From
$89.00
From
$89.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

New York Helicopter Tour: City Lights Skyline Experience
64
See the sights of New York City from up in the air on this nighttime helicopter tour of the city. Take off, and soar over the NYC as you take in aerial views of some of the most famous sights. See the Statue of Liberty, the Rockefeller Center, and Times Square all lit up, and then pass by the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges. This adventure is a shared experience with other travelers.
…More
From
$204.96
$39.04 savings
From
$204.96
$39.04 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

New York CityPASS
1729
Get the New York CityPASS and enjoy great discounts at some of the Big Apple’s top attractions. Your CityPASS mobile tickets are valid for 9 days from the date of first use of first use for NYC favorites like the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Statue of Liberty, Guggenheim Museum, 9/11 Memorial and Museum and much more.
…More
From
$136.00
From
$136.00

New York Helicopter Tour: Ultimate Manhattan Sightseeing
237
See New York City’s breathtaking skyline and the many iconic sights of the city on this helicopter flight. Soar over the Big Apple with an exclusive sightseeing tour of the Manhattan skyline and beyond, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center and Central Park, to name just a few, plus Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and much more. Then continue up the Hudson River to see even more of Manhattan. A variety of departure times are available throughout the day to fit into almost any schedule.
…More
From
$244.24
$39.76 savings
From
$244.24
$39.76 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Ultimate NYC Helicopter Tour
15
There's nothing like a helicopter tour to enjoy unparalleled New York City views—but most tours make you pick and choose which sights you'd like to see. On this complete NYC helicopter tour, don't miss a thing. See top attractions all over the city, from Ellis Island and the South Street Seaport, to the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park. By the time you head back, you can truly say you've seen it all.
…More
From
$249.60
From
$249.60
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Learn More

Big Bus New York Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Tour
2725
See the highlights of New York City without the hassle of navigating traffic or public transportation by booking a Big Bus tour. The hop-on hop-off tour enables busy travelers to relax and enjoy the sights from the double-decker bus. Along the way, you can choose the attractions that interest you most rather than being caught up on a group tour.
…More
From
$44.10
From
$44.10
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

New York Manhattan Scenic Helicopter Tour
548
New York's iconic landmarks, mighty rivers, and islands are even more impressive from the air. On this tour, soar over Manhattan’s most famous sights in a helicopter and enjoy spectacular aerial views of the Big Apple. There's plenty of time time to see Liberty Island, the Empire State Building, and Governor’s Island.
…More
From
$289.00
From
$289.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More

New York City Explorer Pass
944
Explore your favorite NYC attractions for one low price with this New York City Explorer Pass. Choose how many attractions you want to visit—up to 10—and enjoy visits to landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Top of the Rock Observatory, and activities such as a Madison Square Garden tour or Brooklyn bike tour. Sightsee the city with ease during a hop-on hop-off bus tour, or choose a sightseeing cruise.
Please note: Enjoy the extra flexibility in case your travel plans need to change: All passes are valid for two year from purchase date and only become activated with your first attraction visit. After activation your pass will be valid for 60 days and/or the remaining number of attraction choices purchased.
…More
From
$65.00
From
$65.00

New York Helicopter Tour: Manhattan Highlights
234
See New York City’s breathtaking skyline and the many iconic sights of the city on this helicopter flight. Soar over the Big Apple with an exclusive sightseeing tour of the Manhattan skyline and beyond, including the Empire State Building and Central Park, plus the Statue of Liberty. A variety of departure times are available throughout the day to fit into almost any schedule.
…More
From
$194.22
$39.78 savings
From
$194.22
$39.78 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

New York Helicopter Tour: Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island
123
See New York City’s breathtaking skyline and the many iconic sights of the city on this helicopter flight. Soar over the Big Apple with an exclusive sightseeing tour of the Manhattan skyline and beyond, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, and Central Park, to name just a few, plus Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and much more. Then continue to see Brooklyn, Staten Island and more. A variety of departure times are available throughout the day to fit into almost any schedule.
…More
From
$336.60
$37.40 savings
From
$336.60
$37.40 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

New York City at Night Bus Tour
342
Experience New York, the ‘city that never sleeps,’ magically lit up after dark during this guided evening tour of the city by bus. Begin with a short nighttime stroll along the city’s famous High Line Park, then hop on a bus for a ride past illuminated landmarks like Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and the neighborhoods of SoHo and Chinatown, and take a short walk through Grand Central Terminal.
…More
From
$59.00
From
$59.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

NYC Tour with Statue of Liberty Pedestal Access
231
Maximize your sightseeing time in high-energy New York City on this tour offering skip-the-line access to the city’s most iconic landmarks. This guided excursion helps you avoid long lines at popular sights including the Statue of Liberty, meaning you have more time for an included bus tour as well as visits to Big Apple attractions like the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and lunch in Little Italy (at your own expense).
…More
From
$99.00
From
$99.00
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Learn More

New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island
271
Get an aerial view of New York City on this comprehensive helicopter ride. The sightseeing flight reveals all the top landmarks—from Central Park and Times Square to the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge. This enables you to see more in minutes than you could in a day of exploring on foot, making the tour ideal for first-time visitors who want to get acquainted with the city.
…More
From
$363.00
From
$363.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More

Circle Line: NYC Liberty Cruise
441
See the highlights of New York City from the water on this sightseeing cruise along the Hudson River. Ideal for first-time visitors who want to see as much as possible and avoid waiting in traffic, this cruise offers views of the Manhattan skyline, One World Trade Center, and the Empire State Building, plus close-ups of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
…More
From
$31.00
From
$31.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise
200
Avoid the mobs of people sightseeing on land, and opt for this Manhattan architecture yacht cruise instead. From the teak deck of the boat, learn about New York City's architectural landmarks as you circumnavigate the island and listen to the 'Around Manhattan' narration provided by members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). One beer or glass of wine is provided, as well as soda.
…More
From
$106.00
Price varies by group size
From
$106.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More