Empire State Building

Tower Story

Welcome to the world-famous Empire State Building, located in the heart of Manhattan at the center of it all! Our renowned 86th and 102nd floor Observatories host over 4 million guests annually who come from all over the world to experience our unforgettable 360° views of New York City and beyond. Whether you’re in town for a week or a day, no visit to NYC is complete without experiencing everything that the Empire State Building has to offer!
RE-IMAGED OBSERVATORY EXPERIENCE
Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna, the Empire State Building is known far and wide as the World’s Most Famous Building. Over the last 3 years, the Observatories have undergone an intense transformation that has culminated in an exciting new experience for you to enjoy with family and friends!
Begin your journey in our brand-new entrance lobby on 34th Street, which features a grand staircase with two-story architectural model of the building, a new lighting ceremony space with presentation showcasing past celebrity visitors, red carpet for VIP Express guests, and multi-lingual signage and ticketing kiosks available in nine different languages.
Once you’ve purchased your tickets, make your way through our collection of 12 interactive exhibits showcasing the rich history of the Empire State Building. Take a step back into the 1930s as you enter the building’s construction site where hot rivets and steel beams fly overhead, and the sounds of New York City come alive all around you. Stop and snap a photo with the specially commissioned cast sculptures of the construction workers as they bring the building to life.
Enjoy an impressive cinematic experience in our sweeping 72-screen, 180-degree surround-sound theater where you’ll trace the Empire State Building’s rise to becoming a pop culture icon with a montage of 600 clips from commercials, films, TV shows, comics, and games that feature our iconic building.
Step into a replicated 1930’s-era office where Kong’s giant hands have pierced through the walls from the building as he dodges vintage fighter planes below. If you think you’re brave enough, take a chance and climb into his grasp and snap the perfect photo to share with friends and family back home – beware, you might even feel the mighty power of this fearsome ape!
From the second you enter to the moment its time to take the elevators to the top, our redefined Observatory Experience promises plenty of opportunities for having fun and creating lifelong memories for all our visitors.

Observation Deck

Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna, the Empire State Building is the World’s Most Famous Building. Our 86th Observation Deck, open daily from 8am-2am, offers the highest 360 degree open-air vantage point in New York City. On a clear day, you can see up to six states– New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Delaware. Explore our newly-designed Observatory entrance featuring a grand staircase with a two-story architectural model of the building, multilingual signage and ticket kiosks in nine languages, a new lighting ceremony space with images of past celebrity visitors, and a red carpet for VIP express guests.