Empire State Building: Everything You Need Before Visiting

Q: How tall is the Empire State Building?

The iconic Empire State Building stands at an impressive 1,454 feet with its antenna. While it used to be the tallest building in the world, it's still the most iconic skyscraper with its own zip code in New York City.

Q: What time does the Empire State Building close?

The Empire State Building is typically open daily from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM, with the last elevator up at 11:15 PM. This gives you lots of time to see the sunset or the city lights sparkle from the 86th floor observation deck. But, opening hours can vary. It's best to check the current hours on their website before planning your visit.

Q: Where is the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is at 350 Fifth Avenue in New York City, right in the middle of Manhattan. You can't miss its tall Art Deco spire. It’s close to popular places like Times Square and Herald Square, making it a convenient stop on your NYC itinerary.

Q: How to get to the Empire State Building?

To get there, you can take the subway to 34th Street-Penn Station or 33rd Street stations. Buses stop nearby too, and it's just a short walk from Times Square.

Q: What time should you visit the Empire State Building?

The best time to visit the Empire State Building is early in the morning or late at night. During these times, there are fewer people, so you get a better view. Plus, the sunrise and nighttime lights are spectacular, making your visit even more special. No matter when you decide to go, make sure to book your Empire State Building tickets or get the express pass ahead of time to skip all the lines.

Q: How long should you visit the Empire State Building?

Plan to spend 1-2 hours at the Empire State Building. This will give you enough time to visit the observation decks, check out the fun exhibits, and take some great photos. If you want to visit the 102nd floor or go on a special guided tour, you might need to extend your empire state building visit.

Empire State Building Tickets & Tours

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Observation decks • New York

Empire State Building Observation Deck Ticket

Free cancellation

Skip the line

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4.8 / 5

(581) • 30K+ booked

From

₩ 60,400

Observation decks • New York

Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket at Rockefeller Center New York

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4.7 / 5

(1.0K) • 50K+ booked

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₩ 39,400

Observation decks • New York

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Ticket

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4.7 / 5

(540) • 40K+ booked

From

₩ 56,600

Observation decks • New York

NYC: Edge Immersive Observation Deck Ticket

Free cancellation

Instant confirmation

4.7 / 5

(247) • 30K+ booked

From

₩ 56,700

New York Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)

Fall deal

Tours • New York

New York Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)

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4.3 / 5

(62) • 3K+ booked

From

₩ 63,100

Cruises • New York

Statue of Liberty Express Cruise Tour in New York

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English guided

Free cancellation

4.7 / 5

(149) • 10K+ booked

₩ 38,900

Attraction passes • New York

New York CityPASS

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4.8 / 5

(421) • 8K+ booked

₩ 189,700

Retail: ₩ 199,700

Attraction passes • New York

Klook Pass New York City

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4.5 / 5

(622) • 20K+ booked

₩ 139,400

Retail: ₩ 218,400

Attraction passes • New York

Go City - New York Explorer Pass

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4.7 / 5

(1.2K) • 20K+ booked

₩ 119,300

Tours • New York

Experience Statue of Liberty with Various Tour Options

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4.3 / 5

(140) • 6K+ booked

₩ 38,900

Cruises • New York

45-Minute Statue of Liberty Express Sightseeing Cruise

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English guided

Morning departure

3.6 / 5

(22) • 700+ booked

₩ 40,200

Cruises • New York

New York Harbor Lights Cruise by Circle Line

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English guided

Evening departure

4.5 / 5

(64) • 3K+ booked

₩ 73,700

Where to stay in Empire State Building

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Hotels • New York

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

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3.7 / 5

(9.5K)

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₩ 235,834

Hotels • New York

Pod Times Square

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4.5 / 5

(6.1K)

From

₩ 150,973

Hotels • New York

Hotel Edison Times Square

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4.3 / 5

(6.3K)

From

₩ 178,992

Hotels • New York

NEW YORKER BY LOTTE HOTELS

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4.1 / 5

(7.4K)

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₩ 218,451

Hotels • New York

The FIDI Hotel

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4.5 / 5

(1.6K)

From

₩ 181,618

Hotels • New York

DoubleTree by Hilton New York Downtown

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4.2 / 5

(4.2K)

From

₩ 173,796

Hotels • New York

Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel

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3.9 / 5

(3.3K)

From

₩ 181,747

Hotels • New York

OYO Times Square

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3.4 / 5

(2.1K)

From

₩ 216,256

Hotels • New York

The Gallivant Times Square

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3.3 / 5

(2.5K)

From

₩ 147,596

Hotels • New York

Hyatt Grand Central New York

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4.2 / 5

(7.9K)

From

₩ 276,884

Hotels • New York

Motto By Hilton New York City Times Square

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4.5 / 5

(4.3K)

From

₩ 186,880

Hotels • New York

U Hotel Fifth Avenue

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4.0 / 5

(1.0K)

From

₩ 147,262

Events with a lot of buzz

Events & shows • New York

Aladdin Broadway Show Ticket in New York

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4.7 / 5

(295) • 10K+ booked

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₩ 117,800

Events & shows • New York

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Broadway Show Ticket in New York

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4.7 / 5

(127) • 4K+ booked

From

₩ 77,700

Events & shows • New York

Wicked Broadway Show Ticket in New York

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(136) • 4K+ booked

From

₩ 117,800

Events & shows • New York

The Lion King Broadway Show Ticket in New York

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4.6 / 5

(382) • 10K+ booked

From

₩ 173,200

Retail: ₩ 173,500

Events & shows • New York

Chicago Broadway Show Ticket in New York

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4.7 / 5

(136) • 5K+ booked

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₩ 96,200

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Events & shows • New York

Maybe Happy Ending Broadway Ticket in New York

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5.0 / 5

(11) • 300+ booked

₩ 77,300

Retail: ₩ 105,900

Events & shows • New York

MJ Broadway Show Ticket in New York City

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4.9 / 5

(25) • 1K+ booked

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₩ 106,600

Retail: ₩ 120,300

Events & shows • New York

Stranger Things: The First Shadow Broadway Ticket in New York

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5.0 / 5

(7) • 200+ booked

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₩ 76,200

Retail: ₩ 79,100

Events & shows • New York

Brooklyn Nets Basketball Game at Brooklyn Nets

Seasonal

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₩ 45,800

Retail: ₩ 48,200

Events & shows • New York

Hamilton Musical Broadway Show Ticket in New York

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4.8 / 5

(22) • 800+ booked

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₩ 148,100

Events & shows • New York

The Great Gatsby Broadway Ticket

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(4) • 300+ booked

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₩ 89,400

Retail: ₩ 97,800

Events & shows • New York

New York Knicks Basketball Game at Madison Square Garden

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₩ 340,000

Retail: ₩ 357,900

More to explore

Car charters • New York

NewYork Car Rental with Driver to Statue of Liberty/Empire State Building/Central Park/The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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New Activity

₩ 511,000

Retail: ₩ 574,900

Train tickets • New York

USA Intercity Train Tickets: Orlando, Miami & Fort Lauderdale

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₩ 81,700

Private airport transfers • New York

New York｜New York Skyports Incorporated Seaplane Base Private Airport Transfer

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₩ 110,200

Travel services • New York

United States ESTA Service

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New Activity

₩ 100,500

Tani ******

2026-09-26 22:41:11

Fantastic 5.0

The day after I had to cancel my visit to Top of the Rock due to a delayed arrival in New York, I was taking a morning walk toward the Empire State Building and unexpectedly noticed that the line for it was empty. I booked it right on the spot using the Klook app! I was able to enjoy the visit without a hitch. Ease of booking with Klook: Easy

Empire State Building Observation Deck Ticket

Rahul ******

2026-08-15 21:27:25

Fantastic 5.0

Top of The Rock offers one of the most iconic, unobstructed skyline perspectives in Manhattan, widely praised for its sweeping 360-degree views that directly frame both the Empire State Building to the south and Central Park to the north. Spread across multiple indoor and outdoor viewing terraces on the 67th through 70th floors, visitors frequently note that the open-air top deck—free of glass partitions—is ideal for photography, especially around sunset when the city lights begin to glow

Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket at Rockefeller Center New York

Wilasinee *********

2026-04-12 10:17:01

Fantastic 5.0

Beautiful view of New York City. It's so easy to use the ticket, just scan the QR code.

NYC: Edge Immersive Observation Deck Ticket

Noraisah *****

2026-07-30 23:10:41

Fantastic 5.0

this is also a great experience. I got my digital picture as souvenir but it's okay not to get it. You can take pictures for 60seconds on the location where they took pictures of you. Furthermore, if you love art.. you will appreciate the mirrored design of the place. you can also see the Empire State Building

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Ticket

Royston ***

2026-09-13 02:51:56

Fantastic 5.0

Easy to board! most people went out to the open deck but i preferred the air-conditioning deck. didnt need to redeem tickets klook qr code was all they needed. Guide walked about with microphone but barely heard him.

Experience Statue of Liberty with Various Tour Options

Wang ****

2026-07-13 12:34:18

Fantastic 5.0

There will be seasonal adjustments to the total price, but overall it's still quite a good deal. However, buying more doesn't always mean saving more; 4-5 passes tend to be the most economical. For some cheaper museums or activities, this pass might not be necessary.

Klook Pass New York City

Reno *****

2026-08-23 21:34:28

Fantastic 5.0

Everything went smoothly, and we learned a lot about New York’s history and landmarks. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting New York, especially if it’s your first time in the city. 5star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐to Susan the tour guide and the driver.

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Bus Tour

Rahul ******

2026-08-15 21:30:42

Fantastic 5.0

A luxury night bus tour in New York offers an effortless and comfortable way to experience the illuminated city skyline, making it an ideal choice for first-time visitors or anyone wanting to avoid long walks and crowded sidewalks after dark. Reviewers consistently praise the engaging, knowledgeable tour guides and the panoramic views from climate-controlled motorcoaches or glass-roof buses as they cruise past glowing landmarks from Times Square down through Lower Manhattan. Highlights often include crossing the Manhattan Bridge for postcard-worthy skyline views and a dedicated photo stop in Dumbo overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge;

Luxury Night Bus Tour in New York

Vivek *****

2026-04-22 21:08:33

Fantastic 5.0

I took this Statue of Liberty Express Cruise today in New York, and honestly, it turned out to be a great decision. Initially, I was confused between this and the free Staten Island Ferry, but after watching a few YouTube videos, I realized this cruise would offer much better and closer views of the Statue of Liberty—and it absolutely did. I paid around $25, which I feel is totally worth it. Since I traveled on a weekday afternoon, the ferry was surprisingly less crowded, which gave me plenty of space and time to click photos without any rush. The cruise is very well maintained and has multiple seating options. There’s an open top deck with amazing skyline views, plus indoor decks for people who want to stay warm during colder weather. The guide was also excellent—very funny, informative, and explained New York’s skyline and nearby landmarks really well. The entire trip lasted around 45–50 minutes. Comfortable, scenic, and definitely value for money.

Statue of Liberty Express Cruise Tour in New York

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How tall is the Empire State Building?

What time does the Empire State Building close?

Where is the Empire State Building?

How to get to the Empire State Building?

What time should you visit the Empire State Building?

How long should you visit the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is a famous skyscraper in New York City. When you visit, go up to the 86th-floor observation deck to see iconic landmarks like Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Hudson River. If you want to go even higher, check out the view from the 102nd floor for floor-to-ceiling viewing walls. Be sure to also check out the interactive exhibits on the second floor to learn more about the building's history, construction, and pop culture significance, including its role in the King Kong movies. Visiting this building is an unforgettable New York adventure you won't want to miss!

Ste 105, Empire State Building, 350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118, USA

What to know before visiting the Empire State Building

Must-see Attractions at the Empire State Building

86th Floor Observation Deck

The 86th floor of the Empire State Building Observatory is an open-air deck, where you can enjoy amazing views of New York City in every direction. You can see Central Park, the Hudson River, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, and even the Statue of Liberty. On a clear day, you can spot sights from six different states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware.

102nd Floor Observatory

If you want to see even higher, take the glass elevator up to the 102nd floor observation deck. With glass viewing walls, get the best views from one of the highest viewing point in New York City.

King Kong

Explore exciting world of King Kong with this amazing exhibit. You'll get to see the giant ape up close as his hands break through the walls. You can feel his growl and watch planes fly around just like in the classic 1933 movie.

Construction Exhibit

At this exhibit, learn all about how the Empire State Building was built in the 1930's. See how the Empire State Building was built, complete with the sights and sounds of ironworkers and masons hard at work. Don't forget to check out the bronze statues of the workers---perfect for memorable photos to take home.

World's Most Famous Building

Find out why the Empire State Building is called the most famous building in the world. Check out a theater with 72 screens playing clips from 600 different commercials, movies, TV shows, comics, and games that all feature this iconic Manhattan building.

Visit the nearby One World Observatory

One World Observatory is at the top of One World Trade Center. You can enjoy amazing city views, walk on the Sky Portal, and explore fun exhibits about New York. It’s about 15–20 minutes by car or 25–30 minutes by subway from the Empire State Building.

Explore the nearby Morgan Library & Museum

The Morgan Library & Museum is just a 6-minute walk from the Empire State Building, making it a perfect stop while exploring Midtown Manhattan. At Morgan, you'll know more about New York's history with rare books, art, and old letters. It started as the private collection of J.P. Morgan, a famous banker, and is now open to everyone.

Empire State Building

Empire State Building Tickets & Tours

Where to stay in Empire State Building

Events with a lot of buzz

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Empire State Building Reviews

Popular places near Empire State Building

FAQs about Empire State Building

How tall is the Empire State Building?

What time does the Empire State Building close?

Where is the Empire State Building?

How to get to the Empire State Building?

What time should you visit the Empire State Building?

How long should you visit the Empire State Building?

What to know about Empire State Building

What to know before visiting the Empire State Building

Must-see Attractions at the Empire State Building

86th Floor Observation Deck

102nd Floor Observatory

King Kong

Construction Exhibit

World's Most Famous Building

Visit the nearby One World Observatory

Explore the nearby Morgan Library & Museum

Explore more on Klook

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