If you’re visiting New York City, then one landmark you won’t want to miss is the Empire State Building. This iconic structure is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world, and is a must-see when you visit New York.
The Empire State Building can be admired from the outside, but for the best experience you’ll want to go inside it to take in the spectacular views on offer from the upper levels.
Of course, if you do decide to visit the Empire State Building, then you will want to do a little bit of planning. This is one of the most popular attractions in the city, with millions of people visiting every year. As such, it gets quite busy, and lines are common. We recommend buying your ticket online in advance.
In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Empire State Building to help you make the most of your visit. We share tips based on our experiences visiting it on multiple trips to New York City. We’ll cover how to get here, where to buy tickets, tips for your visit, ideas for saving money, and lots more.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents:
Overview of the Empire State Building
Before we go into our guide for visiting the Empire State Building, we thought we’d share some facts and information about this iconic New York landmark which we think you’ll find interesting, and perhaps make you even more excited for your visit.
What is the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building is a huge Art Deco skyscraper in the centre of Manhattan. It has 102 floors, and when it opened it was the tallest skyscraper in the world.
The building is primarily used as office space by a wide variety of companies, as well as serving as a popular tourist attraction. There are shops and eateries on the ground floors, as well as observation decks you can visit on the 80th, 86th and 102nd floors.
It has its own zip code, has featured in numerous movies and TV shows, including King Kong, An Affair to Remember, Sleepless in Seattle, and Elf. It is definitely a must-visit attraction for visitors to New York City.
When was the Empire State Building Built?
Construction on the Empire State Building started on the 17th March 1930, and was completed 13 months later on the 11th April 1931. It was opened on the 1st May 1931.
The building was constructed at a record pace, at an average of 4.5 stories a week. During one 10 day period, 14 floors were built!
What is the Empire State Building Made From?
The Empire State Building is constructed from a steel frame with a limestone facade. The use of steel frames combined with the invention of elevators is what made it possible to build skyscrapers to such dizzying heights, and the technique is still used in skyscraper construction to this day.
Why is it Called the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building derives its name from the nickname given to the State of New York, which is the Empire State.
How Tall is the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building is 1,454 feet (443.2 meters) high, measured to the very tip of the building. The roof is 1,250 ft (381 m) high.
When it was built it was the tallest building in the world, a title it held until the World Trade Centre buildings were finished in 1970.
Today it is only the seventh tallest building in the city, and only in the top 50 worldwide. However, it is still the most well known of New York’s impressive skyscraper collection, even if it is no longer the tallest.
Where is the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building is in midtown Manhattan. The full address is Empire State Building, 350 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10118. It is also sometimes listed as 20 West 34th Street New York.
The Empire State Building is a huge building. It’s so large in fact it has its own zip code. It also has multiple entrances. As a visitor who is planning to go up to the observatories, you will need to enter at 20 West 34th Street, which is the dedicated observatory entrance.
How to Get to the Empire State Building
Getting to the Empire State Building is easy – the building is very central and you have lots of options. Here’s an overview of the various ways to get here.
Public Transport to the Empire State Building
New York City has a good public transport system which includes buses and a subway, as well as a number of other options. You can see our complete guide to getting around New York here for more ideas.
For the Empire State Building, the best options are going to be either by subway or public bus.
Subway to Empire State Building
There are a number of metro stations within a five or ten minute walk of the Empire State Building. The closest are:
- 34th Street Penn Station: Lines 1, 2, and 3 and A, C, and E. Five minute walk from the exit to the Empire State Building
- 34th Street Herald Square Station: Lines N, Q, R, and W and B, D, F, and M. Five minute walk from the exit to the Empire State Building
- Grand Central Terminal: Lines 4, 5, 6 and 7. 10 minute walk from the exit to the Empire State Building.
You can get information on routes and schedules on the MTA website here.
Bus to Empire State Building
Multiple bus routes service the Empire State Building, depending on where you are coming from. Nearby bus stops, all within 5 minutes walk of the Empire State Building include:
- W 34 St & 5 Avenue: multiple buses including QM10, QM12, QM15, QM16, QM17 and more.
- 5 Av / W 34 Street: BxM7 and BxM18
- 5 Av/W 35 Street: X27, X28, X37, and X38
There are many more bus stops in the vicinity of the Empire State Building. You can see more information on routes and schedules on the MTA website here.
Sightseeing Bus to the Empire State Building
As with many cities around the world, there are a number of sightseeing buses operating in New York. These visit the most popular attractions in the city, and usually have either a live commentary or pre-recorded audio that tells you what you are seeing.
You can buy tickets for these that last various durations, usually a minimum of one day, and you can get on and off them as you please.
Naturally, as the Empire State Building is a popular attraction in the city, most sightseeing buses have a stop nearby so you can visit easily. We used the Big Bus New York Sightseeing bus on a recent trip to New York, and enjoyed the live audio commentary on the bus we rode.
You can purchase tickets in advance for either 1, 2 or 3 days here. Alternatively, sightseeing buses are included on the majority of New York attraction passes.
Driving to the Empire State Building
We would definitely recommend against driving to the Empire State Building. Traffic in Manhattan is always busy and parking, if you can find any, is likely to be expensive.
Of course, if you do have a car and wish to park, there are options. You can see nearby parking structures and parking lots with this link.
If you drive, we recommend booking a parking spot in advance to be sure of a spot. We’d also suggest parking for the day as this will work out more cost effective, and then using public transport to get around to visit any other sights.
Do you Have to Pay to Visit the Empire State Building?
If you wish to visit any of the exhibits or observation decks at the Empire State Building, then you will need a ticket. See the next section for details of ticket pricing.
Of course, you can visit the outside of the building, as well as the ground floor dining options and shops for free.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit the Empire State Building?
Pricing for the Empire State Building varies depending on the experience you want, with ticket prices ranging from $44 all the way up to $500 for an adult. Prices are correct as of April 2023.
First, you have to decide which floors you want to visit.
- Main Deck access includes access to the observation deck on the 86th floor, as well as all the exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors.
- Top Deck access includes the above, as well as access to the 102nd floor observation deck.
As well as the two different areas, you can also pay for more premium experiences and add-ons. These include
- Express tickets which allow you to skip the security lines and elevator lines.
- Guided tours, which are either small group or private
- Tickets for access to the tower at sunrise
- Lunch or Dinner at one of the sit-down restaurants on site
- A ticket that lets you visit twice on the same day, once in the daytime and once at night, to see the city at different times of day.
Here are the prices for the main ticket types. These prices are taken directly from the official website and are accurate as of April 2023. Children under 6 are free for all ticket types.
Note that the prices on the official site do not include any service fees or taxes, which are added at checkout. There is currently a $2 convenience fee per ticket, plus around 9% tax per ticket to add to the below prices when buying from the official site.
- A Main Deck ticket costs $44 for an adult, $38 for a child (6-12) and $42 for a senior (62+).
- An Express Ticket to the Main Deck costs $84 for all visitors. This includes priority skip the line access through the security line and elevators
- A Top Deck ticket costs $79 for an adult, $73 for a child (6-12) and $77 for a senior (62+)
- An Express Ticket to the Top Deck costs $119 for all visitors. This includes priority skip the line access through the security line and elevators and expedited entry to the 86th and 102nd floors
Note that if you choose to visit during sunset hours, there’s an additional fee of around $10 (before tax) per ticket as this is the most popular time to visit.
In addition to the main tickets above, there are some additional tours and experiences, which are priced as follows:
- AM/PM Experience – $64 for an adult, $54 for a child (6-12). This ticket is the same as the Main Deck ticket but allows you to return after 8pm and visit the observatory deck after dark.
- Sunrise on 86th floor – costs $125 for all visitors. This is a limited availability ticket, with only 50 sold per session
- Premium Experience – costs $175 for all visitors. VIP behind the scenes tour which visits all the decks with a tour guide. Groups no larger than 7 people.
- ESB All Access Tour – costs $500 per person. The most exclusive tour available. Includes celebrity treatment, a private tour, champagne and snacks
- Happily Ever After Empire – costs $1,000 per couple. If you’re looking for a unique location to pop the question, you can book this package which includes priority access to the 86th floor, a private guided tour of the building, your own private corner, to ask the question, a complimentary bottle of champagne and access to the 102nd floor.
Where to Buy Empire State Building Tickets?
There are a number of options for purchasing Empire State Building tickets.
First, you can buy entry tickets in person on-site. You’ll find the ticket machines after the security line on the second floor. We’d generally advise against buying entry tickets on site as it’s an unnecessary line that you can skip by purchasing online instead. In addition, current rules state that tickets must be purchased in advance.
We recommend instead that you buy your tickets from GetYourGuide here. They are an authorised ticket seller, and tickets are normally the same price or sometimes slightly cheaper than the official site once the taxes and convenience fees are taken into account.
Tickets booked via GetYourGuide also usually have the advantage of being refundable up to 24 hours in advance of your visit, unlike the tickets on the official website which are nonrefundable. However, always check the ticket description before purchase to check the policy.
Tickets are sent to your e-mail and you can either display them on your phone for scanning, or print them out.
They have a number of ticket options:
- This ticket is the most popular option for visitors, and includes access to the 2nd floor exhibition, 80th floor, and 86th floor observation deck. Also known as the standard Main deck ticket. It does not include 102nd floor access, but you can upgrade the ticket on site if you wish at either the 2nd floor or 86th floor. You can also pay a little bit more for the express version. Click here to buy this ticket.
- This AM/PM experience ticket gives you the same entry as the main deck ticket in the day, and also allows you to return after dark so you can see the city at night. Click here to buy this ticket.
- This sunrise experience ticket gives you early access to the 86th floor observation deck of the Empire State Building for sunrise. Tickets are limited to 50 per sunrise, meaning this is the best way to get the Empire State Building observation deck almost to yourself. After sunrise, you’ll get to visit the 2nd floor exhibits.
- This VIP Guided Tour Experience. You can book either a small-group guided tour or the red-carpet VIP private tour experience with celebrity green room access, drinks and snacks.
If you want to visit the 102nd floor, you will either need to upgrade your ticket on site, or buy the 102nd ticket from the official site here.
When comparing prices against the official site, be aware that a convenience fee of $2 is added to every ticket, and the prices shown do not include tax.
Attraction Passes that Include the Empire State Building
As with many cities around the world, there are a number of attraction passes for New York City which include free or discounted admission to some of the top attractions in the city. I’ve put together a comprehensive guide to New York Attraction passes, but here’s a quick list of the ones which include free entry to the Empire State Building.
Note that generally these passes just include standard entry to the Main Deck, so whilst they let you skip the ticket line, they are not express passes and they do not allow access to the 102nd floor observatory.
You can however pay for an upgrade on site for access to the the 102nd floor observatory if you wish.
- New York CityPASS – this includes access to the Empire State Building, with the added benefit that you can return and get same night admission after 10pm. It also includes access to five other major attractions in the city
- The New York Pass – includes standard skip the ticket line entry to the Empire State Building as well as over 100 other attractions in the city
- New York Sightseeing Pass – includes standard skip the ticket line entry to the Empire State Building as well as over 100 other attractions in the city
On a recent trip to New York City we used the New York Pass to visit the Empire State Building and had no issues.
Note that you do not need to reserve a timeslot with these passes, however at busier times it can be a good idea to do so. Information on how to do so is provided with each pass.
Can You Skip The Lines at the Empire State Building?
Yes, it is possible to purchase a ticket to skip the lines at the Empire State Building.
There are three types of line you will encounter when visiting the Empire State Building.
First there is a security line, then there’s a line for tickets, and then if it is particularly busy, there will be lines for the various elevators.
If you purchase your entry ticket in advance, then you can skip the lines for the ticket machines, which are found on the 2nd floor. We highly recommend purchasing your ticket in advance so you don’t waste time in the ticket line.
It’s also possible to purchase an express ticket like this (make sure you select the express option). This will let you take advantage of VIP entry, and go to the front of the security and elevator lines by using the express lanes.
Of course, if lots of people have these tickets there is the potential to be a bit of a wait, but for the most part these tickets will offer a faster experience than the standard ticket that most visitors buy.
What are the Opening Times for the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building is normally open 365 days of the year from 8am until 2am. The last elevators typically ascend at 1:15 am.
In exceptional circumstances these opening times may change – check the official website in advance of your visit to be sure it is open when you visit.
Note: currently the opening times are changed. Check the official website for the latest information.
You can also visit the Empire State Building for sunrise, with the exclusive sunrise access ticket. Times will vary depending on the time of the sunrise.
Tours of the Empire State Building
There are a number ways to experience the Empire State Building. As well as the official tours mentioned earlier in this guide, there are a number of other options you have, both for visiting, and for getting a unique view of the building.
These include:
- This guided walking tour which includes tickets to the Empire State Building as well as tour of a number of other sights in the city
- How about experiencing the Empire State Building from the air? You can get a truly once in a lifetime view by taking a private or shared helicopter ride over the city.
What is there to See and Do at the Empire State Building?
The majority of visitors who come to the Empire State Building are primarily interested in visiting the world famous outdoor observation deck and taking in the views of the city.
However, there is more to do on site than enjoying the view, and the entire experience has been significantly improved in recent years. As a result, a visit to the Empire State Building is definitely no longer just about standing in line for an elevator and taking in that view.
If you haven’t visited before, or perhaps haven’t visited for a while, you may be surprised as to how much there is to see and do here following major upgrades in 2019.
Here are some of the things you can do on site.
Observation Decks at the Empire State Building
Obviously the main reason for your visit is to go up towards the top of the tower and experience the views. There are three floors with observatories in the Empire State Building as follows:
- 80th floor indoor observatory. Opened in late 2019, this is the newest observatory. It’s an entirely indoor observatory, so the views are through glass windows
- 86th floor indoor/outdoor observatory. The original and most famous of the observatories, this features both an indoor and outdoor viewing area which wraps around the whole building. This is the highest floor within the actual tower, all the height above this is the spire. It’s also the highest open-air viewpoint in the city.
- 102nd floor observatory. Found on the highest floor of the building, and fully refurbished in 2019, this floor now features floor to ceiling glass windows offering spectacular views over the city.
Exhibits and Route through the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building has a number of exhibits where you can learn about all sorts of things related to the building. This includes information about the construction of the Empire State Buildings, its architecture, its history, and its appearances in popular culture.
Here are all the exhibits you will see when you visit, as well as where they are located so you know what to expect at which part of your visit.
The first nine exhibits are located on the 2nd floor after the ticket check. These flow one after another in progressive order, and are as follows:
- The Site in the 1920s: The exhibits start with an overview of the site before the building was even here, when the Waldorf Astoria Hotel stood on this location.
- Construction: Models, images, and statues depict the construction process of the building, which took just over a year to complete
- Opening Day: Newspaper prints and images share the excitement of the day the Empire State Building opened to the world
- Modern Marvel: This interactive exhibit tells the story of how the present day Empire State Building is both energy efficient and sustainable
- Otis Elevators: A skyscraper could not exist without elevators, and this exhibit tells the story of the elevators that make a visit to the upper floor possible in minutes
- Urban Campus: The Empire State Building is more than just a tourist attraction—thousands of people come to work here every day. This exhibit shows some of the workspaces and views that visitors don’t normally get to see
- World’s Most Famous Building: The Empire State Building is regularly featured in the media, including in movies, TV shows, games, commercials, This 72 screen exhibit offers an immersive snapshot of over 600 clips that feature the building.
- Kong: Arguably the most well known film to have featured the Empire State Building, the 1933 Kong movie was where the Empire State Building made its silver screen debut. This fun exhibit gives you an idea of what it might have been like to be inside the building as Kong scaled it!
- Celebrity: A lot of people visit the Empire State Building, including some of the world’s most well known faces. This exhibit shares a history of some of these more famous visitors, including signed memorabilia.
Following these 2nd floor exhibits, you will ride the elevator to the 80th floor. This elevator ride is also an experience, with the whole ceiling of the elevator displaying a fun video that shows the building being built around the elevator shaft as you ascend. Thankfully it’s all done by the time you get to the top!
Following the elevator ride you’ll come out on the 80th floor. This is also an observatory deck with windows offering views over the city, so you will likely want to pause at a window and enjoy the view.
However, as well as the views from the windows you’ll find the following exhibits on the 80th floor:
- NYC: Above and Beyond: This interactive exhibit asks you questions about your interests and will then suggest an itinerary of sights you might want to visit throughout the city
- Artistry in Light: This short film with accompanying images tells the story of how the music and light shows at the Empire State Building are put together.
- Stephen Wiltshire’s Drawing: In 2017 British artist Stephen Wiltshire took a 45 minute long helicopter flight over New York City. He then drew, from memory, a detailed landscape image of the city. This is now on display on the 80th floor
- Scenes of NYC: The last major exhibit features some of the classic viewfinders that the 86th floor is known for. If you look through the viewfinders, you’ll see panoramic views of nine well-known New York locations and landmarks.
From the 80th floor there is another elevator to the 86th floor which is just a standard elevator.
The 86th floor is all about the view, with both an indoor and outdoor viewing experience. There are some plaques and signs, but no major exhibits on this floor.
From the 86th floor you can also ride up to the 102nd floor observation deck via another elevator if you have the correct ticket. This glass elevator has a light show and offers view of the inside of the tower as you ascend.
The top floor also has no exhibits, but the stunning views through the floor to ceiling windows more than make up for that.
One thing to bear in mind when visiting is that the exhibits, particularly on the second floor, are designed with a one-way flow in mind. Basically a visit to the Empire State Building used to involve a lot of lines, and the idea was to replace this rather boring line experience with something a lot more fun and interactive.
What this means is that you shouldn’t feel the urge to rush through and head to the top, as it’s a one-way flow and after you leave the 2nd floor exhibits for the 80th floor, you cannot return to them. So make sure you take your time and see everything on your way – the view will be waiting for you at the top when you are done!
The exception to this rule is for the sunrise ticket, where you visit the exhibits after the sunrise.
Restaurants at the Empire State Building
You can dine at the Empire State Building, and there are a number of options for doing so, including both table service options and fast-casual self-service dining options. All the dining options are on the ground floor, and can be visited without a ticket.
For a sit down meal, you have two main options. First there is the STATE Grill & Bar which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as bar and lounge snacks. They also have a full drinks menu of soft and alcoholic beverages.
The other main sit-down dining option is Tacombi. This offers Mexican food including Tacos made from scratch. There’s also a full drinks range, with their margaritas being a popular option.
If you’d prefer something a bit quicker, there are a number of casual dining options on the ground floor as well, which include Chopt, Chipotle, and Sushi-Terra. There’s also a Juice Press and a Starbucks on site if you are just looking for a drink.
Shopping at the Empire State Building
Naturally, you can go souvenir shopping at the Empire State Building. There’s a gift store on the 80th floor as well as on the 2nd floor just after you exit the elevators and before you leave the building.
There’s also a Walgreens, AT&T store, and a FedEx Express store on site.
Tips for Visiting the Empire State Building
Here are a few things to be aware of when you visit the Empire State Building so you are fully prepared.
Prohibited Items at the Empire State Building
There are a few things you can’t bring to the Empire State Building, which include:
- Bags or Luggage, including carry-on sized luggage. Be sure to leave your suitcases and luggage at your hotel, in your tour bus, or in a storage locker elsewhere in the city before visiting. Small backpacks or purses are fine, but will of course be searched during the security check.
- Glass, including glass bottles
- Alcoholic beverages
- Can, bottles, or flasks
- Professional camera and video equipment, including tripods.
- Sports equipment such as tennis rackets, baseball bats etc.
- Musical instruments
- Costumes or theatrical masks
- Firearms of any kind
Note that there are no lockers, luggage storage, or coat check facilities at the Empire State Building. So if you bring any of the prohibited items you will not be allowed in. You can see the full list of prohibited items here.
If you have luggage you need to store, then we suggest taking advantage of a luggage storage service like Nannybag, which has locations all around the city including some near the Empire State Building.
Strollers at the Empire State Building
Foldable strollers and prams are permitted at the Empire State Building and the lifts can accommodate them. There is no stroller storage, so you will need to use the stroller throughout the visit.
Note that you must fold the stroller on the observation decks.
It is probably a wise idea to not bring a stroller unless you need to do so as you will end up needing to fold and carry it for a lot of the visit.
Restrooms at the Empire State Building
There are restrooms available at the Empire State Building on the 86th floor, including wheelchair accessible toilets.
Bag / Coat Storage at the Empire State Building
There is no luggage storage or coat check at the Empire State Building. You will have to carry whatever you bring for the duration of your visit. If you wish to store a bag nearby, check out Nannybag for some locations.
Photography at the Empire State Building
Photography and video recording for personal use is permitted at the Empire State Building on all the floors.
However, professional photography equipment is not permitted, which includes tripods, monopods, or bi-pods. If you want to do any commercial filming you will need to get prior written permission.
How Long To Visit the Empire State Building For?
As you can see from our guide, there is a lot to see and do at the Empire State Building. We would recommend a minimum of 90 minutes for your visit if you are visiting the main deck, and around 2 hours if you also intend to also visit the 102nd floor.
Of course, you’ll want to allow more time if you plan to eat here.
What is the Best Time of Day to Visit the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building is a popular attraction and it does get crowded. If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s recommended you visit either early in the morning, between 8am and 10am, or late at night, from around 11pm onwards.
Download the Free Empire State Building App
To make the most of your experience you might want to download the free Empire State Building app, which is available on the Apple store for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android. We would recommend downloading this ahead of your visit.
The app features audio and visual information to help you navigate your way around, as well as history and trivia about the building. It’s free, and you’ll just need to bring along your own headphones or earbuds to listen to it during your visit.
Accessibility at the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is fully ADA compliant, and visitors with disabilities should generally have no problem visiting. Both motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs are allowed on site, and there are ramps throughout the building where required.
Service dogs are also allowed on site, and the 86th floor features accessible restrooms as well as lowered viewing walls and binoculars. You can see more information on their accessibility page here.
If you have any questions or concerns prior to your visit, you can reach out to the on-site team via their website here.
Where to Stay Near the Empire State Building
New York City has a huge range of accommodation options at a variety of budgets. In our experience, there are definitely more mid-range and high end properties, although there are some budget options.
If you want to stay near the Empire State Building, we’ve put together this list of options which are all within a 20 minute walk of the Empire State Building. This means you’ll be able to easily visit early in the morning or late at night, and not have to think too much about getting back to your hotel!
These accommodation options are ordered approximately by price, from lowest to highest, although prices do vary so always check different options to find the right property for your budget and requirements.
- American Dream Hostel – this is a positively reviewed hostel which features private rooms that share bathrooms. It’s around a 20 minute walk from the Empire State Building, making it one of the closest hostels we could find in the area. There’s a free breakfast, snacks through the day, and an on-site kitchen and luggage storage.
- Hotel 31 – This 2* hotel is just 650 yards fro the Empire State Building. Accommodation is simple, and there are both rooms with private and shared bathrooms. Breakfast is available as an option, and there’s a 24 hour reception
- The Paul Hotel – this hotel has a mix of private bunk bed rooms and standard rooms, all of which have private bathrooms and coffee making facilities. It’s only 450 yards from the Empire State Building and there’s also a sun terrace and fitness centre on site. Breakfast is available.
- Hotel Wolcott – this 3* hotel is one of the closest options to the Empire State Building, found just a 3 minute walk away. All rooms have private bathrooms and air conditioning. There’s no dining available on site.
- Arlo Nomad – This is a well rated 4* hotel just 350 yards from the Empire State Building. A variety of room types are available, including “micro-hotel” options with bunk beds. Rooms have refrigerators and there’s an on-site restaurant and rooftop bar
- Hampton by Hilton Manhattan 35th Street – just one block away from the Empire State Building, this well rated 3* hotel offers comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, free coffee/tea, and inclusive breakfast
- U Hotel Fifth Avenue – a 3* boutique hotel just 2 minutes walk from the Empire State Building offering private rooms with en-suite facilities and air conditioning. Breakfast is available and there’s an on-site Starbucks
- Park Terrace Hotel on Bryant Park – A very well reviewed 4* hotel with sound-proofed rooms featuring Nespresso machines and en-suite facilities. There’s a fitness centre, sauna, and business centre as well as on-site dining and drinking options
- The Langham – one of the best 5* hotels near the Empire State Building, this is the option to go for if you are looking for luxury. Only 350 yards from the Empire State Building, the spacious rooms feature espresso makers, private bathrooms, and all the amenities you would expect.
Hopefully that gives you some ideas for where to stay near the Empire State Building. You can see more hotels, hostels and apartments on booking.com here.
We recommend checking listings on The Plum Guide for Midtown if you are interested in an apartment rental for your time in New York.
Plum Guide offer a range of high quality accommodation options across a range of price points and we’ve used them for a number of stays around the world. Basically they only allow the highest quality listings to appear on their site, saving you time having to wade through hundreds of options. You can see our Plum Guide review here for our experiences with them. For more options, see our guide to AirBnB alternatives here.
Further Reading
Well, that’s it for our guide to visiting the Empire State Building! We hope you found it useful.
We also wanted to share some more content we’ve written on visiting New York City and travelling in the USA in general, to ensure you have all the information you might need. We’ve also got a few third party resources to recommend that we think you might find helpful for your trip.
- To help you plan your visit more, we have a guide to spending 2 days in New York City as well as 3 days in New York City
- We have a detailed guide to getting around New York, which should help you plan your transport in the city
- If you are thinking of investing in an attraction pass, see our guide to our favourite New York City attraction passes
- If you enjoy walking tours, check out our review of some of the Take Walks New York walking tours
- Wondering how much to budget for your trip? We have a guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA to help you plan
- If you’re heading on from New York and thinking of hiring a car, take a look at our tips for driving in the USA
- If you’re looking for a guide to New York, we can recommend the Frommer’s EasyGuide to New York City.
And that’s it for this guide! As always, if you have any feedback, comments or questions, just pop them in the comments section below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Safe travels!
Shelley Martin says
Thanks for the great article! I want to be on the deck half an hour prior to sunset on Wednesday 27 September, which is 6.45 pm. What entrance time do you think i should book my ticket for? Coming from Australia!
Laurence Norah says
Hey Shelley!
My pleasure! So I would probably aim for around 4pm to 5pm. That should give you plenty of time to see all the exhibits as you go through from the entrance (there’s quite a lot to see before you actually go up the elevator). That said, if you don’t think you’ll be as interested in the galleries and exhibits and just want to get to the top, then I’d say 5pm should give you plenty of time. Normally even at busier times the queues aren’t more than 45 minutes to an hour, and you’re visiting on a weekday so it should be fine.
Have a great time in NYC!
Laurence