The Empire State Building is the classic New York skyscraper, an Art Deco tower in Midtown Manhattan that was the tallest building in the world when it opened in 1931. Going up the Empire State Building is still one of the great New York experiences, with an open-air deck on the 86th floor and a higher indoor observatory on the 102nd. It is also one of the easiest major sights to reach by subway.
Why go up the Empire State Building
Newer towers are taller, but none has quite the same history. The building went up in just over a year during the Depression, and it has appeared in countless films, from King Kong onwards. The lobby, with its marble walls and Art Deco ceiling, is worth a look in its own right.
The location is the other advantage. Standing near the middle of Manhattan, the 86th floor gives a view in every direction: the Chrysler Building and Central Park to the north, the Financial District and the Statue of Liberty to the south, and the rivers on both sides. And unlike most modern observation decks, part of the 86th floor is open to the air.
Getting to the Empire State Building by subway
The nearest major station is 34 St-Herald Sq, served by the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R and W lines. Exits come up around Herald Square, and the observatory entrance at 20 West 34th Street is a walk of about five minutes east. Other nearby options:
- 33 St on the 6 line, at Park Avenue South, a few minutes' walk from the building.
- 34 St-Penn Station on the 1, 2, 3, A, C and E lines, about ten minutes' walk west.
- PATH trains from New Jersey stop at 33rd Street, close to Herald Square.
Pay with a contactless card or phone at the turnstile.
Empire State Building tickets and opening hours
Tickets are sold for the main deck on the 86th floor, with an upgrade for the 102nd floor. Express passes that skip the lines cost more and are worth it on busy days. Sunrise and other special experiences are sometimes offered. Buy tickets on the official website, esbnyc.com, which lets you choose a date and time and is generally the best place to avoid resellers' markups.
The observatory is open late into the evening, but hours and prices change through the year, so check the official site before your visit. There is airport-style security at the entrance.
What to see on the way up
The museum floors
Before the lifts, an exhibition tells the story of the building's construction and its place in film and popular culture. It is a good way to pass the time if there is a queue.
The 86th floor deck
The open-air terrace wraps around the building, with coin-operated binoculars and plenty of space to take photos through the safety fencing.
The 102nd floor
Smaller and enclosed, with floor-to-ceiling windows, the top observatory is quieter and higher, and the view straight down to the streets is striking.
The lights
At night the top of the tower is lit in colours that change for holidays and events. Some of the best views of it are from the streets around Madison Square Park or from other observation decks.
Best time to visit and how long
Late evening is often the least crowded time and gives you the city lit up. Sunset is the most popular slot and the busiest. Early morning is also relatively calm. Check the weather forecast: on a cloudy or foggy day the view can disappear entirely.
Allow one and a half to two hours from security to the top and back, longer at peak times without an express pass.
Nearby on the same stop
Herald Square is a convenient base for exploring Midtown South:
- Macy's Herald Square: the famous department store, right beside the station.
- Koreatown: West 32nd Street, a block south, for Korean barbecue, bakeries and late-night food.
- Bryant Park and the New York Public Library: about ten minutes' walk north along Sixth or Fifth Avenue.
- Madison Square Park: a short walk south-east, with the Flatiron Building at its southern corner.
To see more around this station, open the Empire State Building on Around the Metro, or browse more stops on the New York subway map.