The Empire State Building is the building you point at first when you arrive in New York. It's been the city's defining icon for 95 years, it's the one tower visible from almost anywhere in Midtown, and it's the only NYC observation deck that's also a National Historic Landmark and a working office building used by 1,000+ companies.
That makes the question "is it worth it?" a different question than for the newer decks. With SUMMIT or Edge, you're paying for an experience designed in 2021. With the Empire State Building, you're paying to stand inside the most famous building in the world. The view is part of it, but only part.
After multiple visits across seasons and ticket tiers — and a recent return to see the redesigned 80th-floor "Dare to Dream" exhibit — here's the honest answer: the Empire State Building is worth it for visitors who care about the building itself. The view is good but not the best (Top of the Rock wins). The exhibits are surprisingly excellent. The 86th floor outdoor deck is iconic. And the wait — without an Express Pass at peak times — can wreck the visit.
How Much Does the Empire State Building Cost?
Empire State Building tickets in 2026 are tiered by deck and entry type. Here's what you'll actually pay:
- 86th floor only (standard adult): $47 in advance. This includes the lobby museum, the 80th-floor Dare to Dream exhibit, and the open-air observation deck on the 86th floor.
- 86th + 102nd floor combined: $79. Adds the indoor 102nd-floor deck at 1,250 feet.
- Child (ages 6-12): $41 for 86th floor, $73 for combined. Kids under 6 are free.
- Senior (62+): $45 for 86th floor.
- Express Pass: $79-$95 depending on deck. Skips the security line, the elevator queue, and the deck's overcrowding. Becomes essential at peak times.
- Premium Experience (private tour): $200+. Includes a guided tour, behind-the-scenes access, and skip-the-line for everything. Worth it only for special occasions.
The Empire State Building runs roughly $3 more than Top of the Rock for the standard ticket. That's a small price difference, so the real choice between them is about what you want to experience, not what you can afford.
Price Range Snapshot
The View — What Makes It Different
The Empire State Building's view has one feature no other Manhattan deck can match: you're in the building everyone is photographing. From the 86th floor, you look down at Times Square, north toward Central Park, west to the Hudson, and south to the Financial District and the Statue of Liberty. The 360-degree rotation feels different than from any other deck because you're standing inside the silhouette that defines the skyline.
Three things stand out about the view:
- South view: One World Trade Center, the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, and on a clear day the Statue of Liberty. The downtown skyline's compactness makes it look like a postcard.
- North view: Looking up Fifth Avenue toward 30 Rockefeller, Central Park beyond. You can see Top of the Rock from here — and on a return visit you can stand at Top of the Rock and see right back at the spot you stood.
- The deco architecture itself: The 86th floor outdoor deck is genuinely Art Deco — limestone, geometric railings, and the spire above you. The "view" includes looking up at the building, not just out from it.
The view's biggest weakness: you can't photograph the Empire State Building because you're standing in it. If your dream NYC photo is the one with the Empire State centered in the skyline, that shot is at Top of the Rock, not here.
The Empire State Building's view is good. The Empire State Building's presence is the reason to visit. You're paying to be inside one of the most photographed structures on earth.
The 86th vs. 102nd Floor — Which to Pick
86th Floor — The Classic Outdoor Deck (1,050 ft)
This is the iconic Empire State Building experience — the open-air, four-sided wraparound deck you've seen in An Affair to Remember, Sleepless in Seattle, Elf, and a hundred other films. The waist-high stone wall with vertical railings above is unmistakable. There's no glass between you and the city — just open air and Manhattan stretching to the horizon. Good photographers love it because there are no reflections to fight.
102nd Floor — Top of the Tower (1,250 ft)
Reached by a separate, much smaller elevator from the 86th floor, the 102nd floor is a fully glass-enclosed observatory at the base of the building's iconic spire. The view is dramatic — you're 200 feet higher than the 86th floor and looking down on its outdoor deck. But the glass is tinted to reduce glare, which can muddy photos, and the deck's small footprint means you're in a tight space with other visitors.
The Honest Verdict
Most visitors should skip the 102nd floor and stay on the 86th. The 86th floor has the iconic view and the open-air experience. The 102nd is a $32 upgrade for an indoor deck whose main differentiator is "higher" — and the height difference doesn't transform the view as much as you'd expect. Save the upgrade money for dinner or the Express Pass.
The exception: if you've been to the 86th floor before and want a different experience on a return visit, the 102nd floor is genuinely fun. It's also the only deck in NYC that puts you above the spire's main mast — a small detail with surprising charm.
The Dare to Dream Exhibit (and Why It's Better Than You'd Expect)
The Empire State Building's redesigned 80th-floor exhibit, "Dare to Dream," opened in 2019 and was refreshed in 2024. It's significantly better than typical tourist-attraction filler. It's a thoughtful, surprisingly emotional walkthrough of how the building was designed and constructed in just 410 days during the Great Depression. Highlights include:
- Original 1930s blueprints with annotations from the original architects.
- Construction-era photography at full wall scale, including the famous "Lunchtime Atop a Skyscraper" photograph in its original context.
- Tools, signed contracts, and worker testimonials from the 3,400 ironworkers who built it.
- The "Race to the Sky" gallery showing the 1929-1930 race between the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and 40 Wall Street to claim the title of world's tallest.
The 2nd-floor Sustainability Gallery and the lobby's classic Art Deco mural ("Eighth Wonder of the World") are also worth 5-10 minutes each. Together, the exhibits add 30-45 minutes to a visit and are easily the most substantial museum-style content of any NYC observation deck.
The Express Pass — Worth It or Skip?
The Express Pass adds $32-$48 to a standard ticket and lets you skip the security line, elevator queue, and the second elevator transfer. At peak times (sunset on weekends, school holidays, July 4th week, December), the wait without an Express Pass can hit 60-90 minutes. With the Express Pass, you walk straight through everything.
Express Pass is worth it if:
- You're visiting on a weekend, holiday, or peak summer day.
- You're booking a sunset slot.
- You've got kids under 10 — waiting in a slow line is the fastest way to ruin the visit.
- You only have one shot at the visit and need to be sure you'll see what you came for.
Skip the Express Pass if:
- You're visiting at 9 AM on a weekday — the line is nearly empty.
- You're visiting after 9 PM — the deck is genuinely quiet.
- You're flexible on time and don't mind a 30-45 minute wait.
Our practical recommendation: book the standard ticket for a 9 AM weekday slot, or pay for the Express Pass for any sunset or weekend slot. Don't try to "save" by booking standard during peak hours — the wait is real and it's miserable.
Empire State Building vs. Top of the Rock vs. SUMMIT vs. Edge
The four major NYC observation decks, compared directly:
| Deck | Adult Price | Best For | Key Feature | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire State Building Most Iconic | $47 | History, nostalgia, classic NYC | The original — 86th floor outdoor deck + Dare to Dream exhibit | 90-120 min |
| Top of the Rock | $44 | Best skyline photo | Unobstructed Empire State + Central Park view | 60-75 min |
| SUMMIT One Vanderbilt | $49 ($69 w/ Ascent) | Design, photos, special occasions | Mirrored rooms + glass elevator | 90-120 min |
| Edge at Hudson Yards | $38 | Thrill + glass floor | Outdoor triangular deck cantilevered west | 45-60 min |
The Simple Decision
- Want the most iconic NYC experience? Empire State Building. History, exhibits, and the 86th floor outdoor deck.
- Want the best skyline photograph? Top of the Rock. Empire State Building in your frame, Central Park behind you.
- Want a designed experience with art? SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Mirrored rooms and glass elevator.
- Want a thrill + outdoor glass floor? Edge. The cantilevered deck juts off the building.
If you're doing two decks, Empire State + Top of the Rock is a classic pairing — they look at each other from across Midtown and pair well as bookends. Read our full observation deck comparison for side-by-side photos and our final ranking.
Tips to Get the Best Deal on the Empire State Building
Book Online in Advance
Walk-up tickets are the same price as advance tickets, but sunset slots sell out by mid-afternoon and Express Passes sell out fastest. GetYourGuide offers identical tickets to the official site with 24-hour free cancellation, mobile delivery, and English-language support — book through them and you keep the flexibility.
Pick the 9 AM Weekday Slot
The first slot of the day on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday is the cheapest and least crowded combination. The morning light is beautiful for photography, the deck is nearly empty, and you can do the full 86th floor + 102nd floor + exhibit walkthrough in 90 minutes without rushing. This is also the slot least likely to be affected by weather closures.
Or Visit Late at Night
The Empire State Building stays open until 1 AM most nights. Between 10 PM and midnight, the deck is genuinely quiet, the city is fully lit up, and you can take dramatic skyline photos without crowds. This is the secret tip for couples and photographers — it's also a fully different experience from a sunset visit.
The CityPASS Math
The NYC CityPASS includes the Empire State Building plus four other attractions for $146. That works out to roughly $29 per attraction — a real saving if you're going to do at least 4 of the 5 included attractions. If you're only doing the Empire State Building and one other thing, buy them individually. Do the math before assuming the pass saves money.
Avoid These Times
Friday and Saturday sunset slots are the worst combination of crowd, line, and price. Mid-day weekend slots in summer are nearly as bad. December evenings (especially around the holidays) can have 90-minute waits without an Express Pass. If your travel dates fall in any of these windows, budget for the Express Pass — it's the difference between a magical visit and a miserable one.
Is It Worth It? Our Honest Verdict
Yes, the Empire State Building is worth it — but only with the right ticket and the right time slot.
The view itself is good. Not the best in NYC (that's Top of the Rock), but absolutely respectable. What makes the Empire State Building worth $47 is the building itself: the Art Deco lobby, the Dare to Dream exhibit, the 86th floor outdoor deck with no glass and the spire above your head, and the sheer historical weight of being in the building you've seen in a hundred films.
Book the Empire State Building if any of these are true:
- It's your first NYC trip and you want the iconic experience. This is the building. There's no substitute for actually being inside it.
- You appreciate history and architecture. The exhibits genuinely add value. The lobby alone is worth a ticket.
- You want the open-air outdoor deck without glass. The 86th floor is the only major NYC deck that's fully open air with the Art Deco railings.
- You're doing two decks. Empire State Building + Top of the Rock is the classic pairing — they each give you the other's view.
- You can book a 9 AM weekday or late-night slot. The crowds make or break this visit.
Consider skipping or substituting if any of these are true:
- You only have time for one deck and you want the best photo. Top of the Rock is the better choice for that.
- You can only visit during peak times without an Express Pass. The wait will eat your visit. Either upgrade or pick a different time.
- You want a "designed" experience with mirrored rooms. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is built for that. The Empire State Building is intentionally classic, not interactive.
- You're traveling with toddlers. The wait, the security, and the crowds are tough on small children. Top of the Rock is faster end-to-end.
How to Book (and What to Avoid)
Where to Book
GetYourGuide is our recommended partner — same tickets as the official Empire State Building site, 24-hour free cancellation, mobile ticket delivery, and an English-speaking support team. The official site does the same job but cancellations are stricter.
What to Check Before Booking
- Time Slot: 9 AM weekday for empty decks. 60 minutes before sunset for the magical view (with Express Pass). Late night for quiet drama.
- Express Pass: Decide before booking — it's significantly cheaper bundled.
- Floor Level: 86th floor is sufficient for almost everyone. Don't pay for the 102nd unless you specifically want it.
- Entrance: The visitor entrance is on 5th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets, on the east side of the building.
- Arrive 15 Minutes Early: Security is airport-level. Late arrivals may be denied entry on the timed slot.
What to Avoid
- Non-refundable bookings in winter. Weather closures happen. Keep the 24-hour flexibility.
- Sidewalk ticket sellers. Anyone selling tickets outside the building is running a scam or upselling. Buy online or at the official ticket counter inside the lobby only.
- Combo tickets bundling random tours. Many "Empire State Building + bus tour" combos exist; most aren't worth the price. Stick to a single Empire State Building ticket unless you specifically want the second activity.
- The gift shop on the 80th floor. Significantly overpriced. The lobby gift shop has the same items.
Best Time to Visit
Optimal Season: April-June, September-October. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures, smaller crowds.
Best Days: Tuesday-Thursday, outside peak tourist weeks (Spring Break, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas).
Best Times of Day: 9 AM (first opening slot) for empty decks, 60 minutes before sunset for the famous golden-hour skyline (with Express Pass), or 10 PM-midnight for quiet drama.
Avoid: Weekend sunset slots, holiday peaks, mid-day summer (heat + crowds), overcast or foggy days (the view disappears).