must-visit in New YorkViewpoint
Empire State Building
📍 United States, New York State, Manhattan, 350 Fifth Avenue (34th St)
4.7/ 5.0
★★★★★
Introduction
The Empire State Building is an Art Deco Midtown landmark, completed in 1931 with 102 floors and about 443 m including the antenna—long the world's tallest. The 86th-floor open-air observatory offers a 360-degree view over Manhattan's grid and the Hudson; the enclosed 102nd-floor deck rises even higher. The tower lights change color for holidays and anniversaries, a classic symbol of the New York night and a favorite film location.
✨ Highlights
1
86th-Floor Open Observatory
A wraparound outdoor deck overlooking Central Park, the downtown skyline and two rivers.
2
102nd-Floor Observatory
A fully glazed enclosed deck, higher still; on clear days see several surrounding states.
3
Art Deco Lobby
The reconstructed second-floor Art Deco gold lobby and exhibits tell the building's story.
4
Night View & Lights
At night the sea of lights is spectacular; the crown colors shift with the calendar—an iconic city image.
5
Tickets and queues
Buy timed tickets online; the hour before sunset is the most popular — and most worthwhile — slot, so expect longer queues.
6
Quieter times
Opening time and late evening are quietest; going up an hour before closing gives the same night view far more calmly.
🛈 Practical Info
→Best Time to Visit：Go up an hour before sunset to catch daytime, dusk and night views in one visit.
→Avoid Peak：Weekends and holidays mean long lines; buy online and choose early or late slots.
→Wind & Warmth：The 86th floor is open-air and windy; bring warm layers in winter and at night.
→View Comparison：To capture the Empire State itself, go to Rockefeller's 'Top of the Rock' instead.
→Tickets：Express skip-the-line tickets cost more but are worth it in peak season.
💡 Tips
• Shooting through glass causes glare; shoot between the 86th-floor railing gaps with the lens poking out.
• Sunset is the most crowded; go up early to claim a spot and wait for dark.
• The crown color has symbolic meaning; the official site posts each night's scheme.
• Prices and hours follow the Empire State Building's official announcement.
FAQ
Any practical tips for visiting Empire State Building?
Shooting through glass causes glare; shoot between the 86th-floor railing gaps with the lens poking out. Sunset is the most crowded; go up early to claim a spot and wait for dark.
Information on this page is compiled from public sources. Opening hours, ticket prices and other details may change — please verify with official sources before your visit.
