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Observation Decks

Empire State Building: 86th & 102nd Floor Skip-the-Box-Office Tickets

Aerial view of the Empire State Building in New York City skyline.
Male tourist entering elevator cab on 2nd floor of Empire State Building exhibition.
Children playing on giant gorilla hands at Empire State Building Observatory, New York City.
Empire State Building welcome mural with greetings in multiple languages.

Open today

9:00am - 11:59pm

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Skip lines to the Empire State's top for unmatched views with an enriching audio guide and free Wi-Fi.

4.7/5(560)

Timothy K

Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
The whole event was a smooth operation from booking to doing it Unfortunately the cloud base was so low that it was suggested we reschedule our time slot which we did. The changeover of tickets was painless and the staff were very helpful Thanks for a great lifetime experience

Albert G

Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Fantastic! Far exceeded our expectations, especially the views and the history. Sent a photo album we put together to friends and family and they really enjoyed the photos.

Louis B

Solo
Verified booking
Mar 2026
Very smooth entry to the building. Wonderful museum part before getting up to the elevators. Absolutely amazing following of the staff directing through. 86th Floor was the best part with the mind Blowing view. Then reaching to the 102nd floor was the highest reward for the visitor.

Daryl S

Couple
Verified booking
Mar 2026
This was something I wanted to do since I was a little boy. I finally got to do this at the age of 48! From the very professional and friendly staff to the breathtaking view from the 102nd floor, it was tremendous! Thank you for making this a great experience for my wife and I.

Carol P

Family
Verified booking
Feb 2026
We took our kids and grandkids to New York and the Empire State Building this past weekend. It was our grandkids first time to NYC. One of their favorite experiences was touring the Empire State Building and seeing the city from the 102 floor. The view is spectacular and we got some amazing pictures. The displays and photo ops on the way to the top were well done! Thank you for making it so special.

Thomas D

Group
Verified booking
Jan 2026
Elevators operated perfectly. Employees were friendly and informative, especially on the top. Listening to the Empire State Building employee on the 102 floor talk about the area around us was so interesting. He knew his stuff, very good! I could have stayed and listened for hours. The building was super clean, love that. Worth every dollar, we had a wonderful time
    • Skip the box office ticket lines on your way to the 86th and 102nd floors, the quickest path to the heart of NYC's skyline. It's all about speed and exclusivity.

    • With your audio guide in tow, available in 9 languages, dive deep into the Empire State's history while you ascend.

    • Gaze out from the observatory decks at an expansive 360-degree view of NYC. Catch iconic sights like Central Park and the Statue of Liberty in detail.

    • Want an even speedy entry? Upgrade to the Express ticket to take the red carpet to the skies, and skip all queues for magnificent views.

    • Skip-the-box-office-ticket line to the 86th and 102nd-floor observatory deck

    • High-power binoculars

    • Art Deco lobby access

    • Free Wi-Fi

    • Express ticket to 86th and 102nd-floor observatory deck (optional)

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • 560 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    414
    130
    13
    1
    2
    United Kingdom
    Australia
    Germany
    Switzerland
    Argentina
    Canada
    Italy
    Spain
    France
    Bermuda
    United Kingdom
    Australia
    Germany
    Switzerland
    Argentina
    Canada
    Italy
    Spain
    France
    Bermuda
    Guests from United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and over 23 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Jo L

    Couple
    Verified booking
    2 weeks ago
    The breathtaking view of NYC. A must see when visiting NYC. The staff were friendly & it was very organized.

    Timothy K

    Couple
    Verified booking
    Apr 2026
    The whole event was a smooth operation from booking to doing it Unfortunately the cloud base was so low that it was suggested we reschedule our time slot which we did. The changeover of tickets was painless and the staff were very helpful Thanks for a great lifetime experience

    Albert G

    Couple
    Verified booking
    Apr 2026
    Fantastic! Far exceeded our expectations, especially the views and the history. Sent a photo album we put together to friends and family and they really enjoyed the photos.

    Geofrey B

    Family
    Verified booking
    Apr 2026
    Went with my three granddaughters, aged 7 to 12. We all loved it. My only comment is that the tickets are way too expensive!!

    Charlie S

    Family
    Verified booking
    Apr 2026
    Booked our tickets on a whim, and 35 mins before desired appointment! Truly lucky , got in, no crowds, gorgeous day. Top Job!
  • A Journey Through New York’s Icon

    Begin your Empire State Building adventure by bypassing the queues, thanks to your skip-the-box-office-line tickets. The experience kicks off in the stunning Art Deco lobby, where the elegance of 1930s New York greets you. Armed with an audio guide in one of nine languages, you'll ascend through the building's heart, stopping at the 2nd-floor exhibits. Here, delve into the Empire State Building's rich history as a cultural icon, featuring its unforgettable moments in pop culture from "King Kong" to dazzling celebrity events. The exhibits not only educate but set the stage for the breathtaking views that await.

    Unparalleled City Vistas

    The climax of your visit is the observatory decks on the 86th and 102nd floors. Here, New York City unfolds before you in a panoramic spectacle. With high-power binoculars, spot iconic landmarks like Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. The 86th floor offers open-air views, while the 102nd floor, reached via a unique, top-speed elevator, presents a more intimate vista of the city's sprawling expanse. Free Wi-Fi allows you to capture and share this unforgettable experience instantly.

  • Accessibility

    • This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

    • Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.

    • Accessible toilets are available at the venue.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Please arrive at the redemption point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.

    Ticket redemption point

    • Show your ticket at Empire State Building.

    • Address: 20 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, United States.

    Get directions to the redemption point

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