Midtown Walking Tour with Empire State Building Tickets

Walk past Midtown Manhattan’s architectural icons and ascend to the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observatory on this 90-min guided tour.

Getting started

Meet your guide outside Épicerie Boulud at 1 Vanderbilt Avenue, easily spotted by their orange ExperienceFirst hat. After a brief introduction, your group will set off at a relaxed pace, covering about three-quarters of a mile through Midtown’s storied streets.

What to expect

Midtown walking tour

This walking tour explores the evolution of New York’s skyline, spotlighting the visionaries and rivalries that shaped Midtown’s most famous landmarks. Your guide shares stories behind each stop, from Art Deco masterpieces to modern skyscrapers.

Features:

• One Vanderbilt: See this modern skyscraper and learn how it frames views of the Chrysler Building, the world’s first supertall skyscraper.

• New York Public Library: Visit a Beaux-Arts landmark, home to marble lions and hidden stories, including underground tunnels.

• Bryant Park: Pause in this 9.6-acre green space, known as Midtown’s “town square,” with views of surrounding Art Deco architecture.

• Fifth Avenue & Herald Square: Discover the cultural impact of Macy’s and the role of these avenues in shaping New York’s identity.

Empire State Building

Your journey culminates at the Empire State Building. Learn how this marvel of Art Deco design rose during the Great Depression, born from a fierce construction rivalry. Hear behind-the-scenes stories of its rapid construction and enduring pop culture fame.

Features:

• Art Deco design: Discover the architectural elements that make this building a timeless masterpiece.

• Historical insight: Learn about the 1930s “race to the skies” and what made the Empire State Building a symbol of resilience and ambition.

• 86th-floor Observatory access: End your tour with admission to the main observatory deck. Enjoy 360-degree views of New York City and, on a clear day, as far as Massachusetts.