Empire State Building: 86th Floor Observation Deck & Exhibits

From the Street to 1,050 Feet: What the Empire State Building Lets You See

You get immersive galleries on the way up, then 360° views from the 86th floor (or floor-to-ceiling windows on the 102nd). The visit includes access to exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors and free Wi-Fi. Arrive mid-morning for the shortest wait, or choose Express for priority entry.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the most famous view in New York without arranging transport or timing—the building is in Midtown with public transit nearby, and the ticket gets you straight to the decks and exhibits without planning anything else.

What’s included

• Your ticket includes admission to the Empire State Building, access to immersive galleries on the 2nd and 80th floors that cover the building's construction and Art Deco design, access to the 86th Floor Observation Deck with 360° views, and free Wi-Fi on-site.
• From June 9 through July 19, a limited-time Classic Football Jersey Exhibit is also open to all ticket holders.
• If you upgrade, the 102nd floor observation deck with floor-to-ceiling windows is added.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Empire State Building Observation Deck

• Explore immersive galleries on 2nd floor
• View exhibits on 80th floor
• Enjoy 360° views from 86th floor deck

The Experience

You're standing on a Midtown sidewalk, surrounded by other people doing the same thing—looking up. Then you're inside, moving through galleries that explain how this building got built in 1931, how Art Deco shaped its bones, how it became the thing everyone wants to see from somewhere else. The exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors tell that story before you step onto the 86th Floor Observation Deck, where the skyline stops being a postcard and becomes something you're actually standing in. Central Park spreads out in one direction, the Brooklyn Bridge in another, and on a clear day the visibility stretches eighty miles—far enough to see into three states beyond New York.

The 86th floor is open-air, which means wind and weather and the actual feeling of being up there, not behind glass. If you want the floor-to-ceiling windows and the slightly more sheltered experience, the 102nd floor upgrade is there, but most people find the 86th floor is where the real view lives. You move around it, and the city keeps turning. There's free Wi-Fi if you need to send a photo, though honestly the phone camera doesn't quite catch it. The building itself—the Art Deco details, the way it tapers as it rises—is part of what you're looking at, not just the frame around it.

Timing matters here. The recommendation is to arrive two hours after opening, when the morning rush has cleared but the light is still good. If you're running late, they'll do their best to fit you in; if you're short on time altogether, the Express Ticket gets you priority access and skips the line. Infants and small children ride free—tickets for kids 0-5 are picked up at the ticket office when you arrive. The building is fully wheelchair accessible, and public transportation stops nearby, so getting there doesn't require a car.

Top questions

How long does the visit take?

Most people spend 1.5 to 2 hours total, including exhibits and observation deck time. Express tickets move faster through entry.

Can I visit both the 86th and 102nd floors?

Yes, if you upgrade to the 102nd floor ticket. Both decks are included in that option.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and elevators serve both observation decks.

What if the weather is bad?

No refunds are issued due to weather or wait times. Visibility on cloudy days is reduced, but the building remains open.

Are infants charged?

No. Children 0-5 years old have free admission; pick up their ticket at the ticket office on arrival.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed throughout the building.

Is there a time limit on how long I can stay?

No stated time limit. You can spend as long as you want on the observation decks.

What's included in the ticket?

Admission, access to immersive exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors, access to the 86th floor observation deck, and free Wi-Fi.