Empire State Building Tickets - Observatory and Optional Skip the Line Tickets

Stepping into the lobby of the Empire State Building is an experience of its own. This historic landmark has been restored with stunning Art Deco ceiling murals, and above the front desk is one of the most famous images anywhere in New York City, a depiction of the building itself with beams of light radiating from the mast.

Head to the second floor Visitors’ Center to buy or print tickets and pass through a security check point. An elevator ride to the 80th floor presents the Dare to Dream exhibit that captures the building’s history, engineering and construction work. See period photographs, architectural sketches, construction notes and more, all paying tribute to the more than 3,400 workers who helped to create this building.

The final elevator ride arrives at the 86th-floor Main Deck and the highest open-air observatory in New York. This is the center of it all. Enjoy 360-degree views of New York and beyond — Central Park, the Hudson River, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and so much more.

VIP Express Experience Upgrade:
Upgrade to the VIP Express Experience and skip the lines. This is the quickest way to the top of the Empire State Building, saving you valuable time for all the rest of your New York experiences. The VIP pass is especially helpful from Memorial Day through Labor Day, from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day and all holiday weekends. Speed to the top with no waiting!