The Empire State Building is one of the most remarkable buildings in New York City. It is prominent on the skyline and can provide a number of activities both in the building and around.
Observatories
There are observatories at the Empire State Building on both the 86th and 102nd floor, providing you with incredible 360-degree views of New York City. On a clear day, you can even see further than the city, so be sure to bring your camera.
In order to access the observatories, you will need to buy tickets. It’s best to buy them in advance online so you cut down on the lines you have to wait on.
Adult tickets for both observatories is $57. If you only want to go to the 86th floor, adult tickets are $37. You can also choose to get AM/PM passes that allow you to go during the day and then come back again at night. If you have the time, this is the pass to get because the experiences are completely different.
The Empire State Building is located at:
350 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10118
It is open from 8 AM until 2 PM daily.
Exhibits
There are several exhibits that you should plan on visiting while you are at the Empire State building.
Lobby
View Art Deco murals on the ceilings Visitor’s Center: Located on the second floor of the building, the visitors center is where you will clear security and then learn about sustainability and some of the history of the building.
Dare to Dream
This exhibit is located on the 80th floor and captures the story of the American dream.
86th floor
Known as the main deck, it’s the highest open-air observatory in all of New York state. You will be able to see stunning views of Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty.
102nd floor
The top deck provides you with spectacular views, especially at night. On clear days, you will be able to see as far as 80 miles away from the city. When you visit this deck, you will take a ride in a manually operated elevator as opposed to counting floors.
Tower lights
When you’re staring at the Empire State Building, there are various light shows to celebrate various events and holidays. Some are even synchronized to music, which is broadcast on I heart media stations. You can learn more about the Tower Lights for a specific day here.
Where to Eat
In addition to exploring the Empire State Building, you may want to grab a bite to eat. There are countless restaurants and bars in the neighboring vicinity, though we recommend a few.
STATE Grill and Bar is conveniently located in the 33rd St. lobby of the building. The menu is updated daily and features specials from farmers, Brewers, and winemakers in New York State. It is highly recommended that you make a reservation.
Heartland Brewery and Rotisserie is located at 350 5th Avenue. It is a brewpub that is highly rated and has some amazing beer and food combinations to enjoy.
You may want to check out a few other restaurants in the area with this directory.
Where to Stay
If you want to have a view of the Empire State building, there are a few different hotels that you may want to consider.
nyma, The New York Manhattan Hotel 6 W 32nd Street Plan on free breakfast and Wi-Fi at this hotel. It is budget-priced at around $90 per night during the off-peak season.
Archer Hotel New York 45 W 38th Street There’s a rooftop bar and is known to be an industrial-chic hotel. It’s midpriced at around $200 per night.
The Lanhgham 400 5th Avenue The hotel is elegant with understated decor, a gym, as well as fine dining on-premises. This is a luxury hotel with rates of around $380 per night.
Other Things to Do
It will take several hours for you to get through all there is to see and do at the Empire State building. Once you are done viewing the various exhibits and exploring the Manhattan skyline, you should consider a few other activities.
- City tours
- Escape rooms
- Chrysler building
- Grand Central Station
- Rockefeller Center