Empire State Building Tickets: The 15 Best Options

1.Empire State Building Tickets – Observatory & Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 25,757 reviews · 45 minutes - 2 hours · from $47Our pick

Visit the Empire State Building’s 86th Floor Observatory, restored Art Deco spaces, and galleries on its construction and pop-culture fame. Choose a ticket with access to the 102nd floor for floor-to-ceiling windows and views across as many as six states, or add Express entry to skip the line.

“WOW! What a view! I was breathtaken by far one of the best excursions I have booked. I am scared of heights but it really didn’t actually fase me. 1100% recommend to book.”

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2.Empire State Building Observation Deck Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 22,072 reviews · from $48

Ride up the Empire State Building for the 86th-floor open-air deck, with a choice to add the 102nd floor’s tall windows or upgrade to Express entry. On the way, explore exhibits on the building’s 1931 construction, Art Deco design, elevators, and pop-culture fame. Allow 45 minutes to two hours, depending on your pace and the lines.

“Loved it! It was rainy and foggy, but this somehow just added to our experience. It was quiet, felt like we were the only people there. Staff super nice!”

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3.NYC Empire State Building Observation Deck Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,916 reviews · 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Visit the Empire State Building on your own schedule, with a mobile ticket for the 86th Floor Observatory and exhibits on the building’s construction, films, and sustainability. Upgrade for the 102nd floor or a skip-the-line option. Plan on 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, and dress for the weather on the open-air deck.

“Interactive activities are engaging and educational for all ages! Views are phenomenal. A New York City”

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4.New York Pass: 100+ Things To Do including Empire State Building

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,329 reviews · 1 to 5 days (approx.) · from $169

Use a digital Go City pass to visit more than 100 New York attractions over 1 to 5 consecutive calendar days. Choices range from the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty ferry and major museums to neighborhood walks, bike rentals and cruises. Some stops require advance reservations or a timed ticket, so plan before your first day.

“The NY Pass is worth it if you take your time researching all the activities you want to do. For example, some activities take place only at certain times of the day. Others can be done any time of the day. You really have to plan your day to maximize the value of this pass. My family spent ~$800 for these NY Passes but used about $2000 worth of activities.”

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5.Empire State Building Express Tickets – Skip the Line

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 604 reviews · 45 min · from $92

Enter at 20 West 34th Street with an Express ticket, follow the red carpet past standard queues, and visit the building’s history galleries before the 86th-floor Observatory. Choose the 102nd-floor upgrade for indoor, floor-to-ceiling views. The listed visit lasts 45 minutes, but you may want more time for exhibits and photos.

“Everything was great and loved being able to skip the line. Signage could’ve been better in terms of where to go but overall great experience.”

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6.Express Empire State Building Tickets- Skip-the-Line

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 212 reviews · from $93

Enter through the 34th Street Observatory entrance and follow the red-carpet Express lane to the Empire State Building’s exhibits and observation decks. Your ticket includes the 86th floor, with 102nd-floor access depending on the option you book. A free app offers self-guided audio in nine languages.

“Everything was great and loved being able to skip the line. Signage could’ve been better in terms of where to go but overall great experience.”

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7.Empire State, Statue of Liberty, & Hop-on Hop-off (Save 25%)

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 209 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $135

Explore Manhattan on Big Bus’s 48-hour downtown and uptown routes, with admission to the Empire State Building observation deck and round-trip ferry service to Liberty and Ellis Islands. Each bus loop takes about 90 minutes without stops. You’ll need to arrange your Empire State Building time and redeem the ferry voucher with Big Bus staff.

“This experience was great! The stops aren't the easiest to find, so you want to make sure get back on the bus where you get dropped off. The audio tour is good too. We had a little trouble understanding how the ferry tour worked, but Ibrahim came to the rescue and answered all of our questions. He spent extra time with us printing out tickets we needed and gave us some pointers on how to get where we needed even faster. Without Ibrahim I'd rate this a 4, but because of his helpfulness, Im giving a 5!”

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8.NY: Statue of Liberty, Empire State, and Hop-on Hop-off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 163 reviews · 2 days · from $135

Big Bus Tours gives you 48 hours on Downtown and Uptown hop-on hop-off routes, plus Empire State Building entry and, if selected, a round-trip ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands. Use the bus to link major sights, then choose your own order for the attractions. English-speaking drivers and audio commentary in five languages are included.

“the server printed off my tickets with the wrong dates on that we asked for then said she couldn't change them and I had to see the attraction centre, having spoke with Statue of Liberty Kiosk I was told that BBT was responsible and they do this all the time to people, I raised it to the customer care team for Big Bus who just fobbed me off saying there was nothing they do, I ended up having to pay twice for attractions I wanted to see so we didn't miss out, Be extremely careful if you use them, I wont again”

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9.NYC Bundle: Empire State, Big Bus Tour, & Circle Line Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 106 reviews · 2 days · from $99

See Manhattan from the Empire State Building’s 86th floor, ride Big Bus’s Downtown and Uptown loops for 48 hours, then take a 60- or 90-minute Circle Line cruise. You can schedule the building and boat on separate days, and use the Big Bus app for route details and live bus tracking.

“Em relação ao big bus, Gostei da possibilidade de descer nos locais de interesse. Não gostei do áudio-guia. Em alguns veículos não funcionava, estava estragado. Quando funcionava, estava atrasado ou adiantado em relação ao local por onde estávamos passando. Não faria novamente. O Empire State também é uma atração mediana. Demorei para agendar e ficamos num horário horrível, à noite. Gostei bastante do cruzeiro, fizemos o de 90 minutos. Este valeu a pena!”

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10.Empire State Building Sunrise Experience Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 68 reviews · 1 day · from $146

Start Saturday before the public opening with an Empire State Building host and a small group on the 86th-floor observatory. Watch the sun rise over Manhattan, enjoy Starbucks Reserve coffee and Princi pastries, then explore the building’s galleries and architectural model. The ticket includes an audio guide, WiFi and access to the Art Deco lobby.

“le levé du soleil etait magnifique tres belle expérience et le petit déjeuner servi par starbucks etait tres bon”

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11.Empire State Building & 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 60 reviews · 2 days · from $105

Spend two days combining the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observatory with Big Bus’s Downtown and Uptown loops. Get on and off at more than 40 stops, with digital audio in six languages and live bus tracking in the app. A Statue of Liberty ferry is included only with the option that selects it.

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12.Midtown, Empire State Building & Top of the Rock Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 2h 30m · from $59

Pair a Midtown walking tour with a guided visit to the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, or both. Your English-speaking guide covers landmarks such as Bryant Park, the New York Public Library, and Rockefeller Center. Mike is one guide praised by name, but guide assignments can vary.

“Muito bom. Gostei do guia e da sua boa vontade”

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13.Empire State Building & Manhattan Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 18 reviews · 5 hours · from $120

Spend three hours walking from Wall Street through the 9/11 Memorial area, Chinatown and Little Italy, with an English-speaking local guide and a small group. Then head to the Empire State Building on your own for up to two hours at the 86th-floor observatory. The $120 price includes admission; access to the 102nd floor is an optional upgrade.

“The tour and the tour guide was great! Very informative and the floor was open for anyone to ask questions. We also covered a lot of areas in NYC.”

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14.Empire State Building & Optional Top of the Rock Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 12 reviews · 2h 30m · from $76

Start near the Empire State Building for an early-access guided visit, including its Dare to Dream exhibit and 86th-floor observatory. A guide leads a group of up to 20 past Bryant Park and the New York Public Library to Rockefeller Center. Choose the Top of the Rock option for admission to its observatory and time to explore the views on your own.

“The tour was excellent. Our guide was very good, nothing was too much trouble and his knowledge was excellent too.”

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15.NYC Empire State Horse Carriage Ride in Central Park(45mins)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12 reviews · 45 min

Set off from Central Park South for a private 45-minute horse-drawn ride past landmarks including Bethesda Terrace, Strawberry Fields and the Central Park Zoo. Your English-speaking driver points out sights and stops for photos at Bethesda Fountain and Cherry Hill Fountain. Drivers Oliver and Ali have earned praise for friendly service, clear explanations and helping with pictures.

“Oliver and Bobbie weed awesome! Gorgeous horse, friendly driver, knowledgeable about the history of Central Park. The view was gorgeous and Oliver was kind enough to take our picture and stop for beautiful views and to rest and feed his horse. Thank you!”

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