How long lines empire state building

Cardholders who are not visiting with their party can purchase a gift certificate. Please visit our Buy Tickets page for more information. Observatory visitors should enter through our visitors' center at 20 W. Other entrances on Fifth Avenue, 34th and 33rd Streets are reserved for tenants and their visitors.

We recommend you leave your car at home. Peak visiting times vary by season. We are open days a year; for the safety of our guests we will be operating on an updated schedule following reopening. For the safety of our guests we will be operating on an updated schedule following reopening, please check the website for details. The stairs are closed to guests at all other times.

There are no time limits or specified visiting windows. Allow at least one hour for your visit, slightly more if you will be visiting both the main deck and the top deck. During peak visiting hours, especially in the warmer months, there may be extended waits to buy tickets and enter the elevators.

You can speed up your visit by buying an express ticket online , which allows you to skip the ticket office and jump to the front of all other lines.

At this time, our audio guide is being updated and is not available. Please reference our translations in 9 languages featured throughout the observatory on your tour. Restrooms, including handicap-accessible restrooms, are available on the 86th Floor only. To limit high-touch surfaces, our powerful binoculars are currently not operable. Elevators are available for visitors with baby strollers. Strollers must be folded on observation decks. Tripods are prohibited at the Observatory, and there are no storage facilities on site.

Your firearm will be seized, and you will be arrested unless you are a member of the following law enforcement agencies:. The items listed are not permitted in the Empire State Building. Do not carry any of these items into the security screening area. Items that are confiscated may not be returned. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, so if you are unsure about an item, please do not bring it. Any questions and uncertainties should be referred to the Security Officers on duty.

There are no locker storage facilities at the Empire State Building for personal belongings. All you will notice is the primary security screening, similar to airport security procedure.

Please keep in mind you will be monitored by cameras and other means throughout your entire visit. We sell a fantastic range of Empire State Building memorabilia on the 80th Floor Gift Shop, most of which is exclusive to our shop. The observation platform is open daily until am so that you can enjoy the spectacular skyline and views at night as well if you wish to. Make sure that if you are visiting late or during the winter months that bring a jacket — it can get quite chilly and windy so far up!

Special events: During the summer months you will find live music being played between pm and midnight on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The observation platform is open daily from am to am. The last elevator to the top will leave at am for those of you who want to see the city at night time. The Empire State Building has two observation platforms, one on the 86th floor and one on the nd floor.

The observation deck on the 86th floor, at a height of ft, allows you to step outside into the fresh air and see the city from above with only a small fence between you and the skyline of NYC. The platform on the nd floor is a small room enclosed in glass 16 floors above the larger, open-air, observation deck.

We checked it out last time we went — was it worth it? You can decide whether you want to go to the nd or 86th floor when you are downstairs purchasing your tickets for the Empire State Building.

Keep in mind, however, while the nd-floor observation deck is slightly higher, the platform on the 86th floor is outside and not glass enclosed in glass , meaning you can take better photos from there. You also get to ride in a hand-operated elevator to get to the top which is a special experience as you can count each floor as it goes by. If you are using the tickets to the Empire State Building included in one of the many New York discount passes , keep in mind these are only valid for the 86th floor.

If you want to get to the top of the Empire State Building, you have to make it through a total of 3 queues : the security check, the ticket line, and the elevator line.

There is no way to avoid security control, but you can avoid the lines for tickets and the elevators with the appropriate online ticket. If you just have a regular ticket the queue can be anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes long depending on the time of your visit.

After their reopening in July , the Empire State Building is starting off with online sales only to avoid long lines and crowds at the attraction. Take the assistance of the staff available. Enjoy and experience the beauty and wonderful art before you capture it. You will be able to experience the advanced technology at the venue - You can see Day turn night in few mins at the sunset floor Plan your budget - Each floor visit is S20 per person. Remember that visiting the nd floor will give you the best experience.

A well-planned trip to any place cannot always be hassle free but you can always make it less disappointing. If you don't have a proper plan, then you will miss out on the important aspects of the place. As The Empire State Building is a huge one, you will need a proper plan before visiting especially if you are taking kids with you. Make sure you plan the trip well within your budget; trip.

You can get many offers at great prices based on what you want to see here. Time matters a lot here as the whole visit to this building takes around 4 - 6 hours. Historic Landmarks. Tips for going up the Empire State Building. Skyline Views. Landmark Buildings. New York. Contents 1. Tickets and entry to the empire state building. Best time to visit the empire state building.

Some Important tips for going up the Empire State Building. Observation deck Details. Saving time and skipping the line. Locations Featured in This Article. New York United States Attractions. Can't Go to Europe? Check out These Places Instead. El Nido: Heaven on Earth in the Philippines. Explore More. Los Angeles. Santa Rosa. What's the most popular attractions in New York? Any dishes can't you miss in New York ? Best selfie spot in New York?

A few beautiful fountains in Central Park, it is best to go in the morning, few people, beautiful. What is a good souvenir from New York? What is the best season to visit New York?

April-July is the best time to travel in New York and the temperature is right. During the sunny days, there are many people in Central Park. At noon, many people are sunbathing in the park, pushing the stroller, walking the dog, and the park is part of life! There are no lockers available so make sure to leave these items at home.

The Empire State Building is handicap accessible and motorized or non-motorized wheelchairs are available if needed. Ramps are present throughout the observatory, and guests will also find lowered viewing walls and binoculars. To avoid the heavy crowds, you should go either right when the observatory opens at 8 a. If you can handle the cold, winter except right around Christmas is by far the least crowded and will have fewer visitors throughout the day.

Looking for an even more exclusive experience? You can book the Premium Experience Package and get a minute all-access guided tour through the building and skip-the-line privileges to the 86th and nd floors. Or consider the Sunrise Experience, which gives you priority entrance before the general public to watch the sunrise over the city. The building is only two blocks east of Penn Station , if you are taking Amtrak or NJ Transit into the city and want to walk right over.

Guide tip: The observatory entrance is right on 34th Street. The other entrances you may see on 5th Avenue or 33rd Street are private and not accessible to guests. The trip provides excellent views of the Manhattan skyline with the Empire State Building in ideal position. Check the NYC ferry schedule for departure times and route information. The Art Deco lobby is beautiful and can be accessed free of charge. As one of the largest office buildings in the world, there is a lot to discover about the history and architecture.