The Empire State Building can be visited every day of the year, with a timed-slot reservation, and has two observation decks: the 86th floor (open air) and the 102nd floor. The official website itself names the busiest times: the first two hours after opening and the hour after sunset. So we calculated sunset on the 15th of each month to help you choose your slot. For the rest of your stay, see our guide to visiting New York. If you are combining observation decks and museums, see whether the New York Pass is worth it for your plans.
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Empire State Building: key facts
- Open 365 days a year; hours vary by season (9 am–10 pm on October 15, 2026).
- 86th floor ticket: from $46; 86th + 102nd floor: from $81; $2 booking fee per ticket.
- Reservation: timed slot required (a "Flex" ticket lets you come at any time on the day you choose).
- Duration: at least one hour for the 86th floor, with no time limit once you are there.
- On-site ticket office: 12 W 34th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), but buying online is strongly advised.
- Information checked on 15 October 2026 on esbnyc.com (official website) — prices may change, check before you go.
Tickets: official vs resellers
The official ticket office (esbnyc.com) offers several options. The prices below are "from" prices, recorded on 15 October 2026; they vary by date and time.
| Official option | From | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| 86th floor | $46 | 86th-floor open-air observatory, exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors |
| 86th + 102nd floor | $81 | Both observatories |
| Express Pass 86th | $87 | 86th floor, skipping the exhibits and elevator lines |
| Express Pass 86th + 102nd | $122 | Both observatories, priority access |
| AM/PM Experience | $67 | Two visits on the same day (morning and evening) |
The Empire State Building is also included in tourist passes (CityPASS, New York Pass) that the official website lists itself. Online resellers sell the same admissions, sometimes with an extra service; before buying elsewhere, compare with the official price for the same day and check that a time slot is actually reserved. A ticket without a slot can mean an extra wait on site.
Opening hours
The official website states that the building is open 365 days a year, "rain or shine", with hours that change by season: it refers to the hours displayed on the day on its home page. On October 15, 2026, it showed 9 am–10 pm. In winter, heaters are installed on the 86th-floor outdoor deck. For public holidays and special evenings, check the day’s hours on esbnyc.com.
Best time to visit: avoid the sunset peak
According to the official website, the busiest times are the first two hours after opening and the hour after sunset. The table gives the sunset time calculated for the 15th of each month: the window to avoid (if you want quiet) starts at that time. Conversely, if you want to see the city go from day to night, book a slot 30 to 45 minutes before sunset.
| Month (15th) | Sunset | Busiest window (approx.) | Average high |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4:52 pm | 4:52 pm–5:52 pm | 4.2 °C (40 °F) |
| February | 5:30 pm | 5:30 pm–6:30 pm | 5.7 °C (42 °F) |
| March | 7:01 pm | 7:01 pm–8:01 pm | 9.9 °C (50 °F) |
| April | 7:34 pm | 7:34 pm–8:34 pm | 16.6 °C (62 °F) |
| May | 8:05 pm | 8:05 pm–9:05 pm | 21.9 °C (71 °F) |
| June | 8:28 pm | 8:28 pm–9:28 pm | 26.5 °C (80 °F) |
| July | 8:26 pm | 8:26 pm–9:26 pm | 29.4 °C (85 °F) |
| August | 7:54 pm | 7:54 pm–8:54 pm | 28.5 °C (83 °F) |
| September | 7:06 pm | 7:06 pm–8:06 pm | 24.6 °C (76 °F) |
| October | 6:16 pm | 6:16 pm–7:16 pm | 18.1 °C (65 °F) |
| November | 4:38 pm | 4:38 pm–5:38 pm | 12.2 °C (54 °F) |
| December | 4:29 pm | 4:29 pm–5:29 pm | 6.8 °C (44 °F) |
As for weather, the 86th-floor deck is open air: from December to February, the average high in Central Park stays between 4 and 7 °C (39 and 44 °F). The most comfortable months are May, June, September and October; see our page on the best time to visit New York for details.
Empire State, Top of the Rock or Edge?
New York has several observation decks. The Empire State has two assets of its own: it is open every day of the year and its 86th-floor deck is open air. Its drawback is obvious: from the Empire State, you cannot see… the Empire State. From Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) or other towers, it appears in the panorama instead. We did not record the prices of these competitors on the same date: compare them on their official websites before choosing.
Which ticket to choose? Decision tree
- Tight budget → 86th-floor ticket only: the outdoor deck is the main experience.
- You want the highest view → 86th + 102nd floor.
- Short on time → Express Pass, which bypasses the exhibits and elevator lines.
- Can’t choose between day and night → AM/PM Experience (two visits on the same day).
- Uncertain schedule → Flex ticket, valid at any time on the day you choose.
- Combining several attractions → compare with the tourist passes listed by the official website.
How long the visit takes
- 1 hour: 86th floor only, including the walk through the exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors (the official website says "at least one hour").
- Less time: the Express Pass bypasses the exhibits and elevator lines.
- Checklist: ticket with time slot on your phone, a jacket even in summer (wind on the 86th floor), arrive a little before your booked time.
Getting there
The Empire State rises from Fifth Avenue at 34th Street, in the heart of Midtown, according to the official website (checked on 15 October 2026). The on-site ticket office is at 12 W 34th Street.
Accessibility
The official website has an "Accessibility" section for visitors with reduced mobility. Its content was not readable when we checked, so we refer you to that page rather than summarize conditions we could not verify.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the sunset slot hoping to avoid the crowd: it is the busiest time according to the official website.
- Turning up without a reservation: a time slot is required for all visits.
- Comparing a reseller price with an official price for another date.
- Planning 20 minutes: the full experience takes at least an hour.
- Forgetting a jacket in winter: the deck is outdoors.
What to see nearby
From the Empire State, you are a few blocks from Bryant Park, the New York Public Library and Times Square. Our guide to things to do in New York covers the other neighborhoods; for entry requirements, see entry requirements for the United States. The intersection has its own page: visiting Times Square, with sunset times month by month.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Empire State Building cost?
On October 15, 2026, the official website showed the 86th floor from $46 and the 86th + 102nd from $81, plus a $2 booking fee per ticket. The price varies by date and time.
Do you need to book the Empire State Building?
Yes, all visits require a timed reservation. A Flex ticket lets you come at any time on the day you choose.
What is the best time to go up the Empire State Building?
To avoid the crowds, avoid the first two hours after opening and the hour after sunset (rule published by the official website). Our table gives the sunset time on the 15th of each month.
Is the Empire State Building open every day?
Yes, 365 days a year, with hours that vary by season.
How long does the visit take?
At least one hour for the 86th floor according to the official website, with no time limit once at the top.
Our sources
- Empire State Building (esbnyc.com): home page, Buy Tickets and 86th Floor Observation Deck pages (built-in FAQ), consulted on 15 October 2026, and again on 11 November 2026 for the location.
- NOAA / National Weather Service: 1991–2020 normals for Central Park, taken from our page on the best time to visit New York.
- Destination de Voyage calculation: sunset (NOAA algorithm); see our methodology.
Updated November 2026.