FAQs about Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The building’s name comes from “Empire State,” the nickname of the state of New York. Completed in 1931, the Empire State Building was the world’s tallest building until the first tower of the World Trade Center was completed in 1970.

The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The building’s name comes from “Empire State,” the nickname of the state of New York. Completed in 1931, the Empire State Building was the world’s tallest building until the first tower of the World Trade Center was completed in 1970.

The Empire State Building is a must-see New York icon, known for its Art Deco design, rich history, and breathtaking views. Named TripAdvisor’s #1 Attraction in the World (2024), it offers unforgettable views of New York City from the 86th and 102nd-floor observatories, especially at sunset. Recent renovations include a 10,000 sq ft exhibit, adding more to explore. As the world’s tallest building for 40 years and a star of films like King Kong, it remains a cultural and historical landmark. Despite the crowds, the experience is well worth it.

The main entrance to the Empire State Building is located on 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. You can look for number 20 over the doorway. The entrance is accessible for visitors with disabilities.

The Empire State Building is open 365 days a year, but the opening hours vary. The observation deck is generally open daily between 9 am and 11 pm. During peak tourist season, May through September, the building may stay open until 12 am or 1 am. The last elevator ascends 45 minutes before closing time.

The Empire State Building has 102 floors. The first 85 floors of the building are used for commercial and office space, while the 86th floor contains an observatory called the Main Deck. The remaining 16 floors above the 86th floor are part of the spire and are used mostly for mechanical purposes. The spire is capped by an observatory on the 102nd floor called the Upper Deck. It also has a 103rd-floor balcony that is not open to the public.

The Empire State Building was the world’s tallest building for 42 years, from its completion in 1931 until the North Tower of the World Trade Center was built in 1970. Till the top floor, the Empire State Building is 1,250 feet (380 meters) tall. Including its spire and antenna, the building is 1,454 feet (443 meters) tall.

The Empire State Building is a popular and worthwhile experience at sunset despite the crowds. As the sun sets, it casts a warm, ethereal glow over the city, creating a magical ambiance. Both locals and tourists consider the views from the observation decks during sunset breathtaking and unforgettable. Do keep in mind that sunset is the most crowded time to visit.

The Empire State Building offers a special “Sunrise Experience” on Saturdays, for which you must purchase tickets in advance. Tickets are $135 per person. Because capacity is extremely limited, we suggest tickets be bought as soon as possible. The Sunrise Experience includes pre-opening access to the 86th-floor observatory, the museum on the second floor, complimentary Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building Microblend Coffee, and a selection of artisanal pastries from Princi.

There is no minimum age requirement to visit the Empire State Building. Toddlers aged five and under are admitted for free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Note that strollers are allowed, but you must fold them in the observatory areas.

No, the Empire State Building does not have a dress code, but here is some advice on how to dress. The observation decks can be chilly, especially during the evenings and colder months. Bring a jacket or sweater, even in the summer. You’ll be doing a lot of walking and standing, so comfortable shoes are a must. The wind can be strong on the observation decks, so avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing or anything that could easily blow away. For women, this means avoiding flowing dresses or skirts.

Visit the Empire State Building during the day if you want clear views of landmarks and the city stretching for miles. It’s perfect for sightseeing, though it can be crowded. Visit at night for a romantic atmosphere and city lights. The building’s illumination and sparkling skyline create a magical experience, with smaller crowds. Twilight is ideal for the best of both worlds – watching the sunset and the city light up.

There is no time limit for how long you can stay at the Empire State Building as long as you are there during operating hours. Once inside, you can enjoy the observation decks for as long as you like. Most tourists take one to two hours to explore the 86th and 102nd-floor observation decks fully.

The Empire State Building’s elevators were designed to travel at a remarkable speed of 1,200 feet per minute (366 m/min). This means they can ascend from the ground floor to the 86th floor in under a minute.

Outside food is prohibited in the Empire State Building’s 86th and 102nd-floor observation decks. However, multiple restaurants and eateries are located inside the building, where you can purchase food and beverages. Some of these dining options include – STATE Grill and Bar (American cuisine), Tacombi (Mexican food), Starbucks (coffee and snacks), and Sushi-Teria (sushi and salads).

The Empire State Building has no locker storage facilities for personal belongings, so they do not allow luggage, small carry-ons, and oversized backpacks. If you must bring a bag, it should be small enough to carry with you at all times.

Tourists visiting Empire State Building observatories can use restrooms on the 2nd floor and the 86th. The second-floor restrooms also have baby-changing facilities. It is better to use the second-floor restrooms before entering the elevator line to save time.

While personal photography is allowed, the Empire State Building has strict rules regarding professional and commercial photography. Tripods and large equipment are prohibited. When planning your photography, it’s essential to be respectful of other visitors and aware of the potential for crowds.

Once inside the ESB, you can take some of the best photos in the building’s lobby, the second-floor museum, the 86th-floor, and the 102nd-floor observatories. The best of all locations is the open-air observation deck on floor 86, which provides 360-degree views of the New York City skyline.

You can snap a picture-perfect photo of the Empire State Building from any of the following locations – Madison Square Park, Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center, Union Square (just below 14th & Broadway), 5th Avenue & 18th Street, Penn Station 34th Street, Bryant Park (from the north side), and Sky Lark Rooftop Bar.

Whether someone with a fear of heights can enjoy the views from ESB’s observation decks depends on the severity of their phobia. If you have milder fear, practicing mindfulness, deep breathing, and focusing on the beautiful New York City views instead of the height might help manage anxiety.

No, you cannot climb the stairs to the top of the Empire State Building. The stairs are only open to the public once a year for the annual Empire State Building Run-Up. This race takes runners from the ground level to the 86th-floor observation deck. For the rest of the year, the stairs are closed to guests for safety and security reasons.

Yes, you can take your baby to the Empire State Building Observatory. Strollers are allowed inside the building, but you must be able to fold them up in the observatory areas. The restrooms on the second floor also have baby-changing facilities.

The observation deck doesn’t offer visitors coat check or baggage holding facilities. Bring as little as possible and drop off any large bags or luggage at your hotel before visiting.

The Empire State Building does not have lockers or luggage storage facilities for visitors. It is better to leave large bags and luggage at your hotel before visiting. If you arrive with luggage, you can find luggage storage options nearby through services like LuggageHero.

Yes, you can visit the Empire State Building in winter. It is open 365 days a year, including holidays. Winter is a good time to visit if you prefer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds than the peak summer months.

The Empire State Building was designed by the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon. The building’s design is in the Art Deco style.

The closest station to the Empire State Building is 34 St-Penn Station, a 1-minute walk away. Other nearby stations include W 34 St/5 Av, 5 Av/W 34 St, E 34 St/5 Av, E 34 St/5 Av, 34 St–Herald Sq, all of which are only two minutes by walk from the observation deck.

The Empire State Building is only half a mile from Times Square. The cheapest and fastest way is to take the subway from 42 St-Times Square to 34 St-Herald Sq. This journey takes approximately 4 minutes. If you prefer to walk, it will take about 11 minutes.

The phone number of the Empire State Building is +1 212-736-3100.