Empire State Building.

Yes, and it matters less than you think. The Empire State Building’s main deck sits at 1,050 feet on the 86th floor. Top of the Rock’s top level is around 850 feet on the 70th floor. So the Empire State Building has you roughly 200 feet higher, and its enclosed 102nd-floor Top Deck climbs higher still, to about 1,250 feet.

Here is what nobody tells you though. Past a certain height, going higher does not make the view better. It makes it flatter. From the 86th floor you are so far up that the streets below start to lose their texture and the closer buildings shrink into a carpet. From Top of the Rock’s lower perch, the surrounding skyscrapers still feel like they have presence and scale, and the Empire State Building itself reads as a proper tower rather than a distant needle. Two hundred feet is not the flex the marketing implies. In my experience, the composition beats the altitude every single time.

Arguably the most famous building in New York City, the Empire State Building offers views so legendary, even King Kong couldn’t resist climbing it for a peek. Standing at 1,454 feet, it now ranks as the seventh tallest building in the city.

Reaching the top is a three-elevator journey. The first ride takes you to the 80th floor, where you’ll switch elevators to reach the 86th floor, the Empire State Building’s main observation deck. This level offers enclosed 360° views of the city, along with access to an open-air terrace. But if you’re craving an even higher vantage point, there’s still one more stop.

For those willing to splurge, there’s an optional top-deck ticket that’s well worth the upgrade. It includes a ride in a glass elevator up to the 102nd floor, located inside the building’s spire, offering a more intimate and distinctive view of the city. To visit the observatory, make sure to enter at 20 West 34th Street on the building’s north side, other entrances

Famous Status. It’s a bucket-list landmark, one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, with a cinematic legacy and classic New York charm.

Unmatched Views. Panoramic, 360° views from the 86th and 102nd floors let you take in the entire city, from Central Park to the Statue of Liberty.

Unique Experience. From glass elevators in the spire to an open-air terrace, it’s a one-of-a-kind journey through NYC’s architectural history.

Some of the most notable sights include the Chrysler Building, Bryant Park, and the lights of Times Square. Even the One World stands tall in the distance. The one thing missing is the Empire State Building itself.

Tickets range from $44-$156. The standard ticket that only gives access to the 86th-floor observatory is $44, and the 102nd-floor observatory ticket starts at $79, depending on time and day.

One of the most unique ticket options is in collaboration with Starbucks, where for $135, you can watch the sunrise (with a cup of coffee).

Pros.

Cons.

This one of those New York moments that makes you fall in love with the city all over again.

The Empire State Building is the most famous building in New York City. Completed in 1931 during the Great Depression, it soared to impressive heights of 1,454 feet (443.2 meters), making it the tallest building in the world at the time.

Designed by William F. Lamb of the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, its construction employed thousands of workers and utilized an innovative steel frame structure, allowing it to rise swiftly within a record-breaking 410 days (imagine!).

As one of NYC’s tallest buildings, its distinctive Art Deco style and observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors quickly made it a popular tourist attraction. Despite initial financial struggles, it turned profitable and nobody could imagine the city without this icon in the skyline.

Not only is the Empire State Building one of the tallest buildings in New York City, but it’s also home to one of the best observation decks. Check out All 5 Observation Decks in New York City (Ranked by Locals).

The Empire State Building is arguably the most famous building in New York. Thankfully, the sweeping views from the observation deck lives up to the hype.

There’s actually two observation decks (86th floor & 102th floor). To visit the 102nd floor observation deck, you’ll need to purchase an additional ticket (at a hefty price point, which is not worth it in my opinion). The views from the Main Observation Deck on the 86th floor are remarkable!

Crowds are guaranteed most of the day, but especially at sunset. However, it gets cold quickly and folks tend to move fast, so it’s pretty easy to get close to the fence and take in the stunning view. From here, you’ll see the One World Trade Center, Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Plaza Center, Times Square and the Brooklyn Bridge. Tickets can be bought on their website.

The Empire State Building is one of the first places I visited when I moved to New York, and it still impresses me every time. It’s a classic NYC landmark, and the views from the top are just as spectacular as you’d hope. You get a full 360-degree view of the city, with Central Park to the north and the Statue of Liberty to the south.

I recommend going early in the morning or right before sunset to avoid the biggest crowds. The exhibits on the way up walk you through the building’s history, which is pretty cool. If you’re looking for the best observation decks in NYC, the Empire State Building should definitely be on your list. The photos are great, but standing up there in person is even better.

Skip the tourist version and do it like a local, here’s how.

Most famous for housing one of the best observation deck decks in NYC, the Empire State Building attracts crowds for a completely different reason during the holiday season. At the base of the famous building you’ll find some of the best holiday window displays New York City has to offer.

Artfully decorated, themes usually stick with the building’s famous status and showcase famous landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.

They don’t call New York City the Empire State for nothing! Soaring to dizzying heights of 1,454 feet, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for 40 years (from 1931–1971). It’s one of New York City’s most iconic buildings, and odds are if you’re visiting you’ll snap at least one photo of it.

Why not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in NYC by take a photo with the Empire State when it’s lit up green? That’s right! The top of the building will be illuminated by green lights to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day in NYC. And, if you look extra close, you’ll also notice the mast has a rotating Irish flag.

Reaching dizzying heights of 1,454 feet, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for 40 years (from 1931–1971). More impressively, the construction of this famous New York City building took a mere 20 months from start to finish.

With 102 floors, this Art Deco masterpiece was an engineering marvel of its time and remains one of the most famous landmarks in the world. The building’s observation decks, on the 86th and 102nd floors, offer awe-inspiring views of the city, drawing over 4 million visitors each year.

Skip the tourist version and do it like a local, here’s how.

As one of the premier movie locations in New York City, the Empire State draws its fair share of tourists climbing to the top of its observatory for a photo with King Kong. Over 100 movies have been filmed at the Empire State Building over nearly a century.

I want to love the Empire State Building observation deck more than I do. The building itself is one of the most beautiful things humans have ever built. The lobby is stunning. The history is incredible. But the observation experience has some problems. First, you can’t see the Empire State Building from the Empire State Building (I already ranted about this). Second, the 86th floor deck is often extremely crowded and the fencing makes photos tricky. Third, the express passes and add-ons mean the pricing can climb well above $40.

That said. If it’s your first time in New York and you’ve dreamed about standing on top of the Empire State Building since you were a kid, go. Some things are about the feeling, not the value. Buy tickets online in advance and go on a weeknight if you can.