Empire State Building Ticket + NYC Guided Walking Tour

KTLY114970
Non-refundable
This ticket cannot be cancelled and is non-refundable

About this tour

This combines a small-group walking tour of New York with a ticket to the Empire State Building's 86th-floor observatory. A local guide walks you past more than 30 of the city's landmarks, from Wall Street and the Charging Bull up through Chinatown, Little Italy, the Flatiron, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center. When the walk wraps up, you head to the open-air deck on the 86th floor for the wraparound city view that shows up in so many films and shows.

Highlights

  • 360-degree views of New York from one of the world's most famous observation decks
  • The Empire State Building's Art Deco design and its long-standing spot on the skyline
  • Exhibits covering the tower's construction, history, and cultural impact
  • Observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors for city panoramas
  • The tower's lighting system that shifts the skyline's colors through the year
  • An Art Deco tower finished in 1931 that held the title of world's tallest building for nearly 40 years
  • On a clear day the view stretches across the Hudson and East rivers and into neighboring states

Places You Will Visit

Included / Excluded

  • Guided walking tour
  • 30+ top New York sights
  • Small-group size
  • Empire State Building 86th-floor ticket

Good to Know Before You Visit the Empire State Building

Your ticket covers the 86th-floor observatory, but the climb there is part of the visit. You'll come in through the restored Art Deco lobby, with its marble walls, geometric patterns, and the well-known ceiling mural of the tower itself. Past that, a set of exhibits walks you through how the skyscraper was built in the 1930s and how it has turned up in film and pop culture over the decades, with historical photos, scale models, and multimedia displays along the way.

The 86th-floor deck sits 1,050 feet (320 meters) up and is open-air, with sweeping views over Manhattan, Central Park, the Hudson River, and beyond. There's a separate, higher 102nd-floor observatory with floor-to-ceiling glass if you'd like to add it. The building is in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The simplest way in is by subway: take the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, or W train to 34th Street - Herald Square, a short walk from the entrance, and several bus lines stop nearby too. It's typically open 365 days a year, from 09:00 to 00:00, though hours can change.

Weather in New York

Today 68°F20°C 46°F8°C Rain 0%
Today 58°F14°C 42°F5°C Rain 0%
Tomorrow 62°F17°C 36°F2°C Rain 0%
Sun, Oct 25 65°F19°C 50°F10°C Rain 0%
Mon, Oct 26 70°F21°C 51°F11°C Rain 0%
Tue, Oct 27 62°F17°C 53°F12°C Rain 0%
Wed, Oct 28 55°F13°C 53°F12°C Rain 2%

Local time 7:53 PM, UTC-04:00

Available Days / Times

  • Monday : 10:00
  • Tuesday : 10:00
  • Wednesday : 10:00
  • Thursday : 10:00
  • Friday : 10:00
  • Saturday : 10:00
  • Sunday : 10:00

Last updated: Oct 22, 2026

From
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Important Information

  • Timed online entry helps you skip the long ticket lines at one of NYC's busiest attractions
  • The 86th-floor open-air deck is included; the higher 102nd-floor observatory needs a ticket upgrade
  • 86th floor is open-air with classic skyline views; the 102nd is smaller with floor-to-ceiling glass from higher up
  • All visitors pass through airport-style security before the elevators
  • Sunset is the busiest slot; early morning or late evening are quieter, and an express pass skips the lines
  • Some tickets add sunrise visits with breakfast, skip-the-line entry, or combos with other NYC attractions
  • No outside food or drink
  • All bags are subject to search
  • Smoking is prohibited throughout the building
  • Follow posted signs and instructions from security staff
  • No disruptive behavior

FAQs

How do I book this tour and ticket?
You can book online through our website for guaranteed entry to the walking tour and the Empire State Building's 86th floor.
Where can I buy Empire State Building tickets?
Booking online through our website is the easiest way to lock in verified entry and avoid the ticket counter.
Can I buy tickets at the entrance instead?
Tickets are sold at the entrance, but booking ahead online is smarter to skip the queues and guarantee your spot.
What's the best time to go up?
Early morning or after 20:00 tend to be quietest. Sunset has the best light but draws the biggest crowds.
How long does the Empire State Building visit take?
Most visitors spend about 2 to 3 hours at the building, including the lobby, exhibits, and observation deck.
Is the Empire State Building worth it?
Yes. The open-air 86th-floor view over Manhattan, paired with the building's history and Art Deco design, makes it a standout stop.
Are there discounts on tickets?
Check our website for any current discounts and special offers on Empire State Building tickets.
What does the ticket price include?
This combo includes the guided walking tour and admission to the 86th-floor observatory. The 102nd floor is a separate upgrade.
Is there a security check?
Yes, all visitors go through airport-style security and all bags are subject to search.
Can I bring a camera?
Yes, cameras are welcome for shots of the city from the observation deck.
Why was the Empire State Building such a landmark when it opened?
Completed in 1931, it went up in just over a year during the Great Depression and stayed the world's tallest building for nearly four decades.
What's the difference between the 86th and 102nd floors?
The 86th floor is the open-air wraparound deck most people picture, while the 102nd floor is a higher, enclosed space that looks out through glass from near the very top.
What else is near the Empire State Building?
It sits in Midtown at Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street, within walking distance of Times Square, Bryant Park, and the Fifth Avenue shops.
Why does the top of the building change colors?
The tower lights its top in different colors for holidays and events, and it's worth looking up at from street level even if you don't go inside.

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