NYC: Empire State Building Express Tickets – Skip the Line

The best part of this Empire State Building visit is simple: you walk past the queues and head toward the elevators on a literal red carpet. At the top, the 86th Floor Observatory gives you open-air views across Manhattan, while the optional 102nd floor adds enclosed windows and a higher look at New York.

I like the well-made exhibits before the elevators, especially the construction displays, two-story building model, and King Kong section. I also like the express access when the entrance is crowded, since some visitors reached the 86th floor in about 10 minutes instead of spending much longer in several indoor queues.

The catch is the price. At $92 per person, this is a serious splurge, and express access is less useful during quiet early or late visits. Cloud, rain, or fog can also hide the very views you came to see.

Key points at a glance

• Red carpet entry: Enter at 20 West 34th Street and follow the marked express route through the building.
• 86th Floor Observatory: See Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, and much of Manhattan from an open-air deck.
• 102nd floor upgrade: Look through floor-to-ceiling windows from the highest public viewing level in the building.
• Worthwhile exhibits: Learn how the skyscraper was built and see its links to King Kong, Elf, celebrities, and film.
• Best timing: Express access matters most during busy daytime periods, not necessarily late at night or at quiet hours.
• Family-friendly visit: Children enjoy the interactive displays, with free admission for children under 6.

Getting inside at 20 West 34th Street

Your visit begins at the Observatory Entrance at 20 West 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. This is a central Midtown location, so you can pair the building with nearby Fifth Avenue sights, but leave enough time to find the correct entrance.

Once inside, look for the red carpet flooring just before the Will Call Desk. That carpet marks the express route. Scan your barcoded ticket at the turnstile, then keep the ticket ready. You need to scan it four times on the way up, so do not put your phone away after the first checkpoint.

The system is easy when you know what to look for. Follow signs for Express Entry and keep using the lanes marked by red carpet. One visitor found the signage less clear than expected, so if you are uncertain, ask an employee rather than joining a regular queue by mistake. Staff are generally helpful with directions and ticket scanning.

You still pass through airport-style security. Leave glass items, sports equipment, paint, markers, and luggage elsewhere. This is not the place to arrive with a large bag after a day of shopping.

The building is wheelchair accessible and fully ADA compliant. Service dogs, motorized wheelchairs, and non-motorized wheelchairs are permitted. Free WiFi is available, and the building uses an air purification system that regulates indoor air quality.

The exhibits make the wait worthwhile

The Empire State Building is not only an elevator ride followed by a view. The route includes museum galleries about the building’s design, construction, engineering, sustainability work, and place in popular culture.

A two-story architectural model helps you understand the scale before you reach the top. Displays explain how the skyscraper was constructed and why its design became such a famous part of New York. These sections give you useful context, especially if you have children who need more than a skyline to keep them interested.

The pop culture displays are the liveliest part. The King Kong section is a particular hit with families, while the film displays include the building’s role in movies such as King Kong and Elf. There are also exhibits about celebrity moments and the building’s place in global popular culture.

The express route can affect how you see these displays. You may pass around some of the exhibits while heading quickly to the elevators, then see them on the way down. Another option is to explore the museum first, though this can mean walking back through the flow of people to reach the express path.

I prefer seeing the exhibits before the observatory because they make the building feel less like a tall platform with a ticketed view. If your main goal is speed, use the express route up and take your time with the galleries afterward.

The 86th Floor delivers the classic Empire State Building view

The 86th Floor Observatory is the main event. It wraps around the building and gives you 360-degree views of New York City. From here, you can pick out Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Little Italy, and the wider Manhattan skyline.

The open-air viewing area is what gives the 86th floor its character. You are not looking through glass alone. You can feel the height, hear the city below, and take photos with fewer reflections than you would get indoors.

That openness has a downside. It can be windy and cold, even when conditions at street level feel comfortable. Bring an extra layer, particularly in winter or after sunset. One useful detail is that the 102nd floor is enclosed, so you can warm up there if you choose that upgrade.

There are fixed binoculars for closer looks at parts of the city. They are most useful when you already know what you want to find, such as the Statue of Liberty or a familiar avenue. You can spend a short time taking the standard skyline photo, or stay longer and turn the visit into a city orientation session.

The view changes sharply with the weather. On a clear day, you can trace the city in several directions and sometimes see far beyond Manhattan. In rain or low cloud, the skyline may appear only in brief gaps. The ticket does not offer partial compensation if poor weather blocks the view, so check the forecast before choosing a time if your schedule allows.

The 102nd floor is the best upgrade for serious views

The 102nd Floor Observatory is available only with the appropriate ticket option. It sits higher than the main deck and has floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you a cleaner indoor view from above the surrounding buildings.

This is the part I would add for a special occasion, a first visit to New York, or a short trip when you want the most complete Empire State Building experience. The height feels different from the 86th floor, and the enclosed setting avoids the cold wind that can make the open-air deck uncomfortable.

You can look across the city and, in good conditions, see as far as six states. That claim depends on visibility, so do not treat it as a promise for every visit. Still, the higher viewpoint gives you a strong sense of New York’s scale, especially when you compare the street grid below with distant bridges and waterways.

Some visitors found telescopes useful on the upper level. There may also be a hot drink available, which is welcome after time outside on the 86th floor. The extra charge is not essential for everyone, but it is the upgrade most likely to make the ticket feel special.

If you are choosing between express entry and the 102nd floor, consider your priorities. Express entry saves time. The 102nd floor adds a different viewpoint. For a busy daytime booking, having both makes the most sense. For a quiet late-night visit, the express part may save little, while the higher observatory still adds something.

How much time should you allow?

The listed duration is 45 minutes, which reflects the fast route to the observatory. With express entry, some people reached the 86th floor in roughly 10 minutes. That leaves plenty of time within the stated visit for photos and a look around.

In practice, you should not treat 45 minutes as a strict limit for enjoying the building. The galleries, 86th floor, 102nd floor, photo stops, and lobby can easily hold your attention longer. The exact amount of time you need depends on whether you hurry straight to the top or explore the displays carefully.

The elevator route includes several checkpoints, which explains why the express ticket has value when the building is busy. It is not just about the queue outside. There can also be lines inside for security, ticket control, exhibits, and elevators.

The best general advice is to visit around two hours after opening. That timing may give the first wave of visitors time to move through the entrance while avoiding the heavy peak later in the day. Early morning and late evening can also be quiet, based on the experience of people who found only a small crowd at night.

A late afternoon booking can be especially appealing. One visitor with a 4:15 p.m. entry saw daylight turn into darkness and picked out landmarks in both conditions. That makes the same ticket feel like two different skyline experiences, though sunset and weather vary by date.

Is the $92 express ticket good value?

At $92 per person, the ticket is expensive. You are paying for access to one of New York’s best-known observation decks, plus the express route, exhibits, taxes, booking fees, and the multimedia app.

The price makes the most sense when you have limited time or are visiting during a crowded period. Several indoor lines can add up, and the express route can take you toward the elevators quickly. If your New York schedule is packed, avoiding a long wait may be worth more than the extra money.

The value is weaker when the building is quiet. Some people visited early or late and found almost no queue, making the express surcharge unnecessary. If you are flexible, check available times and consider a calmer period before paying for priority access.

The 102nd floor changes the calculation. If the ticket includes that level, the additional cost buys a higher, enclosed view rather than only a faster entrance. I would choose the upgrade for a first visit, a birthday, a family treat, or anyone who cares more about the view than the budget.

The ticket includes a downloadable multimedia app with audio guidance in nine languages. That is useful if you want information at your own pace, though the exhibits themselves provide plenty to see without listening to every section.

Visiting with children

This is a strong family attraction because it mixes a famous building with hands-on displays and movie connections. The King Kong area is likely to hold a child’s attention better than a long engineering panel, while the upper-level views give the whole family a clear New York highlight.

Children under 6 enter free. Older children need tickets, so the total price can rise quickly for a family. Express access may help if you are visiting during a busy period and want to avoid asking children to stand in several lines.

The open-air 86th floor needs a little care in cold or windy weather. Bring warm clothing, and remember that the 102nd floor provides an enclosed alternative. The building is wheelchair accessible, making it workable for families with mobility needs.

Ending in the Art Deco Fifth Avenue Lobby

Your visit concludes with access to the Art Deco Fifth Avenue Lobby. It is a fitting final stop because the interior design gives you a look at the Empire State Building as a piece of 1930s architecture, not just an observation platform.

The lobby also gives you a calmer place to finish after the exposed deck and crowded upper levels. Take a moment to look at the decorative details before returning to Midtown.

Photography is a major part of the experience, and the building is one of New York’s most photographed landmarks. The 86th floor provides the classic outdoor images, while the 102nd floor gives you cleaner indoor shots through its large windows. Photo packages may be offered, but the quality and value can vary, so you do not need to buy one to enjoy the visit.

Who should book this experience?

Book it if you are visiting during a busy daytime period, have limited time, or strongly dislike standing in queues. The red carpet route is clear once you find it, and the time saved can be significant when several lines are operating.

Choose the 102nd floor if the view is your main reason for coming. It is the more memorable add-on, especially in cold weather or for a special occasion.

Think twice about express access if you can visit at a quiet hour. Early and late visits may have short lines, which reduces the value of the surcharge. Also check the forecast. A fast trip to the top is not much help if rain and cloud hide the skyline.

FAQ

Where do I enter for the Empire State Building Express ticket?

Enter through the Observatory Entrance at 20 West 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Inside, follow the red carpet to the Express Entry area before the Will Call Desk.

How many times do I need to scan my ticket?

Keep your barcoded ticket available because you need to scan it four times on the way to the top. Use the express lanes marked by red carpet flooring.

Does the ticket include the 102nd floor?

Access to the 102nd floor depends on the option you select. The standard access includes the 86th Floor Observatory, while the upgraded option includes the 102nd Floor Observatory.

Is the Empire State Building wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The building is fully ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible. Service dogs, motorized wheelchairs, and non-motorized wheelchairs are permitted.

What is the best time to visit?

The recommended timing is about two hours after opening. Quiet early or late visits may have shorter queues, while busy daytime periods are when express access is most useful.

Can I cancel the ticket?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.

Should you book it?

I would book the express ticket for a busy day, a short New York visit, or a first trip when you want the Empire State Building handled with minimal waiting. Add the 102nd floor if you want the highest and most polished view.

I would skip the express surcharge if your schedule allows a quiet early or late visit. At $92, this is not a bargain ticket, but it can be good value when it replaces long queues with more time above the city. Check the weather, bring a warm layer for the 86th floor, and keep your phone ready for four ticket scans.