FAQ

We sell a fantastic range of Empire State Building memorabilia on the 80th Floor Gift Shop, most of which is exclusive, or online.

The items listed are not permitted in the Empire State Building. Do not carry any of these items into the security screening area. Items that are confiscated may not be returned. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, so if you are unsure about an item, please do not bring it. Any questions and uncertainties should be referred to the Security Officers on duty.

• All weapons, including firearms, ammunition, knives, swords, scissors, mace, any dangerous items and any dual-use items that could be dangerous are strictly prohibited in the Empire State Building.
• Glass items, including bottles, glasses, marbles, etc.
• Alcoholic beverages
• Cans, bottles, flasks, etc.
• Professional cameras, equipment and camera stands: mono-pods, bi-pods and tri-pods
• Sports equipment such as skateboards, roller skates, golf clubs, baseball bats, hockey sticks, baseballs, footballs, tennis balls, etc.
• Marking instruments, including spray paint and markers
• Musical instruments
• Large packages, suitcases, carry-on luggage and other such parcels.
• Costumes and masks

There are no locker storage facilities at the Empire State Building for personal belongings.

No. Tripods are prohibited at the Observatory, and there are no storage facilities on site.

Restrooms are available on the 86th Floor only.

We offer powerful binoculars to take in the unobstructed views in every direction.

There is no restaurant or concession on the observations decks, but there's a lot of food to choose from on the main concourse at the lobby level, and there is a Walgreen's at the end of the Observatory tour. Click here for a complete list of shops and restaurants at the lobby level.

There are no time limits or specified visiting windows. You should allow at least one hour for your visit, and slightly more if you will be visiting both the main deck and the top deck.

During peak visiting hours, especially in the warmer months, there may be extended waits to buy tickets and enter the elevators. You may shorten these waits by buying an express ticket online, which allows you to skip the ticket office and jump to the front of all other lines. 

Yes. We are open until 2AM daily, with the last elevators going up at 1:15 AM. Live music is available Thursdays through Saturdays (from 10PM to 1AM from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and from 9PM to 12AM from Labor Day through Memorial Day).

We do not host private wedding ceremonies. However, the Empire State Building holds its annual Valentine's Day Weddings contest, where couples are selected to get married on February 14, at the world's most romantic building. Please visit our Facebook page for more information and to enter.

The Empire State Building is the center of the New York City and tri-state region's broadcasting operations. Its technology supports delivery of broadcasting signals to cable and satellite systems and directly to television and radio receivers reaching over 7.4 million television households, representing over 6.5% of all TV households in the U.S. Over 130 antennas provide a variety of point-to-point radio and data communications services to utility companies, telecommunications providers and public safety agencies. Read more info on our Broadcast page.

The tower lights are turned off at 2AM daily.

You can see and buy your photos at showtimepictures.com.

Visit our Map Page for directions.

For groups larger than 20, visit our group sales page. If you would like to arrange a visit for a dignitary or celebrity, see our Celebrity Visit page.

Observatory tickets purchased online may be used at any time from one year of purchase. Tickets purchased at the ticket office may be used at any time from 14 days of purchase.

You may visit at any time between 8AM and 2AM, with last elevators going up at 1:15 AM. There are no fixed visiting windows or time limits.