FAQ

Yes. Tickets are available at the kiosks on the second floor, upstairs from the 34th Street entrance. More and more visitors choose the convenience of online ticket purchases, but we still sell them the old-fashioned way on-site as well!

The Observatory ticket office accepts U.S. currency, all United States-based traveler’s checks, and all major credit cards.

Tickets are valid for your chosen visit date. For the safety of our guests we will be operating on an updated schedule following reopening.

• July: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. (last elevator 10:15 p.m.)
• August: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. (last elevator 11:15 p.m.)
• September: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. (last elevator 10:15 p.m.)

No, unless you’ve purchased tickets via CityPASS, or upgraded your ticket with a Night Pass. View our Ticket Info & Offers page for more information.

For groups larger than 20, please contact the group sales office at (212) 736-3100.  If you would like to arrange a visit for a dignitary or celebrity, please contact Stacey-Ann Hosing at (212) 736-3100.

All tickets are non-refundable. For more information, read our ticket policy.

Cardholders who are not visiting with their party can purchase a gift certificate. Please visit our Buy Tickets page for more information.

Observatory visitors should enter through our visitors' center at 20 W. 34th St. Other entrances on Fifth Avenue, 34th and 33rd Streets are reserved for tenants and their visitors.

For detailed directions on how to get here, visit our Maps & Directions page.

We recommend you leave your car at home. If you can’t, the closest garage is located on 33rd Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway, just across the street from the building.

The least crowded visiting hours are right when we open at 8 a.m. or around 3 p.m., but peak visiting times vary by season. We are open 365 days a year; for the safety of our guests we will be operating on an updated schedule following reopening.

• July: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. (last elevator 10:15 p.m.)
• August: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. (last elevator 11:15 p.m.)
• September: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. (last elevator 10:15 p.m.)

Yes. For the safety of our guests we will be operating on an updated schedule following reopening, please check the website for details

Only if you are participating in the annual Empire State Building Run-Up. The stairs are closed to guests at all other times.

There are no time limits or specified visiting windows. Allow at least one hour for your visit, 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 can speed up your visit by buying an express ticket online, which allows you to skip the ticket office and jump to the front of all other lines.

Yes. A free multimedia tour app is included with every admission to the Empire State Building. Download the app for free from either the Apple Store or Google Play before you visit or download it on-site via our free Wi-Fi.

Restrooms, including handicap-accessible restrooms, are available on the 86th Floor only.

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

Please note that there is no restaurant or concession on the observation decks, but there are a lot of food options to choose from on the main concourse at the lobby level. There is also a Walgreens at the end of the observatory tour. Visit our Shops & Restaurants page for more information.

Yes. Elevators are available for visitors with baby strollers. Strollers must be folded on observation decks.

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

No. Your firearm will be seized, and you will be arrested unless you are a member of the following law enforcement agencies:

• New York City Police Department
• New York State Police
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• United States Secret Service
• United States Department of State

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 tripods
• 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.

There is active, 24/7 security at the Empire State Building. All you will notice is the primary security screening, similar to airport security procedure. Please keep in mind you will be monitored by cameras and other means throughout your entire visit.

We sell a fantastic range of Empire State Building memorabilia on the 80th Floor Gift Shop, most of which is exclusive to our shop. If you’re not at the building, please visit our online shop.

The Empire State Building is fully ADA compliant. We have handicapped restrooms on the 86th Floor Observatory and also have lowered viewing walls and binoculars. Service dogs are allowed throughout the building. Motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs are permitted. The 86th Floor has ramps to make getting around easier and lowered viewing walls so that visitors in chairs can still take in the view. Visit our Accessibility page for more information.

For lost items, call (212) 736-3100. If you find items while visiting, please take them to the Visitor Information Desk in the Main Lobby. Unclaimed items will not be kept after 7 days.

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

Yes! Tag your pictures #EmpireStateBuilding on Twitter or Instagram for a chance to be featured on our social media pages.

We change the tower lights to recognize holidays and events throughout the year. For a full schedule of the tower lights and reasons for the lighting, please visit the Tower Lights page.

The tower lights are turned off at 2 a.m. daily.

You can submit a lighting request through our Tower Lights page. However, be aware that the Empire State Building does not grant lightings for personal events (such as birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings), commercial events, political campaigns, or religious figures or events.

Please contact Human Resources at (212) 736-3100.

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.

Absolutely! We recommend proposing when our saxophonist is on the 86th Floor Observatory (Thursdays through Saturdays, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.). You may request your special song to help set the mood. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests to close down the Observatory for proposals.

The Empire State Building does not offer discounts to travel agents but does grant entry as part of the CityPASS Trade Pass agreement. For more information, visit NYCGo.com.

Our wonderful binoculars are made by Tower Optical Company. More details can be found on their site.