Empire State Building Tour
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Empire State Building tour options: observatory, sunrise and city combos
From Midtown sidewalks to the 102nd‑floor windows, an Empire State Building tour can be a straight observatory visit, a sunrise wake‑up or part of a wider day across New York. In our offer of experiences you will find simple observatory tickets, guided visits, sunrise entries and city combos so you can decide whether the building is the quick highlight of your day or the main story.
📚 Choose your experience
Observatory tickets 86th and 102nd
Classic decks for the Manhattan skyline.
Sunrise at the Empire State
Early light, quiet decks, softer colors.
Midtown walking tour with entry
Streets, stories and then the view.
Guided tours inside the building
Art Deco lobby, exhibits and observatory.
Combos with buses and cruises
Empire State plus city overview days.
Frequently asked questions
Floors, timing, booking and passes.
Empire State Building observatory tickets: 86th and 102nd floors
Classic observatory tickets keep the focus on getting you to the 86th and 102nd floors with minimum fuss: security, elevator change around the 80th floor, a sweep through the exhibits and then open‑air views of Midtown, Downtown and the rivers.
On a standard ticket you reach the 86th‑floor open‑air deck, the classic film‑style view with breezes and steel railings, while the upgrade adds the 102nd‑floor enclosed gallery with floor‑to‑ceiling glass.
Most visitors who choose this format stay around one to two hours between exhibits and observatory time, more if they are waiting for sunset or city lights.
⚖️ Quick comparison: 86th vs 102nd floor
- 86th floor: open‑air terrace, more space to move, iconic photos.
- 102nd floor: enclosed gallery, higher angle on distant boroughs.
- Both levels: upgrade if you want height and quiet.
🧭 Practical tips for observatory tickets
- Choose timed entry just before sunset for both views.
- Bring a light layer; wind feels stronger up high.
- Avoid tight schedules; queues can grow unexpectedly busy.
Empire State Building sunrise experience
For early risers, sunrise entries open the tower while most of the city is still quiet and turn the observatory into a calm, almost private viewpoint, with the first light sliding over Midtown and the rivers.
Compared with daytime visits, groups at sunrise are usually smaller and the pace gentler, which suits photographers, couples and anyone who dislikes crowds.
Cloud cover matters: on clear days you get pastel skies over the East River and sharp silhouettes of bridges and towers, while on unsettled mornings fog can wrap the top floors and create a moody, cinematic atmosphere.
🧭 Tips for making the most of sunrise visits
- Arrive early; security and elevators still take time.
- Protect your gear; wipe lenses to avoid condensation.
- Plan a warm café stop right after leaving the building.
Midtown walking tour with Empire State Building entry
Midtown walking tours that finish at the tower link the skyline view with the street‑level story of theaters, neon and office canyons, often threading through Times Square, Bryant Park or nearby avenues before you ride the elevators.
These walks usually cover a compact area at a steady but manageable pace for most travelers comfortable on their feet, making them a useful first‑day introduction to the city.
To see different sides of Manhattan beyond Midtown, consider pairing your observatory day with a bohemian Greenwich Village walking tour or a more design‑driven Soho walk in New York on another day.
🚶 How these walking tours fit into your day
- Morning departures: softer light and calmer crosswalks overall.
- Afternoon walks: pair city lights with evening observatory time.
- Ideal if you like stories while getting oriented.
Guided tours inside the Empire State Building
Guided experiences focus on the building itself, with a host leading small groups through the Art Deco lobby, historic photo galleries, themed exhibits and finally the observatory levels.
Some formats keep you entirely inside the Empire State Building, while others finish with entry to another Midtown observatory so you can compare perspectives, which suits travelers who enjoy commentary and clear structure.
Architecture fans often combine this kind of visit with a financial‑district walk such as a Wall Street walking tour in New York City, using one day for Midtown skylines and another for towers around the harbor.
📜 Who will enjoy guided tours most
- Perfect for fans of architecture, design and history.
- Helpful when traveling with relatives who appreciate structure.
- Great second‑visit option for people returning to New York.
Empire State Building with buses, cruises and attraction combos
Combo products weave the tower into full‑day plans that include hop‑on buses, harbor cruises or curated bundles of major sights, ideal if you want coverage of several icons without planning every transfer.
A half‑day city bus itinerary with an observation deck option gives a compressed overview of key neighborhoods before you end on a skyline platform, useful on short trips or arrival days when energy is limited.
Multi‑attraction tickets that include the Empire State Building let you visit the tower plus museums or harbor viewpoints on different days, trading some spontaneity for peace of mind.
When you compare these offers with broad sightseeing passes, focus less on the brand names and more on how many of the included experiences you genuinely plan to use; check GuruWalk's activity catalog to see the latest prices and inclusions.
🧮 When a combo makes sense
- Best on short trips packed with must‑see highlights.
- Useful if your group prefers buses over subways.
- Smart when you dislike comparing many separate ticket types.
Frequently asked questions about Empire State Building tours
How long does it take to tour the Empire State Building?
Most visitors who include the exhibits and observatory time allow around one to two hours for an Empire State Building tour, adding a little extra margin if they want to wait for sunset or city lights.
Can you tour the Empire State Building?
Yes, you can choose between simple self‑guided tickets and structured guided tours inside the Empire State Building; standard daytime entries usually sit in the more budget‑friendly bracket, while sunrise, guided and combo experiences cost more depending on what they include. To compare options and updated costs, check GuruWalk's activity catalog to see the latest prices before you pick, then match the format to how much time and budget you want to devote to the building.
How can tourists visit the top of the Empire State Building?
To reach the top levels you buy timed tickets that include elevator access to the 86th floor and, if chosen, the 102nd‑floor gallery, then follow clear signs through security and the exhibit level before the final lift ride.
What is the difference between the 86th and 102nd floors?
The 86th floor is an open‑air terrace with railings, more space and the classic cinema‑style panorama, while the 102nd floor is a smaller enclosed room with floor‑to‑ceiling windows and a higher angle over the city.
Is it worth going to the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building?
If you value long‑range views and the feeling of standing close to the very top of the tower, the 102nd floor can be a satisfying upgrade, especially on clear days, while travelers mainly interested in social photos and open air are often happy with the 86th‑floor ticket.
What is the best time of day to go to the Empire State Building?
Many people choose late‑afternoon slots so they can see the city in daylight and stay as the lights switch on, while very early visits are calmer and mid‑afternoon or clear weekend evenings tend to be the busiest.
Do I need to book the Empire State Building in advance?
You can sometimes buy tickets on the day, but booking in advance through our catalog of activities is strongly recommended for sunsets, weekends and holiday periods, and it also helps you coordinate observatory times with walks, bus tours or dinner plans.
Which is better, the Rockefeller Center observatory or the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building offers a historic landmark feel and the experience of being inside the icon itself, while the Rockefeller Center observatory gives you a wider view that includes the tower in the skyline, so many travelers choose one by day and the other by night when time and budget allow.
What is the best sightseeing pass for New York to include the Empire State Building?
There is no single winner, because the best option is the pass where most of the included attractions already match what you wanted to see; on GuruWalk you will find bundled tickets and combo tours that cover the Empire State Building plus a small set of major sights, and you can check GuruWalk's activity catalog to compare what each one includes.
Author: Belén Rivas, GuruWalk
Publication date: 2025-12-05
Data updated as of December 2025
