Empire State Building
Midtown Manhattan, New York · New York · ~0.5 mi from downtown New York
ChillSplurge pick
From $46 for the 86th floor
The Art Deco icon, still the classic New York splurge: the 86th-floor open-air deck, with the 102nd floor as an add-on. The official ticket page starts 86th-floor admission at $46 — book a timed slot online and skip the worst of the lines.
Book tickets on the official site
Good for
The one observation deck everyone pictures
Crowd
First-timers and skyline chasers; sunset slots go first
Getting there
Steps from Herald Square (B/D/F/M, N/Q/R/W) and Penn Station
Parking
Paid garages nearby; transit is easier
Accessibility
Fully wheelchair accessible; elevators to both decks