Top 10 Empire State Building Visitor Tips

Visiting the Empire State Building is extremely popular with travelers coming to New York City. During peak travel season and on weekends, this can mean long waits to get to the 86th floor observatory, but with these insider tips and advice, you can save yourself time and make the most of your visit to the Empire State Building.

1. Save Time: Buy Your Tickets OnlineThe best way to save time when you're visiting the Empire State Building is to buy your tickets online. Printing the tickets yourself saves on the cost of having them delivered, and means you can use them right away. While you have to select a date when you purchase tickets online, the tickets can actually be used on any date the Observatory is open. Ticket holders can skip the ticket line after clearing security at the Empire State Building and proceed directly to the Elevator line.




2. Consider the Weather: The views from the Empire State Building are best on clear, dry days. Check the weather in New York City and take that into consideration when planning your visit to the Empire State Building.




3. Day or Night?: The views from the Empire State Building are impressive at anytime, but keep in mind that during the daytime (especially on a clear day), you'll be able to see the layout of the city and geography of the surrounding area in greater detail, while nighttime viewing offers the excitement of the city's lights. You can experience the best of both worlds by timing your visit during sunset, where you can watch the sunlight fade and the city's glowing lights emerge.




4. Dress for the Weather: While you'll have access to the shop and interior areas while visiting, the best views are from the outside. If it's cold, plan to dress warmly, as the wind can make it feel even cooler at the top of the Empire State Building. Likewise, the sun can be strong atop the Empire State Building, so take that into consideration, especially during the summer when you might want to wear a hat or bring sunblock.




5. Begin or End Your Day at the Empire State Building: If you're trying to squeeze a lot of activities into a short period of time, it's good to keep in mind that the Empire State Building opens at 8 a.m. and the last elevator ascends at 11:15 p.m. (the Observatory is open until Midnight). This makes the Empire State Building a good choice for beginning or ending your day, since it's open before most other attractions and closes after many other attractions.




6. Allow Plenty of Time for Your Visit: Even if you buy your tickets online, there's no avoiding the lines for security clearance or the elevators, so plan at least 2 hours for your visit to the Empire State Building. It can be a good chance to do some reading or work on a crossword puzzle, since there is not much to see while you wait in line. On weekends and when the weather is especially beautiful the lines can be even longer -- you might want to try and arrive very early in the day if you want to keep waiting to a minimum.




7. Skip Firework Viewing from the Empire State Building: While it may seem like a good idea to head to the Empire State Building observatory to view fireworks on the Fourth of July or other holidays, you may actually want to plan to avoid planning your visit for those days. To see the fireworks you'll have to spend most of the day at the Empire State Building -- it's a popular choice, and they normally have to stop selling tickets mid-day because people have staked out space uptop. Better views are available downtown and near the water.




8. Be Prepared for the Security Check: Every visitor to the Empire State Building must pass through security screening, so be aware. Glass and bottles are not permitted in the building. Cameras and camcorders are permitted, but tripods are not. There is no coat/luggage check at the Empire State Building, so whatever you bring into the building, you will have to carry with you throughout your visit.




9. You Can Only Get Married on Valentine's Day: The Empire State Building is only available for weddings on Valentine's Day, and you'll have to apply and be chosen to participate. Applications are due by November 30.




10. Keep The Kids Entertained: Kids love to see the views from the Empire State Building, but very few of them love waiting in lines. Bring along some crayons and print up some Empire State Building Coloring Pages to keep them entertained while they wait to go up to the observatory.