Viewpoint · New York
Empire State Building Observation Decks: free entry days, tickets & hours
The 1931 Art Deco skyscraper on 34th Street, with exhibits, the open-air 86th-floor deck and the enclosed 102nd-floor deck.
Independent guide, not the official Empire State Building website. Official links are under Sources.
Empire State Building is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: Toddlers aged 5 or younger go free with an adult ticket holder.
- Otherwise: 86th Floor Observation Deck, adult (from) — $46.
Free vs paid
Is the paid version worth it?
Empire State Building Observation Decks
Toddlers aged 5 or younger go free with an adult ticket holder.
Must be accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Only children 5 and under go up free; everyone 6+ needs a ticket.
- Quietest time is usually 12-2pm; the first two hours after opening and the hour after sunset are busiest.
- The 86th floor is open-air with heaters in winter; the 102nd floor is enclosed.
- Allow at least an hour: the route includes exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free forToddlers aged 5 or younger go free with an adult ticket holder | children under 6 | Must be accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket. | No |
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Empire State Building
Timed-entry ticketNYC Empire State Building - Observation Deck & Museum Ticket★★★★★ 4.7 · 29k reviewsfrom $50.08
Timed-entry ticketEmpire State Building: Observation Decks Tickets★★★★★ 4.6 · 5.0k reviewsfrom $50.08
Timed-entry ticketEmpire State Building: Entry Ticket★★★★★ 4.8 · 2.9k reviewsfrom $50.08
Skip-the-line ticketEmpire State Building Skip-the-Line Express Tickets★★★★★ 4.6 · 101 reviewsfrom $94.72
Timed-entry ticketNYC: Empire State Building Sunrise Experience Ticket★★★★★ 4.8 · 74 reviewsfrom $146.98
CruiseBest of NYC: Hop-on Hop-off Tour + Empire State Building Tickets + Circle Line Cruise★★★★★ 4.7 · 35 reviewsfrom $99
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Official prices
Empire State Building ticket prices
| 86th Floor Observation Deck, adult (from) — Date-based pricing ('from $46'); a $2 booking charge is added to each ticket bought online. 102nd + 86th floors from $81; Flex ticket from $66. | $46 |
| 102nd + 86th Floor Observation Decks (from) — Adds the enclosed 102nd floor at 1,250 ft. | $81 |
| 86th Floor Express Pass (from) — Skips the exhibits and the elevator lines. | $87 |
| Express 102nd Floor Observation Deck (from) | $122 |
| AM/PM Experience - visit by day and return at night (from) | $67 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
Open 365 days a year; hours vary by season. 28 Oct 2026: 9am-11pm (doors close 10pm). 2-5 Nov 10am-10pm; 6-8 Nov 9am-10pm; 9-12 Nov 10am-10pm; 13-15 Nov 9am-10pm. Timed reservation required.
20 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001, USA
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
FAQ
Empire State Building: common questions
Is Empire State Building free?
Empire State Building has no free entry for everyone. Also free: Toddlers aged 5 or younger go free with an adult ticket holder. Otherwise the official ticket costs $46.
Who gets free entry to Empire State Building?
Children under 6 — must be accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket..
How much is a ticket to Empire State Building?
86th Floor Observation Deck, adult (from) costs $46 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Empire State Building
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
Write a review
Sources
Where this comes from
- esbnyc.com/ticket-policies · checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.