Skip the ticket line and rise above Manhattan: this pre-booked Empire State Building tour combines guided neighborhood highlights with timed access to the 86th and optional 102nd-floor decks. Choose transfer options for door-to-door convenience and plan for security lines and elevator waits.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A cool gust lifts across 34th Street as the Empire State Building rises into view — steel and stone catching a late-afternoon light. Guests meet outside The New York EDITION on Madison Avenue and move through the city’s pulse: Madison Square Park, the Flatiron’s wedge, and a brisk walk down Fifth Avenue before heading into the elevators that will deposit them 86 and sometimes 102 floors above the street.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–4.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; requires standing and some walking between street-level stops and elevators.
Wildlife
History
Completed in 1931 during the Art Deco era, the Empire State Building was for decades the world’s tallest building and remains an emblem of Manhattan’s vertical growth built on solid Manhattan schist.
Conservation
A major energy-efficiency retrofit reduced the building's emissions and energy use; visitor programs now emphasize waste reduction and LED lighting to limit environmental impact.
Reserve your spot on the Empire State Building NYC Tour, Pre-booked Tickets, Transfer today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Confirm timed entry the day before
Check your email for your exact time slot and meeting instructions to avoid delays at pickup or entry.
Expect security and elevator waits
Pre-booked tickets skip the ticket office but you’ll still pass security and elevators—budget 30–60 minutes during peak periods.
Dress in layers for the decks
Wind and exposure on the 86th and 102nd floors make a light jacket useful year-round.
Request accessibility needs in advance
The building and transfers are wheelchair-accessible, but operators must be notified ahead of time to make arrangements.
Photo ID & ticket (mobile or paper)
Required for entry and to match your timed reservation.
Comfortable walking shoes
Good footing for walking Madison Ave, parks, and stairs where elevators are not used.
Light windproof jacket
Useful on exposed outdoor sections of the viewing decks, especially in cooler months.
fall
Compact camera or phone with charger
For wide city panoramas from the 86th and 102nd floors; battery-preserving power is helpful.