You’ve seen it in about a thousand movies. From King Kong to Sleepless in Seattle, that Art Deco spire is basically the logo for New York City. But standing on the sidewalk in Midtown, looking up at 1,454 feet of steel and limestone, you have to wonder: Is the empire state building view from the top actually better than the dozens of other skyscrapers now crowding the skyline?
Honestly, it’s complicated.
New York isn’t the same city it was in 1931. Back then, the Empire State Building was a lonely giant. Today, it’s surrounded by Billionaires' Row to the north and the jagged glass of Hudson Yards to the west. If you’re planning a trip, you aren't just buying a ticket to a floor; you’re choosing between a piece of history and a modern tourist machine.
Most people don't realize there are actually two very different "tops." You have the famous 86th-floor open-air deck and the much higher, enclosed 102nd-floor gallery. They offer totally different vibes. One lets the wind whip your hair into a mess while you peer through those iconic coin-operated binoculars. The other feels like you're hovering in a glass bubble over a miniature model of Manhattan.
The 86th Floor: Why the Open Air Still Wins
This is the one. The classic. If you want the empire state building view from the top that feels authentic, you stop here. There is something visceral about being outside at nearly 1,050 feet. The sound of the city—that low-frequency hum of millions of people, sirens, and yellow cabs—actually reaches you here.
It’s loud. It’s windy. It’s perfect.
From the 86th floor, you get a 360-degree look at the five boroughs. To the south, the Flatiron Building looks like a tiny toy, and the One World Trade Center rises like a glass monolith in the distance. To the east, you can see the Chrysler Building’s stainless steel crown, which, if we’re being real, is the only building that gives the Empire State a run for its money in the looks department.
One thing most "travel gurus" forget to mention is the crowd flow. Because the 86th floor is an outdoor promenade circling the building's core, people tend to clump at the corners. Pro tip: Don't just stand where the elevator lets you out. Walk the full perimeter. The view of the Hudson River at sunset from the western side is arguably better than the northern view toward Central Park, mostly because the newer "pencil towers" on 57th street have started to block a lot of the park's greenery.
Is the 102nd Floor a Cash Grab?
Let’s talk money. Upgrading to the 102nd floor usually costs an extra $20 to $30 depending on the season and your ticket type. Is it worth it?
Well, it depends on how much you hate reflections. The 102nd floor was renovated fairly recently, replacing the old high-sill windows with floor-to-ceiling glass. The view is undeniably more expansive. You’re 16 stories higher, and you can see the curvature of the Earth on a clear day.
But you’re inside.
You’re behind glass. For photographers, this is a nightmare because of the interior light glare. However, the elevator ride up from the 86th to the 102nd is a glass-walled experience that feels like a sci-fi movie. If you’re someone who gets jittery with heights, the 102nd actually feels "safer" because you’re fully enclosed, whereas the 86th floor has that bracing, "I’m definitely on top of a mountain" energy.
Timing the Light
You’ve probably heard people say "go at sunset." They aren't wrong, but they also aren't the only ones with that idea.
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The "Golden Hour" at the Empire State Building is a madhouse. If you want that specific orange glow hitting the Manhattan schist, you need to book your time slot at least 45 minutes before the actual sunset time. Security lines and the museum exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors take time to navigate.
If you want the best empire state building view from the top without the elbows in your ribs, go at 8:00 AM. Being the first one on the deck as the city wakes up is almost spiritual. Or, go late. The building stays open until late at night (often midnight or 1:00 AM), and seeing the city lights flicker like a circuit board is a completely different experience than the daytime sprawl.
What Most People Get Wrong About the View
A lot of tourists get to the top and feel a weird sense of disappointment. Why? Because when you are on the Empire State Building, you can’t see the Empire State Building.
This sounds obvious, right? But it’s a real thing. Part of the New York skyline’s magic is the building itself. This is why places like Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) or Summit One Vanderbilt are so popular—they give you a view of the Empire State Building.
However, what those other decks lack is the historical gravity. When you’re looking out from the ESB, you’re standing on 7 million man-hours of Great Depression-era grit. You’re standing on a building that was finished in just 410 days. You don't get that "old New York" feeling at the Edge or One World Observatory. You just don't.
Looking South vs. Looking North
When you're at the top, the orientation matters.
- South: This is the money shot. You see the density of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty (she looks tiny, honestly), and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
- North: This is where you see the "New New York." The massive skyscrapers of Midtown dominate the view. You’ll see the Hearst Tower and the neon glow of Times Square.
- East: Look for the bridges. The Queensboro, the Williamsburg, the Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge all line up like stitches holding the islands together.
- West: It’s all about the water. The Hudson River, the cruise ships, and the sunset over New Jersey.
The Logistics of Reaching the Top
Don’t just show up and expect to walk in. That’s a 1990s move. Everything is reservation-based now.
You’ll enter on 34th Street. You’ll go through a security screening that’s basically TSA-lite. Then, you’ll walk through a series of exhibits. Honestly? Don't skip these. The 2nd-floor museum shows the construction history and the "King Kong" room is a fun, albeit touristy, photo op. It provides context for the view you’re about to see. It makes the height feel earned.
The elevators are fast. Your ears will pop. It’s part of the deal.
A Note on Weather and Visibility
Before you drop $44+ on a ticket, check the "EarthCam" or the building’s own visibility report. New York gets low-hanging clouds and "sea fog" more often than you'd think. If the top of the building is in the clouds, your empire state building view from the top will be a wall of white mist.
It’s literally like standing inside a marshmallow.
The staff usually puts up a sign in the lobby warning of "Zero Visibility," but they’ll still sell you a ticket if you insist on going up. Don’t be that person. If it’s cloudy, try to reschedule. A crisp, cold winter day usually offers the best clarity because the humidity is low.
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How to Maximize Your Experience
If you're serious about seeing the city from this height, follow this workflow:
- Book the 86th Floor Only: Unless you’re a completionist, the 102nd is an expensive "extra." The 86th floor gives you the classic experience.
- Use the 34th St Entrance: This is the dedicated visitors' entrance. Don't try to use the Fifth Avenue entrance; that’s for office tenants, and security will politely (or not so politely) shoo you away.
- Check the Lighting Schedule: The tower lights change every night for different holidays and causes. Check the official website to see what colors will be glowing above your head while you're on the deck.
- Download the App: The building has a free multi-language audio tour app. Use it. It points out specific buildings that you’d otherwise miss, like the New York Life Building with its gold pyramid roof.
- Look for the Peregrine Falcons: No joke. These birds nest on the building. If you see a blur of feathers diving at 200 mph, you just saw the fastest animal on earth hunting in its natural concrete habitat.
Standing at the top of the Empire State Building isn't just about "seeing stuff." It’s about the scale. It’s about realizing that every tiny light in a window miles away represents a person or a business in the most intense city on the planet. Even with all the new glass towers competing for attention, the view from this old queen of the skyline remains the definitive New York moment. It’s windy, it’s expensive, and it’s crowded—but once you’re leaning against that cold stone parapet looking down at the taxis, you won't care about any of that.