A visit to NYC is incomplete without gorging in the unobstructed panoramic views of the city from the iconic Empire State Building. The sprawling views of Manhattan and the ocean are a feast for the eye and the open-air 86th-floor observatory is the perfect place for you to enjoy it. Soaring 1,454 feet (including antenna) above midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building is the world's most famous skyscraper. Being one of the top tourist attractions in the country, it is no wonder that America voted for it as America's favorite building (as per a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects). On a clear day, you can see up to five states from the Observation Decks - New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

Typical Empire State Building wait times

The Empire State Building is definitely one of the most popular attractions in New York City. As a result, it draws a large crowd through the year and this causes a wait time of about 45 minutes on average. However, this fluctuates throughout the day. Weekends are known to be the busiest period, with waiting times that stretch up to an hour or more. The Empire State Building faces its peak crowds during evening summer weekends.

Your best bet to reduce the wait time involved is heading to the building early in the morning when it opens at 8:00 AM, preferably on a weekday though early weekends are relatively less crowded as well. If you wish to visit the Empire State at night, then visiting after 11:00 PM should also see you enter within a few minutes.

According to the official Empire State Building website, one should visit between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM "for more space and less wait". Heading up between midnight and 1:00 AM is also less crowded and provides a more private setting.

How does buying tickets online in advance help save time?

Over 4 million people visit the Empire State Building every year. The biggest contributor to the wait time at the Empire State Building is the queue that forms at the ticket counter located inside the building. If one does not purchase tickets to the observatory online, then the tickets will have to be bought onsite and here is where the lion's share of the waiting is involved.

The simplest way to bypass this is to purchase tickets online. With an online Empire State Building ticket($36) in hand, you can skip the ticket queue and easily shave 20-30 minutes of the average time. The only queue you will face is the mandatory security check and the elevators. However, this is relatively smaller and helps you save your valuable time while experiencing the Empire State Building.

Now, if the elevator queue is still something that you don't have the patience to wait for, then worry not as the Empire State Building Express ticket($65), will help you bypass even that as you are escorted to a dedicated elevator to the observatory.

Empire State Building Tickets

Best time to visit the Empire State Building

The views from the top of the Empire State Building are breathtaking no matter the time of day. You can't go wrong with the experience no matter when you visit. Whether you're looking over a picturesque sunset or standing in the freezing cold as snow descends onto the city, the Manhattan skyline from the 86th floor observatory is always stunning.

Travelling with your family
Make your way to the Empire State early in the day to beat the crowd and enjoy more room up top. Anytime between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM will be more peaceful than the rest of the day.

Visiting with your loved one
The best time to visit the Empire State Building with a loved one would be after 11:00 PM when the crowds have dwindled and the setting becomes cosier and more intimate. The views of Manhattan at night, shining like a jewel, are truly stunning.

Looking to get the best photographs
Without a doubt, sunset is when you should be on the 86th floor. The amber hues that sweep the sky as it sets behind the New York skyline is an amazing sight and a dream for many urban photographers.

If you want to beat the crowd
The best time to visit the Empire State Building if you wish to beat the crowd is early in the day from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM and anytime after 10:00 PM.

Supercharge your experience with these tips

• General waiting time is around an hour for the standard pass. In order to reduce the wait time, arrive at off-peak hours - 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM for the morning view and post 11:00 PM for the night view.
• Watch the weather and prefer visiting the Empire State Building on a clear day for unobstructed views of the city. Empire State Building skip the line tickets from Headout are valid for 1 year from the date of purchase.
• If possible, visit the Empire State Building on a weekday. It’s far less crowded than the weekends!
• Top of the Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building views are the most sought-after ones. Visitors usually opt one for the sunrise view and the other for the night view.
• Carry a coat or a jacket along with you since it can get quite chilly in the 86th-floor observatory.
• Preferably study the map beforehand and carry it with you to better realize the city from up above.
• Avoid carrying bulky bags since it might be difficult lugging around with the bags while standing in the queue.

Must-see attractions from the top

• Central Park
• Times Square
• The Brooklyn Bridge
• The Statue of Liberty