Guide to Visiting the Empire State Building with Kids

Whether you think it's hopelessly romantic or a complete tourist trap, visiting the Empire State Building with kids is a can't-miss NYC moment. The landmarked building offers stunning views and a rich look at the city's history. A family visit to the Empire State Building—an Art Deco showpiece—is a timeless outing in NYC. Locals need not wait for out-of-towners to plan a trip. Here are our favorite reasons to visit the Empire State Building with kids, one of our favorite family-friendly attractions in NYC.

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Take in the view of Hudson Yards from the 80th floor. Photo by the author

Best Things To Do at the Empire State Building with Kids

Take in the Views

For a New Yorker, you could say I'm a somewhat frequent visitor to the Empire State Building—even going there after my City Hall wedding!—and no matter how many times I've gone, the view from the top of the Empire State Building is as thrilling as ever. Its location, on the precipice of Midtown, offers a varied, awe-inspiring cityscape in any direction. A glance south, and you'll see the modern marvel of the Freedom Tower dwarfing Lady Liberty in the background. Glance to the west and your view of the river is interrupted by the gleaming skyscrapers of Hudson Yards. To the north, you'll find Times Square, Midtown, and Central Park beyond. In the east, spot the outer boroughs, famed bridges, and the busy East River.

Whether you go to the Empire State Building morning, midday, or night, it's a point of view that's hard to beat. There are three different vantage points from which to snap your iconic skyline shot: The 80th floor lobby, which was renovated in 2019 offers your first look. From there, all visitors take another elevator ride to the 86th floor and the Empire State Building's famous open-air observation deck. This vantage point got an interior facelift during the most recent renovations, plus outdoor heaters to make wintertime visits a little more comfortable.

For an up-charge, you can go to the top, 1,224 feet above the street, and visit the interior observation deck on the 102nd floor. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a compact 360-degree viewing experience.

RELATED: One World Observatory Offers Panoramic Views

The Second Floor Museum brings to life the building's history, letting you rub elbows with the construction workers.

Learn Empire State Building Secrets and Facts

The Second Floor Museum takes visitors on a behind-the-scenes tour of the building from its roots as the original site of the Waldorf Astoria at the turn of the 20th century to its construction in the 1930s and the cutting-edge techniques that have made it a model of efficiency from its earliest days.

Learn about its role as an "urban campus," home to businesses like LinkedIn, Shutterstock, Citizen, and more, then step inside a faux (but terrifying) elevator shaft and learn how Otis Elevators worked when the building opened, and how they operate now, lifting more than 10 million tenants and visitors above street level annually.

You'll also get a sneak peek at the process of lighting the tower each night—and learn that this famous trademark of the Empire State Building was born from the US bicentennial in 1976, plus learn the origins of other famous Empire State Building traditions, like its annual Valentine's Day weddings.

King Kong's life-like gaze and grasp make for a fun photo-op in another part of the museum.

Come Face to Face with King Kong

Of course, there are beautiful backdrops from the observation deck levels, but the museum at the Empire State Building offers some cool photo-ops, too. The Empire State Building has played a starring role in movies and pop culture from its earliest days. Less than two years after its opening, King Kong premiered, with the giant ape climbing the skyscraper and raising its profile to new heights in the process. You can get face-to-face with the larger-than-life beast in a photo-op at the museum. Constructed to re-create the look of the 1930s office, step inside the grip of the creature, take a seat on his hands, or stare him down as his changing, lifelike gaze peers in the faux window.

For more pop-culture fun, visit the Celebrity exhibition, which showcases 75 screens playing a rotating loop of clips where the Empire State Building has taken a starring role.

RELATED: Best Observation Decks in NYC for Kids and Families

The Tower Lights have taken on a life of their own celebrating holidays, hometown teams, and more.

Marvel at the Empire State Building's Tower Lights

Since 1976, the lights atop the Empire State Building have been a beacon in the skyline, but the iconic light show is an invention of the last decade. In 2012, a new computer-driven LED lighting system debuted, giving lighting designers 16 million colors to showcase. Lighting shows have become a regular attraction, with big-name celebrities stopping by to press a button in the lobby to set off the spectacle. Lin Manuel Miranda even filmed his Cheering For Me Now music video there and worked with lighting designer Marc Brickman to design a light show choreographed to the track. To learn more about the Tower Lights, check out the exhibit dedicated to them on the 86th floor.

RELATED: Visiting Top of the Rock with Kids.

The 80th-floor exhibits offer more fun, interactive ways to take in the view.

Enjoy the Art Deco Details

While the Empire State Building was deemed a National Historic Landmark in 1986, the lobby alone was designated a historic landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. A massive restoration project was undertaken in 2009 to restore the lobby to its 1930s grandeur.

The ceiling murals, which pay homage to the mechanical age, are crafted in aluminum and gold leaf. Their restoration alone took longer than the construction of the entire building. In an age of skinny, super-tall, glass-enclosed skyscrapers, it's easy to appreciate the craftsmanship of this old-school beauty.

Empire State Building Tickets

Visiting the Empire State Building with kids does require a little planning. Timed-entry tickets are required for entry and prices start at $38 for kids and $44 for adults and grant admission to the museum and 86th floor observation deck. If you plan to go to the 102nd floor, you'll pay $79 for adults and $73 for children. If you'd like express passes to expedite security screening and skip the lines, you'll pay considerably more.

If you're booking several top attractions in New York City and looking to save money, consider purchasing a Go City Explorer Pass, which includes discounted admission to One World Observatory, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Statue of Liberty, the American Museum of Natural History, and more.

The Empire State Building's recent upgrades include plenty of interactive displays; it now offers plenty of entertainment and world-class skyline views.

Know Before You Go to the Empire State Building with Kids

The Empire State Building observation deck is open from 10am-10:30pm daily, 365 days a year. The observation deck entrance is at 20 West 34th Street.

Strollers are allowed in the lobby and Second Floor Museum but must be folded before you enter the elevators and cannot be used on either observation deck.

Restrooms are located on the Second and 86th floors. There are no restrooms on the 102nd floor.

To avoid the lines, visit earlier in the day. The shortest wait times are typically from 8-11am. Plan to spend at least an hour from the time you enter; longer if it's peak time or you're visiting both observation decks. The addition of the Second Floor Museum and exhibits on the 86th floor mean there is plenty to look at as you pace yourself through the line.

One last warning: Like most famous city attractions, your exit route takes you through the gift shop with plenty of themed tchotchkes to tempt little eyes and hands.

Originally published in 2020. Unless noted, photos by Evan Joseph

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