You’re standing on 34th Street, looking up, and your neck already hurts. It’s big. Like, really big. But when people talk about floors in Empire State Building tours, they usually just think about the top. That’s a mistake. Honestly, if you just zip to the peak and leave, you’re missing the actual soul of the place.
Most people know the number 102. That’s the "official" count. But it’s not just a stack of offices. It’s a vertical city. There are 6,500 windows. There are 73 elevators. There's even a secret floor that most tourists never touch, and no, it’s not some conspiracy theory—it’s just how the building was built back in 1931.
The Real Breakdown of Floors in Empire State Building History
Let’s get the numbers out of the way first so we can talk about the cool stuff. The building technically has 102 floors. If you include the pinnacle and the antenna, you’re looking at a height of 1,454 feet. For decades, it was the tallest thing humans had ever slapped together.
But here’s the thing: most of those floors are just... offices. People actually work there. Can you imagine filing taxes on the 54th floor while King Kong is metaphorically swatting at your window? LinkedIn, Shutterstock, and Global Brands Group all have space here. But for you, the visitor, only a handful of these levels actually matter.
The journey usually starts at the 2nd Floor. This used to be a boring transition area, but they spent about $165 million recently to turn it into a massive museum. You see the site as it looked in the 1920s. You see the "cast" of the building—the ironworkers who ate lunch on beams hundreds of feet up without harnesses. It’s terrifying. It makes your modern office job look like a spa day.
Why the 80th Floor is the Most Underrated Stop
Everyone wants the 86th. I get it. It’s the open-air one. But the 80th Floor is where the context happens. This is the "Art Deco" level.
They call it NYC: Above & Beyond. It’s got these cool viewfinders that show you what’s happening in other parts of the city. But the real draw here is the history of the building's construction. You have to realize, this thing went up in 410 days. That’s insane. They were finishing a floor and a half every single day. In 2026, we can barely get a pothole fixed in that time.
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The 80th floor also features the work of Stephen Wiltshire. He’s the artist who drew the entire NYC skyline from memory after a short helicopter ride. Seeing that mural in person, on that specific floor, puts the scale of the city into perspective before you hit the windy heights above.
The 86th Floor: The One You See in the Movies
This is the big one. The 86th Floor Observatory. It’s the highest open-air observatory in New York. If you’ve seen Sleepless in Seattle or An Affair to Remember, this is where the drama happens.
It’s windy. Like, "hold onto your hat or it’s going to New Jersey" windy.
Because it’s outdoors, you get the sounds of the city. You hear the sirens and the faint hum of traffic from 1,050 feet up. It’s a 360-degree deck. You look north, you see Central Park. You look south, you see the One World Trade Center looking all sleek and modern.
Pro tip: Most people go at sunset. It’s beautiful, sure. But it’s also a mosh pit of selfie sticks. If you go at 8:00 AM right when they open, or late at night (they stay open until 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM depending on the season), the vibe is completely different. It’s quiet. It feels like the building belongs to you.
The 102nd Floor: Is It Worth the Extra Cash?
You’ll get to the 86th floor and see a sign for the 102nd Floor. It costs more. A lot of people wonder if it’s a scam.
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It’s not a scam, but it is different. The 102nd floor is enclosed. You’re looking through floor-to-ceiling glass. It’s much smaller than the 86th. However, the view is technically better because you’re 16 floors higher and there’s no stone parapet in your way. You can see the grid of Manhattan perfectly. On a clear day, you can see 80 miles out. You’re looking at five states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Is it worth it? If it’s your first time, yes. If you’re a local taking a cousin from out of town, maybe stick to the 86th and save the money for a decent pizza in Koreatown afterwards.
The "Secret" 103rd Floor
Okay, let's talk about the one they don't sell tickets for. The 103rd Floor.
This isn't an official stop for the public. It’s a tiny balcony, even higher than the 102nd, with a very low railing. It’s mostly used for maintenance and the occasional celebrity photo op. Taylor Swift has been up there. Dignitaries go up there.
Originally, the top of the building was supposed to be a mooring mast for zeppelins. No, seriously. The plan was for blimps to dock at the 102nd floor, and passengers would walk down a gangplank to clear customs. Turns out, high winds at a thousand feet make docking a giant balloon nearly impossible. The idea was scrapped after a few terrifying attempts, but the "secret" floor remains as a relic of that weird, ambitious dream.
Logistics: Getting Between Levels
You don’t take one elevator to the top. That would be too easy.
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- You take an elevator to the 2nd floor for security and the museum.
- You take a high-speed elevator to the 80th floor. This lift has a screen on the ceiling that shows the building being "constructed" around you as you rise. It takes about a minute. Your ears will pop.
- From 80, you transfer to the 86th.
- From 86, if you paid for the upgrade, you take a separate glass elevator to 102.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Visit
A common mistake is rushing the ground floors. The lobby is a National Historic Landmark. The gold leaf and the marble—it’s pure 1930s opulence. Don't just run through the turnstiles. Look up.
Another thing? The weather. If it’s cloudy, the floors in Empire State Building towers might as well be in a bowl of milk. You won't see anything. Always check the "visibility" sign at the ticket office before you buy. If it says "zero visibility," they aren't joking. You’ll just be standing in a very expensive cloud.
Making the Most of Your Trip
If you're planning to tackle these floors, here is the realistic way to do it without losing your mind or your paycheck:
- Buy tickets online. The line for the ticket kiosk is a waste of your life. Skip it.
- Dress for the 86th. It is significantly colder and windier up there than it is on the street. Even in July, a breeze at 1,000 feet can feel chilly.
- Use the 2nd floor. It’s the best place for photos with the "Kong" hands and the historical displays. The lighting is better for selfies than the bright sun on the observation deck.
- Check the lighting schedule. The top floors change color every night to celebrate different events or holidays. You can check the official website to see why the building is green, red, or flickering like a disco ball on the night you visit.
The Empire State Building isn't the tallest in the world anymore. It’s not even the tallest in New York. But it has a presence that the glass needles at Hudson Yards just can't match. When you move through those floors, you’re moving through a century of New York ambition. Take your time. Don't just look at the view; look at the rivets.
To ensure the best experience, download the "Empire State Building Observatory" app before you go. It acts as a free audio guide for every floor, explaining exactly what you're looking at in real-time. Also, aim to arrive about 45 minutes before your scheduled "sunset" time if you want that golden hour glow, as the security lines can be unpredictable even with a reservation.