There is one view every traveler to New York dreams about, and it is waiting 86 stories above Fifth Avenue. The Empire State Building observation deck was just voted the #1 top attraction in the United States in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards, and one visit is all it takes to understand why.
Your adventure starts before you even reach the top. Immersive galleries tell the story of this Art Deco icon, from the lightning-fast construction that finished ahead of schedule in 1931 to its starring roles in movies, music and pop culture. It is a journey through nearly a century of New York history.
Then the doors open to the 86th-floor open-air observation deck, and the city spreads out in every direction. Central Park stretches green to the north, the Brooklyn Bridge arcs across the East River, and the Statue of Liberty waves from the harbor. The 360-degree panorama is the postcard of New York, seen with your own eyes.
Plan about 1 to 2 hours for the visit, and try to catch it at sunset, when the city turns gold and then lights up below you. Tickets start at around $50.08, and booking ahead means you skip the ticket lines and go straight to the clouds.
Ready for the best view in town? Book this tour on Viator
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Happy City News may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Photo: Viator
