Empire State Building Opens Remodeled Observatory on 102nd Floor

12 October 2019 7:05pm

For visitors to New York City, if the Empire State Building wasn't already on their list of must-see attractions, it certainly is now.

The iconic skyscraper recently completed a four-year, $165 million remodeling of its observatory, installing floor-to-ceiling windows on the 102nd floor that now offer visitors 360-degree views from 1,250 feet above the city.

The renovated observatory opens to the public on Saturday, October 12. The $58 cost of admission has not changed but the visitor experience is expected to as guests are being promised shorter lines.

The building's open-air observatory on the 86th floor has also been renovated. Crews opened up walls between the interior space and the open-air terrace so that visitors will be met with gorgeous views the second they step off of the elevator. The open-air observatory requires a $38 ticket.

Visitors can also look forward to an additional 10,000 square feet of exhibits, including a replica of King Kong's hand from the 1933 film, portraits of celebrities and much more.

The Empire State Building attracts more than 4 million tourists each year, more than half of which travel from abroad to experience the famous building.