Why now is the best time to visit the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building's upgrade just cleared.
This week, the historic 89-year-old building opened a brand new observatory on the 80th floor, as part of a $165,000,000 redevelopment plan. And all those zeros weren't for nothing: The four-year-long plan included a redesign of a museum on the second floor, as well as another observatory with 360-degree panoramic views on the 102nd floor.
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At the second-floor museum, you'll be able to see what the site looked like in the 1920s (in full color!), Otis Elevator replicas — just like the originals installed when the building opened in 1931 — and even a King Kong-inspired office. Starting at the museum is a great way to take a trip back in time on your way up to the top.
Arguably one of the coolest features of the redesign is the "NYC: Above and Beyond" interactive video exhibit in the new observatory on the 80th floor. Here, you'll answer a series of questions that determine the length of your stay in the Big Apple and what you're interested in seeing. After that, you'll be given an itinerary of attractions and activities across all five boroughs. They made it easy for you, too: It will be automatically emailed to your phone.
Want more advice for planning a trip to New York City? Visit our new destination hub for hotel guides, restaurant recommendations and more!
You'll also be able to watch a film about the building's music-to-light show, augmented reality scenes of the city through old-fashioned binoculars and feast your eyes on a famed NYC skyline drawing by British artist Stephen Wiltshire.
The main deck on the 86th floor is the biggest open-air observatory in New York. It wraps around the building's spire and gives visitors 360-degree views of the city — including famous attractions such as Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Freedom Tower, Times Square and even the Statue of Liberty.
To get up to the newly-unveiled 102nd floor, you'll ride in one of Otis' all-glass Gen2 elevators starting at the 86th floor. On your way, you'll get a never-before-seen look at the inside of the tower's mast, too, 6sqft reported. Once at the top, you'll be greeted by 24 floor-to-ceiling windows with 360-degree views of the city. Not bad, not bad at all.
Depending on what you want to see — and the ages of the people in your party — ticket prices vary a bit. Adults heading to the 80th-floor observatory, for example, will spend $38 per person, while exploring 102nd floor costs $58. You'll want to check out the packages that are available here first. The Empire State Building is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Yes, you read that correctly: You can visit the Empire State Building until two in the morning every day of the year.
Related: The best credit cards for entertainment spending
It's no secret that New York isn't exactly an inexpensive city, so you'll definitely want to have some savvy strategies up your sleeve. Start off with our guide on how to use your points and miles to get there. We've also rounded up some of our top hotel picks, ranging from budget to luxe, where you can put your points to good use.
See you at the top.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.