In alignment with new state and city guidelines, the Empire State Building has lifted COVID-19 protocols for guests of its Observatory Experience. Masks are optional for visitors, and the interactive exhibits and elements, including the 86th Floor Observatory viewfinders, have fully reopened.
The Empire State Building Observatory Experience’s recent $165 million overhaul added a dedicated entrance on 34th Street, one dozen immersive, museum-quality exhibits detailing the building’s history and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) improvements that include bipolar ionization, MERV-13 filters and increased ventilation.
“Our touch installations, just completed in November 2019, are now in full operation for the first time since our shutdown in March 2020,” said Jean-Yves Ghazi, president of the Empire State Building Observatory. “To appreciate fully the international icon of New York City, you must come inside and visit the Observatory, and we can’t wait to welcome you.”
Popular exhibits throughout the experience include “Kong,” which brings visitors face to face with the famous primate featured in the 1933 film; “Construction,” which places guests in the middle of life-like bronze sculptures and videos of iron workers and masons as they build the iconic tower; “The Site in the 1920s,” which allows guests to look through building surveyors to see New York City streets in the late 1920’s; “Scenes of NYC,” where visitors can see nine famed New York locations through the building’s viewfinders from the 80th floor and “World’s Most Famous Building,” which depicts the Empire State Building as a cultural icon in a 72-screen, 180-degree. surround-sound theater. The world-famous viewfinders on the outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor have been uncovered for use.
To maximize the experience, the number of visitors to the Observatory at any one time are limited. Reservations are recommended for visitors and can be made in advance online.
