86th Floor vs 102nd Floor: Which Deck to Choose
Verdict
Get the 86th floor if you only want one deck, a photo, or you're on a budget — it delivers the classic 360-degree Manhattan view and is included on every product on this site. Add the 102nd floor if the sky is clear and you want the higher, enclosed Top Deck view with visibility up to 80 miles, or if a taller, glassed-in vantage point is the point of your visit.
Every Empire State Building ticket includes the 86th floor; the 102nd floor is always an upgrade, official or partner. The two decks are genuinely different experiences — one open-air, one enclosed and higher — and the $35 official price gap between them ($44 vs $79) is the one decision that changes what you pay the most.
| Criterion | 86th Floor Observation Deck | 102nd Floor Observatory (Top Deck) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | About 1,050 feet (320 m) | About 1,224 feet (373 m) |
| Setting | Open-air, ringed by a wire safety barrier | Enclosed behind floor-to-ceiling glass |
| Official price | $44 (86th Floor Only) | $79 (Top Deck, includes 86th floor) |
| Included by default on | Every product on this site | None by default; an add-on except where a listing states otherwise |
| Best for | A first visit, photos, budget-conscious visitors | Clear-sky days, a higher and quieter vantage point |
What each floor actually offers
The 86th floor is the building's original 1931 observation deck: an open-air terrace ringed by a safety barrier, with 360-degree views over Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. The 102nd floor, marketed as the Top Deck, sits roughly 170 feet higher, behind floor-to-ceiling glass rather than open air, and was renovated with an emphasis on unobstructed sightlines said to reach up to 80 miles on a clear day.
Is the 102nd floor worth $35 more?
Mainly on a clear day or for a special occasion. The enclosed glass changes the experience — no wind, no barrier in your photos — but on a hazy or overcast day the extra height buys little you can't already see from the 86th floor. Budget travelers and first-timers are well served by the 86th floor alone; repeat visitors or photographers chasing the clearest possible shot are the ones who consistently say the 102nd floor was worth it.
Can you do both on the same visit?
Yes — the official Top Deck ticket and several partner products (like the VIP Private Tour) include both floors in one visit, so you don't need two separate tickets if you decide you want the full range.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 102nd floor worth it?
Mainly on a clear day: the enclosed 102nd floor sits about 170 feet higher than the 86th and trades open air for floor-to-ceiling glass. On a hazy day, or a tight budget, the 86th floor delivers most of the same view for $35 less at the official ticket office.
What's the difference between the 86th and 102nd floor?
The 86th floor is open-air with a safety barrier; the 102nd is enclosed behind glass and sits roughly 170 feet higher, marketed for its long-distance visibility on clear days.
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