Entry to the Empire State Building's 86th-floor observatory is included for free with the purchase of the New York Sightseeing Pass, the New York Pass, and the New York Explorer Pass. It is also free twice with the purchase of a CityPass booklet, giving you the opportunity to come day and night.

As of 2026, there is no standard way to visit the observation decks of the Empire State Building for free. It is a strictly ticketed attraction with prices typically starting around $44 for adults for the 86th-floor open-air deck and significantly more for the 102nd-floor top deck. While you can enter the building's lobby and visit the ground-floor retail shops and restaurants without a ticket, access to the elevators and the world-famous views requires a paid pass. Occasionally, there are sweepstakes or giveaways (such as those hosted by local radio stations like WNYC) that offer "VIP tours" as prizes, but these are rare. If you are looking for a view of the Empire State Building itself rather than from it, public parks like Bryant Park or certain rooftop bars are your best "low-cost" alternatives, but to actually stand at the top of this Art Deco masterpiece, you will almost certainly need to purchase a ticket in advance.