Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the NY SKYRIDE?
2. Where is the NY SKYRIDE?
3. When is the NY SKYRIDE open?
4. How long is the NY SKYRIDE?
5. Where do I get tickets?
6. Can I purchase tickets just for the Empire State Building Observatory alone on this site?
7. What about a COMBO ticket of the NY SKYRIDE and Empire State Building Observatory?
8. If I buy the COMBO can I do the Observatory first?
9. When is the best time to come?
10. How long are tickets valid for?
11. Are tickets refundable?
12. Are there any specific health or height requirements?
13. How I do contact the NY SKYRIDE ?
 

1. What is the NY SKYRIDE?
NY SKYRIDE is New York’s one and only virtual tour simulator.  It is an exciting adventure tour of New York City located on the second floor of the Empire State Building.  Narrated by actor Kevin Bacon, the NY SKYRIDE is a simulation tour that takes guests on a digital virtual tour of New York City.

Through the magic of flight simulation, guests “fly over” over 30 sights New York is famous for without ever leaving the second floor of the ESB.  In addition, the experience includes 2 static pre-shows.  The first called “I am New York”, a 7 minute perspective of the history of the Empire State Building and “Top 10 Things to do in New York”, a 7 minute presentation on all that New York has to offer visitors.

Not only are we a great NYC tourist attraction but an Empire State Building tour is greatly enhanced with our unique New York sightseeing trip. 

The NY SKYRIDE is located on the second floor of the Empire State Building.  Entrance to the SKYRIDE is from the 33rd Street entrance (not the main 5th Avenue entrance).  Enter the building at 33rd Street and turn left up the escalator.

NY SKYRIDE runs all day from 8AM to 10PM, 365 days a year (with curtailed hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years).

The complete SKYRIDE and preshow presentation is approximately a half hour long.

Individual retail tickets may be purchased at the NY SKYRIDE Box Office or online.  Group tickets should be purchased through our group department 212 279-9777 x208 or by emailing us at reservations@skyride.com. When purchasing online, please print your tickets out and bring them to the NY SKYRIDE Box Office.  Please note that these tickets are not accepted at the Empire State Building Box Office so make sure you are coming to us from the 33rd Street entrance.

Qualified and licensed operators must call 212 299-4904 for group reservations and industry rates.

No, we don’t sell the ESB tickets on their own here.

Retail COMBO tickets may be purchased at the NY SKYRIDE Box Office or online at a cost savings and will automatically qualify you for the Fast Track Program.  When purchasing online, please print your tickets out and bring them to the NY SKYRIDE Box Office.  We suggest doing the SKYRIDE first so you can bypass some of the periodic long lines at the Observatory and get an excellent introduction to NYC before going up.

For Retail group and Tour and Travel reservations, please email us at reservations@skyride.com or call 212 -299-4904.

Yes, but you will need to stand on line for the Empire State Building Observatory on their waiting lines.  Enter the building from the Fifth Avenue entrance between 34th and 33rd Street.  You will NOT have the benefit of Fast Track by going to the top first.

NY SKYRIDE runs all day from 8AM to 10PM, 365 days a year (with curtailed hours on Christmas eve, Christmas Day, New Years eve and New Years Day).  The quietest times for us are in the morning and lunchtime but that can vary by season.

Tickets are good for one year from date of purchase.  That applies to the NY SKYRIDE and the Empire State Building Observatory.

Once a ticket is purchased it is good for (1) year.  NY SKYRIDE does not issue refunds on unused tickets.

As with any moving attraction there are certain precautions needed.  People with a history of heart ailments, neck or back pain, motion sickness, fainting or dizzy spells should exercise caution.  Pregnant women should not ride the NY SKYRIDE .  Minimum height for the NY SKYRIDE is 36”.  Children may not sit in laps and must be able to sit in a seat by themselves.

The offices and attraction are located at 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10118.  For group reservations please contact Group Sales at 212 279-9777 x 208 or email a reservation to reservations@skyride.com.    Click here for more information.