Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is an Art Deco icon at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street, opened in 1931 and celebrated for its 86th and 102nd floor observatories with sweeping skyline views. Its status as a National Historic Landmark and symbol of New York City makes it a must-see for first-time visitors and locals alike. The area sits in the heart of Midtown, where avenues and crosstown streets carry steady traffic throughout the day, so plan extra time for arrivals and departures.

Street parking nearby is scarce and highly regulated with meters, alternate side rules for street cleaning, bus lanes, and newly designated loading-only zones, and the entire city is a tow-away zone for violations, including parking too close to fire hydrants or in bus stops. Curb space in Midtown has commercial vehicle time limits during the day, and signs can change from block to block, so reading every posted rule and using the ParkNYC app to pay meters helps avoid tickets. To save time and reduce stress, consider booking parking near Empire State Building in advance and always confirm the latest regulations on official city sources before you go.