Empire State Building to reopen observatory to visitors July 20
The Empire State Building’s observatory is reopening on July 20, but at a sharply reduced capacity to protect visitors from the coronavirus.
Visitors will be required to undergo a temperature screening and will not be admitted if it exceeds 100.4 F. They will also be required to wear face masks throughout the visit.
The observatory will be open initially from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and allow 500 visitors at a time, about 20% of its usual capacity. The reduced capacity allows a spacing of 18 feet between groups.
Visitors will need to purchase timed tickets in advance. Prices for the 86th floor observatory start at $42 for adults, $36 for children and $40 for seniors. Tickets for both the 86th and 102nd floors are $72 for adults, $66 for children and $70 for seniors.
Certain interactive exhibits, including those with binoculars, will remain closed.
“We have taken measures with signage, distancing markers, hand sanitizers, and cleaning; beyond anything any retailer or public space we have surveyed,” said Jean-Yves Ghazi, the observatory’s president, in a statement.
Empire State Realty Trust, which operates the observatory, gave it a $165 million makeover. A separate entrance for observatory visitors and a new air filtration system were among the changes.
The 70,000-square-foot observatory, on the 86th and 102nd floors, has been closed since March.