Empire State Building Observation Deck Opens Skyline to NYC Students with Complimentary Visit Program

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Empire State Building Observation Deck (ESBOD) today announced a new NYC school field trip request program to give local students complimentary access to the #1 attraction in the United States. The program connects classroom learning with civic pride and the building’s history, architecture, engineering, sustainability, and skyline views.

Eligible New York City public and charter schools can now request complimentary Observation Deck visits – subject to availability and program terms – for groups up to 50 guests.

“The Empire State Building Observation Deck provides endless opportunities for local students to learn about history, engineering, architecture, and more in a fun, immersive way,” said Dan Rogoski, general manager of the Empire State Building Observation Deck. “As a top educational attraction in NYC, we are pleased to welcome school groups from across the five boroughs.”

The school trip program builds on ESB’s current education center, developed in partnership with Bank Street College of Education, which provides free STEAM course materials and educational content for students. Grade-level resources for grades 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12 cover Science & Technology, Engineering, Art Education, Mathematics, and Social Studies.

Named the #1 Top Attraction in the U.S. in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do, the Empire State Building Observation Deck underwent a $165 million reimagination that added a new interactive museum with nine galleries, bespoke host uniforms, and an upgraded 102nd Floor Observation Deck.

Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis and coordinated by the Empire State Building Observation Deck Sales team. Schools can learn more and submit a school trip request here.

More information about the Empire State Building Observation Deck can be found online.

About the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT: NYSE), soars 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna. The $165 million reimagination of the Empire State Building Observation Deck Experience created an all-new experience with a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries, and a redesigned 102nd Floor Observation Deck with floor-to-ceiling windows. The journey to the world-famous 86th Floor Observation Deck, the only 360-degree, open-air observatory with views of New York and beyond, orients visitors for their entire New York City experience and covers everything from the building's iconic history to its current place in pop culture. The Empire State Building Observation Deck Experience welcomes millions of visitors each year and is ranked the #1 Top Attraction in the United States in Tripadvisor's 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do, “America's Favorite Building” by the American Institute of Architects, the world's most popular travel destination by Uber, and the #1 New York City attraction in Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travel List. Since 2011, the building has been fully powered by renewable wind electricity, and its many floors house a diverse array of office tenants such as LinkedIn and Shutterstock, as well as retail options like STATE Grill and Bar, Tacombi, Ghirardelli, and Starbucks. For more information and Empire State Building Observation Deck Experience tickets visit esbnyc.com or follow the building's Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Weibo, YouTube, or TikTok.