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A view from the Empire State Building observation deck on a rainy day, showing raindrops on the glass and a binocular viewer. The title overlay asks, "Visiting the Empire State Building in bad weather - is it worth it?"
An aerial view of New York City from the Empire State Building, heavily obscured by dense fog and clouds, with only the tops of some skyscrapers faintly visible.
A smiling woman on the Empire State Building observation deck, with metal railings and a cloudy, foggy sky in the background, indicating bad weather.
A high-angle view of a New York City street with traffic and buildings, including a large "MACYS" sign, seen through a hazy or rainy atmosphere.
A section of the Empire State Building's outdoor observation deck on a wet, overcast day, featuring an American flag and the building's flag.
A man posing with a large King Kong hand sculpture inside the Empire State Building, with a King Kong face visible in a window, part of the museum experience.
An upward view of the Empire State Building's spire, partially shrouded in dense fog and clouds, highlighting the low visibility during bad weather.
An interior view of the Empire State Building with a large, illuminated display showing a clear image of the building against a blue sky, flanked by modern staircases.
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Visiting the Empire State Building in the rain

So you can’t always control the weather when on a trip! What happens if you are planning on visiting the Empire State Building in the rain?

Well I did it, so let me tell you!

First, if you already have tickets or an activated attraction pass and you show up in the rain, if there’s low visibility the staff will help you reschedule your tickets. That’s great if you have flexibility, but if you don’t, here’s what it’s like!

First, take your time through the museum and historic portion of the experience! I have been to the Empire State Building 3 times now, and the day that it rained was really the only day I spent the time to enjoy these exhibits, and they are great!

When you get up to the observation deck you may have 0 visibility. BUT what’s cool is it feels like you’re actually inside a cloud!

I looked out and saw views of skyscrapers poking out of the dense fog and clouds and some random street scenes. It was actually really cool and moody!

And the best part? We were the ONLY people there!

That being said, if I had a choice, I probably would reschedule. But if you don’t have the flexibility, it was actually a really cool and unique experience. It’s not every day you could be on the top of the Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan essentially all alone!

#lemon8partner #travelnyc #explorenyc #empirestatebuilding #nyctips

New York
2025/12/16 Edited to

... Read moreHey everyone! So my recent trip to the Empire State Building was quite the adventure, given the weather, but it also got me thinking about the experience beyond just the observation deck. You know, sometimes you plan for sunshine, but NYC has its own ideas! Let me share a bit more about what you can expect, especially if you're curious about the building's interior or even its famous stairs, which are a bit of a hidden gem. First, let's talk about the observation deck interior experience. Even before you step out onto the famous 86th or 102nd-floor outdoor decks, there's a whole world inside. You'll move through various queue lines – which, on a rainy day, were blessedly empty for me! – but these areas are actually quite impressive. The interior view is often overlooked. They've got fantastic exhibits leading up to the elevators, detailing the building's history, construction, and cultural impact. Remember the King Kong hand sculpture I mentioned? That's part of the fun, interactive museum experience on the second floor, a perfect stop before heading up. You'll pass through beautifully restored Art Deco lobbies, which are truly a sight to behold. These interior spaces offer a glimpse into the grandeur of the Empire State Building, even if the outdoor views are obscured by fog or clouds. The modern staircases connecting some of these levels are also elegantly designed, making the journey feel part of the experience itself. And what about those Empire State Building stairs? While most visitors opt for the high-speed elevators, there's a lesser-known option for the truly adventurous and historically curious. Did you know you can actually climb the interior stairs from the 80th floor to the 86th-floor observation deck? It's a fantastic way to experience the building's structure up close and get a real feel for its monumental scale. It's not for everyone – it's quite a climb – but it offers a unique perspective you won't get from the elevators. I've only done a portion of it, but it’s amazing to think of the history that has unfolded on those very steps. Now, for those of you wondering about the Empire State Building exterior day experience on a clear day, it's totally different from my 'inside a cloud' adventure! On a sunny day, the building stands majestically against the New York skyline, its spire gleaming. You can get incredible photos from various spots around Midtown, like from Madison Square Park or even just walking down 5th Avenue looking up. The contrast between seeing its striking exterior against a crisp blue sky versus being enveloped in fog is just wild. On a clear day, you'd see all of Manhattan sprawling out, rather than just the tops of skyscrapers poking out of the dense fog. It’s definitely worth seeing both, if you get the chance! Whether it's the iconic exterior against a bright sky or the moody, unique ambiance of a rainy visit, the Empire State Building always delivers a memorable experience.