NY SKYRIDE: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the NY SKYRIDE?
2. Where is the NY SKYRIDE?
3. When is the NY SKYRIDE open and do I need reservations??
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. What is the Fast Track Program?
9.If I buy the COMBO can I do the Observatory first?
10. When is the best time to come?
11. How long are tickets valid for?
12. Are tickets refundable?
13. Are there any specific health or height requirements?
14. How I do contact the NY SKYRIDE ?
1. What is the NY SKYRIDE?
NY SKYRIDE is the premier New York Sightseeing tourist attraction and offers 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 unique experience that takes guests on a 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 Empire State Building. In addition, the experience includes 2 pre-shows. The first called “I am New York”, a perspective of the history of the Empire State Building and “Top 10 Things to do in New York”, a presentation on all that New York has to offer visitors.
Not only are we a great NYC attraction, but the Empire State Building COMBO ticket is a best seller – combining 2 fabulous New York attractions!
2. Where is the NY SKYRIDE?
The NY SKYRIDE virtual tour simulator 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.
3. When is the NY SKYRIDE open and do I need a reservation??
NY SKYRIDE runs all day from 8AM to 10PM, 365 days a year (with curtailed hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years). There are no time and date reservations.
4. How long is the NY SKYRIDE?
The complete SKYRIDE NYC attraction / virtual tour and preshow presentation is approximately a half hour long.
5. Where do I get tickets?
You can buy your tickets from the NY SKYRIDE Box Office or online at a cost savings.
Group tour tickets should be purchased through our group tours 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.
6. Can I purchase tickets just for the Empire State Building Observatory alone?
No, we do not sell the Empire State Building tickets on their own here.
7. Can I purchase a COMBO ticket of the NY SKYRIDE and Empire State Building Observatory?
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 Empire State Building and get an excellent introduction to NYC before going up. Tickets are good for a year and no reservations are needed.
For Retail Group Tour and Travel reservations, please email us at reservations@skyride.com or call 212-299-9777 x 208.
8. What is the Fast Track Program?
FAST TRACK allows guests to bypass a majority of the Empire State Building Observatory waiting line when purchasing a COMBO ticket. Waiting lines for the Observatory can vary from 15 minutes to 3 hours depending on the season.
9. If I buy the COMBO Ticket can I do the Observatory first?
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 Observatory first.
10. When is the best time to come?
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.
11. How long are tickets valid for?
Tickets are good for one year from date of purchase. That applies to the NY SKYRIDE and the Empire State Building Observatory.
12. Are tickets refundable?
Once a ticket is purchased it is good for (1) year. NY SKYRIDE does not issue refunds on unused tickets.
13. Are there any specific health or height requirements?
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.
14. How I do contact the NY SKYRIDE?
The offices and attraction are located at 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10118. Reservations for group tours of New York can be made by contacting Group Tour Sales at 212 279-9777 x 208 or email a reservation to reservations@skyride.com.
Contact Us for more information.
