Empire State Building Admission Fee
 

The current price for adults to visit the 86th floor observation deck is $42, which is expensive, but worth it to go up the Empire State Building. However, the admission fee should be more like $20 for adults as it would allow more working and middle class New Yorkers to enjoy the views from the observation deck of New York's most famous building. The current $42 fee is highly overpriced and keeps some people from visiting that otherwise might do so. To visit the 102nd floor, the price goes up to $72 per person. The IDNYC program should also be expanded to include discounted admission to the Empire State Building at like half price at least for those holding the card.

There are many more observation decks coming online in the next few years. Two (HY and 1 Vandy) are very imminent, and two more (Tower Fifth and Chrysler) likely within a few years, so hopefully the increased competition slows/reverses the rate of increase.

In any case, these are privately owned structures and I don't have a problem with them charging the market rate. Maybe have a discount for city residents.

Is the Empire State Building already at capacity with a $42 ticket.

The Empire State Building may have to reduce it's admission fee when it reopens after the coronavirus to draw in visitors as the supply and demand will go down.