Empire State Building vs The Shard - Comparing the Major Differences

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2024
By Katie Sagal

World travelers often wonder how the globe’s most famous observation decks stack up against one another. While there are some obvious differences, when it gets down to the tiny details it can be a difficult task to sort out when the attractions are in different countries. If you’re trying to compare the Empire State Building and the Shard, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you consider which attraction appeals to you the most. Visit one, or visit them both on different trips. Both observation decks are located at significant heights above street level, and both have plenty to offer adventurers looking for an exciting view of the city below. Each is also located in a building of cultural significance. However, there are many differences between the two, the most basic of which is their location: the Empire State Building is located in New York City and the Shard is located in London. For your convenience, we’ve put together a list of the more nuanced differences and similarities between the two attractions, arranged by:

  • What’s Included with General Admission
  • Location
  • Scenic Views
  • Building History
  • Tips for Visiting

Thinking about Visiting the Empire State Building or The Shard?

Save up to 50% on admission to the Empire State Building plus your choice of other popular New York attractions with the New York City Explorer Pass. Tickets to The Shard are separately priced and are not included with the New York City Explorer Pass. Another fun alternative in New York City the Top of the Rock, which also provides stunning aerial views of the city and is also available on the New York City Explorer Pass. Or, if your trip takes you to London, a great alternative is the Coca-Cola London Eye, a famous observation wheel that’s an iconic part of the London skyline.

What’s Included with General Admission

Both attractions include admission to the relevant observation decks, as well as informative exhibits and guides.

Empire State Building General Admission Tickets

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  • Access to the Main Deck, which is an 86th-floor open deck observation space.
  • Access to the popular multimedia Sustainability Exhibit and Dare to Dream Exhibit. The Sustainability Exhibit showcases the Empire State Building’s admirable efforts to reduce carbon emissions and energy waste. The Dare to Dream Exhibit offers an engaging collection of historical documents, photographs, sketches, architectural drawings, and more, which recount the story of this famous building’s construction.
  • Access to the legendary Art Deco Lobby, which is one of the very few building interiors in New York to be officially designated as a historic landmark. Recently restored to the original early twentieth-century beauty, this striking lobby features stunning ceiling murals (overlaid with 24-carat gold leaf) and an intricate etching of the building on a wall.
  • Access to the recently revamped Visitor’s Center, located on the second floor of the building. Learn more about the attraction, pick up tickets, or scan your Explorer Pass here.
  • Access to the elevator ride that escorts you from the 2nd floor to the 86th.

The Shard General Admission Tickets

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  • Access to the observation decks on the 69th and 72nd The 72nd floor is the open-air observation deck, while the 69th floor is entirely enclosed.
  • Access to a high-speed elevator ride that whisks you from the base of the building all the way up to the 69th
  • Access to the 68th floor Sky Boutique, which is a nice place for Shard-related souvenirs and other London accessories.
  • Access to the friendly Guest Ambassadors who are there to answer any questions you might have about the views below.
  • Access to London’s highest champagne bar – excellent for those of you looking to make it a romantic experience.
  • The London Landmark Guarantee, which ensures that if the weather is bad and obstructs your views, you can come back another time for free.

Location

Empire State Building: Located in Midtown Manhattan by Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, and the famed NYC Macy’s. The Shard: Located in Southwark, London, near the iconic Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and the HMS Belfast.

Comparing the Scenic Views

Each observation deck offers unique views of their respective cities, and both are located at a significance height above ground level. The Empire State Building offers panoramic views of Midtown Manhattan, as far north as Central Park, and as far south as the Statue of Liberty. The Empire State Building offers open-air and enclosed observation decks. The Shard offers excellent views of the Thames, the Tower of London, and the London Bridge, as well as London riverfront. You can also see as far as 40 miles in any direction on a clear day. The Shard also has both open-air and enclosed observation decks.

View from the Empire State Building

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The Main Deck of the Empire State Building is on the 86th floor, providing lovely aerial views of Central Park, the rivers, the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, the bustling Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty, as well as the wealth of attractions in Midtown Manhattan below.

View from the Shard

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The indoor observation deck of the Shard is found on the 69th floor, while the open-air observation deck can be found on the 72nd floor. From the Shard, you can see up to 40 miles in any of their 360-degree views on a clear day. Highlights include the Thames, the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, the Coca-Cola London Eye, and more.

Building History

The Empire State Building

In 1931, the Empire State Building came into the world as a symbol of hope in a dark time. Designed and executed by the architecture firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates, this iconic NYC landmark was among the most beautiful of all Art Deco buildings in the city. Designed to honor American industrial strengths and capitalist progress, the Empire State Building still stands today as a monument to commerce. It was awarded the distinction of being classified as one of the seven greatest architectural achievements in the United States in 1955, and its reputation has only grown since. Today the building is home to a variety of companies – nearly 1,000 all told (including restaurants and bars that are worth a quick trip to snag a cocktail and some photos) – as well as the observation deck and historical exhibits. It is located on Fifth Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets.

The Shard

The Shard is a much newer construction, begun in 2009 and opened to the public in July of 2012. The View from the Shard (the official name of the observation deck) opened in February of 2013. It was designed by iconic Italian architect Renzo Piano (who is also known for his work on the Art Institute of Chicago and the Whitney Museum of Art in NYC). Piano intended for the Shard to evoke the feeling of emerging from the Thames, so the design is very modern and sleek. The Shard was part of the redevelopment of the then very industrial Southwark neighborhood of London, in an effort to revamp the area and bring new business to the city. Today it is home to a number of businesses, including restaurants and a hotel on the ground floor (as well as the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel located on floors 34-52). There are also residential floors above the hotel but below the observation deck.

Tips for Visiting The Empire State Building and The Shard

Tips for Visiting the Empire State Building

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  • If possible, plan to visit the Empire State Building early in the morning or during weekdays to avoid elevator lines. Keep in mind that during busy times like the summer or around spring break, even these times may be busy.
  • Give yourself at least an hour to see the exhibits and the observation deck itself. This does not include the time spent in the security line, so plan to budget a bit more.
  • After you check on the second floor, proceed directly to the Sustainability exhibit
  • Be sure to download the FREE app before your visit, available via Google Play or the Apple App Store.
  • Use your New York City Explorer Pass to skip the ticket line and get to the top faster.
  • Bring a camera or binoculars to get the best views of the city below.
  • Don’t forget to wear layers! The observation deck on the 86th floor is open-air, so you’ll really feel the effects of being up so high – especially on a breezy day.
  • If you’re in search of those perfect sunset photos, be sure to arrive at least an early before sunset. This is the best time for lighting.
  • Check out our in-depth guide to visiting the Empire State Building before you go to make the most of your visit.

Tips for Visiting the Shard

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  • If possible, time your visit during the early morning or weekdays to avoid crowds. Again, bank holidays or other school holidays may increase crowds even during those times.
  • There is no time limit for the View from the Shard, so plan in as much time as you think you’d need to see all the amazing views (and perhaps sip on some champagne).
  • Take advantage of their interactive photography studio, which can create incredible photo albums filled with pictures of you and your family at the top. This requires an additional fee, but may be worth it to get studio-quality photos.
  • If you’re traveling with kids, consider getting their Family Experience tickets, which are offered at a discount versus buying all those tickets individually.
  • Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks are available for purchase throughout the attraction, so you don’t need to bring your own.

In Summary (The Biggest Differences)

Each of these attractions is incredibly popular with tourists, but both offer different views and cultural perspectives. The Empire State Building is an iconic historic structure with a long legacy of standing tall and proud in NYC’s skyline. It also features gorgeous Art Deco décor and a variety of special exhibits on multiple floors. The Shard is much newer, but also boasts a beautiful, striking design – by none other than Renzo Piano. The Empire State Building offers views in Midtown Manhattan, where you can see as far north as Central Park and as far south as the Statue of Liberty and New Jersey. The Shard offers views along the Thames waterfront, including Big Ben, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and much more.

Visit the Empire State Building and Save on Admission

Remember to visit the Big Apple with the New York City Explorer Pass! You’ll get admission to the Empire State Building plus tickets to dozens of other top attractions in the city, like the American Museum of Natural History, a Statue of Liberty Ferry, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Top of the Rock, and many more. Save up to 50% on combined admission versus paying at the gate with the New York City Explorer Pass – it’s a smart choice for savvy travelers! If you are planning your trip to London rather than NYC, consider picking up a London Explorer Pass. You can save up to 40% on the city’s top attractions, including another great observation option in the Coca-Cola London Eye.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Katie Sagal

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