Whether you’re visiting with a New York Pass® or just love uncovering hidden details, here are the surprising things tucked away inside New York City’s most famous skyscraper – and which ones you can spot on your visit.
We’ll let you know which ones you can see when you visit, and which ones aren’t visible to the general public… but are still fun to know about and impress your friends with knowledge of!
1. A former bank vault hiding in the basement
Deep in the basement of the Empire State Building is a relic from its early days: a former bank vault. When it opened, the basement was home to the bank Irving Trust, complete with a full working bank and secure vault. Think big, thick, circular door with lots of exciting-looking cogs.
Today, that vault hasn’t vanished – it’s just sitting quietly in an area now used by tenants for storage. It’s a brilliant reminder that the Empire State Building wasn’t designed as a tourist attraction at first; it was a self-contained vertical city.
Visible on general admission? ❌ (not publicly accessible)
Imagine popping down here to pick up some office supplies!
2. A real, working mailbox – inside the building
This one surprised me: you can actually post mail from inside the Empire State Building.
There’s a working USPS mailbox within the building lobby, and yes – letters sent from here are stamped with the Empire State Building’s very own ZIP code: 10118.
Talk about a fun, low-key flex if you’re sending letters. Few envelopes can claim they were mailed from one of the most famous addresses in the world.
Visible on general admission? ❌ (not publicly accessible)
3. The “original” Art Deco lobby
Nowadays, visitors enter through the modern observatory entrance – but on the way out, you’ll pass through the original 1931 lobby, and it’s well worth slowing down for.
This is the lobby you’ll recognise from ‘Elf’, you know, where Buddy is spinning around and around in the revolving door?
Visible on general admission? ✅ (as you exit the building)
Definitely up there with the most glamorous-looking mailboxes!
4. An old elevator shaft
You won’t ride it, but you will see it. Inside the museum galleries, you’ll get an up-close look at an original elevator shaft to the top floor, a reminder of how revolutionary the building’s engineering was in the 1930s.
Today, the Empire State Building has 77 elevators, and none of them go all the way to the top in one shot. Some travel at an eye-watering 1,400 feet per minute, which explains why your ears might pop on the way up.
Visible on general admission? ✅ (in the museum)
5. A hidden launderette for staff uniforms
Behind the scenes, there’s a launderette dedicated to staff uniforms, keeping everything crisp, comfortable, and perfectly on-brand. Each department, like security or Observatory guides, has its own door where they scan their passes, and their uniform appears as if by magic for them to collect.
The uniforms themselves are still deeply rooted in the building’s Art Deco heritage, complete with Machine Age patterns printed inside jackets and waistcoats – a detail most visitors will never notice, but one that speaks volumes about how much care goes into the ESB experience.
Visible on general admission? ❌ (not publicly accessible)
Work wear laundered on site? We wouldn't mind some of that!
6. A basketball court
Another star of the basement is the recreation area for those who work in offices in the building. Featuring a virtual golfing set-up and a basketball court. It’s a full-on sports hall with extendable bleacher seating – we wondered how they ever get any work done!
Is it NBA-sized? Not quite. Is it a fun reminder that working in the Empire State Building has more perks than just offering a cool name drop? Definitely.
Visible on general admission? ❌ (not publicly accessible)
7. A floor almost no one gets to visit: the 103rd floor
Did you know, even the famous 102nd-floor observatory isn’t actually the top. Above it sits the 103rd floor, accessible only to a tiny number of very VIP guests. (Taylor Swift, for example.)
This isn’t part of standard tickets, add-ons, or passes – it’s the stuff of Empire State legend. If you’ve been up there, you’re in an extremely exclusive club (and I’d be beyond honoured if you’re reading this right now.)
Visible on general admission? ❌❌ (Ultra-VIP only)
8. A full-to-scale model of the Empire State Building itself
Before you even get to the views, take a moment to appreciate the full-scale architectural model of the Empire State Building on display inside.
It’s surprisingly mesmerising – a chance to see the Art Deco architectural detail up close and really grasp just how much planning (and ambition) went into creating one of the world’s most famous skyscrapers.
Seeing the building laid out in miniature before heading up makes the experience even more impressive and gives you a proper look at the whole building, which you just can’t get from on the street.
Visible on general admission? ✅ (at the beginning of the Observatory experience)
Of course, we had to pose with the model!
What can New York Pass® holders see?
With the New York Pass®, you’ll experience:
The full museum experience (including the old elevator and the architectural model
The 86th-floor Observatory
The immersive elevator ride and other exhibits
Access through the original lobby on exit
The 102nd floor is available as a paid upgrade, while areas like the vault, staff facilities and 103rd floor remain off-limits – some things have to remain mysterious and VIP after all.
Keep your eyes open
The Empire State Building isn’t just a viewpoint – it’s a living, working piece of New York history, layered with stories, secrets and surprising details hiding in plain sight.
When you visit, slow down, read the plaques and look beyond the skyline. You never know what piece of the building’s past you’ll be able to spot.
Enjoyed this little slice of New York?
Take your trip to the next level with our complete guide to the Empire State Building or check out our interview with the Queen of the Empire State Building, all filled with visitor hacks and money-saving tips.
With The New York Pass®, you can skip the stress and save big on Empire State Building tickets plus dozens of other must-see attractions, all with one easy-to-use pass.
🗽 Don't explore the Big Apple without this
💰 How much can you really save in NYC?
