Empire State Building Reviews (New York, New York)

Must do or tourist trap?

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

May 16, 2013

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Best of IgoUgo The Empire State Building may not be as instantly recognizable as the Statue of Liberty but it's equally as famous. In fact, the building itself is not one of the more beautiful in the city. It's nice, yes but the nearby Chrysler is nicer but the ...Read more The Empire State Building may not be as instantly recognizable as the Statue of Liberty but it's equally as famous. In fact, the building itself is not one of the more beautiful in the city. It's nice, yes but the nearby Chrysler is nicer but the views from the 86th and 102nd floor observation decks more than make up for it. There are some lovely Art Deco details through the interior, especially in the lobby.

The higher deck is entirely glassed in and it costs more to go there. There's an exhibit on the history of the buildinng on the 80th floor and you can go up to the decks from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. The view of the city at night would be equally spectacular. Due to high crowding, the early morning or later evening hours are going to be the best times to go. It's open every day and there are ramps and elevators.

We were told that when it's busy you can expect 3 hour waits and I can well believe it. We waited an hour arriving at 10:15 a.m. and the crowds were lined up outside the building onto Fifth Ave. when we left around noon. Mostly the lines move well but if you can get your tickets ahead of time or use a pass, that will help. You can also pay nearly double to go through express lines. I don't know if it's worth it unless you were going to be there in the heaviest visiting times. We used the New York Explorer pass but it didn't save us much time as we still had to have it scanned at the ticket counters.

It is a bit of a tourist trap and if you're claustrophobic in crowds it probably isn't for you. the 86th floor deck is not that wide so it's a crush of people. There isn't a cafe but there is a gift shop. There are plenty of places to eat and drink in the lobby and on Fifth Ave.

Here's how it goes: Queue to go through a security scan. Queue for the tickets if you don't have one yet. Queue for the elevator to the 80th floor. Queue for the elevator to the 86th or 102nd floor. You can take the steps from the 80th to 86th if you have the energy.

Bus to 33rd street or the subway to 34th/Herald Square. The ESB is on 34th and 5th ave.

General admission is $25 for the 86th floor, $42 for the 102nd. There are discounts for seniors and children. The express passes are almost double. Close

From journal A New York Minute

Great Location

A traveler

Travelocity.com

April 13, 2011

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I really enjoyed my stay. I paid to upgrade to a room with two beds, so my great value just a good value once I paid the extra fee. I did have a wonderful view of the Empire State Building. Great location. Walking distance from lots of great ...Read more

the staff was very courteous and helpful.

A traveler

Travelocity.com

April 12, 2011

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the staff made us feel welcome when we arrived. they were very willing to help in anyway. they allowed us to store our luggage there so that we could continue to explore the city well after checkout time. we were very impressed with their ...Read more

Nice room, great location.

A traveler

Travelocity.com

February 8, 2011

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Room was large & clean. Close to everything. Breakfast was very good.

Great value & service

A traveler

Travelocity.com

February 3, 2011

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This hotel stay was excellent! The room was exceptionally clean and very nicely decorated. The service was phenomenal! From check in all the way to storing our bags while we went on a sightseeing excursion prior to our departure, the staff were all ...Read more

One of the tallest buildings in New York

by alanmack37

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

October 10, 2010

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Most New York tourists will make their way to this attraction. If youre in Manhattan you will be able to travel to this attraction easily and economically with the subway or perhaps by foot. The Rockefeller Centre and the empire state buildings will ...Read more Most New York tourists will make their way to this attraction. If youre in Manhattan you will be able to travel to this attraction easily and economically with the subway or perhaps by foot. The Rockefeller Centre and the empire state buildings will be visible from practically anywhere in the city due to the massive size. This building has appeared in countless movies such as King Kong, however for those on a budget the entrance fees are going to shock you. Its the need to see value and landmarks such as this in any city are going to cost to see. The building will cost around $20 to see.

Built in 1931 at the peak of the skyscraper craze, this 103-story limestone giant opened after a mere 13 months of construction. The framework rose at an astonishing rate of 4½ stories per week, making the Empire State Building the fastest-rising skyscraper ever built. The building is historic and has museum qualities, having a beautiful front lobby and numerous pictures and historic documents to look at.

A great tip is to book in advance on the internet ($2 extra), and by doing this you can speed your way to the observatory on the 86th floor. If this is your first visit, rent a headset with an audio tour. The 86th-floor observatory is outdoors.. This is the deck to go to to truly see the city. Don't worry about going outside into the wind or you'll miss half the experience. Bring quarters for the high-powered binoculars as the view is amazing you can view the city between the clouds and watch the rain travel sideways around the building from the shelter of the enclosed walkway. The advantage of paying the extra $15 to go to the indoor 102nd floor is that this observatory affords an easy and less-crowded circular walk-around from which to view the city. It also feels more removed and quieter.
A tip for the budget concious is to buy a new york pass which you can do at www.newyorkpass.com. It will allow you free entrance to see sights like this and other expensive entry fee sights. If you intend to visit a lot of places in New York sign up for the day or 2 day passes and save money.

I wouldnt bother eating at the Empire State Building youre in Manhattan and theres going to be lots of cheap delis and fast food eateries.

Overall i would recommend just for the stunning views of the city. If youre going to go just to see the building then i wouldnt pay the fee just walk around the base and take photos. Security as you can imagine is very tight.
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From journal New York on a budget

Quintessential New York View

by airynfaerie

St. Augustine, Florida

October 29, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo What do you think of when the iconic New York skyline comes to mind? Of course the tallest building in the city, the Empire State Building, is what most people picture. This famous Art Deco style skyscraper is one of the tallest buildings in the ...Read more What do you think of when the iconic New York skyline comes to mind? Of course the tallest building in the city, the Empire State Building, is what most people picture. This famous Art Deco style skyscraper is one of the tallest buildings in the world and offers one (if not the) best views over the Big Apple.

Standing at an impressive 102 floors and taking just over 400 days to build between 1930-31, the Empire State Building is an engineering spectacle and one that people from around the world come to see. On clear days they say you can see up to 80 miles and around at 5 states. This unparalleled 360º view is one not to be missed. Located in lower midtown at 5th Avenue and 34th Street, this building can be seen from all around Manhattan.

Since 1964 colored lights have graced the top of the building at night, each signifying a different seasonal event. There's a list of the color schedule on the website, and it's interesting to see what they represent. One time I was in NYC and saw the colors of the Italian flag illuminated, then found out there was a festival in Little Italy, so I headed down there to join in the fun.

I highly recommend a trip to the observatory, as it's a quintessential thing to do in New York. Be sure to look for the entrance for visitors and not the business entrance. Then follow the signs throughout the maze of lines you'll have to encounter. From the ticketing line to the elevator line, then the second elevator (or stairs) line, then the line out to the actual observatory platform. The general ticket serves visitors to the first deck at the 86th floor (you can pay a bit more to go to the very top at 102nd floor). We just went to the 86th and enjoyed it plenty. There are quarter-fed view binoculars on the outdoor walkway, or a glass-enclosed hallway which is great for the cold and windy days.

There are many reasons to visit the Empire State Building - from the interior design, art deco architecture, thrilling view, or breathtaking height. But knowing you'll be experiencing a bit of NYC history is the best part about it.

• http://www.esbnyc.com/
• 350 5th Ave (at 34th Street)
• Open daily 8am - 2am
• General admission: $18.45 (discounts available, extra fee for 102nd floor or express pass) Close

From journal Must-See Visits in New York City

Unacceptable Employee Behaviour

by m0j0sun

Nashville, Tennessee

September 14, 2009

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Employees are playful and nice, but only with other employees. In turn they are inattentive to their customers. In fact, one actually got upset when I was unable to walk fast enough with my cane for him and made comments such as "Some guy with a ...Read more

It's Time to Get in a State

by tartlette

Bath, United Kingdom

September 10, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo This year Mr Tart and myself found ourselves in New York (well, I mean we had planned to be there!). I’d been a couple of times before but Mr Tart had never been so I designated the Empire State Building (ESB) as a must see. SOME FACTS:The ESB was ...Read more

Amazing Views!

by Canadian Penguin Lover

Beaverdam, New Brunswick

January 12, 2009

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The Empire State Building is a must-do activity in NYC. The building is stunning inside, and the views outside are amazing. Everything is really well-organized as far as getting up and back down from the Observation Deck, and the price was great. ...Read more

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Empire State Building

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User Reviews

Must do or tourist trap?

Great Location

the staff was very courteous and helpful.

Nice room, great location.

Great value & service

One of the tallest buildings in New York

Quintessential New York View

Unacceptable Employee Behaviour

It's Time to Get in a State

Amazing Views!

Empire State Building

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Avg. User Rating:

User Reviews

Must do or tourist trap?

Great Location

the staff was very courteous and helpful.

Nice room, great location.

Great value & service

One of the tallest buildings in New York

Quintessential New York View

Unacceptable Employee Behaviour

It's Time to Get in a State

Amazing Views!