Empire State Building, New York City

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Chances are if you're visiting the Big Apple then you're going to want to visit the Empire State building.

Personally (I'm sure some would disagree) I didn't find the Empire State Building very impressive from the outside - I saw it and thought "is that it?" it was alot smaller than I imagined. Going inside is different though, the entrance is quite grand but the views are even better.

We went quite late at night in the hope of beating some of the mad day time queues. Its really windy up there but the photos you will get will be great. I just wish I had my slr camera at the time!

This is such an iconic landmark of new york it would be a sin to visit the city but not visit ESB. The views are fantastic from up here and the building itself is beautiful - including the amazing lobby when you first come in - excellent photo opps here!

It seemed to take an age to get up to the viewing platform - not at all like the experience Meg Ryan had in sleepless in Seatle! but was worth it.

I would advise anybody wanting to go up to firstly buy your tickets before you go. I bought mine on the website and printed off my own tickets - so at least avoided the first queue! (and the tickets are valid for 2 years i believe - so you are not time or date tied)

Secondly if you want to see the views in the day go as soon as it opens, or if you want to see it all lit up go later on...the last lift up is 11.15pm.

If you have childen it may be better to do this as it gets VERY crowded!

It is worth just walking past at night to see the upper floors all lit up. On special dates it is lit up in certain colourways...if you look on the website it will tell you the dates and colourways. When we were there it was all lit for thanksgiving. - Amazing!

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Completed in 1931 and named after New York State's nickname, the Empire State Building is one of the symbols of New York City. It was the world's highest building for forty years and until the construction of New York's World Trade Centre. Since 2001, the Empire State Building has returned to being New York's highest structure. The 381-metre building occupies a prominent position in central Manhattan and is a magnificent example of Art Déco architecture. The observation deck at the top offers the best views over New York - definitely a must when visiting the city.

The Empire State is one of the signal sights of NYC. It is once again the tallest building in the Eastern USA after the 9/11 disaster. Its design, with its impressive art deco lobby, made with marble from Georgia, some expensive wood from somewhere, is at once stunning and a sign of the times in which it was built.

The views from the observation galleries is as you would expect. I heard it said that the view from the Rockefeller center is better, as the Empire State is a beautiful sight from it.

There are queues so be patient. It is $20 well spent, as you cannot really say you went to NYC unless you went up it.

The Empire State Building was awesome. You have to go EARLY and yes, you do have to wait in a line. If the line is out the door--dont bother, come back later. If you can get your tickets online, definetly do it. IF YOU'VE BEEN TO EPCOT & DID "SOARING"--DONT BOTHER WITH THE SKY RIDE. ITS SO BAD!!!!! It jerks you around, its not smooth and enjoyable--too many quick flashing, odd angle and distorted pics of the city sights. And especially for the extra money...its not worth it.

One more thing....dont buy the $30 overpriced picture they take of you. They give you a picture card and the prices are a bit more reasonable when you order online.

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I wasn't going to do this one as I hate standing in lines and, well, it's one of those really cliche tourist things. Still, as my Other Half pointed out, it IS the ESB and something I'd probably only do once in my life so off we went. About 45 minutes into a long, hot wait I was giving him the evil eye but once we (finally) stepped on onto the observation deck...

... the pictures say it all.

The website has everything you want to know about the history and visiting info of this historic, Art Deco spire so I'll stick to the generals:

Entrance to the building is on 5th Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets. There is a separate handicapped entrance (see website).

You will wait through a succession of 3 lines before you reach the 86th floor observatory: security, ticketing and elevators. The longest part of the wait will be inside the building and it was oppressively warm when we were there so you'll probably be shedding your coats (no coat check). Bring something to keep the kids occupied! Cameras and camcorders are, of course, fine but no tripods. Also no suitcases or bottles allowed.

There are several ways to cut the waiting time:
Order tickets in advance from the website - which eliminates the ticket line.
Order Express passes, which eliminates the ticket line and places you at the front of the other two. This comes with a price (around $45) but if you have $$ and don't have time, this is the way to go.

During your wait, they do their level best to sell you add-ons like tickets to a simulated helicopter show (Skyride) or 102nd floor observatory, audio guides and souvenirs.

General admission is, at the time of this writing, about $20 for adults and less for children and seniors (see website). US military, in uniform, and little ones under age 6 are free.

The ESB is open 365 days a year, 8:00AM to 2:00AM. Last elevators go up at 1:15AM.

A note about the illumination: it's normally white but changes per seasonal holidays (like Christmas) and other national/world events. They also occasionally turn it off on foggy/cloudy nights during peak migration season (spring/fall) as the birds are drawn to the lights and can smash into the side of the building.

This 1930's Art Deco building is one of NYC's favorite attractions, although, one warning....if it's cloudy or hazy don't waste the time or money, wait for a sunny day. On a clear day you can see for distances of 80 miles and into four other states: NJ, PA, CN and MA. This building was featured in one of my favorite movies, An Affair to Remember.

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If you like standing in line and paying an extraordinary amount just to see the city from up above... then Empire State Building, the 381 meters high - (overall height with the 68m long antenna is 448 m) - Art Deco skyscraper is great. Its name comes from the nickname for the state of New York. Since its opening in 1931, it has been visited by 120 million people from Queen Elizabeth of the UK to Fidel Castro and even the soccer star Pele.

Time your visit for early or late in the day -- morning is the least crowded time -- when the sun is low on the horizon and the shadows are deep across the city.
When entering the building you must go through the security check. This consists of a walk-through scanner and baggage check system. You should have a picture ID too.

The major attraction is the 2nd-floor virtual tour simulator, the skyride techno journey.
It is a fun-filled presentation of movie, motion, and sights.
This visual and motion simulation experience allows you to “fly over” 30 sights, New York is famous for, lifting off from the top of the Empire State Building, soar through the Manhattan Skyline, glide past the Statue of Liberty, play in traffic at Times Square, "zoom" through Wall Street and ride the stomach-crunching Coney Island Cyclone. The half hour complete experience includes 2 pre-shows called “I am New York”, on the history of the Building and “Top 10 Things to do in New York”. No photography allowed.

The 86th-floor observatory, 320 meters, is open to the air, but has also an air-conditioned, glass-enclosed area. The 102nd-floor observatory is closed when crowds are too large.
On a clear day you can see approximately 130 km far in five US Federal States (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts). The top of the building is lit up every night in different colors.

The conquest of the stairs of Empire State Building is organized in every years. 1576 stairs of 86 floors wait for the candidates, who undertake to climb up under the possible shortest time onto the peak. The present record is 9 minutes and 33 seconds set up by an Australian professional cyclist in 2003.

Admission: Adult (18-61) $20, Senior (62+) and Youth (12-17) $18, Child (6-11) $ 14 but younger than 6 free, 102nd Floor Observatory is an additional $15.
Express Pass $45 (you will automatically be moved to the front of each and every line.
Lobby: free to the general public.

Observatory hours: Daily 8am - 2am next day. Last elevators go to the top at 11:15pm