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Empire State Building, New York City
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Empire State Building, New York City

Empire State Building tips and photos posted by real travelers and New York City locals.

350 5th Avenue
• 641 Photos
• 427 Reviews

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Empire State Building: Hey, where's the ape?!!!
  • Tip Rating:
  • spgood301
  • Updated By spgood301 on September 1, 2005
  • New York City Page by spgood301
  • Empire State Building, from 26th Street - New York City
    Empire State Building,
    from 26th Street
    by spgood301
    What else can one say about the Empire State Building? Nooooot much, so my one tip is about navigating the city. When in midtown, I've often used this iconic building to judge where I was in the city, especially when coming out of a subway station.

    Going to the top of the ESB is just one of those things you gotta do in NYC, especially if it's your first visit. It's open from 8am - 12 midnight. You can purchase tickets in advance, on line, by going to the website listed below.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 947-1360
  • Directions: 1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.
  • Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/
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    Empire State Building: Empire State Magic
  • Tip Rating:
  • davesut
  • By davesut on April 19, 2007
  • New York City Page by davesut
  • Look at the view - New York City
    Look at the view
    by davesut
    One of the biggest highlights of our visit was going to the top of the Empire State Building.

    Tip No 1 - get there early. We arrived at 8:30am and there were no queues at all, what a result. We just walked through the empty zig zag lanes and to the lift to the top.This still took about 20 mins.

    Tip No 2 - Go to the top after spending a couple of days in Manhattan then you can spot your favourite sights.

    Tip No 3 - Purchase the audio guide which was a great commentary of the skyline (free with a city pass)

    Tip No 4 - Wear a coat, it was freezing up there

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  • Phone: (212) 947-1360
  • Directions: 1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.
  • Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Empire State Building: The Empire State Building
  • Tip Rating:
  • toni28
  • Updated By toni28 on June 5, 2007
  • New York City Page by toni28
  • Empire state sunset - New York City
    Empire state sunset
    by toni28,
    4 more photos
    Empire state – is the number 1 tourist attraction in NY because of its famous observatory deck on the 86th floor, and the number one historical land mark of NYC.

    As a first timer visitor in New York, I felt the excitement to see this famous building which I have seen only in my favorite love story movie the “Sleepless in Seattle” and the suspense movie “King Kong” and as well as to experience how thrill it is when you are on top of the observatory.

    The building is located in the hearth of Manhattan 5th ave at 34 st. When you enter inside you can see the unique attraction of the Art Deco designed lobby covered in thick block marble with pretty steel all over. And the fifth avenue back wall of the lobby portrait an image of the Empire State Building place against the map of NYC and surrounding state.

    Before you take up to the observatory, there is a visitor inspection at the visitor center on 2nd floor, after that you can go straight to the express elevator, reach a minute and take a place to 80th and 86th floors.

    The observatory offers panoramic views, 1,050 ft (320 meters) above the city bustling streets, and enclosed pavilion with the open air promenade, from here you can enjoy the breath taking view of NY skyline, bridges and other famous structures.

    Admission fee at the building:

    Adults (18-61) $18.00
    Youth (12-17) $16.00
    Child (6-11) $12.00
    Seniors (62+) $16.00
    Military w/ID $16.00

    open till 8:00am to 2:00am
    7 days a week

  • Phone: (212) 947-1360
  • Directions: 1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.
  • Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Empire State Building: This is a must!
  • Tip Rating:
  • pginer
  • By pginer on March 27, 2004
  • New York City Page by pginer
  • Empire State Building - New York City
    by pginer
    For the cheap price of 11 $ you can go to the 86th floor of the Empire State and take some beautiful pics from there (only if you have no vertigo ...)

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 947-1360
  • Directions: 1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.
  • Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Empire State Building: Tallest Building in New York
  • Tip Rating:
  • pure1942
  • Updated By pure1942 on March 12, 2008
  • New York City Page by pure1942
  • View from Empire State Building - New York City
    View from Empire State
    Building
    by pure1942, 4 more photos
    The Empire State Building is the tallest building in New York and has been since the destruction of the Twin Towers in 2001. Before the construction of the twin towers in 1972 the Empire State Building was already the tallest building in the city and indeed the world. The skyscraper has 102 storeys and is located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street.
    The building is stlyed in the art deco stlye and took just 410 days to complete, starting in 1930 and finished in 1931. The building competed with two other building project's, with all three vying to be the world's tallest skyscraper. The Empire State Building eventually won out over The Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street.
    The Empire State Building has been visited by over 100 million people during it's history. The 86th floor observation deck offers stunning views over the city. There is a second observation deck on the 102nd floor but it may be closed on busy days or when weather is unfavourable.
    Be prepared to queue for hours if you intend to go to the observation deck.

    We were lucky - we got to catch the last of the daylight from the deck and into twilight and darkness so we got daylight and night views over the city.

  • Phone: (212) 947-1360
  • Directions: 1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.
  • Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Empire State Building: Go to Empire State Building for a view...
  • Tip Rating:
  • Dimi1
  • Updated By Dimi1 on March 27, 2005
  • New York City Page by Dimi1
  • Empire State Building - New York City
    by Dimi1
    Just a view over Upper East Side in the late afteroon of a hot summer day from the top of the famous Empire State Building...

    In my opinion the old fashioned Empire State Building has the best observation deck in town...

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: +1-212-947-1360
  • Directions: 1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.
  • Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Empire State Building: Empire State Building
  • Tip Rating:
  • mrclay2000
  • Updated By mrclay2000 on April 10, 2005
  • New York City Page by mrclay2000
  • glimpses of the Empire State Building - New York City
    glimpses of the Empire
    State Building
    by mrclay2000
    Now the tallest building in New York City, the Empire State Building was once the tallest skyscraper in the world upon its completion in the early 1930s. Pictures exist during its construction that show welders on steel girders still hundreds of feet above the nearby Chrysler Building, once the city's champion. The tower is now mainly comprised of office buildings, and security is tight inside, but for a fee (a whopping $13) you can view the city from on high from one of its observation platforms (expect long lines). For those willing only to ramble, the lobby has nice illuminated panels, a small King Kong exhibit, and several displays and pamphlets boasting the history of the tower.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 947-1360
  • Directions: 1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.
  • Website: www.esbnyc.com
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Empire State Building: Empire State Building - A White Diamond in the Sky
  • Tip Rating:
  • AliasGirl
  • Updated By AliasGirl on August 11, 2004
  • New York City Page by AliasGirl
  • Well that's what it looked like the night I got engaged there..it was actually illuminated in all white. Very fitting for the occasion. :)

    Everyone knows to visit the Empire State Building, especially on a clear day, you can see so far. Its an amazing 360 degree experience.

    I say..make sure to look up during your stay and see the building colors, it changes nightly; sometiimes very patriotic-red, white and blue, sometimes all blue, all yellow etc. You can check out the official website to find out the color schedule and meaning.

    Find the tab called:
    ESB Lighting Schedule

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 947-1360
  • Directions: 1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.
  • Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Empire State Building: Empire State Building
  • Tip Rating:
  • Jehcekah
  • By Jehcekah on April 6, 2004
  • New York City Page by Jehcekah
  • Empire State Building - New York City
    Empire State Building
    by Jehcekah
    You can purchase tickets to go up to the 86th floor observation desk of the Empire State Building. Prepare to wait in long lines. I can't imagine how busy it must be in the summer, but even in March it was busy. Our total wait was about 2 hours. First you must wait in line to buy your tickets. However, if you plan on riding the Skyride (flight simulator ride), you do not have to wait in line. Though your ticket price then includes the ride. For adults, the combined ticket is $22 and the observation deck alone costs $12. You can also purchase an audio tour, which is $5.

    You then wait in line down a long, enclosed corridor which is lined with fans to keep the air moving. Again, I can't even imagine what this would be like in the heat of the summer!

    When you reach the 80th floor, they have you leave the elevators and then take your picture in front of a cheesy canvas which you can purchase later. Then you board another elevator where you climb up six more floors to the 86th. You exit through a gift shop out onto the observation level, which is outdoors. Visibility can certainly make or break your visit, so check the weather before you leave the hotel!

    You must wait in line again when you leave the observation deck. You can now book your tickets ahead of time on the Empire State Building website.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 947-1360
  • Directions: 1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.
  • Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Empire State Building: Empire State
  • Tip Rating:
  • kazander
  • Updated By kazander on December 8, 2004
  • New York City Page by kazander
  • Empire State Building - New York City
    Empire State Building
    by kazander
    One of New York City's most famous landmarks, the beautiful Empire State Building has long been an identifying shape in the skyline. Built in 1931 the art deco style building is gorgeous, outside and in.
    On different holidays, the Empire State is lit up with different colors! For the 4th of July, it is red white and blue, for Christmas, red and green, orange for Halloween...
    Enjoy the view from the observatory near the top of the building on the 86th floor, but be prepared for very long lines and crowded elevators!
    There is another observatory up on the 102nd floor that is quite small and closed to the general public. In the past, you could hold a private wedding or other special event there. Unfortunately, they have discontinued that practice.

    Observatory hours are 9:30 am to midnight (last elevator up is 11:15pm

    Admission is
    $12 for adults,
    $7 for children
    $11 for Seniors and 12-17 year olds
    $10 for military with ID
    Free for toddlers (under 5 years old) and for Military in uniform

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 947-1360
  • Directions: 1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.
  • Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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