My full article on this deco masterpiece follows this one--this is those helpful Yelp reviews that I suggest you scan. You will note some people were not happy with their visits at all.
Oh, before I do that, here is the official website of the Empire State
http://www.esbnyc.com/
And now on to those tourists, who if not disgruntled, are not always exactly gruntled either
Empire State Building
Categories:
Tours,
Landmarks & Historical Buildings
[Edit]
350 5th AveNew York, NY 10118
Neighborhoods: Midtown West, Koreatown
(212) 736-3100
- Nearest Transit Station:
- 34 St - Herald Sq (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R)33 St (4, 6, 6X)28 St (N, R)
- Hours:
- Mon-Sun 8 am - 2 am
711 reviews for Empire State Buliing
Review Highlights What's this?
-
"Buy the audio tour that goes along with the observation deck." In 114 reviews -
"You'll be rewarded with breathtaking night views." In 143 reviews -
"The art deco architecture will keep history buffs enthralled." In 24 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
692 reviews in English
-
Review from Stephen H.
- Elite '13
- 347 friends
7/7/2013
Look, I know it's the cliche place to go, but I think that it's totally worth it. Here's how my experience wasn't so horrible getting there:
1. I went at night, which meant no lines. Now, just because there's no lines doesn't mean that it's not a freaking ordeal to get to the top and then come back down. It totally is. But if you aren't in for waiting in lines for 1-2-3 hours on top of the visit to the top, come at night.
2. Pay the extra $17 to go to the 102nd floor. Less crowded and you can still come down to the iconic 86th floor observatory.
3. If there's a long line for an elevator for the 80th to 86th, take the stairs. If you're fit, you'll be fine, and have a few laughs at people who get winded climbing stairs.
Some Kansas City pride...our local Oklahoma Joe's BBQ, which is listed as one of Anthony Bourdain's 10 places to eat before you die, has almost 100 reviews more than the ESB.
But it doesn't mean you shouldn't go when you're here. You should!Comment from Jean-Yves G. of Empire State Buliing 7/8/2013
Hi Stephen-We're glad you enjoyed your visit so much. Should you come back to More » -
Review from Stephanie B.
- Elite '13
- 109 friends
6/23/2013
A definite must-see, especially if it is your first time in NYC. In fact, this should be your first stop. (Consider buying the NYC pass- for $106 you get to visit 6 attractions *including* the ESB)
And yes, get the audio tour! It's wonderfully informative; It points out all the city's amazing landmarks and explains the history behind it too. I learned so much about the city with the audio tour and was taken away by the view from the ESB.
I heard lines can get really long, but I went around 10am and the line was almost non-existent. I mean, I was in a line, but it was constantly moving.
Oh, and then you can play the song "Empire State of Mind" while on top of the Empire State Building ;)Comment from Jean-Yves G. of Empire State Buliing 6/24/2013
Hi Stephanie- We're happy to hear you were so impressed with the views and More » -
Review from Rem R.
- Elite '13
- 5000 friends
6/23/2013
I had to travel to New York City for a business meeting and that business meeting happened to be in the Empire State Building. It was a trip walking into the Empire State Building and seeing where I stood years ago in the line with other tourists waiting to go to the Observation deck.
I have been traveling to New York City my entire life to visit friends and family. From Northern New Jersey you could always tell where the New York Skyline started because of the World Trade Center which is now gone. Now that the WTC is gone you cannot really tell where New Jersey stops and Manhattan begins that is unless you are looking at toward Midtown where the Empire State Building remains.
No matter where you are in the City you can always find the Empire State Building and know that is Midtown. The view from the Observation deck is amazing.
I dig the Empire State Building, the amazing Architecture and the art deco that went into building this magnificent structure. The wood work inside of the building is second to none. It is amazing to think this building only took 1 year and 45 days to build and it still lasts, try doing that in today's day & age.
I dig seeing the lights change color at the top of the Empire State Building depending on the time of year and the season.
There are plenty of stores located within the Empire State Building itself. You can find Bank of America, Chipotle, The Empire Room, Heartland Brewery (a friend meet his wife here), Starbucks, AT&T, Currency Exchange, Federal Express, Kinko's, Show Repair, Men's Wearhouse, Perfumania, Strawberry & Walgreens, to name a few=)
If challenging yourself is on your things to do list, then the Empire State Building hosts Empire State Building Run-Up where runners are required to run up 1,576 stairs from the ground level to the roof, this is actually on my list to do next year.
Before I left for the day I traveled to the observation deck and placed a tiny plastic Gorilla somewhere on the roof. If you are reading this review, will you be able to find it?Comment from Jean-Yves G. of Empire State Buliing 6/24/2013
Hi Rem- We're delighted to hear how much you enjoy and appreciate the Empire More » -
Review from Juan F.
- Elite '13
- 190 friends
7/18/2013
Ah, the Empire State Building. One of the most well known landmarks in the country. Definitely a must come when you are in NYC. It is a little pricey to go up the observation deck, but you can't not come to NYC and not do it. The view is amazing and breathtaking. Definitely worth it! -
Review from Pam C.
- 13 friends
7/17/2013
Expensive, but don't skip out out - it's a must if you're visiting New York City for the first time! Gorgeous at night too. -
Review from Cath M.
- Elite '13
- 172 friends
6/8/2013
**VIEWS: 5 STARS**
**Management: NEGATIVE 5 STARS**
It's definitely an experience ... HELLA high up... but the one thing I will comment on is that lack of direction from the management.
The sis ordered "express" tickets and we went around 10 pm and there were still a line and since we didn't see any notification or signage regarding where the express lines were... we ended up looking like douchebags because we kept bypassing the line.
Yep... stares and murmurs... and we had to yell out loud that we bought express for a reason to subtle not chastise us for bypassing the lines.
We constantly had to look for attendants to ask them where the express lines were and they all said "oh come here." That was that.
Conclusion: I don't think people often buy "express" therefore the staff and attendants don't quite know what to do when they encounter such tickets.
OR
They just don't want to notify where people should be... just like their airport system.
I don't quite know or understand the lack of signage or directional signage of NYC. They don't believe in it? Or what?
Thus... if you do go... and end up buying EXPRESS tickets to bypass the lines... perhaps you should make a sign onto your shirt that says "EXPRESS TICKET, NOT A DOUCHEBAG."-
Blessed to have a clear night for my birthday! (05.18.13) -
The next level up... with a side of the American Flag. (05.…
Comment from Jean-Yves G. of Empire State Buliing 6/13/2013
Hi Cath- We're sorry to hear how disappointed you were with our process, More » -
Review from Dave B.
- 0 friends
7/11/2013
It's a lotta work and time but the view is worth it, as well as saying you did it. We chose to walk up the last few floors of stairs and down too versus waiting for the 2nd elavator. Amazing that bottom floor to 80th floor is a 30 second ride!Comment from Jean-Yves G. of Empire State Buliing 7/11/2013
Hi Dave-We're happy to hear you enjoyed the views. If you have a great photo of More » -
Review from Brian F.
- 1 friend
6/12/2013
I don't like the cost to get up the observation deck. I've been to other observation decks around the US and this was way pricey. The ride isn't that great either since it's not shot in HD, so it's blurry on turns and dives. Plus you can here the really loud hydraulics throughout the entire ride. The view is awesome, but I wish they had signs saying what you were looking at. If you want to know simple stuff like that, you have to get the app glasses they sell.
For a once in a life time thing to do, it's neat, but I won't be doing it again.Comment from Jean-Yves G. of Empire State Buliing 6/14/2013
Hi Brian-We're glad you found the views to be so awesome. It is important to More » -
Review from Laura H.
- 15 friends
6/17/2013
Don't waste your time, energy, money and sanity. Got in line at 1. Got out around 4. No method to the madness on lines. Everyone on the clock tried to out manage the other and those who suffered was the tourist. ONE high point: a family of Japanese visitors came across one of the staff who asked where they were from...professional courtesy we were guessing. When it came to light they hailed from Japan this guy busted into fluent Japanese and to see their faces light up was amazing.
Outside of this diamond in the ruff, go to the top of the rock.
June 18, 2013: Update to my initial review - - I go to NYC every spring or summer and have been for the past five years. Crowds do not bother us. We did have the NYC Pass and it took three hours to exercise the speedy process and benefits associated with the NYC pass? Something was not right. We asked time and time again if we were in the right line for the NYC Pass and were advised we were....unfortunate experience.Comment from Jean-Yves G. of Empire State Buliing 6/18/2013
Hi Laura- We're sorry to hear you were not happier with your visit. Summer is More » -
Review from Eli Y.
- Elite '13
- 605 friends
5/16/2013
After waiting several hours, I finally realized the love of my life wasn't coming.
Ok, so no I don't actually live in a romance novel, and no I wasn't waiting for the love of my life. But had I been, I'd have had no problem waiting for hours up there. The views are breathtaking and provide for countless amazing photos. It obviously gets cold with the wind, but if you didn't plan for that...it's on you.
So it isn't the cheapest, and lines can get long, but it's so worth it if you haven't been. And you never know, you might just meet that special someone up there.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered