The Empire State Building is one of the most famous landmarks of New York City, along with the Statue of Liberty. This post will tell you about the things to do at the Empire State Building as a tourist, will give you insider’s tips for having a great experience while there.
Location
The Empire State Building is located in midtown Manhattan at the intersection of 34th Street and 5th Avenue. It is very centrally located, and can be easily reached by buses, Subway and taxis.
Empire State Building, New York City
Empire State Building Facts and Figures
- It has 102 floors, and is 1,250 feet (381 meters) tall
- The name of the building comes from the old name of New York state (which was known as the Empire State)
- Empire State Building was the world’s tallest building for more than 40 years – from 1931 (when it was constructed) to 1972 (when the World Trade Center was constructed)
- Today, it is the tallest building in New York City and New York state. It is the 3rd tallest skyscraper in USA, and 15th tallest in the world.
- The top of the Empire State Building is illuminated at night, in colors depending on the time of the year like Christmas, Independence Day, etc.
(Image by kyle simourd)
What to do at the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a major tourist attraction for two reasons – the view from its top (the observation deck), and the NY SkyRide.
The Observatory
The observatory (or the observation deck) at the Empire State Building provides unmatched panoramic views of New York City. Since the building is located in midtown Manhattan, you can clearly see:
- Downtown Manhattan
- Uptown Manhattan
- Central Park
- Queens
- Brooklyn
- Jersey City
New York City Panoramic View From Empire State Building (Click to enlarge)
(Image by WikiPedia)
You have two options for observing the city – the observatory at the 86th floor (1,050 feet) and the observatory at the 102nd floor (1,250 feet).
The 86th floor observatory has a 360-degrees outdoor deck along with covered indoor viewing gallery. The deck has many binoculars available for rent. It also have many informative displays which help you know the building you are looking at.
The 102nd floor observatory is an indoor-only observatory, and also provides great 360-degree view of the city and its surroundings. The tickets granting access to the 102nd floor are sold separately for $15.00. These tickets are sold only at the building – they can’t be purchased in advance.
Insider’s tip 1: Although the 102nd floor observatory costs $15.00 extra, please do buy them for two reasons. One, it is a lot less crowded. And two, you would definitely want to be indoors to avoid the chilly winds that you fact at the top of the building – even in summers!
Insider’s tip 2: If you are visiting during a touristy time, expect long lines not just for buying tickets, but also for the elevators. That’s why it makes tremendous sense to purchase the admission tickets in advance. If possible, also buy the express pass which takes you directly to the front of the lines. (details below)
New York City Downtown - View From Empire State Building Observatory
Empire State Building Observatory Hours
The Empire State Building observatory is open year round. It is open from 8.00 am till 2.00 am, 7 days a week. The last elevator for going up is at 1.15 am.
(Image by Trincao)
NY Skyride
This is a flight simulator ride located on the 2nd floor of the Empire State Building. It is a 30 minute virtual simulated aerial tour of the city. It has a specially designed platform that moves in synchronization with the 18 feet high, high definition screen.
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