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Empire State Building

4 star rating
based on 115 reviews

Category: Landmarks & Historical Buildings  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Manhattan/Murray Hill
350 5th Ave
New York, NY 10118
(212) 736-3100
  • Nearest Transit:

    34th St-6th Ave (B, D, F, V, N, Q, R, W)

    33rd St-Park Ave (6)

    33rd Street (PATH)

115 Reviews for Empire State Building

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Photo of Kim, C.

 

6

20

Kim, C.

Lakewood, CA

5 star rating
06/23/2008

My son had a blast. He couldn't get over the view. The city scape view was amazing and good break from the fast overcrowded nonstop city of New York. We went Wednesday evening around 5pm and the line was short. We walked right in and god bless one of the workers because she pulled us aside escorted us through a secret elevator and we were out of the building in seconds. So yup in and out
(Probably because we had a stroller with us)
But that was great customer service.

Overall we had a great time.

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Photo of Devon W.

Elite '08

121

373

Devon W.

Somerville, MA

2 star rating
07/04/2008

"Meh.  I've experienced better."

The two star rating description really does sum my last outing here up very well.  It seems as if there is a LOT of reconstruction going on in the building right now, which seems stupid being as that it's the height of vacation time for people.  We waited in line for about two and a half hours just to get up to the top, and it took about another twenty minutes (and almost a panic attack by my partner in crime) to get back down.

The view?  More than fantastic!  The crowds and grumpy ass people who just waited forever to get up to the observation desk?  Less than stellar.  Also, another reason why the rating isn't awesome: they are ONLY about up selling items to you, such as maps, audio tours, and that sort of thing to you.  Kinda crappy, since we already gave them $19 each to get up to the top.  

Overall, not really worth the view.  Buy some panoramic postcards, and it has the same effect.

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Photo of Hanson Q.

Elite '08

17

204

Hanson Q.

Kensington, CA

3 star rating
06/13/2008

When you think about it, you don't really visit the Empire State Building, you visit the panoramic view of NYC it can give you.  Aside from being very tall and somewhat architectually interesting, you are not there to love its history, you are there to see the tops of other buildings and Central Park.

Get there early in the day if you can.  The lines get very long, even in the middle of October.  Walking in, you're directed up the escalator on the right to a large lobby with serpentine lines through and through.  Usually, there will be a number of people trying to sell you something or other there that sounds dubious at best.  I don't know why these people are let in the building to begin with.

Turning the corner, you'll go through some metal detectors or such, then to a ticket window.  Pay your lotta money.  Then down to the other end of the building floor and two lefts to a turnstile and a bank of elevators.  Got the feeling of the ESB's historic value yet?

Once up the elevator and at the top, you get your picture taken and then given back for a fee, check out the view outside for as long as you like, then leave.

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Photo of JOE B.

 

0

3

JOE B.

Sacramento, CA

1 star rating
06/13/2008

THEN AND NOW:

The Empire State Building (ESB) tour on June 6. 2008 is a big hassle from the outset designed to "up" you into paying way more money than it's worth to see the NYC skyline. One takes an elevator to the second floor and begins the long and winding wait just to get to the ticket window. Along the way, one is pimped by the ESB employees to pay more money for a "express ride" to the top observation floor at 102 stories plus a virtual movie experience simply for a $25. more.

After purchasing regular tickets at $20 each, one gets to wait again in line to have their photo taken and charged over $50. to see yourself. It's very demeaning to be treated like cattle.

Still further, another long line just to get into the first elevator and be dragged up to the 70-something floor and wait in another long line or walk up 6 or 7 floors to the 80-something floor. No bathrooms and no drinking fountains while in line. Bring your own or forever keep your peace.

My actual time just to get to the general viewing floor was well over an hour of disgust on a Friday night last week.

Once up there the view was obscured by fog and fat ass tourists. There is no way of knowing what the view is unless someone coming from the top tells you. My son and I really got screwed.

Back in the fall of 2000, the ESB tour was straight forward and to the point. One got on the elevator within a matter of minutes after waiting in line for a very short time on the main lobby. No hype, metal detectors or bitch-ass ESB employees.

I will not be going back to the ESB ever again. Been there, done that twice in one lifetime.

Thanks Osma for screwing up another great NYC tourist site!

Ciao Baby!

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Photo of Andrew K.

Elite '08

64

52

Andrew K.

Fullerton, CA

5 star rating
06/01/2008

Despite what some might say, if you're visiting NYC, you definitely have to pass by what is arguably one of the most famous buildings in the world, let alone the U.S.  

There was a brief dilemma for me, though.  Do I deal with the crowds and pay the $40 to go up to the top of the building to what surly guarantees to be a breathtaking skyline view of the city?  Nah, it was not going to happen for me, not on Memorial Day weekend.  Besides, it would kind of suck not to have a backdrop of the ESB in your view because, well...you're inside it.  

Best bet is to just have someone take a couple of photos of you about a good four or five blocks away from the ESB since the building is so tall and massive.  (I did, however, manage to take a pretty cool close up photo from the bottom up.  Take a look.)

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Photo of Erin S.

 

298

330

Erin S.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
06/02/2008

The ESB always reminds me of the movie "An Affair To Remember." Before the Mets Game, Claudia (Eva Longoria Looking Friend) and me went to the observatory which cost about $18. At least the time spent at the ESB is longer compared to the Space Needle. But the ESB offers a whole lot of History. Claudia and me went to two different elevators to reenact the scene from "An Affair To Remember." When we reached the top we tried to act out that we did not see each other for a long time and our lines are as follow:

Erin: I miss you my dear!

Claudia: I miss you too; have you cired in "AN Affair to Remember?"

Erin: I have Not although I cried at the end of "the Dirty Dozen."... Jim Brown was throwing these hand grenades down these airshafts.

Clauida: And Richard Jaeckel and Lee Marvin...Boo Hoo Hoo...were sitting on top of this armored personnel carrier, dressed up like Nazis...Boo Hoo Hoo

Erin: And Trini Lopez ...He busted his neck while they were parachuting down behind the Nazi lines...And Richard Jaeckel - at the beginning he had on this shiny helmet...Boo Hoo Hoo!

Claudia:  Please no more. Oh God! I loved that movie.

After the reenactment, there was a group of people watching us and they thought we were Eva Longoria and Anne Hathaway filming a new movie spoofing "Sleepless in Seattle." When we got up, we were able to see the skyline of NYC. It was really beautiful. We can see how majestic and grand NYC can be. I'm really in a New York State of Mind. Too bad I was not eating the Dunkin' Donuts while doing the reenactment. We were able to the Rockefeller Center and the other side of NYC. Too bad we could not see Shea Stadium from afar.

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Elite '08

26

151

Christalle R.

Anaheim, CA

3 star rating
06/16/2008

Came here at 10pm on a Monday night. It was STILL packed. And the lines of people were horrendously long. Luckily, we printed tickets in advance and bypassed one of the several lines. What I mean is, just when you thought you were almost there, there is an entire room left to conquer. And there is high pressure to upsell your 86th floor observation deck ticket to take a view from the 102nd floor, coupled with a virtual motion ride. We decided against it as the standard ticket was just as effective. Once up there on the 86th floor observation deck, all of your frustration melts away and you are completely transcended into a different place. The lights illuminate the NYC sky and is stunning to see in person. Yes, the wait sucks, and it was really crowded, but it sure is worth the experience.

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Photo of Gary S.

 

0

8

Gary S.

New York, NY

2 star rating
05/27/2008

I guess this place is alright - it's too expensive to go to the top of the building and not worth it.  Enjoy looking at it from below - it's much better.

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Photo of j m.

 

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9

j m.

San Jose, CA

1 star rating
06/01/2008

Skip it.  It's a zoo inside...way too many lines to weave through, unprofessional staff...feels like you're at a cheesy amusement park.  Like others have said...enjoy the view of the building from the "outside".....

DO go to the Top of the Rock instead!!!!  It's an easy up and easy down..the staff is fun and very professional...the view is amazing and you get a GREAT view of the Empire State Bldg from the top.

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Photo of Kacey K.

 

2

14

Kacey K.

New York, NY

1 star rating
06/21/2008

Let me preface this by saying I completely did not want to go to the top of the ESB to begin with, but I was dragged along with my friend who had an out of town guest.  So I started to whole event in a bad mood.  Little did I know that I was about to get in a lot worse of a mood.  I had no idea there could possibly be such long lines to get up there.  They have the lines all spread out on different floors so there's no way you could ever realize up front how long you'll have to wait.  It was around 6pm on a Thursday night and I would say it took us an hour and a half to get up there.  All of their upselling attempts (maps!  pictures! audio tours! skyride!  pay extra to go up 20 more floors!) were just kind of disgusting.  But the WORST part of all is that you have to wait in a line to LEAVE!  All you want to do is get out of there and you're still freakin standing in line.  Possibly have never been so annoyed.  I would never recommend doing this.  I went up to the Top of the Rock (on a Saturday afternoon no less) last year and it took about 10 minutes from street to top.  The views were just as good in my opinion.

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Photo of andrew h.

 

270

253

andrew h.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
06/16/2008

Maybe I am more critical because I am from New York and I have been here a few times, but ESB really lacks organization of the tours on busy days. I went with my mom,sister and brother last year because my mom wanted a NY experience (even though she is from Queens). We waited on such a long line. It was like a line for a new roller coaster at an amusement park.
    What made it worse was that on this 90 degree day they had no a/c in this waiting area. Just what I want to experience on a summer day, a line of angry, smelly and sweaty tourists. Then when you wait on this long line they bring you upstairs to another damn line. Lucky us though we had a few giant blowing fans...oh wow thank god ESB is so up to date in the 21st century.
     So now you have a line of angry, smelly and sweaty people getting their hair blown around by these giant fans and just pushing around the lovely odors of tourism on a hot day. Finally when we got upstairs it was a great view, but so damn packed we couldn't get a good view longer than 30 seconds at a time.

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Photo of Anjali M.

Elite '08

12

67

Anjali M.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
04/14/2008

This review is in bullet/wise tip form for the observatory:

-Make sure you know whether you want to see everything from high up during the day or at night (I have yet to go in the day).
-Going before midnight on Saturday gives you a short wait.
-Make sure it's not raining because it is a tad chilly.
-Don't forget to yawn or chew gum in the elevators going up!
-Enjoy!

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Photo of Pinky J.

 

4

15

Pinky J.

New York, NY

5 star rating
04/01/2008

Some day I will grow big and tall.  But never as big and tall as this building.  Up close, it is not the greatest building in the world.  But, from a distance, it tells me three things: 1. I am in New York, 2. Macy's can't be far away! 3. I cannot remember anymore!

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Photo of Christopher E.

 

2

101

Christopher E.

La Vergne, TN

4 star rating
05/05/2008

I love New York City, and this was the first landmark we went to see last time we went there.  Ah, I want to give it 5 stars...but I can't...I just....can't....

Why??  Very simple.  The wait was over an hour long, and I got stuck next to some of the most obnoxious tourists this side of LA.  

I don't mind the screening, after all it's necessary.

The WORST part was how cramped it was up there.  I think half of Jersey was on the observation deck when we went.  We actually had to use the stairs on the side as a walkway whenever possible, because the ground was too saturated with people ooooo'ing and ahhhhh'ing.  See, the fine art of taking photos and moving out of the way seemed to elude many of my fine counterparts in tourism that day....in fact, it seems that eludes many people EVERY day.

So once I wrestled my way through the throngs of people....hey, it was a pretty neat view!!  You had Midtown to the north...Brooklyn to the east....downtown to the south (albeit a ways in the distance)....and umm, Jersey City to the west.  Let's not talk about that last part.  I've uploaded to best photo up here though...the view to the northwest, which includes the Chrysler Building.

It's not quite as great of a view as the Sears Tower, and the crowds hurt it further but.....the outdoors setting is freakin' awesome.

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Photo of Lisa S.

 

0

10

Lisa S.

Roseville, CA

3 star rating
06/12/2008

Go inside, take a peak. The wait timeline every so often isn't really accurate, especially on the weekends. Skip it unless there is absolutely no wait. You'll be there all day. I hate to say Top of the Rock because then it will be crowded as word gets out, but its so worth it. So, go to Top of the Rock instead. Its cheaper, less hassle, less people, and GREAT views.

WIth that being said, ESB is one of the greatest buildings in NY. The views of Liberty Island, Brooklyn, NJ, lower Manhattan are good. Don't pay to go all the way to the top. Its not worth it.

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Photo of jordan a.

 

32

148

jordan a.

Daly City, CA

5 star rating
05/02/2008

A view straight out of the movies. All I could picture in my head when looking at the great city of New York from the top at every corner was where the Baxter Building would be, or Stark Tower, the Daily Bugle or the Triskelion. My imagination was running at Quicksilver speed and I was loving it.

Truly Marvelous.

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Photo of Amanda H.

Elite '08

123

468

Amanda H.

Brighton, MA

5 star rating
03/06/2008

I'm terrified of heights.  There's no getting around it.  So why did I put myself through the torture of climbing the ENTIRETY of the Empire State Building?  Maybe I'm slightly masochistic...?

The BF and I had this little booklet that got us into certain NYC attractions for really cheap.  One of these being the Empire State Building.  The best part? We got to skip the loooooooooooooooooooooong ass line.  Thank you and have a nice day!

I grabbed one of the audio tour guides because I think it came with our pass.  It was cute, and there was some useful information, surprisingly enough.

Finally, it was time to look over the edge.  "What are you worried about? Your closed in!" My BF chided me.  Needless to say, he got the death look.  I very...carefully...looked....down.....

Yes it's quite astounding, from every angle know matter how you look it.  But I was still scared shitless.  It doesn't help that I have slight vertigo.  I was hanging on so tight the whites of my knuckles came through.  But it was certainly beautiful.  Made this Bostonian realize how small and quaint her city is.

Want to know the best part though? The guy that worked there that took a picture of us? A Red Sox fan.  Hell ya.  

Also, you ever stand at the bottom of the Empire State Building and look up? It's kind of cool that you can't see the top.  Even after you've fallen over from getting so dizzy.

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Photo of Nick R.

Elite '08

45

92

Nick R.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
03/05/2008

Hated the airline-like body cavity screening that you have to endure to get into the building, BUT....

.....any building that is so high that it makes me want to throw up when I look down is 5 star in my book.

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Photo of justin j.

 

7

19

justin j.

West Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
05/27/2008

It's tall.

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Photo of Jennifer L.

Elite '08

185

545

Jennifer L.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
02/16/2008

I came, I saw, I elevated.  Right at the end of the day in April, it wasn't too crammed with tourists.  I pressed my little face up against every view I could, trying to get my bearings and understand the layout of NY a little better.  Years later I am absolutely useless, but on that trip I knew where I was going and how to get there.  I tell you - walking is the way to go to get to know a city.
I hate the gift shop at the top though.  They do that at the Eiffel Tower as well.  And all the other big tourist landmarks.  I don't like it.  Oh sure, fine, I buy the damned trinkets most of the time, but I don't like it.
I'm still bummed that no zeppelins docked and no giant gorillas clung to the top.  Maybe they only do that stuff at the peak of tourist season though.

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Elite '08

117

139

susy h.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
03/25/2008

The skyline is beautiful on top of the empire! Defnitely a must see for tourists.

*** But whatever you do don't purchase the tickets for the Imax show at the empire state building. They get you by saying its a combo and it includes: ticket to the top of the empire (no waiting in line), a free shirt and the Imax show for $37 ***

The Imax show is TOTAL RIP OFF. And they forgot to give me my free shirt =(. Oh all the sweet talking that they do... They lure you by saying that it is narrated by Kevin Bacon but he hasn't been hot since the 80's.

The show is weak and they even try to overcompensate by offering you an imaginary free shirt for purchasing the combo ticket. The show is totally weaker than the ones I used to ride when I was 8. They do a fake star wars intro but it doesn't even compare to the real thing. Oh and if you eat before watching the show... Barforama... I'd hate to be the person sitting next to you.

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Photo of Ken O.

Elite '08

71

114

Ken O.

New York, NY

5 star rating
02/14/2008

It's tall and you can see New Jersey. Woohoo Jersey! Whoa, Lodi looks so cool from up here. Look, that's Newark and over there is South Orange and I think that's Hopotcong... or is it Netcong... and that's the Turnpike - Eastern and Western spurs.

Wheelchair access: This is one of the few times being in a chair is a huge advantage. While all the tourists from Iowa, Missouri, Kansas etc. are waiting on a 2-4 hour line, if you're in a wheelchair you get to cut'em all. Enter on the North side of the building - 34th St. There's an airlocked door there. Once inside let them know you're going to the observation deck. At this point you'll be directed and guided past everyone. You'll buy your ticket if you haven't already done it on-line and within 15 minutes you'll be on the observation deck. The deck is ramped and accessible. The walls are low enough that you can see over them with ease. I didn't check the bathrooms, but I would think there's an accessible one available considering the accessibility provided.

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Elite '08

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94

yin y.

Mountlake Terrace, WA

5 star rating
03/26/2008

BrRrRrrr.. it's cold.

-Another reminder how cold it is in NY but the view is breath taking and romantic at night (embeds you with the tendency to hug strangers).
-Remodeling was ignoring
-More souvenirs for the tourist
-Interesting elevator
-More security checks (of course)

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Elite '08

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668

Kymberli C.

Clayton, CA

3 star rating
03/06/2008

Just to get into the Empire State Building you have to go through security which is even more stricter than the TSA's.  You have to take off everything  you are wearing and they pat you down, they put that metal detecter on your body and rub it up on u... it's a little crazy.  The workers there are also very rude. They kept asking my friend and I if we were Japanese? Korean? where we were from?  They were yelling at people who did not want to upgrade their packages to go on the NYC Ride.  Luckily we had a NY Pass so the Empire State Building and the NYC Ride were both free for us and they didn't yell things like "I guess you don't give a F about us New Yorkers then" OMG... i was in shock.  

The view from the 80th floor was nice at night.  You can see the lights of the whole city.  It was extremely cold and windy though, so remember your extra layers!!

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Photo of June S.

 

6

68

June S.

Long Beach, CA

1 star rating
03/29/2008

I walked by it, said 'oooh...' took a picture, and was done. Maybe next time when I have a ton of money I'll actually go inside and do what everyone keeps talking about.

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95

aim c.

New York, NY

5 star rating
02/14/2008

It was a little cloudy when I went, but still very nice. Crowded yes, but not as crowded as it could have been when it's not cloudy? I don't know. Climb the stairs if you can... it's a lot faster than waiting for the elevators and there aren't that many flights to walk up.

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Photo of regina m.

 

17

60

regina m.

Torrance, CA

2 star rating
03/26/2008

We visited the observation deck on a Monday around 4PM... perhaps it was because of spring break week... field trips.. whatever it was it did not make my first visit to the Empire State building a pleasant one.

Security line was quick... less than 30 minutes.  The elevator line was not as quick, but an employee offered those willing an opportunity to walk 6 floors bypassing the rest of the line.  Sure why not!  The observation deck was PACKED... with people, kids... and strollers!!?!?!  It was hard to walk around the narrow deck and slip in near the edge to sneak in a decent picture.  

$20 admission and 45 minutes later, we called it quits and left!  It was way too saturated with bodies to enjoy the view.  Leaving the building was even worse.  The line to exit was longer than the line to enter.  We had the opportunity to walk down another 6 flights and catch the elevator on the 80th floor, but from there we waited in line in a area of the building that was being renovated and therefore had no ventilation or air passing through.  I've never felt so trapped inside a building before.

Like I said... maybe we went at the worst time of the year... nonetheless, it was a disappointing experience.  I had a much better time overlooking the city from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck at the Rockefeller Center.  At least their deck is super duper spacious.

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Elite '08

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Amy S.

Long Island City, NY

3 star rating
02/01/2008

ESB you let me down.  The next time I take a job, I am checking out the bathrooms first so I don't have to cut my butt every time I go to the bathroom. How much is a shiny, new plastic toilet seat  anyway tallest building NYC???

Ok, I should start this post with-I am not a tourist! I am talking about the nitty gritty inside of the ESB. I haven't been to the top since 7th grade and I work in the under 50's section of the building. The ESB really cares more about their tourist then their tenants!

I was so disillusioned when I took a job in the now biggest building in NYC. I was thinking class and prestige. In reality, I get grossed out when my bag touches the dusty wall on the way to the dirty bathroom with broken toilet seats and dirty tp on the floor (barf). ESB- I can't afford the amount of hand sanitizer I need just to leave my office!

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Photo of S L.

 

2

361

S L.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
02/24/2008

I am deleting a star because the crown jewel of the building is currently being rennovated. So most of the outside facade that screams out "I'm the Empire State Building" is out for coffee... if you will.

I almost mistook this building for something else if it had not been for the portable GPS I was using. Tourist beware!

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751

792

SAM Y.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
04/03/2008

the 100th empire state building review...

day 53 - i don't know where i will be tomorrow, only where i've been yesterday... so quit asking me!

for some childish reason i actually thought, you know, that going to the top of the empire state building was free. if you watch any movie, it always seems like they just have to take an elevator to the top, no big deal. far from what you saw in "sleepless in seattle" or "an affair to remember" or any other one of those movies where it seemed so easy... the empire state building isn't so romantic. you go from one line to one line, guards to security check points, to metal detectors, and tons of tourists pushing and shoving.

and yet i still wanted to go. like life, its a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll. i thought literally having perspective would give me perspective. perspective costs 20 bucks for adults with no frills added.

once i was there it was cold and windy but the view was amazing. a few times on this trip when i see something truly amazing, i want to share it with people. i usually take a cell phone pic and text it. but not the same you know. as i looked down at the city i made a wish. maybe i'm closest to God up here? i dunno.

i wished for happiness for every person i've met on this trip. in a way though you notice and enjoy and remember views so much more when you are alone. it becomes your own personal experience, i guess its why i went at this whole trip alone and have been moving from one spot to another and have been in no rush to come back to la.

its quite amazing though even behind all the touristy frills and profit. you feel a history with this building. how many immigrants, families, and lovers have come here? can you imagine how many proposals? dad's holding their sons on top of their shoulders?

or maybe like an affair to remember and sleepless in seattle, people have come here and re-met. i wanted to meet something called happiness and i think i'm one step closer...

http://static.px.yelp....

but i finally got to see the sunset from the other coast...

wow i finally made it to the exact opposite corner of home. do i miss la? i miss la as much as i miss yesterday. but i am looking more forward to tomorrow, because as i stated at the beginning, i know what happened yesterday, but i don't know what will happen tomorrow.

and sometimes you think your first time someplace, like the empire state building will turn out one way, and it turns out completely different and much sooner. and you realize, this is exactly the way it was supposed to happen. hence i'd rather not know how things will turn out then try to guess. but the future looks bright as far as i could tell from the view from esb...

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Lauren S.

Atlanta, GA

5 star rating
12/19/2007

Worth the price, worth the wait (not that bad on a Saturday night around 9:00, only 20 minutes), worth the view, worth the amazing pictures you can take if you're handy with your camera that will make your friends and family go "wow", worth the freezing cold.

The Empire State Building, corny as it may sound, reminded me how I'm only a tiny tiny piece of a very large puzzle.

If you take the tour to the 102nd floor (an extra $15 on top of what you normally pay), they let you drive the elevator.....because it's a hand crank one! Yessss!!

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Elite '08

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Connie C.

Cupertino, CA

5 star rating
11/22/2007

"Oh, it's nobody's fault but my own! I was looking up... it was the nearest thing to heaven! You were there..." I start bawling EVERY SINGLE TIME Deborah Kerr says these lines to Cary Grant. For those of you who haven't seen "An Affair To Remember" (only one of the best classic movies of all time and should not be missed!), Deborah Kerr is about to meet Cary Grant at the top of the ESB so that they can decide if they should be together, but she's so overwhelmed with anticipation and awe that she gets hit by a car.

Well, I didn't have the love of my life waiting for me at the top of the ESB, but I stood across the street (on the sidewalk of course) outside of my hotel every night and looked up in awe at the iconic skyscraper that I had always dreamed of visiting ever since I first saw "An Affair to Remember" when I was 12.

When I finally made it to NYC almost two decades later, I went up to the 86th floor by myself the first night I was there. It was about 11pm on a Monday, and there was no line for anything. It was quite a maze to get through, especially with the remodelling work, but I went straight through and up to the observatory deck in a matter of minutes. There was a slight breeze in certain areas, but otherwise it was a perfect night. The sky was completely clear and I could see out for miles all around. I was absolutely mesmerized by just how much life there was in the city down below. And for the 30 minutes or so I was up there, it did seem that it was the nearest thing to heaven.

Tonight being Thanksgiving Day, the tower will be lit up in red and yellow, as it was on Halloween when I was there. To all of the New Yorkers, don't forget to look up at it tonight and be thankful to be living in one of the most extraordinary cities in the world!

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TingZilla C.

New York, NY

4 star rating
11/28/2007

OK, OK, I know I'm a tourist so I went up to the top of Empire State Building. OK, OK, I wanted to be here because I am a fan of  "Sleepless in Seattle". But still I want to see what NYC look like from the top.

I was here at night. The night view of NYC is fascinating. I was lucky it wasn't foggy or cloudy at all but very windy and cold when I enjoyed the view. I thought the lights on the building would become a heart shape when it's Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, it never happened. I know it's special affects for the movie but I still look forward to seeing the heart shape lights appear on Empire State Building.

Taipei 101 in Taiwan is the tallest building in the world. As a Taiwanese I'm very proud of it but I've never been to the top of 101 Building. I wonder the night view of Taipei is as wonderful as NYC. I'll check it out with my fiance when he visits Taiwan during Christmas. Maybe I can write a review about 101.

Wait, YELP is only for US, not outside of US, right?

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Captain Obvious ..

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
12/05/2007

A VERY TALL BUILDING.  do not drop pennies off or they will kill passersby.  ROMANTIC UNLESS YOU ARE TURNED OFF BY FREEZING WINDS, CHAIN LINK FENCES, AND OBESITY.

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cora j.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
01/02/2008

This site was so romanticle. This building is truly beautiful inside and out and getting to the top was worth the wait, though ours was not too bad as we got there early. The view was great and pretty sobering as you looked toward one spot where you kinda knew there were supposed to be two towers once standing. All in all, a 360 view of the city? New York to be exact. How can that NOT be amazing? It was truly a great first experience of this city, despite the wind and cold. But more importantly the fact that you can and should share it with someone you are romanticle with is even more "precious."

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Matthew M.

Washington, DC

3 star rating
01/02/2008

I went on a sultry summer weekend's eve in 2002.  The interior was a hot, humid maze of construction, and the line was very long.  It took almost an hour to get through security screening, queue up to purchase tickets, and get an elevator to the 86th floor.

What I would remember the most about observing the city from that level was the sound: The incessant honking of horns, blaring of sirens, and blasting of music all gently blend into a silky, pleasant din that's come to be epitomized as the official sound of New York.  There was *something* romantic about it all, but the crowds were rather overwhelming (and I don't easily tire of crowds).

Final verdict: Try to visit this national treasure at an off-peak time if at all possible.

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Elite '08

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Misti L.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
02/09/2008

Drunk is the only way to do it.  Ok, if you are a tourist yea, go ahead.  Otherwise have a couple of cocktails and be silly and check out the view to waste some time.  Good times, good times.

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Elite '08

16

70

Serina T.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
11/08/2007

The Empire State Building is seems more exciting at first, but later not really.  The tickets are somewhat pricey even for students.  What's annoying is the fact that they give offer express passes or passes that don't go quite to the top but to certain floors.  I went at night.  It was a bit cloudy so it was hard to see things. I would recommend going during the day time. It sucks because they have it fenced off along the sides so it is hard to see and take pictures. If you are a tourist and would like to stand on the top of the tallest building in Manhattan... do it! Experience it for yourself! Oh, ps. i went on my 18th birthday! :)

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75

Brian J.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
01/02/2008

Here's a hint.....GET THERE EARLY......If you don't, you'll be waiting a long long looooong time. It would be worth the wait but then I would only give them 4 stars. Dress warmly if you don't go there during the summer bcuz it can get pretty damn cold and windy up there. I went to the top of the World Trade Center in "97 and it was pretty sobering being that high and realizing that a building that tall, even taller, can collapse. So when you get to the top, enjoy the wonder that is the Empire State Building.

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janey m.

Glendale, CA

5 star rating
12/17/2007

Picture it if you will....me, new york city, valentines day, empire state building...ok thats where the romance stops.
I was with a mate (female) we were on a tight budget, and I mean TIGHT, it was freezing and I mean FRIGGIN FREEZING....
Youre in New York, you gotta do it. Took an age to get to the top, was AT LEAST -40 degrees up there but WHAT A VIEW, it was stupendous. Staff were moody, tackey souviners were abound, but the best bit for me (apart from the view)?? They had a phone at the top, you could call a loved one and say "hey guess where I am"????
I called my Dad in the UK, I said "hey, guess where I am"???
It was valentines day after all.

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