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Review: Empire State Building

It doesn't have to be the tallest to be worth a visit.
  • Empire State Building
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Empire State Building

hours

8 a.m.–2 a.m.

Tell me: What’s this place all about?
The Empire State Building may be the most recognizable building in the United States. The 102-story skyscraper was the tallest building in the world for 40 years and even though it's been surpassed by dozens of projects on three continents, it remains a New York icon. With more than 4 million visitors a year, there are always long lines to buy tickets, so it’s best to purchase in advance online. Yes, the VIP Express pass is double the price of a standard ticket, but you skip all the lines and go straight up to the 86th Floor Observatory, which might mean the difference between happy kiddos and whiny are-we-there-yet ones. (Kids under 6 are free.)

Any tips on planning a trip here?
It's best to go early in the morning when the kids are fresh, as there are always crowds to negotiate. But everyone's jaw will drop when you walk out onto the 86th floor main deck and see all of Manhattan down to the World Trade Center and up over Central Park, across the rivers and out to the harbor. If you're there at night, check the calendar to see what the ever-changing lighting means.

Is a guide involved?
You can download an official audio tour from the app.

What might we not know?
One of the best views of the Empire State Building is on the corner of 26th Street and Madison Avenue: close enough to see details, but far enough away to get all of it in one frame. Don't miss the Art Deco lobby, with its 24-karat gold-leaf ceiling murals and famous starburst bas relief.

So, then, what, or who, do you think it’s best for?
Tourists from all over the country and all over the world come to see this symbol of New York, but acrophobes should take a pass.

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