User reviews of Empire State Building (The)
good for tourist
don't rent the video, it's silly and no real value. the ride simulation on the 1st floor isn't really that good either. they take your picture going in and charge you if you want it. very expensive. everything is expensive, ut's a tourist spot so it's about what you expect.
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(Report Problem)I'll pass
If you go to New York, you pretty much have to go here in order to tell people back home, "Yes, I went to the Empire State Bldg." I've been to the CN Tower, Sears Tower, Space Needle, Renaissance Center, etc. To me there's not a vast difference. Sure, New York is a really cool city to look at from a bird's eye view. But it's not SOOOOOO great that it's worth waiting a total of 1 hour 20 minutes to see. A lot of the other tall buildings and towers have information areas, fun activities, indoor and outdoor viewing. At ESB you go around this narrow walkway outside with a couple hundred other people, it's totally cramped or you can go inside to the store. No extras whatsoever. My advice--LIE--say you went there and instead, go shopping or to a show.
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(Report Problem)Greatest Building in the City
One of the most beautiful buildings in the world, and the view is breathtaking.
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(Report Problem)top of the world
it was cool to almost be ontop of the world, but there was so many people. After you get to the top the view is totally worth it.
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(Report Problem)Just "Okay"
Planning ahead for my trip to NYC, I had read it was wise to purchase tickets online to see the Empire State Building. Foolishly, I was afraid of locking myself into a specific day and time for my visit to the building, so I decided to wait to purchase my tickets when I got there. This turned out to be a big mistake. After waiting in line for 1 hours to get my tickets, and another 2 hours to get to the top (3 hours in total, in an overly heated building). By the time we got to the top (around 11:00 pm), I was very dissapointed. The view was not worth the wait, even with flash none of my pictures came out, and you don't see many noticable landmarks. Since my visit, a NY native told me he thought the tourist traffic to the Empire State Building had greatly increased since 9/11. I visited NY "off-season", so the huge crowd did catch me off gaurd (though 3 packed tourist busses had just unloaded minutes before our arrival!), it was not an attraction I'd revisit. I read on the website the average wait is 2 hours. Unless you are dead-set of seeing ALL that NYC has to offer, I might suggest skipping over this not-so-memorable one if the wait exeeds that.
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(Report Problem)Early Bird
Go early! long lines towards the top is a test of patience.
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(Report Problem)Too Cloudy
It was great going to one of the tallest buildings in the world but when we were there, it was so cloudy we couldn't see! Don't plan on buying anything in the EXTREMELY overpriced and overrated giftshop.
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(Report Problem)Are going Back
I loved it and it was awesome and I am going back.
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(Report Problem)Breath-taking view
An absolute MUST when visiting the city, especially if you're a first-time traveler. Go to the top at night to experience the most fantastic view. It left me utterly breathless, and I'll just bet you won't want to leave. Bring a digital camera!
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(Report Problem)ESB: Together is better
The ESB provides a great view and tour of New York City, but the lines are long. You pay between $13 and $19 for a ticket ($13 just to go up, $6 for a recording that tells you what you're looking at) which seemed a little steep. (The Hancock Tower in Chicago only charges $9 by comparison.) The ESB is definitely a must-do when you're in NYC, but do it with friends. Solo is dull.
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