THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, There's taller but none so Grand! So much to tell
Written: May 27 '03 (Updated Jan 28 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A New York Landmark that must be seen.
Cons: No views in some cloudy and foggy weather. May have long lines.
The Bottom Line: From here you can say, "I'm on top of the World!"
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Empire State Building |
Being a New Yorker, I have written about many NY landmarks and have many more to tell about. Of all of them this one can be the most fun and exciting. I have a lot to tell so I am going to give you some real basics first. If you want more information read on afterward.
THE SHORT OF IT
*It's on Fifth Ave between 33rd and 34th Streets.
*Prices are Eleven dollars for admission for adults.
*These prices are discounted for Youth, Children, Seniors, and Military with ID
*On a good day it will take you about two hours to get through security, purchase tickets, get on lines for the elevators, go up, spend time and more money, and come back down again.
*When it's busy it can take about three or four hours.
I will give some ways to save time in The Tall of it.
*The waits are worth it.
*The views are incredible!
THE TALL OF IT
If you are visiting I strongly suggest you enter at the main entrance on Fifth Ave. between 33rd and 34th Streets.
Here you can appreciate the Art Deco style of the building. It has rare marble from Germany, France, Belgium, and Italy. It is quite magnificent.
but first
When touring the NYC area try and travel as light as possible. Due to heightened security, backpacks are not allowed in some venues. Also the less you have in your pockets, the faster you will get through the detectors etc.
Another thing, depending on the time of year you are going and weather, you may be in the building up to five hours. That's with all I had listed in the Short of it and perhaps seeing the NY Skyride movie.
This means you may get hungry. Soooo, you may bring something up with you, but remember, I just said to pack light. Or you may eat before going up. There are many fine places to eat in the area, but a quick stop would probably be preferred on a tourist schedule. Many street vendors, deli's, and quick eats places are all in the area. Look right on 33rd and 34th streets.
Simply stated, don't go hungry. A power bar may be just what you need. The fact is you can get food and snacks in the building and on the observation deck. It will cost a bit more.
A quick note. Restrooms are available in the building.
FINDING THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
LOOK UP from most anywhere in Manhattan and you will see it. Manhattan is a grid of streets. Go uptown, downtown, or crosstown to 34th Street and Fifth Ave. You can't miss it. It is a quick walk from Penn Station, Times Square, Grand Central Station and most of mid town.
Just across the street is Macy's, Herald Square where the big Thanksgiving Day Parade reviewing stand is every year. Nearby is Lord and Taylor and many other shopping opportunities.
THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, GOING UP!?
First Line SECURITY
Due to 9/11 security is tight but not terrible. I was there just last Friday at about 2:00pm and it took about ten minutes to get through. It will take longer on weekends, holidays and Summer. All bags will go through screening and everything will come out of your pockets. Follow signs closely or better yet ask where you go next. Signing is not the best. Remember this is a busy office building and people are going in all directions. But before you move on read about"
SOME FUN FACTS
The top of the Empire State Building is bathed in colourful lights most of the year.
On most National Holidays like Independence Day, Memorial Day, Presidents Day and the like, it is in the three colours of our flag, Red White and Blue. This week, Fleet Week it is in those colours.
There are many other special nights throughout the year for holidays, nationalities, and special days.
On St Patrick's Day it's in Green. For Valentines Day Red, Spring and Easter bring the colours Yellow and White. Columbus Day has Red White and Green. Autumn Red and Yellow. Hannukah Blue, and Christmas Green and Red.
There are many others too. Every time you pass the building look at the colours and try to figure out the meaning.
There is one particular night when they are turned off for Aids Awareness.
On certain foggy and cloudy days of the Spring and Fall seasons the lights may be turned off as to protect migrating birds who may be attracted to the light.
Second Line TICKETS
You will be directed to go downstairs, one level below the lobby area. You will follow through a series of stanchions to the ticket window. It took me ten minutes. It can take an hour or more on a busy day.
Helpful hint Why not purchase your tickets ahead of time on line? They are good for up to one year and can save time. Go to www.esbnyc.com Prices are as follows;
Adults $11.00 with Skyride $20.00
Youth 12-17 $10.00 " " $18.00
Child 6-11 $$6.00 " " $14.00
Seniors 62 up $10.00 " " $18.00
Military w/id $10.00 " " $18.00
Military in Uniform FREE. I believe there is an $8.00 fee for the SkyRide.
I'll tell you a bit about the NY Skyride in a bit.
There is an audio tour tape you may pick up. It's five dollars, comes in six different languages and will give some history and sites to see from the deck.
You may have the tickets mailed to you overnight or regular mail for a fee. Better yet print them right away for free!
Hours of the building are 9:30 am till Midnight every day of the year. Last elevator goes up at 11:15pm
Some week ends and Holidays the Tickets start selling at 9:00am.
SOME MORE FUN FACTS Before continuing on.
Almost 90 full feature films have had the Empire State building in it. I won't list them. I will however mention a couple. The first that comes to my mind, from my days of youth is KING KONG. When on top look at how far he climbed up and battled with the airplanes. Then look and see how far the poor guy fell. Oh, He wasn't real?! He always will be in my mind.
How many of you do remember Cary Grant and Debra Kerr in "An Affair To Remember" More recently Meg Ryan met two guys up on the deck in two different movies. Billy Christal was the man in "When Harry Met Sally", and Tom Hanks finally connected with her on the deck of the Observatory in the flick, Sleepless in Seattle".
These wonderful make believe romances are shadowed by all the proposals of marriage that are presented each year above the city of New York.
Did you know you can get married up there? Yes, every Valentines Day people are selected from a list of couples who want this as their place to remember. A perk they get is that they get free admission every February 14th to the Observatory Deck. Hey it's time to get you up there.
Third Line ELEVATORS to the 80th FLOOR
After you have purchased your tickets ASK where you go next. There are some signs that will take you up to the second floor. The signs are poorly displayed.
If you had purchased tickets ahead of time this is where you want to go immediately after security. Ask where to go!
Once up on the second floor you have two choices. See the NY Skyride if you purchased tickets or go right to the elevators going up. You can do the ride afterward. That's what I suggest.
THE NY SKYRIDE
This is a big screen simulator ride that is in the OK category. I really think the bigger thrill is the building.
About 50 people go through a series of three stops. One is an introduction to the ride, the second gives their list of NYC top ten attractions. There is a bit of American Capitalism and advertising going on, and then finally you are brought to the theatre.
You go into rows of about eight to ten people filling every seat. A bar will be locked down on your lap and then prepare for take off.
You are on seats that will move and make you feel like you are traveling through the air. It is pretty neat but not great. The ride takes you mostly above NYC sites. You will crash the windows of FAO Shwartz and even go under one of the local rivers. This can be a bit scary for younger ones, but probably terrific for the eight to teens age.
This whole process can take 45 minutes to one and a half hours depending on lines. Ask first. It's a great place to rest a bit after viewing the sites from above on the observation deck.
Back to the Third Line ELEVATOR to the 80th FLOOR
Again it's your choice on the Skyride or going up. Just follow the lines to the elevators going up. This took me about twenty minutes. It can be longer! Stick with it, it's still worth it.
You will present your ticket, and proceed to the elevator. They hold about 16 people each. There are people moving the lines and shuffling you into the lifts.
The ride up, that takes a bit less than a minute, feels slow going at first. You will feel your ears popping from the elevation. As the elevator slows down you may get a bit of a funny feeling in your midsection. It's over pretty quickly.
You step out and there is a sign that says "Almost There". And you are, kind of.
MORE FUN FACTS AGAIN
*The Empire State Building is 1,453 feet 8 and 9/16 inches high.
*It was built in less than two years 1930-1932
*It has 102 floors
*The building is hit by lightning over 100 times per year.
*On an exceptionally clear day you can see up to 80 miles away. This include nearby New Jersey and Connecticut. In the far distances are Pennsylvania and Massachusetts!!
*There is an inside and outside viewing deck on the 86th floor. The inside is good on very cold and windy days for it is heated. The A/C is on during the Summer.
*As of 1986 the Empire State Building was declared a National Historic Landmark.
Fourth Line TO THE OBSERVATION DECK
When you see that Almost There sign you may be given a choice. Wait in another fast moving line, about five or ten minutes, for an elevator to the 86th floor Observation Deck or take the stairs.
You are talking about eight flights of stairs. Your choice!
If you do take the stairs try and figure your racing time. How would you do in the annualESB New York Road Runners Race up to the 102 floor? This race goes on every year. Oh, that's right annual covers that. The record run in the race is under 10 minutes!! It took this big guy ten minutes to do eight flights!
Once up to the 86th floor the elevators or stairs open up to the Observation Deck. That again gives some choices.
*You may opt for the rest rooms.
*Get a snack at the snack bar.
*Buy a souvenir at the shop.
*Checking out the view.
CHECKING OUT THE VIEW
So you have waited in lines, gone down escalators and up escalators, taken two elevators or possible walked eight flights of stairs. You may have even taken a Skyride tour of the city but finally, YOU ARE THERE!!
If it's cold just stay inside the glassed in area but I do know that no matter how cold it is, everyone just has to make the trip outside even if only for seconds.
It can be a bit colder and have more wind up there than at ground level. Maybe take a jacket and be prepared. In the summer it should be fine but again there can be a chill at night.
It doesn't really matter where you start. The views are magnificent in all directions, especially straight down!
If you have binoculars, consider them but remember I said to travel light. They do have them set up for a fee on the deck. You know the ones, where you put in the coin and then you get a minute of two before a shade drops down and darkens your view.
If you did get the tour tape you will be given some guidance as to what is where. You will see signs on the gating indicating where you are and what direction to look out on.
If you are familiar with NY, it's fun to find things. If you are not, the tour tape is good or just take out you map. It's OK to look like a tourist on top of the Empire State Building. There are plenty of people all around ready to share their information too.
Look for roof top gardens, bridges, Central Park, The Chrysler Building, Metlife Building, Madison Square Garden, JFK airport, St. Patricks and Rockefeller Center, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and so much more.
Take your time, there is no rush or time limit. You will have to wait for others to leave their positions along the outside edges of the building for unobstructed views.
This is also where the loss of the World Trade Center is greatly felt. Looking down at the lower city skyline and not seeing it hurts.
I was up on the ESB on Sunday September 9th 2001 less than 48 hours before the WTC came down. I was showing a friend from England the town. I took a picture of her from on top of the ESB with the Twin Towers in the background. She was to go home that Tuesday September 11th 2001. She had to stay another five days before a flight was going out again.
There will always be a sad moment when I go up there now.
Be sure to take your camera. A few pictures may come out. Do take one of the lower Manhattan skyline. If you have never been up there previously this can be your BEFORE picture. BEFORE whatever wonderful structure is put up on that special place in the next five or so years. Some day I hope to go up on top of the Empire State Building and see a new glorious building downtown! Better yet, I hope to be in it, taking a picture of the Empire State Building.
WHAT? MORE LINES?
Yes, to get down you have to go through the same series of lines but they do move faster. Before you go, purchase your ceramic Empire State Building, and take one more peek at the city below.
The Empire State Building was once billed as one of the Seven Wonders of the WORLD. It's still Wonderful!!
NEW YORK CITY, take a tour right here.
JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
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Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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