Empire Stating the obvious (Empire State Building)

Member Name: Zenith

Product:	Empire State Building
Date:	02/07/00 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The view goes on for miles and miles

Disadvantages: It's a bit high up for me...

You know how it is - at one point you're the biggest guy in town but sooner or later someone bigger comes along. That's what happened to the Empire State Building and it no longer looms over the Manhattan skyline the way it once did. However it retains that special feel and is another of the must see sites of NY.

First of all I have to point out that I suffer from vertigo like you wouldn't believe and it took a fair bit of courage to get me up there. All I can say is that it was well worth it. It was incredible to see the city from this perspective. I was particularly glad that we didn't go on the first day of our trip - this made the view from the building that bit more personal - "look, that's were we where yesterday...". It was great to look down on sights that we had spent the week looking up at.

The Empire State Building is on 5th avenue. If you need more directions than that then perhaps you should stick to staying at home. As soon as you walk in the door you are struck by the sense of class the place has - the entire lobby is marble lined and you will want to get a picture taken in front of the image of the skyscraper which is carved onto the wall.

It is open 365 days a year and you can buy tickets for the observatory floors from about 8.30am. The 86th floor observatory opens at 9.30am and closes at midnight. The observatory on the 102nd floor is a bit more hit and miss - it was shut when we went because of filming. I must be honest and say that the 86th floor was more than enough for me. Apparently the 102nd floor is often closed during the most busy times due to capacity restrictions - if you really want to go right to the top then I would check it is open before you buy your tickets.

The observation deck is very safe and secure - a steel fence prevents anyone who has the urge to jump. Each corner has a few sets of those pay binoculars ( they cost about 50 cents a go ) that you find at most
seaside towns. Unlike the Statue of Liberty there is plenty of room to stroll round and the lack of a crush was most welcome. Inside the 86th floor has a very good souvenir shop and I defy anyone not to spend at least a few quid there. Another welcome difference to the Statue of liberty is the lifts. They shoot right up to the top and you are there in no time at all.

I've been told that the best view of the city is at night - trust me good as it is, there are much better things to do in New York at night than visit the Empire State Building.

Tickets cost $9 for adults and $4 for kids. As with most of the big sights in NY there is a high demand and long queues so I would get there early.
The Empire State Building is one of those sights that you have to see and it does live up to the hype. Just watch out for giant gorillas.

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