Visiting the Empire State Building in New York

Posted by Rachel in New York, New York City on 08 2nd, 2010 | No comments yet - be the first one!

A trip to New York isn’t complete without a visit to the Empire State Building. Located on Fifth Avenue, at 34th Street, the Empire State Building rises high above the street, and stands at 1,453 feet high.

If you’re intending to visit the Empire State Building, then it’s worth visiting early in the day or late in the evening and, where possible, buying a ticket online in advance. Estimates suggest that, in the height of the tourist season, between 10,000 and 20,000 people a day visit the building, which can cause considerable queues at busy times. A clear day is the ideal time to visit, as you get the opportunity to see for miles from the top of the building, but even on a grey or cloudy day you can still appreciate the great views.

Visiting during the day gives you the chance to see how the city below you looks during daylight and there are great opportunities to see other fantastic sights from above. It’s worth spending an extra few dollars to purchase the audio guide, which you listen to as you go up and around the building. In particular, there are prompts on the audio tour that tell you where to stand in the observatory to get to spot particular sights, such as Brooklyn Bridge, which you may otherwise miss if you’re not familiar with the geographical landscape.

But there’s something magical about visiting in the evening too, as many movies have famously depicted. New York City looks magical when it’s lit up night and, if you time your visit to coincide with sunset, you get to witness the changing city as it moves from daylight to darkness and the flickering lights gradually come on below. Amazingly, the building stays open late into the evening, with the last lift (elevator) heading up the building at 11.15pm.

Whatever time of day or night you visit, do allow plenty of time to soak up the sights and enjoy the experience of the Empire State Building. Most people spend an average of two hours here, but you can easily while away plenty more time. Even if it’s a hot day outside down at ground level, slip in an extra layer to put on when you reach the top, as it can be breezy and colder the further up the building you go.

Cameras and video cameras are widely accepted, but leave your tripod behind, as they’re not allowed in. Be aware too that you’re likely to have to undergo security checks on admittance and there are other objects, such as glass or bottles, that you can’t carry with you.

The Empire State Building is an amazing structure and a huge part of New York’s skyline, so do visit if you have the opportunity.