Empire State Building in New York – practical information and interesting facts

This building is one of the most recognizable symbols of New York City (probably right after the Statue of Liberty)! It wasn’t enough to look at it from other vantage points, we decided to also go up to the observation deck, which offers a fantastic view of Manhattan. Was it worth it? What attractions (besides the views) await and what interesting things did we learn about the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Bulding is a well-known building and a popular attraction among all visitors to New York. When looking at the city skyline, one immediately looks for that distinctive building topped with a spire, which definitely stands out. Of course, its popularity comes with some difficulties, which means no less than that you are likely to run into a lot of tourists here (especially if you, like us, want to go here for the sunset). There is a fee to enter the observation deck and you must have a reservation for a specific time. Unfortunately, despite the limited number of tickets, it is still crowded enough at the top that it is difficult to get to the barriers at times.

According to many, this is the building with the best view of New York City, but to be honest it is not our favorite viewpoint in Manhattan ;) New York has many buildings with a view of the city, well, but the Empire State Building is a unique icon of NYC and we know that what we would write there will still be many people willing to visit this place.

Basic information about the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is one of the most recognizable buildings not only in New York, but we can safely say all over the world. Located in Midtown Manhattan on 5th Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets, the building measures 443.2 meters (including the antenna) and has 102 floors. From its opening in 1931, it was the tallest building in the world for many years until the first World Trade Center tower was completed in 1970. Currently, the tallest building in the city is One World Trade Center, but between the tragic events of 2001 and the construction of a new skyscraper, the title is back in the hands of the Empire State Building.

The Empire State Building offers two popular observation decks – at 86. i 102. floor, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of New York City (as of 2019, you can also enjoy the city skyline from floor 80: there is no outdoor terrace, but you also get a great view through the glass windows).

History of the Empire State Building

Construction of the Empire State Building began in 1930, and it was completed in record time – in just 410 days. The design was prepared by Shreve, Lamb and Harmon (also in record time, in just two weeks), and the project was overseen by John J. Raskob, who had the ambitious goal of creating the tallest building in the world, surpassing the Chrysler Building which, as you have already read, he succeeded in doing. The building opened on the 1st. May 1931, when President Herbert Hoover officially turned on the building’s lights. By the way, the Chrysler Building may have been so titled for a very short time – less than a year at most (from 1930 to 1931).

The pace of work on the Empire State Building was impressive, with more than 3,500 workers on the site, a large group of whom were immigrants from Italy and Ireland but also Native Americans from the Kahnawake reservation in Canada. Are you familiar with the famous photograph with workers sitting on a steel beam suspended aloft, peacefully eating lunch? This was NOT a photograph taken during the construction of the ESB, although in many places on the Internet you will find such information (this photo was even posted on the official website of the Empire State Building!). The photo is a set-up ;) It was actually high up, but the workers sat like that for the promotional campaign, and the shot is of Rockefeller Center. Although, of course, you have to give up that working at such heights in those days was an incredible challenge – 5 people died during the construction of EBS, and according to some sources, as many as 14.

Construction during the Great Economic Crisis attracted worldwide media attention, and the Empire State Building itself became a symbol of hope and perseverance. Initially, the managers struggled financially, but the ESB soon rose to prominence and became one of New York’s most important facilities, also recognized as a symbol of American innovation. It is worth mentioning that it was planned from the beginning that there would be a building to visit and viewing platforms were built right away.

The building is currently managed by Empire State Realty Trust, and companies such as LinkedIn, Shutterstock, Air China, Turkish Airlines, Quatar Airways and Skanska are headquartered here.

Interesting facts about Empire State Building

Here are some interesting facts that may interest and surprise you:

• Colorful illuminations – The Empire State Building is known for its striking lighting, which changes colors to commemorate holidays, social and sporting events.
• High-speed elevators – The building has 73 elevators that speed up at about 366 meters per minute! Thanks to them, you can reach the observation decks really expressly
• A Hollywood symbol, the Empire State Building appears in many films, such as “King Kong,” “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Independence Day.” It also became the site of iconic romantic and action scenes, further cementing its place in mass culture.
• Unique architectural status – In 1986, the Empire State Building was designated a National Historic Landmark, and its Art déco style is an inspiration for architects around the world.
• The spire of the building – the spire of the Empire State Building was originally intended to dock airships! However, this has never happened in practice, mainly for security reasons.
• Plane accident – in 1945, a military plane hit the Empire State Building. The building survived, but the death toll was 14.

Empire State Building – tour

This famous building overlooking the city attracts as many as 4 million visitors annually!

When buying tickets to enter the Empire State Building observation decks, there are two options to choose from: Main Deck 86th Floor New York City Observatory and Top Deck 102nd & 86th Floor observation decks. There are several other packages to choose from, e.g., romantic engagement, premium experiance, fast pass, etc., but here we will focus on the first two, the most popular ones.

Of course, you can already guess from the name that the second, more expensive option additionally offers entry to the top floor, or 102. We chose the basic package, for us it was sufficient, especially since New York offers so many interesting viewpoints that you can look at the city from many perspectives.

However, before ascending to the top floors of the Empire State Building, we go through rooms showing how the building was built, its history and major events. There are mock-ups, screens and sculptures of employees – it’s worth spending a moment here to learn more about the building you’re currently in.

Then steps are directed to the elevator, which takes you to the upper floors of the Empire State Building. At 80. The first floor offers a panoramic view of the city through the glass windows, and when you ascend to the 86th level, you emerge onto a terrace, which you can walk around and admire NYC from all sides. The terrace is protected by bars with wide openings – we have seen many people displaying phones and cameras through them, but we don’t think this is the best idea.

We chose an hour just before sunset, and while the views were truly worth every dollar spent on this ascent, the crowd at the top effectively made it impossible to quietly admire the city dipping into the night.

Those who purchased the more expensive package can continue their journey upward by going to the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building. Maybe it’s looser and quieter there ;)

Empire State Building with a child

Is it worth taking the kids to the Empire State Building?

As always with such questions, the answer will be: it depends :) It depends on what age you have children, what they are interested in, etc. We can’t directly say: take your children there, it will be great, because some children may not be interested in it at all.

The Empire State Building is not a place made typically for children, although it must be admitted that some of the exhibits will certainly interest them. You can sit next to the workers, watch animations of how the building was constructed, etc. Though let’s not hide it: the main attraction is the observation decks, which may appeal more to adults. At the top, on the 86th floor, the railings are made in such a way that even lower children will be able to admire the city skyline. Of course, you have to be very careful that they don’t stick out their hands and throw something away ;)

It’s also worth knowing that the Empire State Building is handicapped-accessible, so there’s no problem entering with a stroller either, but on the terrace the stroller must be folded.

We recommend visiting this place in the morning hours to avoid the biggest crowds and ensure a somewhat quieter visit. Children will not only have the opportunity to look at the city from a unique height, but also feel like little explorers on one of the most famous buildings in the world!

Practical information about the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is open to tourists all year round, from the morning (9:00, 10:00 am) to the evening hours (8:00; 9:00 pm). Tickets are purchased online, and it’s a good idea to do so in advance to make sure that the slot you want will be available.

If you plan to visit with children or a larger group, consider morning hours – this avoids the biggest crowds.

At 86. There is an open-air observation deck on the first floor, while the 102nd. A glass-enclosed vantage point is available on the first floor, from where you can enjoy the New York City skyline. At the top are binoculars, which you probably know from photos and videos, so you can get an up-close look at iconic New York landmarks.

Getting to the Empire State Building and parking

The Empire State Building is located on 5th Avenue, between 33rd Street and 34th Street, making it easily accessible from other parts of Manhattan as well as the rest of New York City. Believe us, you will find it without any problem!

The most convenient way to get to the Empire State Building is by public transportation – subway stations nearby include 34th Street-Herald Square Square and 34th Street-Penn Station, which serve multiple subway lines. You can find current schedules and connections on the MTA website.

If you plan to come by car, it’s worth remembering that parking can be difficult to find in Manhattan. There are paid parking lots in the area, but the prices can be quite high, so it is better to consider public transportation, especially since the zone by the Empire State Building is heavily monitored and there are often traffic restrictions.

>> We also recommend you our practical post about New York: New York practically – what you need to know before you travel: visas, hotels, tickets….

Empire State Building entrance ticket – prices

How much does it cost to go up the Empire State Building? The price depends on the selected package and the time of entry. Below are sample prices:

Main Deck 86th Floor New York City Observatory:

• Regular ticket – $44-$58
• Discounted tickets – $38-$52

Top Deck 102nd & 86th Floor observation Decks:

• Regular ticket – $79-$96
• Discounted tickets – $73-$90

Discounts are available for seniors 62+, and children under 5 get in for free.

A $5 transaction fee is added to the tickets.

Where to stay overnight in the Empire State Bulding area?

In our opinion, there is no need to look for an accommodation facility in New York just for one attraction. It is more important that it is well connected to all of Manhattan, so first of all, that there is a subway station under your nose, and from there it will be easy to get to the Empire State Building.

Here are some accommodations in New York City that we recommend (we ourselves slept in the first property on the list, and although the room was very cramped and the breakfast was average, the view we had was worth the price):

• SpringHill Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan Chelsea
  Address: 140 West 28th Street, Chelsea, New York, 10001
  Prices: from 1800 PLN for a 2-bed room per night (breakfast included)
  Link: http://r4b.link/booking-nyc
  
• M Social Hotel Times Square New York
  Address: 226 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019
  Prices: from 2100 PLN for a 2-bed room per night
  Link: http://r4b.link/nyc-msocial
  
• Doubletree By Hilton New York Times Square West
  Address: 350 West 40th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, New York, NY 10018
  Prices: from 1500 PLN for a 2-bed room per night
  Link: http://r4b.link/nyc-doubletree-by-hilton
  
• Millennium Downtown New York
  Address: 55 Church Street, Wall Street – Financial District, New York, NY 10007
  Prices: from 1750 PLN for a 2-bed room per night
  Link: http://r4b.link/nyc-millenium
  

Our opinion – is it worth going up the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is a truly iconic place! This building overlooking New York City attracts several million tourists a year.

The views are fantastic, you can look at Manhattan and beyond from all sides, however, in our opinion, the Empire State Building is…. too popular ;) And it would have been enough to reduce the number of available tickets a bit, and the experience of staying at the top would probably have been much more pleasant. If we are ever given the chance to return here we will definitely choose a different time of day :)

And what are your impressions? Did you manage to visit the Empire State Building?