New York City
Price $48
Min age 6
Rating 4.32 / 5 [5320 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Travel bucket list idea:
New York, United States of America (USA)
This art deco icon, built 1929-31, was New York’s tallest building for decades until the twin towers were built at the World Trade Centre – now replaced of course by the One World Trade skyscraper at the same site.
It’s one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world – and gets ridiculously busy – but it’s worth it for the unrivalled views of the city from the observation deck.
The closest subway stops are 34th Street on the 1,2, or 3 lines (Penn Station), or the B, D, F, N, Q, R to 34th Street (Avenue of the Americas).
To avoid the ticket-window queue, buy tickets online in advance or a City Pass (see below). The only way to avoid often-enormous queues for the lifts inside is stealthy timing or to pay double for an Express ticket.
The mobile-delivered City Pass gives you entry to 6 top New York attractions at a 40% discount: the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observatory, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, ferry access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
The building is open all year round, seven days a week. Dawn (8am) and late afternoon (around 3pm) are best for queues. Avoid mid-morning to mid-afternoon when the queues are largest and the light is flattest.
Grey and wet days are obviously likely to be disappointing. Just after a giant rainstorm is genius – tiny queues and sharp light.
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New York City
Price $48
Min age 6
Rating 4.32 / 5 [5320 ratings]
Tour supplied by: